Monday, November 12, 2012

On Motherhood










On Recovery
I am feeling good.
A week after Graham was born, I went to the Emergency Room with a fever of 104 and was told I had endometritis - an infection along the uterine wall. I went on antibiotics and the infection went away.
For a few weeks, one of my favorite things was a little inflatable donut chair that I got from the hospital. I carried it around everywhere I sat. It popped.
I haven't been back to the gym. I wonder if Gold's can reimburse me for the month of October because I had a baby? Fat chance.

On Maternity Leave
I thought staying home all day would be suffocating, but it is surprising how busy I am with feeding, changing, bathing (him, not me), cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, and showering (me, not him).
I do, however, get stir crazy and enjoy going on walks with Graham - at first outside, but now around the mall or Ikea.
I have started cooking on a semi-regular basis.
I cry whenever I think about going back to work next week.

On Diapers
For one so small, I can't believe how much poop Graham emits.
Sometimes it does amazing shooting tricks, like the fountains at Gateway.
I almost have my gag reflex under control.
Whoever says infant dirty diapers don't stink is delusional.

On Breastfeeding
It hurts.
I am amazed that it burns so many calories.
I love being the one that he absolutely can't live without. I love how calm and quiet he becomes when he nurses and how when he pulls away, his sleepy face is smeared with milk and sometimes he'll afford me a gooey little smile before slipping into Dreamland.

On Laundry
I do a lot of it. I keep a Spray 'n' Wash stain stick on my nightstand now for quick access.

On My Social Life
I have next to none. I only get out of my fluffy bathrobe to put on regular clothes about every three days.

On Days and Nights
Graham has them mixed up.
He sleeps the day away, and by the time Russ comes home, Graham is ready to party. He loves when we dance him around the living room to David Bowie, Robyn, and the Killers.
His most awake period is from 1:00 to 4:00 a.m.

On Love
Graham came and filled an enormous hole in my life that I didn't even know was there.
I only met him a short while ago, but I would do absolutely anything for him.
Every time I look at him, I feel like my heart is going to burst.
Each grunt, coo, sigh, and whimper is a total miracle.
The sleep deprivation and poop-stained curtains are definitely worth it.

11 comments:

Jessica said...

I love everything about this. So many emotions being a mother! Graham is so perfect.

Anonymous said...

I LOVE him! He is so adorable and you are the cutest mommie EVER!

byufish said...

Misty eyed you make me little mother.

Sara said...

i love it.

Jess said...

Beautifully put my friend. Can't wait to meet the little man.

Linda J said...

Aubrey your blog makes me smile every time I read it, so thank you for taking time out of your domestic treadmill to write. I can't wait to meet little Graham, he'll probably be juggling and quoting Shakespeare in french by then, meanwhile I will keep an eye on the blog. Love to you all!

allison said...

Oh Aubrey, welcome to motherhood! It is so wonderful. I loved reading this will all my heart. Where you say, "filled a whole I didn't even know existed"...such truth. And I just died looking at what a gorgeous baby he is. He is seriously beautiful (in non-demasculinizing way of course). So precious. And Evie partied like that too! Between 1 and 4, just like little Graham. Luckily my mom was with us for 6 weeks and she her almost every night. I wish I could send you a magic baby fairy so you could get more sleep!!!!

allison said...

and when I say "whole" I mean "hole"...oops and forgive any other grammar mistakes and made up words

Courtney and Landon Fowler said...

What a perfect post. Beautiful baby and you make a beautiful mother!!

Katie Allenbach said...

I love this post, Aub. You are so sweet and you're sweet a wonderful mama to baby Graham! These pictures are so precious. Love you.























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Jason + Sarah said...

He is so precious! I'm on the same page with just about everything! Can't wait to come to Utah eventually and meet the little guy!