Edigo's movnomz-om: like a baby

[Edigo]

Hi there! I am back for my 9th challenge

A major event happened on december 20th, my second son decided he was ready to get born, but he's a premie so still at the hospital. (he was supposed to arrive feb 2nd) he's the best christmas gift ever!

He gained weight, aged, is now in a bed, and tomorrow will be off the monitor. The only thing left is breastfeeding, he needs to learn how to do it and be able to feed himself. So by a couple days/weeks, depending if progress, he will get home with us.

So, this challenge will evolve around his coming home, since our routine will change again from hospital oriented to home oriented.

Main goal: be present and mindfull

These are my 2 words for 2015, the theme i want to focus on.

I have been using my acronym movnomz for a while bow, and this way to split my goals works for me but its missing the life/sanity component that i will be adding this time: om (like om in yoga). This will be mainly gratitude practice and meditation.

I feel i need to move again, i already started kiegles, but miss yoga so i checked with my teacher to have her advice and i will ease into postnatal yoga. Ill keep food goals easy, and sleep will be a huge component too.

Mov:

- ease back into yoga, doing postnatal 3x a week. This is the aim, but listening to my body is more important. So i will start with one, and would like to grt to 3 by the end of the challenge.

- kiegles daily: 3x10 min

Nom:

- daily proteinated green smoothie as a snack

- water 32oz min

Z:

- sleep 8h overall everyday

- daily yoga nidra, min 10, ideally 30min, again this will be a progression

Om:

- meditation progression: from 5min min to 30 min (smile meditation)

-daily gratitude practice and journaling

Clean:

- maintain: dishes, laundry ad pick up

- new: plants, quick bathroom counter and toilet cleanup

As usual i might improve, adapt of modify this challenge to help fit t into my life, but basically i want to keep my successes, get back into what i love (yoga, pilates and running), and keep my mental health and happiness level up with meditation and gratitude.

[CrimsonTide2006]

Congratulations!! 

[ShadowLion]

Wonderful news that your new son is coming home soon! Congratulations and much luck in your challenge!

[Kareesh]

Subbing. So excited to hear your son is doing well.

[RES]

Congrats again, and glad to see you're being smart about everything and going slow...you grew a new human, and that alone is a pretty big accomplishment!

[KiwiChick]

Oh my goodness! How wonderful - I hope your wee one is healthy and happy although early.

 

(20th Dec is a wonderful birthday hehe yes same as me!)

 

Subbing! I Should be giving birth any day now so keen to hear how you get on easing back into yoga as Im looking forward to that

[Edigo]

Small setback, he needs to be on the monitor another 5 days because he desaturated this . Wich sucks because if the doc came thisorming they would have stopped it but thay came this pm and so yeah.

But its better to be safe than sorry.

Breastfeeding is moving along slowly, we practiced every feeding (5x today) and he's getting the hang of it but tores easily.

I need to remember that he was still supposed to be in my belly and to let him learn all this new complex physical stuff (open mouth, suck, breathe, stay alert, keep oxygen going, heart rate normal, swallow milk) all at the same time

But im so freaking tired ! This process of going home, going back to hospital, be on a 3h schedule, and low rest is taking its toll.

Really need to nap as much as i can but ts so hard while at the hospital. I have access to a bed but in a 3 person room and rest is hard to get.

Bleh

It will get better

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[moomin]

Congrats on your new son! It will get better, hang in there!

[Countess D'If]

Poor baby, and poor mommy! Take care of you so you can take care of that beautiful boy.

[Omega v1.1]

Congratulations for the birth of your son but I'm sorry to hear he decided to make an early appearance!

 

My first daughter was 7 weeks premature and the first six months, even after she came home were the hardest of my life. You will get through it though and you just need to constantly remind yourself about how all the hard work is totally worth it by looking at his little face- the first time he smiles at you will be THE BEST feeling in the world!

