More exhausted?
I wouldn't have thought it was possible, but I'm actually more exhausted today than yesterday. I finally got a few hours sleep this morning, only to wake up and realize we had a pediatrician visit scheduled for about 80 minutes later. Amanda and I rushed around and got there in no time, but we realized we didn't bring backup diapers or a pacifier or anything. (It was our first visit away from the hospital or home with him ... and those places are always very well stocked with all the things we needed).
The visit went great. Nathaniel has lost a little weight (he's back to about his birth weight), but everyone says that's fine because he was pumped with fluids at the hospital. The pediatrician also removed the bandage over his chest incision, so we got to see it for the first time. It's really not that bad looking, considering what they did.
One important item, however, is that Nathaniel is considered to have a somewhat weakened immune system right now because of his surgery. He's going to be getting a special immunization (an amazingly expensive immunization ... glad insurance is covering all this) to help him deal with things in the first couple of months, but the doctors are suggesting minimizing his contact with people to avoid too many germs.
Hmmm ... gonna have to cut this short. It's 9:21 p.m., which means Nathaniel has entered his wide awake phase of the day. I'm now typing with one hand and trying to talk to him at the same time. And things are going very slow.
Added later ...
Nathaniel has fallen asleep for a moment. I was talking to Amanda about my feeling that I don't talk to him enough. She says she feels incredibly inadequate as well, but that's what happens with a baby: You do everything you can for them, but you always feel like it's not enough. I thought that was a nice way of helping me relax a little.
Amanda and I are going to try to work in shifts tonight. I'm staying up with him until about 2 a.m., then Amanda will take over while I sleep as late as I can. She slept for a while, but she's awake right now (10:16 p.m.) for dinner. I hope she can get back to sleep for a while.
posted by Mark Correa @ 9:17 PM
3 Comments
3 Comments:
Hey Mark, I've been reading this on and off for some time now and I too am a new dad. I want to say Congrats with your new addition. I wanted to tell you this will be the hardest thing you and your wife will go through in your entire life, but it is also the most rewarding. There is nothing that even stands by it. No getting hired by a job nothing. My daughter is 7 weeks now, and the toughest things my wife and I have decided are the lack of sleep and have to hear her cry herself to sleep at night. But hang in there. It gets easier and even more rewarding. Talk to him as much as possible. Sing to him. Make up songs. Keep telling him how much you love him and how you can't wait until you can teach him how to play baseball and football and go to eagles games together. Be well keep your spirits up, and sleep when he does.
John B.
Maple Shade, NJ
You had me up until the Eagles comment. While he may become an Eagles fan, I'm pushing him toward his dad's hometown team, the Steelers.
Otherwise, I know what you're saying. We're both exhausted, but the whole thing is so fantastic and we're so happy and excited it doesn't matter how tired we are.
Mark and Amanda,
Thanks for the blogs. We've been following them. It looks like you've been getting sound advice and Nathanial has made a good start in life.
your uncle in Finland
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