Potatoes in the Mist

So we took E for his second pediatrician's visit today. As usual, he peed on the nurse (she even predicted it but got sprayed anyway), and he now weighs 9 lbs, 12 oz. He got his first vaccine, hep B, and survived. I'd been worried about "nipple strike" -- where the baby prefers the bottle to breastfeeding - but the doctor said they're more likely to prefer breastfeeding and refuse the bottle. I guess I should figure out how to work that pump.

I took E out in the Ergo carrier again today! It worked like a charm. I was able to walk for a little over a mile (each way) and bought a vegan cupcake. Of course, when I took him out of the carrier after I got home, he erupted :( My mother and sister left today. I think they had a great time. They went to the gay pride parade, and Mom said she wanted to bring E home with her. More later when E does not want to nurse.

So I got over the intimidation factor with the instructional DVD, and watched a little video online that explained how to use my Ergo baby carrier. We took him to the in-laws' apartment on a trial run...my in-laws are actually out of town and my mother and sister are staying there. Well, all the claims about babies loving these carriers (because they remember the rhythm of your walk from the womb) are true! E slept like a baby the whole way. In fact, maybe I should take him out for a walk in the carrier whenever he's fussing.

Once I got the hang of it, I started lying down to nurse E at night. He likes to fall asleep snuggled with me after this. What's more, it's his favorite way to sleep. The crib is a distant second. At three weeks old, he already knows how to get what he wants. If I try to nurse him at night sitting up, or put him in the crib at night, no dice. He wants the bed. I felt bad about this initially, but at least two people with multiple children have sworn up and down that you won't roll over on the baby, and this seems to be true. In fact, I woke up a few times feeling stiff from being in the same position - it seemed as if my body was determined not to roll over on him. I think all three of us slept much better.

So I got at least 6, maybe 8, hours sleep last night - it's hard to add it all up when it's so fragmented - but I'm grateful anyway. Still, it may be taking a bit of a toll...I went to the library to return a book and pick up some that were waiting for me...and I passed a mailbox along the way. Yup. I opened the mailbox and was about to drop the book in when the author photograph confronted me. I saw Jhumpa Lahiri staring up at me and realized, "This is not mail." Good save. Coincidentally, I didn't read the book...it was too moody for me. I read Lauren Weisberger's new novel instead. It was fun.

Another picture of E, since you all reassured me you are not bored...plus the beautiful quilt Roxanne made. It has cute animals all over it :) Also, the animals are in pairs, so the quilt feels very cozy.

I know, you are probably getting bored with E pictures, but I can't help myself :)

So E's first lunch date is coming up on July 1st.* We'll be meeting: 1) my friend who also has an E baby 2) another girl I haven't met yet, who knows my friend and apparently lives in my apartment complex. Her baby is named Olive (cute, no?) ...and going to a vegan eatery. I think the fact that it is vegan, and somewhat crunchy, works in my favor...plus the fact that it will be all women (except 2 boy babies), so no one will be uncomfortable about breastfeeding. I'm just hoping our babies don't raise hell ;) I have to figure out how to take him there. He has a love/hate relationship with the sling, and I have not yet learned how to use the Ergo baby carrier (it comes with an instructional DVD. Enough said.) The carrier is also supposed to be ideal for 15-lb babies and up...a category to which he does not yet belong. I could try the stroller, since the head-support insert has arrived. *Actually, the lunch will need to be rescheduled because the resto is not open that...

Here are some pictures of the little man with his eyes open. He still has dark blue baby eyes.

So I've been doing some basic Pilates exercises -- I have this special post-pregnancy Pilates book with exercises sorted out by week -- and it's good to wake up my muscles again, though I WANT TO SWIM. Picked up a few tips from my friend who visited a few days ago - I ordered a little blue vinyl pad to put under E's tushy during changes (we actually aren't using the big changing pad that much, since the crib mattress is high enough not to hurt our backs). This means that when the "chucks" (little cotton changing pads) from the hospital run out, it won't be a big deal. (I also love the hospital underwear - it's made of mesh and quite awesome - but I only figured out recently that you can put it in the washing machine. I'm mourning the pairs I thoughtlessly disposed.) So I'm thinking about pumping. I'm hesitant to throw a wrench in the works, but the fact is, I'll probably want to go out sometime, or have D do one of the night feedings. P...

So, as a mother, I've decided not to sweat the small stuff. The "small stuff" means "housekeeping." When my mom was here, she helped clean up, and my SIL also helped clear up the place the other day. But it re-messifies quickly. I have decided not to worry about it. Have I mentioned that I miss swimming? I really, really do. They told me not to swim for 6 weeks - "your cervix is still open." But I swam at 5 cm, the day before delivery! I wonder what the difference is now? Maybe it was okay before because my water hadn't broken. My mother got E a small swim shirt with a shark on it. They have these mommy & me classes at the pool I use and I can't wait to bring him to one. A friend of mine who gave birth in April came today with her baby, who is also an E, though he has a different name. It was funny, we told each other we were both thinking of E names (this was before our babies were born), and we both assumed that the other had chosen Ethan...