 

My three tips for surviving:

 

1. You'll probably hear a bunch of crap from strangers or possibly even family members about how it's not really as tough as you're making it out to be or how every parent goes through the same difficulties. Ignore them. Having a premie is nothing like caring for a full-term baby so don't let people who've not been through it make you feel like you're making a big deal out of nothing.

 

2. Make time every day to hug your partner. Whilst as mother you by biological necessity have to shoulder the most of the responsibilty for caring for your newborn, you partner will also be going through crap too- mainly worrying about you as well as your son. He'll need a hug every now and then, and you definitly will so make the effort to keep that physical connection going and you'll find extra reserves of strength form it when you need it. It also really helps to talk about what you're going through every so often and make sure he keeps talking to you too.

 

3. I know some people will probably massively disagree with me about this and I totally appreciate that this is a highly contensious issue, however, with regards to the breastfeeding, if it really gets too hard to do or it really seems like he's not going to take to it, you are 100% allowed to just drop it and move on to formula without feeling any guilt or remorse about it. I appreciate that I'm just some guy on the internet who you've never even spoken to before and you have no reason to accept anything I say, but I can't emphasise enough that your physical and mental health are as equally important as your sons so if you're getting totally destroyed by your efforts to feed him, it may well be the best for you and your sons health to look at the other options and discuss it in great depth with your partner and the medical staff. Whilst breast is best, if you reach a point where trying to feed this way has pushed you to a point where you can't look after your son in all the other ways he needs, it is totally ok for you to give in. Feel free to ignore me but this is just something my wife and I struggled with for both our kids so I know how emotional and difficult this can be- really all I want to say is, whatever you decide, you're making the right choice for you and your family regardless of what other people might tell you.

 

Anyway, my plan really was just to say good luck with your challenge, I just got a little sidetracked.

 

Good Luck

 

P.S. My premie just had her first day at pre-school today and totally rocked it!

[elsfaire]

Congrats on your son, but bummer about the extra monitor time. Parenting a premie for the first few months (and sometimes longer) is doubly hard, and that us saying something!

Hopefully, they have had you doing some kangaroo care and pumping and cup-feeding to augment as he is learning to breastfeed. Make sure you have support and help, and not just from your partner. It is a tough time, but you can do it!

I like that your challenge goals are fairly easygoing. That is important.

[Edigo]

Thanks everyone for the comments and support!

I consider myself lucky in this premie situation, and i have a good attitude about it, even while being fed up of this hospital situation.

What helps me is:

- my first son was 4lbs 5 oz when born at 38 weeks, while baby 2 was 4lbs2oz at 34 weeks so his size is not intomidating

- i am used to hospitals, and i gave birth in my child hospital, where i spent many years and many hospitalizations myself, where i feel at home and secure. Again not intimidated. But transfering to abother completely diferent hospital was a strugle but i got used to it somehow by now.

- its mysecond child sp i know how to handle a baby and dont feel i'll break him. It makes it easier.

What is hard:

- being away from my family, my boyfiend and son. Sleeping in the hospital

- having so many nurses daily, and a doc that changes daily and dont know him more than 5 min, while not listening to my suggestions... I mean come on i know what hes capable of by now. Sheesh... Wanted to move from 5 to 8 breastfeeds today but the young by the book doctor said no. Monday a new one will be there and i might get my way ( or cheat and do 6 anyway tomorrow hum)

- the lengh of it, 21 days today...

Good stuff:

- no more monitor today!

- breastfeeding is going smoothly, he's super good at it and my milk supply is abundant. Already 5 out of 8 feeds are from me, the others are garage with my milk.

- i made friends with other parents

About the challenge, i have napped and done yoga nidra daily. I dont think i have 8h but not too far away. It will be easier to do when home.

I drink a lot of water, 24-32 oz daily roughly

Dod yoga today, for 20min. Couldn't finish the dvd because of my joints but it felt good to move

Gratitude was a bit left behind on paper, but my attitude is good and im living in the moment

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[elsfaire]

You are handling things very well, especially considering all of the inconveniences and the emotional nature of the situation. Congrats that baby has gotten off the monitor! Hooray for progress!

