bottle feeding

Today I fed Bean from a bottle! Only 1 oz, but it was so cool!

With Mama Beangoing back to work in a couple of weeks, we want to get him used to taking a bottle, and with all the horror stories I've been hearing/reading about kids that refused a bottle, I was more than a little apprehensive about the whole ordeal. Excited, but a little nervous that I'd sit here for an hour with a crying baby that would refuse to eat.

I took him about 30 minutes before his next feeding would typically take place, and changed his diaper to wake him up a bit from his sleeping. We sat down in a room he doesn't normally equate with breastfeeding and with Mama Beandownstairs we gave it a try. He was a little hesitant at first, but once he got the taste of that sweet breastmilk, he was all over it.

It was pretty awesome feeding him. It is an amazing feeling giving hims something tangible, not just my love and hugs and kisses. :) He just sat there staring into the distance... it was so cute.

Tomorrow I'll do 2 oz., and we'll work up to three, so that we can cut out one of Jo's feedings. This will get him comfortable with the idea of how much a bottle feeding is for when she's back at work. this could also allow me to do say a midnight feeding letting Mama Bean sleep for more than 2-3 hours at a time. Imagine that! I think she'd appreciate that.

Not such a big deal

It's amazing how everything is such a big deal right now. The frustration when he doesn't eat properly, when he doesn't sleep at night, when he cries, and when he's just generally uncooperative. And joys of having no idea what he wants when he fusses/cries/makes noise.
BUt in a few months, even weeks, everything will change. 3 months from now we'll have a whole new set of challenges before us, and these feeding issues will be put into perspective. Not that the next challenge will be that much more difficult, but we'll look back and see that it really wasn't such a big deal. It felt like forever that we were using that syringe system to feed him, but it was actually only about a week. And these sleepless nights, and fighting to feed him at night, while I don't know how long they will go on for is going to be put in perspective.

Though, I'll be the first to admit that it's tough to keep things in perspective when the lack of sleep amplifies every little problem. Everything seems so much worse with a lack of sleep.

I'm learning that it isn't just the sleep deprivation that is the real killer. It's the added emotional draining that his crying and fussing brings on.

There's so much to learn and experience with a new baby. I'm loving this being a parent thing, and as I type this (and wish I had a sling or something for him as typing with one hand is a pain) I'm noticing how much his face has changed. He is 4 weeks old tomorrow. It's kinda crazy. It seems like just yesterday I was freaking out because I had no idea what I was doing the day he joined us.

Being a parent is awesome. I'd highly recommend it. :)

Support is Important

Having a baby is challenging. It's hard work, but it's not the physical work that's tough (at least not yet), but it's the emotional side of things. The frustration of not knowing if you are doing something right, of not being able to tell what he wants when he fusses or cries. My respect for single parents has increased one hundred fold since becoming a dad. It's a tough job, and going at it alone is just unfathomable to me.

Our biggest challenge has been not having much in the way of a support network around us. At least not in the immediate vicinity. Both of our immediate families live multiple provinces away, and while we do have extended family in the city, I find it really difficult to ask for help.

I thought we were developing a decent support network here. Going to church, having a small group, making friends... but it has all seemed so distant these past two weeks. Bean was born two weeks ago today, and we've haven't had much in the way of visitors. I mean my parents surprised us with a visit the weekend after he was born, and what a HUGE blessing that was, and a couple of friends from out of town who just happened to be in town that weekend dropped in, but other than that, we've had no one.

I dunno, I guess I just expected more, which maybe I shouldn't, but I thought at times when there's a birth or death that the community comes together and helps those people out. I mean we've missed the last two Sundays at church and haven't heard a peep from anyone. That's not true, one person gave us a phone call and congratulated us which was really nice.

Maybe technology is getting in the way? When Bean was born I let everyone know on facebook, and posted a couple of pictures, and the messages and comments on my status poured in. It was really nice, but that's where it stopped. Other than from a couple of really close friends, nobody even called. Nobody offered to drop by with dinner or to visit (things i thought just happened, especially in churches). Maybe I'm being a little old fashioned, but commenting on someone's status is nowhere near the same as calling them on the phone, or dropping in to see them. But I think people have gotten comfortable sending greetings and congratulations from afar and the personal interaction has been left behind. It's so much easier to type "Congrats!" than to pick up the phone and call, or drop by and see how things are going.

Now, I know I'm just having a little pity party for myself over here, I just expected more. And maybe I shouldn't have. Maybe the relationships that we have cultivated just aren't at that point yet. Or maybe I just need to learn to ask...There was just so much love and support prior to the birth, I thought it would continue. I think it's the fact that the extent of most people's comments were a reply to a status update. That's not enough.

It'll get better though. Hopefully we'll make it to church on Sunday and reconnect with people there, and Jo's parents are coming in Sunday afternoon for a couple of weeks. It'll be a good thing, though I'm sure trying at times. ;) I love my inlaws, they just drive me nuts sometimes. But then most people do, and living with them for a couple of weeks just amplifies things. lol It'll be great for the love and support though, just what we need right now.

Being a Dad

I'm ready to be a dad.

Current parents like to tell me that I have no idea what I'm getting into. Other prospective parents bemoan the fact that they have no idea what they are getting into. I feel like I'm ready.

The only thing that is scaring me/making me nervous is a selfish fear about how it is going to affect my "me" time. But I figure it'll totally be worth it. ;) The change in lifestyle will be huge, but it is a sacrifice that I'm more than willing to make. That's the only thing that worries me though.

Bring on the baby, I'm ready to be a dad. :)

OneSmarmyMama's Parenting 101 Advice

Becoming a parent for the first time can be more than a little overwhelming. What do I need to buy before the baby comes? What can I live without for a while? Money is a little tight, I don't want to end up buying a bunch of crap that I don't need, but what if there's something I'm missing that'll make life a million times easier? There are a million options when it comes to strollers and car seats, how do I know which is best for me? I want to minimize my impact on the planet, how can I do that while bringing another one into this world? Are cloth diapers worth the hassle for the savings?

Everyone likes to think they have it together, but secretly (or not), all first-time parents are a little nervous. Here are 4 amazing posts that I would (and do) recommend to all my friends that are having babies, or have recently had one.

Last month, my friend over at onesmarmymama.com wrote a series of posts labeled, Parenting 101 about things you'll need to know (or will find quite handy) following the birth of your child. They are super informative and helpful, especially for first-time parents.

1. Car Seats: She gives a great rundown on the different types from travel systems up to booster seats. She gives pros and cons of each, as well as her opinions as a mom who has done this before.

2. What you NEED, What you DON'T need, and What you WANT: A very informative post on the various items you'll need when you have a baby.

3. Going Green (and staying green) with Baby: How to do your part while raising your child to minimize your impact. Great stuff for those that don't live much of a crunchy granola life, and those that do.

4. Cloth Diapering and SLEEPING!: All about cloth diapers, and how you will not be sleeping much once that little one comes. :)

Hands Off?

While this image might address something that is important (i really don't know, ask me in 5 months) but right now it makes me laugh, and I hope I'm never that kind of parent.