Our baby Anthony is 6-weeks old today. Big brother Joey is still as happy as can be. And Mom and Dad are still speaking. Can I get a round of applause please?! In all seriousness, these past 6-weeks have been trying to say the least. Life with a newborn baby is one of the most rewarding, exhausting, emotionally driven experiences you’ll ever go through. Add a toddler to the mix and you might just want to drink wine instead of coffee. Oh, but then you might get sleepy… and we all know sleep ain’t happening…
I’ve decided to break down the feelings and experiences I’ve had through Anthony’s newborn stage for a variety of reasons:
- I’ve been awake his entire infancy period, so I can record it! Memories for the baby book people!
- I napped when Joey napped when he was a newborn/infant- and I think my deep slumber had me forgetting what life is really like with a newborn!
- I’m all about keeping it real. Who would have thought the smallest person in your life could bring you to tears and belly laughs in the same hour?
Life with a Newborn Physically:
Tired is an understatement. If you’ve been around a baby for an extended period of time I don’t have to tell you that. I will say that Joey [our first] slept all the time. All the time! So Ted and I could nap, do laundry, workout, etc. etc. But guess what? Mr. Anthony thinks sleep is a waste of time. I’m guessing when he hits 13 he’ll be my sleeper… Some days I’m so tired there’s not enough coffee in the world to pull me through. Other days I prep meals, do 3 loads of laundry, and get a blog post done. Now will someone please explain THAT to me?! Ted and I have this rule that I think has made a world of difference in our limited adult conversation. We are not allowed to say things like “I’m tired” or “I’m SO tired.” Nothing with tired in it! We know we are both tired and proclaiming it to one another does NOT do either one of us any good.
Life with a Newborn Mentally:
You’ll doubt yourself, your spouse, your mother or mother-in-law who have raised healthy children when it comes to everyday decisions you make for your newborn. It’s only natural when a “sniffle” can be Googled to be 100 different things! Thank God for Google, right? Or for the friends that are pediatric nurses and physician’s assistants. They have been my lifesavers— and I’m sure the nurse’s line at the doctor’s office is thankful for them too. Otherwise I’d be calling all of the time! My advice here would be to take a chill pill and have some faith in you and your best judgment, which is clearly easier said than done. I was BFF with the nurse’s line during Joey’s first 3 months of life, but I have yet to call with Anthony. Google on the other hand…
Life with a Newborn Financially:
Formula = lots of money. Diapers = lots of money. You do the math.
Life with a Newborn Emotionally:
Anthony smiles, coos, hiccups, cuddles; all that amazing baby stuff you see in movies! But he’s a crier. And he cries in the evening when it’s just about time for Mom and Dad to go to bed. This usually leads to a stressful 2-hour period, which we just have to wait out. Why the crying? Who knows? It’s likely gas or reflux [which most babies have] or he’s just trying to tell us something and the only way he knows how to share it is with crying! I will say that no matter how hard the nights are, I wake up looking at my bright eyed, smiley boy and forget all about it.
There’s no doubt we are blessed with yet another healthy, sweet baby boy. But the first few weeks of life are trying for new or veteran parents. The key to getting through them is to enjoy the moment and know the tough times will pass. Look for something positive each day AND say it out loud! And when in doubt, phone a friend, especially another new mom. They. Get. It.
Thanks for sharing your personal experiences! You’re getting me really excited/nervous for August haha! Newborns are so so so sweet but I remember all the anxiety that came with my first… and I know that my second will be a whole different deal. Just praying for a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby at this point. I hope you get some sleep this weekend. Treat yourself to another Frosty 🙂 You deserve it!
You will be great!! All we can all ask for is healthy babies (and moms). Just keep me on speed dial if you ever have a mommy moment. Which I have often lol! You’ll be surprised too as to how your first will bond with baby!!
Oh boy Katie! You sure are bringing back not so distant memories! Thankfully the newborn stage doesn’t last too long, because I think no one would have more than 1 baby! Keep up the sense of humor, and frostys (I’ve heard they help 😉
Lol and should have added I ate some fries with the frosty!!
Congrats!! Hang in there momma 🙂 It is tough… We have a second on the way in Sept. and am also nervous about it!
You can do it Karli!!! Just stay tuned for more 2 baby posts or message me anytime. Moms stick together!!
I had quite a gap between my first and second child. It was shocking to me how much I forgot. How much they are awake even thought they are “sleeping” all of the time. When it’s your second you can’t just crash when they do, there is so much more going on in your life. Like time to love on your first. You are right though, just make it through it will all be a distant memory and they will never be that tiny and needy again. Soak it in there is good in every day.
Exactly! Thanks for reading and sharing. And the sleeping isn’t really sleep right?! Lol.
Your boys are such cuties!! Thanks for sharing your experiences, it brought back so many memories. My daughter is already 20 months, but it really seems like just yesterday that she was born. As you know from having your other son, it will get easier. But when you’re in the midst of it, I know it’s hard to take comfort in this. Hang in there!
Thanks Sonali! It definitely helps to have the experience with the first but there isn’t a day where I don’t second guess myself. In due time, right?! 🙂
Cherish the newborn phase. It goes way too fast. I miss it so much.
They are so sweet and innocent…
Thanks for sharing. It was the lack of sleep that was hardest for me.
Yes!!! Same here Shelah!
Congratulations! That first picture is just amazing. Such innocence. Someday life will feel normal again!! Whatever that is….
Lol!! Maybe in like 20 years right?!
I feel like it was just yesterday I brought my second home and next week she turns two! I feel bad saying this but I enjoyed the second time around so much more, I realized how quick it all goes by so all the typical newborn stuff didnt bother me. I was also more confident in myself so I really enjoyed every moment instead of having so much anxiety! lol
I am right there with you Lauren!! My anxiety level is much less with Anthony than with Joey. Mom is learning something each and everyday and with it grows my confidence!! Happy early birthday to your sweet girl!
Ah! I remember all too well! With the second you have confidence you can care for a newborn…but throw a toddler into the mix and the newborn phase is a completely different story! Great idea about not saying you’re tired! My husband and I said it all the time and when he said it, I would just get annoyed! I love the photos!!
That’s exactly right Tarynn!! I would just get annoyed with my husband. So I made the tired rule lol.
I love this! The transition to 2 kiddos is hard. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Thank you Megan!!
Absolutely, the key IS to keep remembering that it will get easier (or at least, different 🙂 as time passes. The newborn phase when you go from 1 to 2 is OVERWHELMING. I love new moms who have 1 kid who think they’re exhausted… ’cause I know deep down #YouAintSeenNothingYet 🙂 Thanks for keeping it real for moms to be!!
Thanks Regan!! My MIL says the first 5 years are physical, and the rest are mental. I think it’s both no matter what age your child is. Now back to the sleep thing….
How scary that you had to take Baby A to the ER!!! I’m so glad that it went well and everyone is doing great now! You are doing a great job! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I miss you Laura!!!
Thank you for this post! I am going to be a new mom with a newborn this August, so these things definitely help! We are thankful to have diapers covered (my fiance’s dad works in a hospital and gets cases for cheap) just formula is on the worry list amongst other things. Keep strong! 🙂
Worry because not sure what to buy?! Let me know if I can help with that!
And congrats!!!
I am so worried about having another, thanks for sharing your story!
It’s trying at times but SO worth it!!