Things I have learned in the first month

So first of all, WOW. I cannot even begin to believe that it has already been 4 weeks since I went to the hospital and came back home with Little G... in my arms! I keep wondering when the surreal will start to be real? I still have moments where I'm like, "I'm a mom - crazy!!" But don't worry, while I find that it's crazy that I am a mom, I'm not a crazy mom. :)

Okay, so things I have learned in the first month...

*Pushing out a baby with an epidural is really hard.

*I wasn't exactly prepared for the soreness my body (ahem, certain areas) would endure after pushing out said 8 lb. 4 oz. baby. Thank goodness for prescription pain meds!

*BFeeding is THE hardest thing I've ever done. Both mentally and physically. I haven't experienced any drastic mood swings or postpartum depression, but I HAVE cried over BFeeding. And it wasn't because of the pain, which there was. I'll save this gem for its own post.

*Pumping can make you feel like a cow. It is not in the least bit attractive, but I know I am giving G the best milk for him and it's free - bonus!

*BMilk = gold! I have never cared about ounces as much as I do now, so I hate to see any of it go to waste. I had to pump and dump for the first time after enjoying a couple glasses of wine with dinner. It was very sad to see 6 ounces of the boob juice go down the drain. (side note: You can buy the milk screen strips at Walgreen's to test the alcohol content of your milk if you indulge in some adult beverages. I am probably just an anal first time mother b/c I'm sure G would have slept through the night if he had those 6 ounces! hehe)

*Once you've had the baby, your post baby body isn't the same. I've lost 20 of the 30 pounds I packed on, but the weight that is left is proportioned differently now that there is not a cute little baby inside. It is much more jiggly and much less cute. Clothes that once fit you at the same weight during pregnancy now fit differently.

*Mother nature really does prepare you for getting less sleep. Towards the end of my pregnancy I was going to bed regularly at one or two in the morning because I wasn't tired. I currently don't get much sleep during the night, but I play catch up and nap with G when he naps during the day as much as I can. It's a vicious cycle, but I know it will even out eventually... I hope!

*Babies LOVE to poop in freshly changed diapers. I think my PR so far is 4 or 5 diapers in one changing. It seems like once I change him, G will immediately start pooping in his clean diaper... sometimes while I am STILL changing him.

*Little boys can pee a great distance if they get a chance. :)

*Staring at your baby NEVER gets old! The first night in the hospital I could not sleep even though I was so exhausted because I could not stop staring at him in amazement. I don't keep myself awake staring at him now, but I do enjoy watching the "baby tv" more than any other program.

*Everything is harder with a baby. This one came as no surprise though. It would be nice if there was a drive thru for anything just for moms. Right now I'm dealing with the hassle of the car seat, stroller, diaper bag, etc., but I know this will just transition into transporting a cranky baby, tired baby, sick baby, etc. Oh the joys of motherhood!

*Everything is easier if you have a good partner in crime. R has been supportive and helpful - I am very lucky and thankful.

*The only thing cuter than your baby is watching your baby with his daddy. The two of them together is priceless.

*And this one I saw on someone else's blog and liked it:
"A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for."
-Anonymous