Baby Steps: All in a Day's Work

After almost 3 weeks after having our little angel, I am starting to feel like things are getting a *little* easier and we're settling into a new routine with our precious baby boy.  Remember when all I had to worry about was getting him safely into the world and our biggest fear was not knowing how he'd be born?  Well, forget that.  I wasn't even CLOSE to being prepared for all of the new worry that consumed my every waking thought now that he's here.  The first two weeks were filled with every emotion fathomable. 

We had lots of different moments.  Moments of stress...

And moments of peace...

Yeah.  It was pretty crazy.  But even now, in his third week, I am finding it easier to feel like myself and not some nutty, overly emotional, overwhelmed, under slept mama.  There are definitely still rough patches and feelings of uncertainty.  But I'm learning to take everything in stride and to just do the best that I can.  And I definitely could NOT have made it those first two weeks without the help of my mom and sister.  Thank you times a million, Mom and Christy!  You both helped and taught me so much!
After leaving our mailbox unchecked for almost 2 weeks, we finally got around to the task. It was jam packed.  After recycling the junk, we were basically left with 2 piles of mail--hospital bills and greeting cards.  So I left the bills alone for awhile and just smiled as I opened lots of sweet cards from loved ones greeting and welcoming baby Jackson into the world.  It was like one of those chicken- soup-for-the-new-mom's-soul moments.  Thank you to our sweet families and friends for sending us some much needed smiles!

Friday...17 Days Old
Jackson and I wanted to get out of the house for a little bit so we loaded up all our gear and headed up to the family businesses.  We had such a great day and Jackson was so flexible--eating, napping, and lounging just as babies do.  I didn't do much other than answer a couple of phone calls and tag in a few dry cleaning orders, but it was a start.  At first it seemed strange being back to work.  But then, it was so nice to feel productive and feel like I could see myself being able to juggle the combination of working and taking care of baby Jackie.  Though it will take time to get back up to speed with my regular routine, at least we made some small "baby" steps. 


We improvised here and made a laundry cart bassinet.  He loved it.

After work, Phil, Jackson, and I headed to get a bite to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings.  I ordered my first beer in almost a year.  Jackson was sleeping like a little angel so Phil ordered some wings and I got a yummy salad.  The honeymoon didn't last long.  Jackie was up and ready to go, hungry and fussy so we decided to pack up our order to-go and head home from the long day.  Best decision ever.  But hey, at least we tried.  We got to have a beer and share an appetizer.  Baby steps.

I am not officially locked into any kind of schedule (obviously, these little guys have a schedule of their own and you sort of have no choice but to follow along), but each day that he's here, Jackie is getting the hang of being in his new world, and I'm getting the hang of how to help him adjust.  I just love him so much.  At night, he's been giving me 3-5 hour stretches of sleep, and it's getting easier to face the morning. 



This is my morning face.