Are we actually getting the hang of this??

Age: 2 weeks, 4 days

This past Wednesday, July 24 was Wisebaby's due date. He arrived 2.5 weeks early, a week before the date we were going to induce labor. Hitting his due date and seeing the time that's passed has caused me to reflect on the past 2.5 weeks. My observations?  We've come a long way in a short time, and "Are we actually getting the hang of this?"

I'm really surprised by how things are going right. We've been in "a groove" and had a good routine for about a week now. We're tired, but no where near the exhaustion we had during that first week home. The "blitzkrieg of feeding" was exhausting, not just because it was non-stop feeding (every other hour) but because we were having to learn EVERYTHING about having a baby at the same time. After seeing that Wisebaby gained nearly 2 pounds in about 2 weeks, we agree that the blitzkrieg was totally worth it. 

But in looking at our current state, part of me wonders if we should be more exhausted.  Really, shouldn't we be walking zombies 24/7??  After all, we are taking care of a 3 week old baby!  But I think we're surviving pretty well.  We definitely benefit from being able to nap for an extra hour in the morning after breakfast, and that's not going to able to continue when we go back to work. Maybe we're just getting used to "the tired". Having a routine DEFINITELY helps me feel better. Knowing how to handle the baby, the feedings, knowing when to expect dirty diapers and becoming okay with that, etc.  And being able to leave the house and run an errand or two has been a huge relief in returning to "normal". And Wisebaby volunteering to sleep in 2.5 - 3 hour stretches at night, without crying and screaming, helps more than anything.  We are certainly blessed to have an Angel Baby so far. (Go read "The Baby Whisperer" book to see how she defines an Angel Baby and other types of babies.)

I know I'll return to exhaustion once I return to work next week.  There's no way I can work full speed at my job and not be tired after coming home and getting used to having a second full time job. But if the past two weeks have been an indication, we just might be able to do this!!

*Please don't let this blog post jinx things!  I'm very happy with my squeaking, non-fussy Angel Baby!