Postpartum
Sunday, Apr 2, 2006
How does a crying baby know if you’re sitting or standing? I mean, how does he knooooow? Why is being over my shoulder at an altitude of five feet so much better than three feet? And while we’re on the subject, how do they know exactly when you’re walking out the door?
I already know that I have the best babies. Don’t try to tell me any differently. They are always the cutest, the cuddliest, the sweetest I’ve ever seen. (The fact that they have only an ordinary mother to show for themselves is a cross that they will have to carry in life. You can’t win them all, you know.) Yes, I’m still in the newborn fog: happy, in-love, and…tired.
It is in this tired state that one shouldn’t make huge decisions. I’ve learned this. That’s why I’m mentioning it. You shouldn’t chop off all your hair, hock your maternity clothes, and tell your husband that he needs to find a permanent housekeeper because you just quit—at least, not all in the same week. No, after a woman has a baby, she should not operate heavy machinery, sign legal documents, or visit the hairdresser. When one is sleep deprived, one doesn’t necessarily think through the consequences of one’s decision. That’s why if you color your hair, you should use the washable kind.
No, I didn’t chop off my hair, but I did gather my maternity clothes to go out on loan. But this time, I put my initials on them. Because you just never know.
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Ha, ha.
I gave half of mine away, but kept some “because you never know.”
And I would like to know, too, how they “knooooow”.
Comment by Andrea (April 2, 2006 @ 6:44 pm )
Oh Amy…that’s too funny. We’ve always had that exact altitude question, too!
Praying for you,
Angela
Comment by Angela (April 2, 2006 @ 7:22 pm )
I’ve never,ever been so tired in my life as I was when each of my babies were newborns. Just reading your post makes me feel sleepy
Comment by Amy (April 2, 2006 @ 7:24 pm )
This is the hard part of being a cyber friend/reader. I sincerely wish I could make you a nice meal and do 6 loads of your laundry. Or cuddle the baby while you get some much needed rest. Here is a cyberhug ((Amy)) and you have my prayers
Enjoy your little Charles.
Comment by Janet (April 2, 2006 @ 9:35 pm )
I have never known tiredness like it and I thought it would never end…..but it did! (as you already know). Then it gets replaced by a whole new kind of tiredness……the ‘I am no longer just part of a couple but an on call mum 24/7′ tiredness. The worst decision I made was before I was pregnant….I lost so much weight that I chucked all my larger clothes….could really have done with them recently!
Comment by Susanna (April 3, 2006 @ 3:38 am )
You took me back almost 6 years. Remembering the hard times of a infant, and wondering, why we do this to ourselves. My husband and I have decided we would love another bundle of joy in our lives, and are waiting on God’s perfect timing.
Comment by Robyn (April 3, 2006 @ 5:13 am )
i too wonder how my son knows exactly when my head hits the pillow. that’s when he wakes up. being a mother is so wondeful and overwhelming. i’m typing this one handed as i pump with the other. i’m getting used to doing things with one hand.
my doctor has advised me not to drive until he gives me the ok. i wonder if it has to do with lack of sleep? regardless, i’m driving today. We need groceries.
Comment by ladyscott (April 3, 2006 @ 6:32 am )
Your first sentence made me laugh. Too funny, but it’s true…they know somehow.
Comment by flipflop (April 3, 2006 @ 7:41 am )
With our next to last child, I loaned all of my maternity clothes to a friend. As soon as those darn clothes were back in my house I found out I was expecting again! The very day! Coincidence? I don’t think so! After that, I gave-GAVE-all of my clothes away. My friend kept saying, “are you sure?” Am I SURE? Ha.
Comment by Kimberly (April 3, 2006 @ 9:19 am )
Funny you should mention it, but being six weeks’ postpartum myself, I had my hair cut and colored (it made me feel …younger? a bit more spry? I don’t know.) AND I packed up and took all my maternity clothes to the church clothing closet~ except for the ones I’m still wearing! The only people who use these clothes are other ladies in the church, so I can always find plenty in that closet should I need them again.
Comment by Linda (April 3, 2006 @ 10:26 am )
Amy,
What a mystery… Have you noticed that they also “know” when you finally have an opportunity to sit down and eat a stale sandwich for lunch at 3:30 P.M.?! -Or is it just mine?
Glad to hear you’re initialing your maternity wear. This world needs cute, cuddly and sweet babies!
Hope you’ll pardon me for being off subject but I just finished reading “Stepping Heavenward” after you made mention of it several weeks ago. ~One of the best books I’ve ever read. Thanks soooooo much!