Well, I went to the grocery store for the first time postpartum, and it felt great. The fruit display felt like an old friend :) The store is only 2 blocks away, but it was so nice to not be helpless and get the food myself. And now, instead of people asking, "Any minute now?" and "Twins?", they say, "You had your baby!" It is a VAST IMPROVEMENT. I am also here to tell you that the postpartum body is not as bad as feared...they have a number of "scare sites" out there. Well, I basically look the same as I did before, except I still have a little belly, and of course a bigger chest (though the nursing bras flatten it out a bit, in the name of support!) I have a few teeny-weeny stretch marks that no one else would ever be able to find - I practically need a magnifying glass. Thanks to cocoa butter, or heredity, I guess. So if you're pregnant, don't be afraid of the aftermath. Your belly will get smaller every day, if you're breastfeedin...

Today I discovered the beauty of in-house sling use. I was able to eat my cereal (albeit with one hand). I love the sling. I do recommend getting it a couple of sizes too small, as D's cousin did for me. Then you don't have to support it so much. I still cradle it with one arm for safety's sake, but it's a nice snug fit. Yesterday baby was circumcised. I have little to say about this trauma except (a) it's over, (b) his penis looks less angry now, and (c) I believe it was the right thing to do, although I felt terrible at the time.

So I started reading David Sedaris's new book, and it was funny enough to make me forget to take a shower. (Don't worry, I took one yesterday.) Have you ever noticed that ever since James Frey's fake memoir debacle, memoirists seem to be required to put in a little note about the book's authenticity or lack thereof? Well, Sedaris's note reads: "The events in this book are realish."

So I'm starting to feel more like myself. My stitches are starting to heal and hopefully I'll be able to go for a walk soon. I'm a bit bored because I have no books currently (and there are 10 waiting for me at the library!) but my SIL is going to try to pick some of them up for me today. It must be 100 outside. Baby continues to be adorable (he's wearing my Chicks Dig Me onesie, with two small chicks, as in baby hens).

I am going to try extremely hard to add a picture to this entry later. I will try to pound this out while Mom holds the baby. D also needs my computer cord because he broke his. Labor was hell. I remember asking the nurse, "How did you go natural? Didn't you want to die?" The nurse said, "Of course." Needless to say, I got an epidural. Next time, I would get one right away, because they take 20 minutes to work and it takes the anesthesiologist 20 minutes to get there and I had the embarrassment of a screaming contraction in front of him. The pushing was even worse. It was the hardest work I've ever done and I was completely wiped out when I did it. Near the end, I asked for a C-section, forceps, anything. The doctor refused both requests but used a little suction to help E arrive. I still can't believe he came out of me. E is adorable but he eats like crazy! Sometimes he tries to nurse my arm. Breastfeeding is much better than expected. It doesn't re...

[Posted by Bearette's husband until she has Internet access] e was born today! 8 pounds even, a cute and healthy baby boy. He likes to stick out his tongue just a little, and move his mouth around. The hospital gave him a little white hat with a purple pom pom. Bearette is tired but happy. Pictures soon.

So I went to my own doctor today. My weight stayed the same (thank goodness), and I dilated another centimeter, bringing me to 5 cm and 90% effaced. The doctor said, "You have got to be kidding me. You're still pregnant?" when she saw me in her exam room. She said, "I know I've told you this before, but just to reinforce...when you start getting contractions, do not wait. Call us en route." He weighs 8 1/2 lbs. At the end of the visit, she said, "Go into labor this week!" "I'll try," I told her. Some snuggly ducks for you (it's a blanket my sister sent):

Today we passed a flea market and I told D how I hate flea markets because I want to get rid of clutter, not buy it. (I've done a few closet/book/CD purges since the nesting instinct kicked in.) D said, "So do they." And I said, "But they also want me to buy their stuff, and that'll never happen." Then I saw a $10 baby monitor and the rest, as they say, is history. Don't worry, I asked a few questions first. And it was in the original packaging, which was promising. Later I went swimming for the first time this week. I keep an exercise log to keep me honest. My goal at this point is to exercise 3x a week (not counting walking, since NYers have to do that anyway. In my postnatal log, I will count walking, though. Might as well take it easy on myself.) Anyway, I did yoga 2x this week, but had not gone swimming until today. I'm writing this to remind myself about how good it feels. Maybe I should go twice next week. I'm getting to know the people i...