I was induced with Benjamin. I don't think I've ever gone into labor on my own. My babies have each been a good healthy size, and I'm not sure I ever want to go overdue and then try to deliver a huge baby. And inductions seem to work well for me. Except this time, the baby was sunnyside-up. And with no epidural, it was exhausting, difficult, painful, never-ending transition.
Have I ever told you that I LOVE BABIES?! I love everything about them! When this stage of my life is over, I will be really sad.
Don't let that adorable face fool you! Benjamin has actually been my hardest baby. It could be that he didn't sleep well for a LONG time. I was holding him almost all day for 5 months. He was actually a very happy baby, as long as I was holding him. He spits up (all my babies have) like no other. The reflux could have been interfering with his sleep, and then his over-tiredness perpetuated a bad pattern. It could be that I had 4 other children to take care of, so there weren't enough opportunities for me to reset. It could be that my mental health is already fragile. It could be that I felt particularly alone during this phase of my life. In any case, it is not his fault, and I adore my Benjamin.
When we got to the 5-month mark, the pediatrician resolved my concerns over the reflux. We got serious about sleep-training. For about two weeks, life was rough. But we started seeing progress on the first night. Then I started sleeping better, and then my brain cleared up. I started having more energy and motivation, not to mention regular periods of hands-free existence (a.k.a. baby's naps).
Benjamin is such a sweetheart. He is smiley, giggly, and cuddly. He loves to kiss and hug me (slobber on and pinch me). He can roll one way, he can almost roll the other way, he is sitting on his own for short periods of time, and he is starting to get up on his knees and try to scoot. Everything goes in the mouth. He loves food! He only turns his nose up at baby formula, and I don't blame him. He is my blondest kid so far.
I love my Benjamin! I don't know what I would do without my Benjamin.
2 comments:
He's adorable! Can't wait to see him this summer.
I've seen that baby almost weekly his entire life, and I just don't believe he was ever as small as that first picture :). Are you sure it is him? I love that sweet Benjamin too!
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