Comment by Dene (April 3, 2006 @ 2:21 pm )
Yes. And how do they know to COMPLETELY blast out their diaper and up the backs of their onesie and outfit right before you walk ou the door for church??? I wonder, I wonder…
Comment by Holly (April 3, 2006 @ 2:33 pm )
Amy, you’re way too funny. I think they have that “know” gene the say way mothers “see” behind their backs. And you’re sounding a lot like my sister when she had three under the age of 4. Her youngest is now 5, but I wouldn’t ask her about last week, mainly because she now has a daughter with her hand in a cast. And a new pig for her oldest for 4-H this summer. What a week! Hope you get some rest.
Comment by Sheryl (April 3, 2006 @ 6:25 pm )
Yeah, I remember at the end of giving birth to my last child, number 5, saying, “I’m never doing this again!!” Well, I’m now 14 weeks with number 6 and it took us about a year to get here, on purpose! So excited! Good advice–don’t make big decisions in the 3-4 months following a new baby. I say this after giving away all of my maternity clothes, TWICE, and all of my baby things, TWICE!!
Comment by Nancy Palmer (April 4, 2006 @ 9:07 am )
I am just 9 weeks postpartum… my first beautiful baby girl! I thought it was just my baby that KNEW I was sitting down! What’s the deal?? I have enjoyed so much being a stay at home mom! I LOVE it! I just found your blog the other day and look forward to enouraging words from other moms doing the same thing. i am with Dene lunch at 3:30pm… except I ate my husbands left over ramen… that’s how bad it is some days
Thanks!
Comment by Karis (April 4, 2006 @ 8:30 pm )
Ohhhh, Amy, for ONCE I have to disagree with you! MY children are the cutest babies. This is what I tell people when they ask “are they ALL yours” and “do you know what causes this”. I say “Why stop a good thing - aren’t they the cutest!”
Oh, cutting the hair - I have cut my bangs after having a baby. Because of this, I did not have bangs for quite some time.
Enjoy the snuggles….Loni
Comment by Loni (April 4, 2006 @ 9:38 pm )
We are at 2 1/2 weeks postpartum and this morning, after an exhausting night, my 7,6,4,and 21 mo old let mommy sleep till 9:30! I only got to sleep at 7:30. God knows when to have those other little blessings pull together and help out just at the right time. They even set the breakfast table for me!! Isn’t amazing how kids all “know” all of this stuff. I especially appreciate the comment about blasting diapers out at the last minute! How many times has that happened?! Well, hang in there everyone, and Amy, thank you so much for your blog. It is such an encouragement to hear about all of you and your readers doing the same things we are.
Comment by Heather (April 5, 2006 @ 11:24 am )
I’m amazed at how much work babies are, and yet how simply wonderful they are. After I delivered, hubby asked me if I was sure I wanted more. I said yes, but not right now.
I still wonder at 3 am when Bubby is wide-eyed awake and I’m dead tired if I want to do this again, but you know what, I DO! Why is that? *laughs* There’s just something special about children. Now, to go check on mine.
Comment by ladyscott (April 5, 2006 @ 11:35 am )
New reader, who can relate! I also have some maternity clothese saved because you never know.
Comment by Kim (April 7, 2006 @ 6:43 pm )
An even better question is…how do they know when you are lifting the first bite of food you’ve had all day to your mouth? Even when they’re asleep in the other room? Even when they’re newborns and can’t possibly recognize the smell of “real” food? As soon as I start to eat, my babies always wake up crying, wanting to be nursed!
Oh, and I just colored my hair last week, four weeks postpartum! Tried to dye brown hair to blonde at home. Turned out a strange, uneven reddish blonde. LOL. I was lucky it didn’t turn green. The hairdresser who fixed it said when you breastfeed, some people’s hair does weird things when if they try to color it. Hers turned green! :-O
Comment by Mommaroo2 (April 12, 2006 @ 1:23 am )
Wow! It crossed my mind to try and cover some grey! Thanks for the heads up–no pun intended. Anyone got any tips on coping with mastitis? Never had it before and I feel like a train wreck. I went to the doctor yesterday and got some ab. Is it just a matter of time? Thanks
Comment by Heather (April 12, 2006 @ 10:16 am )
Sorry to post late on this one but I just found your site today. I am 2 weeks postpartum and the comment about blowing out diapers had me laughing out loud and then crying…only postpartum can explain these emotions. Anyway, yesterday we were headed to our 2 wk checkup and my little bundle completely ruined her outfit that I had so proudly dressed her in. In the first weeks when you are only getting out of the house to go to the doctor you want to look your best. I wanted to cry yesterday…thanks for the outlet today!
Comment by Mrs. Dutch (May 3, 2006 @ 3:08 pm )