Aw ladies... trust me and trust your yummy mummy instinct... you'll be able to get through without the men just fine! My first day without DH with all three kids was terrifying, but it was the worst day.
We managed and found our rhythm quite quickly, really. It helps that DD and DS are older and 100% understand and accept how much Annabel needs their mommy right now. Once you've made it through the first day, it'll be like old hat to you... I promise.
Tour and Iluv - I'm sorry your LO are giving you a tough go. Remember that it's only temporary. Also, I'm sure I'll get tons of back lash for this, but after feeding Annie, I burp her, keep her upright and in my arms until she's good and sleepy and then put her on her tummy to sleep for a bit. We have the co-sleeper that rests between me and DH on the bed so this is only during the day and only when I know I'll be staying in bed to be able to watch her while I return emails, read, go on BnB, etc. They sleep better on their tummies plus this helps to eliminate whatever gas you couldn't get out while burping. At night, I put her on her tummy to fall asleep but then roll her over onto her back once she's settled in. Also, during the day, I count this as her tummy time. Her neck is already so strong. She lifts her head and can turn it form side to side when she's on her tummy now. Of course, it's not for everyone and I know the importance of the "Back to Sleep" campaign... just wanted to share what I've done.
Quick question since our babies are all around the same age: Annie will be 5 weeks tomorrow. When we were in the hospital, she had an episode the night she was born. (She was born at 3:51 pm and this happened around 11 pm that night.) We were attempting to breast feed and I noticed she was still so I gathered her in my arms and realized she wasn't breathing. I jostled her gently and she took a deep breath and started crying. I immediately called for the nurse and she took her to the nursery to take her blood sugar and put her on a pulse ox for 10 minutes. Everything ended up being normal. However, the nurse put in a call to the ped who suggested the baby stay in the nursery all night hooked up to a pulse ox. Her O2 levels were perfect all night and the ped decided she just "forgot to breathe." I accepted this the first night of her life and even when it happened in the first couple of weeks. She was born at 38 weeks and was itty bitty at 5 lbs 12 oz so maybe her respiratory system just wasn't mature since she was also being monitored for slow growth while in utero. But now at almost 5 weeks, it's getting a little difficult for me to justify. It only happens when she's nursing. She'll usually choke, cough a little bit then forget to inhale. These episodes don't bother me as much because I think my letdown is a little strong for her so she ends up choking. However, the other night, she didn't choke... she just sort of came off my nipple. I thought she was done and fell asleep so I shifted her to my shoulder to burp her and noticed she was really still again. I brought her down from my shoulder and continued to jostle her until she remembered to breathe again. After doing some research, apparently, I'm supposed to blow in her face since the carbon dioxide I'm breathing out will remind her to take inhale again. It couldn't have been longer than 10 seconds, but of course... it felt like 10 days. Her coloring never changes and she stays pink... it just scares the living crap out of me! So, I was wondering if any of my fellow May babies have had this happen? I'll be calling her ped tomorrow, but just wanted to throw it out there in case anyone's had any experience with it.
Pad, gotta love the Forces and their impeccable sense of timing. Aaaargh! My hubby's planning to go back to work in September. We can be husband-less together. 
Colton had a bit of a cry last night, which is unusual for him. but I accidentally drank some full-leaded (i.e. caffeinated) tea before bed so poor thing must have been all jittery. Took a bit to get him to sleep but once he was down, he slept through until 10am with feedings every 2 hours or so. He just wakes, feeds, then goes right back to sleep. Even sleeps through changing the diapers. Makes it nice, I'm not awake for long when he feeds, just long enough to check the timer to see how long it's been then get him latched. Then I'm back asleep.
