Jeff and I were talking about this blog and he mentioned that Camden was going to be a "star" because of this blog. True. I told Jeff that he was a supporting actor. With that said, at the top of each entry, I'm going to list Camden (the star) and anyone mentioned within the blog (supporting actors). So...
Star: Camden
Supporting Actors: Jeff (father), Nana (my momma), Jason or Papa (my stepdad),Papaw (my dad), Ruth or Mamaw (my stepmom),Ted or Papaw (Jeff's dad), Linda or Mamaw/Nana(Jeff's mom), Amy (Jeff's sister) , Kindra (my cousin) and Aunt Andrea (my aunt).
The first month of Camden's life flew by way too fast. I didn't want Camden to grow up. I was excited, over-drained, sleep deprived, elated, overwhelmed, anxious, happy beyond belief and confused all at once. Needless to say.. I think the correct "categorization" would be emotional. Jeff can attest to this. I read countless articles online about what to expect after pregnancy and seriously nothing prepared me for this emotional rollercoaster. One day I was in awe of my son, I waited 10 long months to see him and he was finally here! The next day I was crying at the songs that played on his bouncy seat. Yes, literally tears and tears were rolling down my face. I was a sob fest. One day, nothing I did could make Camden happy and I wanted to pull my hair out. I rocked him, swaddled him, fed him, made silly faces at him, changed his diaper every 5 minutes, fed him and nothing was making this child happy! I'm sure all first time moms can agree with me, it's a learning experience.
So.. in no particular order ..here's a list of what I learned and how I acquired this useful knowledge.
1. Ask for help. I had this preconceived notion before Camden arrived that I was going to be the "know-it-all" Mommy. Honestly, I knew nothing. Even my diaper changing skills have advanced. First person I asked for help of course was my own mother. (Thanks Mom). Now it took me a few days to figure out that I needed sleep or else I'd lose it. And I figured.. my mom had TWO babies at once I'm sure she can handle one and figure it all out. I was completely right. I woke up the next day refreshed and actually felt like myself and not a walking zombie. Which resulted in my next learned lesson....
2. Patience. And A LOT of it. I'll be completely honest here, I thought I would have tons and tons of patience. But nothing tests your patience more than a crying, unhappy baby! When I was impatient and stressed, the baby felt that. I have learned to take a deep breath and slowly regain my patience and once I did, Camden was at ease and content.
3. Laugh. I remember one night Jeff and I probably had changed Camden 10 times because he kept spitting up all over himself. It got to the point where I just left him naked! Jeff and I just laughed about it, best therapy ever! If he has one of those spit up days, which are frequent, and you see him with only a diaper on, you know what was going on hours before!
4. Appreciate those little moments. I remember one of the first early morning feedings I was dead tired and since I was breastfeeding I was on call to either pump or nurse every feeding. You talk about tiring! I feel guilty saying this but let's face it, I'm honest and open about everything! But, I was dreading the feeding and the only thing I wanted to do was to crawl back in bed. Camden was crying and I went over to pick him up and he immediately calmed down. After his feeding he was still awake, eyes open and alert. He was staring at me and I was staring at him and at that moment I felt so much love not only from my part but I felt his love for me for the first time. Of course I instantly knew he loved me when he was born but that night there was something special about us looking at each other that I won't ever forget. Nothing was better than that moment with my son and he may not remember it later in life but I will always remember.
5. And.. on a lighter but yellow note. Watch out for his pee aim! Now you may be thinking, there's no way a baby can knowingly aim for your face but I promise you my child is that smart! He's peed on me and just about anyone who has changed him while smiling and laughing at the fact. (Side note: His Nana is happy to report that he has yet to pee on her.. ) Additionally, when he's peeing in his diaper he's not all smiles. If you don't believe me that he knows what he's doing, I want you to do this... Next time you find yourself heading to the bathroom take a portable mirror in with you and see if a smile pops up on your face while you pee! If you're the rare breed that smiles during your bathroom visits.. then you live a much happier life than I do!
