Today was my actual due date. It’s weird for me to think that I could have been pregnant these past 13 days and not have Ruthie yet. Though it didn’t go according to my plan, I relinquished that as soon as my water broke and Joel and I prayed. Not much has gone according to how I thought it would since we’ve been home but I can tell you this much, we’ve had some really sweet moments that I wouldn’t trade for the world.
We’ve finally gotten on some sort of schedule. We nurse about every 2 1/2 hours to 3 and she sleeps in the cradle wonderfully. I’m trying to break us both of an afternoon nap where she sleeps on my chest but I think we’ll manage to do that this week.
Nursing started out to be really difficult but it is getting easier. My engorgement has passed and she is learning to latch on rather well. She still has a side preference but doesn’t ignore the other like she did. Joel is eager for me to start bottle feeding her so he can participate. I initially said that I would wait a full 2 weeks but seeing that she is just getting the hang of it, I think I may wait until 3 have passed. I would love the help and I know that he would benefit from the bonding time with her but I don’t want to risk any potential nipple confusion.
We’ve had wonderful friends bring meals by this week and Sunday School will continue it through the next two weeks. Meals have been a god send as trying to cook in between naps and my own weariness was interesting for a few days after family left and before a routine was established.
Each day I make the bed, get dressed in the only thing that fits right now, pull my hair back, and get a full face of make up on my face. This way my day is started on the right foot and I’m not ashamed of my house or myself should anyone stop by. I learned during my accident recovery that making yourself look nice each day really helps mentally. So thus, it is time well spent for me. I managed to wipe down the bathrooms today and I’ll most likely let Joel vacuum when he gets home.
Saturday, Joel’s mom stopped by and babysat so we could go out for lunch and run some errands. Getting outside the house felt really good though leaving my baby behind was difficult and we both found it weird. I knew she was in very capable hands, but she wasn’t in mine or within my reach for the first time in her life. No tears were shed but Joel and I both found it awkward and by the end of a few errands, I was antsy to return home. Next Saturday, Sunday School has a social planned at the bowling alley that we might go to if Joel’s mom can come back up again. We’ll see how it goes.
Her nursery is near completion now. We hung the curtains last night and the Monet that Auntie painted has been hung. Things that were sitting on the floor have found a home, if nothing more than temporary until we get the next piece of furniture. The tie back hook to the curtain still needs to be hung but other than that, it is complete. Ruthie and I rock at night in there and we try to do diaper duty and nursing as to not bother daddy too much. I’m very pleased with how the room has turned out. When it is all complete, I’ll try to get a picture posted.
Well, I know this has been all over the map. My mind doesn’t stay in one place for long these days. I think sleep deprivation does that to you. I’ll try to write more as things solidify a little more.
