Settling In
If this post seems disjointed, it’s because I’m still on pain meds, though I’m weaning myself off fairly well, I think. Only one yesterday and I’m aiming for only one today — down from two every six hours at the start. I’m relying on the ibuprofen for the most part as I think it’s the swelling that bothers me most. With my history, having narcotics around the house makes me nervous and I’d like to be done with them as soon as possible. (At the same time, I find myself panicked at the notion of being in pain again and finding the bottle empty. Some things never change, I guess.) Luckily, I’m more of a control freak than anything else and the fact that I’m not allowed to drive right now is making me batshit. I assume the driving restriction is related to the pain pills and hope that once I’m off, I’ll be afforded a little autonomy. We’ll see, I guess.
(I only have two restrictions: I can’t drive and I can’t lift anything heavier than the baby. Just two, but they irritate the crap out of me. Right now, there’s a box of laundry detergent sitting by the basement door waiting for someone to walk it downstairs and I can’t do it. It’s making my eye twitch.)
My mother (who has decided she would like to be called “Mimi” or “Grandma Mimi” — the best part of which is watching Fraction’s face prune as he tries to make himself say it) is visiting until the 25th. My grandfather arrives on the 21st and Fraction’s folks arrive on the 29th — our fifth wedding anniversary, as it happens. Everyone seems concerned that I’ll find all this family overwhelming, but honestly, I’m enjoying it. Who knew?
Laurenn has been absolutely indispensable — settling in like family, shuttling Grandma Mimi to and fro, keeping me calm and focused and all the while documenting Henry’s first weeks in photos I’m sure I’ll treasure for the rest of my life.
Henry’s making some sounds now — I’m off to check on him.
Oh — before I forget: has anyone out there figure out how to nurse and read at the same time?? All these baby books are so big I can’t support them with one hand! Advice welcome.
My mom insisted on being called Mimi.
My mom was “Mo-Mo” (pronounced mow-mow, like mowing a lawn) and it still curdles the back of my tongue.
Try audio books maybe? The other thingie to consider is cookbook stands.
Hang in there, sweetie. One day at a time.
Much love.
Meredith read only magazines and newspapers for the first 6 months while she nursed.
cookbook stand! place it on area next to you and flp as you need?
oops didnt read what someone else said… well great mind think alike! I am glad you are doing ok. I worry.
Can’t help it I was born to worry.
Lay on your side while nursing and prop the book up on pillows, or use a cookbook holder thing-y. I’m the laziest breastfeeder. I only nurse laying on my side.
God, that Yawning picture is priceless. Going to be one of many, I’m sure. My mother is convinced I’m going to have all girls, which means I better start making some money considering the weddings and such… yikes, its making me cringe already, but it’s going to be a great ride for you guys.
Levengers.com has a whole host of book stands and such. I found three just now that may work.
http://www.levenger.com/PAGETEMPLATES/PRODUCT/Product.asp?Params=Category=17-148|PageID=2020|Level=2-3|Link=PI|special=search|ID=SearchClicked|i=6
http://www.levenger.com/PAGETEMPLATES/PRODUCT/Product.asp?Params=category=17-148|pageid=3150|level=2-3|special=related|Lnk=Img
http://www.levenger.com/PAGETEMPLATES/PRODUCT/Product.asp?Params=category=17-148|pageid=5482|level=2-3|special=related|Lnk=Txt
My mother became “Mimi” to my sister’s two kids; my father, “Boppa.”
I really wouldn’t know, but would sitting with your knees and legs elevated, creating somewhere for the book to lay, be a possibility?
Otherwise, I fully support the audiobook option. Sidenote: Making your own audiobooks is a great idea as well. My mom got so tired of me wanting her to read the same specific books that she recorded herself reading it to me. Though I was a little older.
It’s a great little “treasure” later on.
So. Much. Character. in those faces.
I have to wonder if the driving restriction is also due to your incision? After I had abdominal surgery, I was to be kept off wheels for a couple of weeks.
Lastly, an anecdote: my maternal grandmother had decided long before I came along that she was to be called “Gram”. Turns out her granddaughter had other plans: my lisp turned “Gram” into “Bam”. The name’s stuck, happily, ever since.
Let’s see what HL may have up his sleeve. 
How to read while nursing? Put ‘im in a sling or a wrap, and your hands will be free.
This also works for checking e-mail, surfing the internet, going to the bathroom, puttering around the kitchen (away from the stove, please), and knitting.
Yes, knitting.
Congratulations on the sweet boy!
I had a c-sec. last year and they said the 2 weeks were because of the incision. Don’t cheat, mine didn’t heal properly and still bothers me. I also stopped taking the narqs right away. The hospital advil seems to work fine for the pain.
Look stuff up in your baby books when you need to but don’t sit there reading “What To Expect…” etc… You will go crazy with worry and never sleep.
I heartily second the sling, it became the replacement for the much wished for third arm for me. I had this style with the padded part for the shoulder and the ring for adjustment and had the kids in it from birth onto around two years old. http://www.4malmal.com/ It was great for “hiding” them from those strangers who seem unable to keep their germy mitts off your baby and also for giving some privacy when having to nurse in public.
Oh, you did have a c-section?
I’m allergic to codeine, so I had to take “strong” antihistamines. Basically benadryl. Yeah, it SUCKED. All the Motrin you can fit in your mouth worked just fine for me!
my father insists on being called Grumpy by my two children….frankly, it fits him to a “T”
Franci,
That’s funny about your dad. I called my paternal grandfather Grumpy because I couldn’t manage “Grampa” or “Grampy” as a child. My mother said it suited him well, too.
The sling is thirded.
Boppy to hold up the kid and a free-standing music stand of the sort that’s used in elementary school bands.
First up, congratulations.
Second, I’ll second the calls that the driving thing is probably because of the c-section. I had my appendix explode inside me earlier in the year and subsequently (apparently) had a similar sort of operation to a c-section.
They don’t want you driving because all the muscles you’d use for the pedals are connected to the ones they just cut in half. Same reasoning for the lifting. It’s weird to find what is connected actually (not as weird as being given vagina exercises by your physio when you don’t have a vagina, but still).
You know I’m no expert, but word on the streets around here is that reading is tough, but telly is easy. A friend of mine caught up on years of television delinquency by the end of her maternity leave. Apparently her baby takes exactly one episode of Gilmore Girls to eat.
Bless you all in your new lives. xL.