6. Figure out the cries. Camden has five different cries. There is a hungry cry, tired cry, angry cry, sick/hurt cry and "There's nothing wrong with me" cry. I've mastered getting to know these cries and as much as I'd like to tell you how, I want Jeff to figure them out for himself. Sorry hun, but there's no freepasses here! Jeff's mastered most of them but one! I'll keep that one disclosed! On another hand, my dad or papaw, thinks every cry is a hungry cry. Well use to.. until I told him what was up! Camden weighs 14lbs and 11oz ... I wonder why, PAPAW! Just kidding!
7. "People who say they sleep like a baby probably don't have one."-Leo J. Burke
Now, I have no clue who this Leo guy is but he sure knows what he's talking about. High five to him.
Sleep/nap when baby does. I desperately needed to learn this one! When Camden went to sleep I was busy running around trying to pick up the house. Either I was gathering up his dirty, soaked with spit-up clothes, cleaning the carpet from his spit-ups, washing bottles, folding his clothes, cleaning myself up from his spit-up or taking pictures of his cute little self sleeping. When he woke up I wondered to myself, "Why didn't I take a nap?" WELL DUH. After a month of trying to do it all... I stopped kind of. If I was beat I laid down. I had to, it's key for survival.
8. Be open for suggestions and opinions. I appreciate every piece of advice I have received from my parents (Mom, Dad, Ruth, Jason), Jeff's parents(Ted and Linda), Jeff's sister (Amy), my cousin (Kindra),my aunt (Andrea), ect. ect. Whether or not it worked out for me or Camden, it definitely feels good to know people are trying to help you. IF any of you have any tips for me to make my life as a Mommy easier I will gladly listen and take note. Before I realized this I definitely wanted to learn by trial and error. Which in some cases have to be conducted in such fashion, however, if it's a quick and easy fix, I'm all ears. If you're not open for suggestions then you're learning the hard way and making it more difficult on yourself.
9. You learn as you go. Plain and simple.
10. Jeff and Camden have made me a better person. Maybe not so much on the outside with these dark circles and spit-up infested hair but I never knew my heart would love any two people this much!
Now, I know I've learned a lot more over the past 12 weeks but we could be here for years if I told ya everything! Also, the little guy is about to wake up and we need some Mommy and Camden time. Until next time, God Bless and much love!
Star: Camden
Supporting Actors: Jeff (father), Nana (my momma), Jason or Papa (my stepdad),Papaw (my dad), Ruth or Mamaw (my stepmom),Ted or Papaw (Jeff's dad), Linda or Mamaw/Nana(Jeff's mom), Amy (Jeff's sister) , Kindra (my cousin) and Aunt Andrea (my aunt).
The first month of Camden's life flew by way too fast. I didn't want Camden to grow up. I was excited, over-drained, sleep deprived, elated, overwhelmed, anxious, happy beyond belief and confused all at once. Needless to say.. I think the correct "categorization" would be emotional. Jeff can attest to this. I read countless articles online about what to expect after pregnancy and seriously nothing prepared me for this emotional rollercoaster. One day I was in awe of my son, I waited 10 long months to see him and he was finally here! The next day I was crying at the songs that played on his bouncy seat. Yes, literally tears and tears were rolling down my face. I was a sob fest. One day, nothing I did could make Camden happy and I wanted to pull my hair out. I rocked him, swaddled him, fed him, made silly faces at him, changed his diaper every 5 minutes, fed him and nothing was making this child happy! I'm sure all first time moms can agree with me, it's a learning experience.
So.. in no particular order ..here's a list of what I learned and how I acquired this useful knowledge.
1. Ask for help. I had this preconceived notion before Camden arrived that I was going to be the "know-it-all" Mommy. Honestly, I knew nothing. Even my diaper changing skills have advanced. First person I asked for help of course was my own mother. (Thanks Mom). Now it took me a few days to figure out that I needed sleep or else I'd lose it. And I figured.. my mom had TWO babies at once I'm sure she can handle one and figure it all out. I was completely right. I woke up the next day refreshed and actually felt like myself and not a walking zombie. Which resulted in my next learned lesson....
2. Patience. And A LOT of it. I'll be completely honest here, I thought I would have tons and tons of patience. But nothing tests your patience more than a crying, unhappy baby! When I was impatient and stressed, the baby felt that. I have learned to take a deep breath and slowly regain my patience and once I did, Camden was at ease and content.
