I started a nice long post on my phone but then had to put it down a few days ago. Now I'm on my computer. Let's see if I can eek out a reply before my baby wakes up.
Jen, I'm so happy to hear everything is ok. You've been through it recently. Thank god you have your sweet baby!
Amber, sounds like you had a good trip. It's so sweet that Tim thanked you. Our men really need a dose of what it takes to be a mom! Did I see you with a glass of champagne on your trip in a FB photo? Good for you!
Croy and Sarah, thanks for your examples of your husbands. I agree that we all have ways of doing things. What I've learned is to let Tim do it his way and watch as he struggles with her. Then I do it my way and he sees how much better it is. I don't always win, but I try! It's hard though. I hate seeing her in any discomfort. At the same time, I need to let other people care for her. It will all be worth it when our kids come to us for comfort over anyone else.
Puppy, you've had it hard with your husband. I read your birth story a while back in your journal and was saddened to read how far removed he was from the process. Sorry I don't have time for journals anymore, but I know you've struggled with him. I would be pissed too.
I love seeing all the Mums to be! Can't wait for you all to graduate!
Croy, I echo what Pip said about weight gain. If he pooped before he was weighed, he will weigh less. You just want to make sure he is putting on weight. I'm not sure why we have been told to look for a weight gain of an ounce a day. Babies are human. Some days they'll be hungrier than others.
How do you ladies have any time to read? I have a few baby books but NEVER read them. I feel like I'm flying by the seat of my pants with this whole parenting thing.
I've been struggling with my DH as well. Some days he is fantastic and helps a lot. Others he does his own thing and leaves the care to me. I'm not talking about the days when he is at work. I'm talking about his free time. I've tried asking and telling him what I need. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn't. Jodi, I don't think he's afraid of caring for her. He's very much in love with her and hands on when he wants to be. He sends me off to the gym and cares for her while I'm gone which is awesome. I think his issue is that he has ADD. Part of ADD is a hypersensitivity to stimulus. So when she cries uncontrollably or if she cries for a long period of time, he can't handle it. He starts to lose his patience and gets visibly upset and on the verge of yelling at her. I take her from him at those times as I don't believe she should be disciplined for crying. I don't think he believes that either, but he just can't help himself. It means I do a lot more of the work. Like the bedtime routine. I think that she can sense his frustration which makes her cry harder and longer. She usually stops when I take her (which I secretly love).
Thanks for being honest about your husbands. It's good to know I'm not the only one feeling a disconnect. I really miss our old relationship. I hope we can get back on track. I feel like we can. My guess is that part of it is that he's been sleeping on the couch since she came home. Once we can get her out of our room I think he and I will feel more like a team.
I use the same tub. But it was a hand-me-down and the sling slumps down into the water a lot. I have to keep pushing her up.
I was so sleep deprived yesterday that I decided to forgo pumping and BFing for two sessions. We fed her a bottle at 5:30pm and then woke her at 10:30 for another bottle. She woke up at 4am for a nursing session and then slept again until 7. I slept for at least 8 hours. Holy crap that felt good. I wish every night could be like that. Sadly, my supply would plummet. Normally we don't wake her to feed, but we wanted to assure she was nice and full so she would sleep. Did she ever! She basically slept from 7:30 - 4am with just one dream bottle feed at 10:30. I seriously don't know what I would do without that swing.