The Joy of Motherhood

I have been meaning to post another blog for quite some time now. I guess I have just been busy with other things. Like my 7 week old baby boy! So now that I have a few moments, I thought I'd give you a little bit about how motherhood has been for me.



To be honest, it has been a bit surreal...especially at first. Its strange how one moment you're pregnant and the next you have this little person that depends on you for everything. I love being a mom and wouldn't change it for the world. I try to remember what life was like before "mom" became a part of my vocabulary and honestly, it's a bit difficult. As you all probably know, pregnancy was a bit difficult for me. While I was pregnant, becoming pregnant again was the farthest thing from my mind. But now that I have Rhett, I think I could suffer through another pregnancy if my next baby is to be anything like him. He's wonderful.

The first few weeks were rough. I was extremely sore from breastfeeding and up a lot during the night. Brandon was working and going to school. During the week it was only me up with him at night. Needless to say, I was sleep deprived. But we made it through. Rhett sleeps pretty well these days. There have been a few occasions where he has slept 7 hours. Granted, those nights are sparse. But on average he sleeps a good 4 hours, wakes up to eat and goes back to sleep for another 4 hours. He is so precious. I just can't get over the feeling of how blessed we are.



Things are about to change in the Simek household. Today was Brandon's last day at work. He is now officially a stay-at-home dad! I'm very proud of him for this. He will still be going to school. Right now, he only has school 2 days a week. This is good because it makes working for me much easier. I start back to work on Tuesday March 10th. I'm pretty nervous about the transition. Part of me worries that I've forgotten how to be a nurse. I know that I'll be fine but will most likely ask a lot of dumb questions. I'm also nervous about having to pump at work. How will I have time? Will my milk supply decrease? I bought a pump when Rhett was about 3 weeks old and have been pumping and freezing milk. I am also able to have enough to feed him a bottle every night. So right now, we're okay. I'm just paranoid. I never thought I was a worry-wart...then I became a mom! Going back to work is going to be tough and I will cry...shoot I already have! However, I'm very thankful that I have a job to go back to and that we are able to keep Rhett out of daycare! I'm just going to miss him so much!



In other news, Rhett is 7 weeks old today! He has reached a few milestones already in his short little life. He began smiling a ton. I love making him smile. He likes it when you clap his hands. He is also much more aware of his hands and feet. He waves them all around. He has his 2 month well-baby visit scheduled for the 20th. I know he has to get shots. I just feel so bad for him, but it has to be done. He's a strong boy, he'll survive! (But will I?)



I think that's about it for now. We're just enjoying the time that we have together as a new little family. We've enjoyed having the multiple visitors that we've had. Rhett is a much loved little man. My parents and sister Emily were here when he was born. Then Brandon's mother was here for a weekend and then his father the next. Rhett met his Uncle Russell and (someday officially) Aunt Lindsey. Just last week his Uncle Jeremiah and Aunt Madi were here from Washington for a visit! That was extremely special for me. I am trying to convince them to move to Texas. Jeremiah was down with the idea but Madi was a bit skeptical. My family in Washington wasn't too thrilled with the idea either! Rhett made his first road trip while they were here. We went to San Antonio! He is officially a Texan now...he saw the Alamo!



He did really well but ended up with a nasty diaper rash (his first!) It was so sad. We hated changing his diaper because he would just scream. It was even so raw at one point that he was bleeding...talk about a heart breaker! Thank goodness for Butt Paste! That stuff is a miracle worker! His rash is all healed up now and he is a much happier boy!

Okay, that's really all for now. Until next time! Check out his videos on YouTube...

http://www.youtube.com/user/jennaloree