3. Laugh. I remember one night Jeff and I probably had changed Camden 10 times because he kept spitting up all over himself. It got to the point where I just left him naked! Jeff and I just laughed about it, best therapy ever! If he has one of those spit up days, which are frequent, and you see him with only a diaper on, you know what was going on hours before!
4. Appreciate those little moments. I remember one of the first early morning feedings I was dead tired and since I was breastfeeding I was on call to either pump or nurse every feeding. You talk about tiring! I feel guilty saying this but let's face it, I'm honest and open about everything! But, I was dreading the feeding and the only thing I wanted to do was to crawl back in bed. Camden was crying and I went over to pick him up and he immediately calmed down. After his feeding he was still awake, eyes open and alert. He was staring at me and I was staring at him and at that moment I felt so much love not only from my part but I felt his love for me for the first time. Of course I instantly knew he loved me when he was born but that night there was something special about us looking at each other that I won't ever forget. Nothing was better than that moment with my son and he may not remember it later in life but I will always remember.
5. And.. on a lighter but yellow note. Watch out for his pee aim! Now you may be thinking, there's no way a baby can knowingly aim for your face but I promise you my child is that smart! He's peed on me and just about anyone who has changed him while smiling and laughing at the fact. (Side note: His Nana is happy to report that he has yet to pee on her.. ) Additionally, when he's peeing in his diaper he's not all smiles. If you don't believe me that he knows what he's doing, I want you to do this... Next time you find yourself heading to the bathroom take a portable mirror in with you and see if a smile pops up on your face while you pee! If you're the rare breed that smiles during your bathroom visits.. then you live a much happier life than I do!
6. Figure out the cries. Camden has five different cries. There is a hungry cry, tired cry, angry cry, sick/hurt cry and "There's nothing wrong with me" cry. I've mastered getting to know these cries and as much as I'd like to tell you how, I want Jeff to figure them out for himself. Sorry hun, but there's no freepasses here! Jeff's mastered most of them but one! I'll keep that one disclosed! On another hand, my dad or papaw, thinks every cry is a hungry cry. Well use to.. until I told him what was up! Camden weighs 14lbs and 11oz ... I wonder why, PAPAW! Just kidding!
7. "People who say they sleep like a baby probably don't have one."-Leo J. Burke
Now, I have no clue who this Leo guy is but he sure knows what he's talking about. High five to him.
Sleep/nap when baby does. I desperately needed to learn this one! When Camden went to sleep I was busy running around trying to pick up the house. Either I was gathering up his dirty, soaked with spit-up clothes, cleaning the carpet from his spit-ups, washing bottles, folding his clothes, cleaning myself up from his spit-up or taking pictures of his cute little self sleeping. When he woke up I wondered to myself, "Why didn't I take a nap?" WELL DUH. After a month of trying to do it all... I stopped kind of. If I was beat I laid down. I had to, it's key for survival.
8. Be open for suggestions and opinions. I appreciate every piece of advice I have received from my parents (Mom, Dad, Ruth, Jason), Jeff's parents(Ted and Linda), Jeff's sister (Amy), my cousin (Kindra),my aunt (Andrea), ect. ect. Whether or not it worked out for me or Camden, it definitely feels good to know people are trying to help you. IF any of you have any tips for me to make my life as a Mommy easier I will gladly listen and take note. Before I realized this I definitely wanted to learn by trial and error. Which in some cases have to be conducted in such fashion, however, if it's a quick and easy fix, I'm all ears. If you're not open for suggestions then you're learning the hard way and making it more difficult on yourself.
9. You learn as you go. Plain and simple.
10. Jeff and Camden have made me a better person. Maybe not so much on the outside with these dark circles and spit-up infested hair but I never knew my heart would love any two people this much!
Now, I know I've learned a lot more over the past 12 weeks but we could be here for years if I told ya everything! Also, the little guy is about to wake up and we need some Mommy and Camden time. Until next time, God Bless and much love!
Nice, I think Camden posted the highest pee mark when I watched him! I should have marked his wall! It had to be a 3 footer and a world record!
ReplyDeletePapaw Jeffers