 

Hang in there - you are doing great.

[Edigo]

If all goes well and my son continues to put on weight in the next 2 days, he could be home tuesday!!!!

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[elsfaire]

Hoping you can bring your son home today!

[Edigo]

My son came home yesterday morning.

I can finally breathe! Sleep in my bed, eat lots of good food, take long baths, and well just plain enjoy my new mommyhood

It was nice to be able to wake up with my bf and son and hug them goobye for daycare and work!

I crave going outside and seeing people but thats gotta wait... With -27C outside i'll pass. No time to get sick!

Tomorrow its supposed to go up to -8C so i will be able to do stuff. And eat lunch with my yoga teacher

Nursing is going really well. They recommend keeping the 3h schedule until he's 2.5kg. Then i'll be able to let him lead with his stomach and hunger.

This baby never cries! I ear him toss and fart, and he breathes in when he's searching to feed and thats it! Just a little cute sound when he isnt answered. I'll enjoy it while it lasts!

And he's always smiling. He actually laughed in his sleep this morning. I think he'll be a happy baby temperament.

I'm so happy to be back home with him! Now everything is where it should be and nothing is missing in the family picture.

Ok now off to nap, me needs zzzzzzz's

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[Countess D'If]

Congratulations! I'm so glad to hear your little prince is home!

[elsfaire]

Hooray! So glad to hear that he is home. :-D

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

Glad to here the little boy is home!!  And a real Prince Charming from the sounds of it!! 

[ShadowLion]

Great to hear he's home and such a happy little guy! Also, that you are finally getting a chance to enjoy your mommyhood - Hooray!

[Edigo]

Yesterday was our first walk in the baby carrier (15 min) and today the first car ride with family of four as well as first mall hanging out. It felt so good!

Sleep is getting better. I am getting to 8h total a day. At least if all asleep like a rock so it makes it easier

Sent from a mommy brain lacking sleep.

[RES]

It does seem to get easier with each child...glad to hear you're getting more sleep

[elsfaire]

Having 2 close together is both easier and harder. My boys were born 19 months apart. I thought the first year and a half after our second was born was very difficult. After that, it got SO much easier because they became best buddies, and most activities we brought them to they were both able to participate in. That made my job easier, and meant I needed to find a babysitter less often.

[Edigo]

That's cool. In my case they are 4.5 years apart, so the dynamic will be a lot different. But I think there are always harder and easier things with siblings.

The hardest for me might be that I'm a lone child so I'm a bit clueless about siblings dynamics lol

I'll manage, as usual

Sent from a mommy brain lacking sleep.

[Edigo]

I slept a total of 8h30 hours in the last 2 days

Have been doing yoga with Adrienne for 30 min daily also

Started my baby and mommy yoga class yesterday

And drink between 32-64oz water daily

So I'm finally reaching my goals. Week 4 to 6 here I come!

As Steve says, gotta put fitness /health first! This is exactly how I managed this.

And I feel quite frail from lack of sleep and breastfeeding, so I am getting back into eggs in the morning, huge salad at lunch., plus protein green smoothie and overnight oats as snacks. Diner will be as usual and less healthy but it's fine.

To up the calories this morning, I bring you my first ever homemade Benedict egg *decadent* so many good fatty goodness ahhhh !

Also here is little one, he has put on major cheeks in the last week lol

Other than that, I was looking into starting a training plan from a toned postnatal mommy book I found at the library, but decided it didn't appeal to me at all, so ill stick to what I love: yoga, pilates and walks. Since I find it had to do those things in my day might as well have fun Ha and yoga makes me feel good in the mind too so double reason

Weather is getting a tray bit warmer (-15) with means I'll be able to bring baby for walks, cant wait to get some sun and fresh air.