We came home from the hospital safely on Wednesday. I got choked up as we were walking out with baby Eddie secured in his car seat, marking our true transition into parenthood as we were about to be without the securities of trained nurses and doctors. The hospital stay was pretty posh - Northwestern Prentice is a new state of the art facility complete with plasma t.v.s, 24 hour room service and the best care imaginable. Our first night there we called the night nurse four times - when little Eddie's face got red and blotchy, when we were concerned he had mucous in his throat and when we just couldn't get the hang of swaddling and couldn't seem to soothe him enough to sleep - typical new parent cluelessness and naivete. But now we are home and are adjusting quite well, as is little Eddie. He hates to have his diaper changed and the piercing cry that accompanies this task makes a mother's heart break, so we often do it in stages - the petroleum jelly covered gauze for the circumcised penis, the dirty diaper change and then the clothes. And Eddie has a tendency to do that typical boy thing where he decides that during the diaper change is the best time to release a powerful spray of urine. So then the process begins all over again. We have had to wash the changing table pad cover twice now and have already done a load of laundry to clean his wet clothes. The process also gets accompanied by some soothing done by me and the nipple, so a feeding usually follows the process. And often along with the feeding comes a release of his prior feeding, meaning, he poops shortly thereafter changing the diaper, so, alas, we must return to the changing table. Thankfully Daddy Eddie is part of the process and willingly shares in the duties as we both struggle to hold back little Eddie's legs as he squirms and try to soothe him as he fuses. I truly believe that God makes new life possible only by the union between a man and woman because it literally takes 4 hands to care for a newborn. I pity and simultaneously admire those women throughout the ages who did not have help from their husbands...and I know there are many of them.
Another parenting topic we are already deeply acquainted with is sleep. When little Eddie was at the hospital he hardly slept during the night. Since we have gotten home, every day gets a little better but in general he dislikes being put down. At the hospital they swore by swaddling - securing the baby in blankets wrapped up like a burrito. But Eddie always seems to kick and squirm his way out, especially his hands, which he loves to play with and stick in his mouth. So we gave up on swaddling and he is much happier. The occasional scratch of the face occurs, but he nor we seems to mind. He likes sleeping in his Moses basket and loves his sling, but other items, such as the bassinet, the bouncy seat and swing are less soothing. And his placement of choice to sleep is on us - on a bare chest - or in our bed between us. So last night we had him in the bed with us exclusively and he slept great, waking up only at midnight and 4 a.m. and then not until 8:30 a.m. Those who are against co-sleeping, I understand your plea, but I will take you on in a debate...there is nothing more natural and sweeter than waking up with your whole family in one place. I especially love smelling my baby's morning breath, a smell akin to almond milk and lilies.
Today we made our first outing, traveling to the Green City Market, a farmer's market that we shop at every Saturday. He loved it! I had him in a sling and he slept the whole time as Grandma Lauer, Daddy Eddie and I shopped for fresh ingredients and enjoyed the warm summer day. It was great to be out and show him off to all of my market friends and farmers. Everyone was so complimentary and thrilled for us. Crazy that just a week ago we were at the market and Eddie was still inside of me and I was almost beginning to think that he would never come. Well, of course, he came...a day early actually...and we are just still in a state of bliss as we watch his every movement with wonderment and soak in the newness of each moment as only new parents can do.
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