Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This
A quick note from the fresh mama (and her boobs (as of early this morning when I woke up in a puddle of my own making, milk is IN, OMG)):
Everything is well and wonderful, and the reason I haven't posted is not because I'm delirious with exhaustion but because we're just having too much of a good time with the mancub to sit in front of the computer for even a second. (I haven't watched a lick of t.v. in five days, which is something I imagined wouldn't happen short of an apocalypse, although I guess that in some ways having a new baby is kind of like an apocalyse, just the kind without the fire and brimstone and Hieronymusian soul-eating ghouls.)
Wombat* is feeding well and sleeping well (I wake up in the middle of the night to poke him because I can't believe he's been so quiet for so many hours in a row) and he's just a good-natured and healthy and amazing little guy and I can't wait to tell all of you fantastic and supportive friends more about him in detail once things slow down a little. My mom is here until next week (and I'm having NO problem letting her cook and clean and take care of us as much as she wants to**; color me surprised and relieved), but until then I'll try to keep up with pictures on Flickr as best I can. (We load pictures through the computer in the attic, where it has been 54 degrees for the past week, which makes it an understandably less-than-desirable task right now. I didn't survive a twenty-six-hour labor*** to expire from hypothermia in my own home, thank you very much.) I've had enough people harrass me about posting, though, that I thought I should pop in and say hi. We've been reading comments and feeling all the love, and I only wish I had an extra two hands to type with so I could live-blog every little thing that happens in the new life of my new son.
Until then, thank you thank you thank you to everyone for being out there not just now and last week and throughout the pregnancy but for years and years and years before that. I know conventional wisdom says you can't prepare for this sort of thing, but I really feel like you gave me a headstart on enjoying this experience to its fullest; gold stars for everybody.
*Simon isn't comfortable sharing Wombat's real name in this forum, so all I can do is offer a colossal apology to those of you who are dying to know it. Just trust me that it's a really cool name for a really cool kid.
**Between Simon, my mom, and a team of the best nurses in the world, I haven't changed a single diaper in Wombat's first four days of life. Not a one. WTF. NOT THAT I'M COMPLAINING.
***By "survive a twenty-six-hour labor" I mean "hang out in bed with a magazine for a day while Simon charms the hot nurses in between live-blogging my cervical dilation." Seriously, everyone kept asking how I was doing, and most of the time I just answered with a smile and a shrug; I'd hate to incur the wrath of women who have had hard labors, but giving birth to this kid was a damn good time. Will recommend. Would repeat.
SO bummed we don't get to know his name, but respect the decision. Glad to hear all is more than well at Chez G+B+W.
Isn't it weird how many people are going to be sad not to know his name? I'm one of them, mainly because I think names are such a cool thing. I'm sure you guys picked very well. :)
So glad you're having a relaxing and happy time right now. He's SUCH a pretty baby. Nicely done.
Totally respect the decision to not reveal little Wombat's real name but would be lying if I didn't admit I'm a little disappointed. Only because I'm nosy :)
Glad to hear that you are all doing well!!
Those first few weeks are such bliss! Enjoy every minute.
I, too, am dying to know the boys name. If I name mine the same thing, can we make a deal that you'll tell me :)?
I too am sorry not to know his very cool name but respect your decision, since he's your kid and all! :) Am glad to hear that you are blissfully happy and that everything is going well.
I cannot wait to meet my little buddy.
Heather! You're not supposed to tell everyone his name is Buddy! Shhh! :)
Glad you're doing so well and having an easy time of it. Don't forget to sleep when the baby sleeps!
Those first days are magical, aren't they? Hubby & I often joked we should cancel the cable because we simply sat and watched the baby so much. So glad you're enjoying these early days and allowing yourself to be pampered and waited on. Too soon it will end.
And yes, I'm sad not to know Wombat's given name, but he's your boy and you get to decide.
personally i kind of like wombat for the youngling's name. . . it rounds out the family's fake names pretty well. . .
Yay! So good to hear from you!!! So glad things are going along smoothly. Lovely lovely.
We already know him as Wombat, so it's fitting that we will keep knowing him that way. I'm glad you guys are having such a good time!
I also recommend labor. It's sort of exciting. Like a marathon fun run that ends in the coolest Christmas ever.
Good luck with the boobies!
I am about ready to hop on a plane so I can plant a kiss on his sweet cheeks.
Sigh.
i think not sharing his final name is a really good thing (honestly...especially since it's not important in the grand scheme of his kissable cheeks). plus, wouldn't it be fun if we tried to "fake name" him ourselves?! i'll go for franklin thomas. he doesn't necessarily look like a franklin thomas, but wombat connotates "bat" to me, which he's far from; regardless, he's lovely, and if his name was bertha (the nurse who gave me shots at 3), i'd love him nonetheless.
I am just so happy for you guys; and I am so glad that having your family there is not stressful!
what do you mean? his name isn't actually wombat? ;)
I think Wombat is a fine name.
Wish I'd thought of it for my kids. Now I'm stuck with Squirrel-Boy and Twitch.
Congratulations again! Glad to hear everything is going so fantastically with the new family. How're the cats? Hopefully they're loving Wombat (in a good way) too! Enjoy it all.
Totally thought Wombat was the name, so no disappointment from me.
Wombat Mowgli? ;)
CONGRATS :D
So glad things are going well with you all. Sounds like December babies are peaches.
Glad to hear a brief update.
Being one of the lucky few IRL friends who gets to know the real name, I can assure you all that it is, indeed, a terrific and fantastic name.
I will cop to being disappointed about not knowing Wombat's real name. Sigh.
Glad it's all going so well. Yay for babies!
You sound so good. And happy. Yay!
Am I considered an Internet or real life friend? I want to know his name too!
So glad to hear from you Leah and glad all is so fantastic. Love to all of you.
Another one here copping to be excited about the baby - yay you guys - but disappointed not to know the name.
You're the boss. :-)
I'm so looking forward to hearing how you two tackle this. Such a loving creative home Wombat will have.
firstly, congratulations on such a beautiful baby boy! he is absolutely adorable.
secondly, i just want to say thank you for sharing such an optimistic and happy view towards birth. As someone who does not have children, and has PERHAPS developed a bit of a pregnancy/birth fear, it is truly refreshing to hear such a happy take on the process. i have read WAY too many dramatic blogger birth horror stories (that also go into a disturbing amount of detail), and it is really lovely to hear someone say such lovely things, and be so happy with the outcome - to realize that the most important thing is the result, and not the rather uncomfortable process.
i am also rather pleased to hear your ballet training did some good - as a dancer for a bazillion years, i can only hope all those plies and pirouettes have the same perfect outcome for me some day down the road :)
CONGRATS and enjoy!
firstly, congratulations on such a beautiful baby boy! he is absolutely adorable.
secondly, i just want to say thank you for sharing such an optimistic and happy view towards birth. As someone who does not have children, and has PERHAPS developed a bit of a pregnancy/birth fear, it is truly refreshing to hear such a happy take on the process. i have read WAY too many dramatic blogger birth horror stories (that also go into a disturbing amount of detail), and it is really lovely to hear someone say such lovely things, and be so happy with the outcome - to realize that the most important thing is the result, and not the rather uncomfortable process.
i am also rather pleased to hear your ballet training did some good - as a dancer for a bazillion years, i can only hope all those plies and pirouettes have the same perfect outcome for me some day down the road :)
CONGRATS and enjoy!
Fresh Mama sounds delicious! And I am so happy for you guys. Things sound great. Also, when my milk came in I could have fed the whole NICU. Mooo!