Ups and downs

My last few posts have been fairly gushy, perhaps leaving you with the impression that I have been enveloped in a rosy pink haze since Isaiah was born, and my life is just aglow with postpartum joy.

That is almost entirely true. Almost.

A better picture of life right now would be characterized by ups and downs.

Up
Baby sleeps well at night. Up, up, up.

Down
Baby has bad gas pains and fusses and cries a lot during the day. Mom is unsure how to fix it.

Up
Mom's milk supply is well-establish

Down
Mom's milk keeps leaving tell-tale splotches on her shirts, while out in public

Up
Daddy is being oh-so-helpful in his free time

Down
Daddy is now the president of CLC Nova Scotia (and is back in school part-time after two semesters off) so his free time is certainly less than it used to be. While Mommy probably shouldn't call leading a pro-life organization a 'down' it seems so exhaustingly oddly timed, what with Baby being 17 days old.

Up
Mommy's recovery is going smoothly. She's no longer in any pain, feels relatively well-rested and isn't prone to being too emotional, or worse yet, too stoic.

Down
Perhaps due to Mommy feeling well, she's already had to field the "When are you having the next one question?" more than once. Mommy is still trying to think of an intelligent and respectful way to answer this, while still giving the impression that it's not wise or reasonable to ask a woman RIGHT AFTER having a baby.

Up
Isaiah's baptism is approaching. Hooray for the multitude of graces!

Down
The reception, which will be in our home, is approaching. Um, how fast can we replace ALL of our rather frat-boy looking furniture?

Up
Isaiah is gaining weight! Hallelujah!

Down
He's just not gaining it nearly fast enough. The doctor has us under her watchful eye, and Mommy is praying she won't be told she needs to give him for formula. Not that formula is rat poison or something, but Mommy is just ornery enough to protest the idea to the marrow of her bones.

Up
Mommy is amazed at how much weight one drops by just giving birth.

Down
Mommy is amazed how many calories breastfeeding requires suggesting she can't expect to lose much more weight for a long time. She can't stop eating. Oh, the intense hunger!

Comments

  1. SarahJune 3, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    People have asked you when you plan on having the next one?!?! :O
    I think a blank stare is the best I can come up with. Maybe "We plan on thinking about that when we have time to think!"
    Anyway, you're doing a fantastic job. I can't wait to come see you! Would you prefer a batch of snacks/baked goods, or a dinner?
    Love and prayers,
    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  2. ClaireJune 5, 2011 at 1:12 PM

    Praying for you and your growing family, Jenna. It is amazing how much change the addition of just one little member requires of all. My advice (which is from experience but is offered for your consideration only), try to see that comments and opinions from others are sometimes a reaction to the challenge your willingness to walk with the Lord wherever He leads poses to the commenter; and it sometimes unintentionally reveals wounds. There's seldom a good answer other than a smile and later some private prayer.
    Keep in mind your family and friends (like Sarah, above) and accept all offers of snacks/baked goods, dinners, and anything else your creative supporters might come up with. Thanks, a smile (of relief), and offers of prayer are all that are required. I am sorry I don't live closer to you -- for me there is nothing so rewarding as helping a mom with whatever she needs with her little ones.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJune 5, 2011 at 2:12 PM

    Oh Jenna... How I wish I could be there right now! We could have a beer and play Ups and Downs together - venting the downs, then focusing on the ups. I'm praying for Isaiah's next weigh-in - big numbers, little man! I was thinking the other day that the one advantage to struggling with breastfeeding the *second* time is that at least you already know you can do it. Proof for you AND the doc. I love you heaps, dear sister.

    (Oh, as for the gas pains, if it's [ahem] "lower" gas, try Ovol. Mom suggested it for Elena, and it really does help immensely.)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Julie CulshawJune 5, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    Jenna, I found a blog that made me think you might like to read it.
    http://awomansplaceis.blogspot.com/

    So many similarities with you and Patrick, perhaps you can connect with one another.

    ReplyDelete
  5. ElenaJune 5, 2011 at 8:52 PM

    Jenna, Not playing doctor here - but ... my babies never gain weight as they should and my doctor has never suggested supplementing. I did supplement with the twins as I couldn't keep up and the bottle gave me a much-needed rest. However, I wouldn't overly worry about the weight gain. By the time my babes are walking at a year people are always amazed because they think that a 7 month old baby is walking. 15th-25th percentile is always where they fall and, seeing that they have all followed the same growth rate and that they are all perfectly healthy kids, makes me much more secure. That said, I will pray for him to gain well. Glad to hear that you are doing well.

    ReplyDelete
  6. ElenaJune 6, 2011 at 1:24 PM

    Oops, that said again: I do give a bottle after 6 months and this time around I used the weston Price homemade formula recipe - peace of mind.

    ReplyDelete
  7. ElenaJune 6, 2011 at 1:30 PM

    From Jacob: I'm glad Isaiah is a healthy boy but I hope that he gains weight fast enough. I will pray that Isaiah will be an active boy.

    ReplyDelete

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