For the first couple of weeks after Amelia was born family came and helped out with everything. It was great. And Jared had his spring break so he was at home most of the time. The help we had was amazing and I am forever grateful for family. I remember sleeping a lot and feeling really zoned out most of the time but there were still great moments spent with family. Then after 3 weeks everyone left, Jared went back to school and me and Amelia were left at home to hang out together...all.day.long.
During the first couple of weeks my old roommate texted me asking how things were going. I explained things were going pretty good, I was overwhelmed but alright. She told me how she wanted to return her baby to the hospital the first few weeks (partly joking, partly serious I'm sure) and I laughed, understanding how she felt but happy I hadn't quite reached that level. But remember that part where everyone left and it was just me and Amelia?? Yeah, real life began and I was ready to pack her things and head back to the hospital.
I love Amelia, and continue to love her more everyday but that first week alone was rough. Of course I'm sure everyone feels this at some point (if not, you have a gift and I applaud you and kind of loath you). I decided that I just needed to make it to the 6 week mark. Everything and everyone explained that things change at 6-8 weeks. So I mentally prepared to make it to 6 weeks and then I would have an angel baby right?
It's been eight weeks (which is just insane) and I definitely don't have an angel baby but I sure have learned a ton in that time and we are having some pretty great days now. And I know I never would have made it without Jared. I've never been so thankful for someone in my life then when he would take our daughter and love her when I was tired or frustrated (which happens a lot and pretty fast). But now she is starting to smile. I think I laughed more in the past week at her funny faces then I have in the past eight weeks combined. In the end I really did just need to make it to six weeks because now I understand that even though Amelia has some pretty rough days I know that it won't last and she won't be screaming late at night forever. And I feel I understand more why we are meant to have families together in this life. They are wonderful but also have taught me, and will continue to teach me, the hardest lessons I have ever learned.
On a funnier note...I kept reading how people give their kids a bath to help put them to sleep. I tried this but Amelia pretty much hated getting her hair dried. When I was recently with a bunch of moms I asked in desperation how this works and they all paused and looked a little confused. Of course they explained that their babies didn't have any hair so it wasn't a problem. Yeah...six weeks in and I didn't even think about how other babies don't have hair. I need more sleep. Eventually someone suggested a blow dryer which makes perfect sense.
At 2 months:
- Weighs 14 pound (which was 2 weeks ago so I'm sure it's more)
- Likes to "coo" when she is really happy
- Loves hitting the toys on her play mat
- Favors her left arm, and turning her head to the left
- Still hate the 5-10 minutes before she goes to sleep and lets us know about it
- Has started to regularly sleep a 6 hour stretch at night (this is the only way I've survived)
- Loves taking a bath, really hates right after the bath, even without drying her hair (so much for calming her down)
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