Brindle Blog

Wow…yesterday, Benjamin turned six weeks old!  Time has gone by so fast.  I have a renewed appreciation for getting out of the house.  I have joined a new moms group through Emerson Hospital, which meets once a week.  It is so helpful to meet other moms who are navigating motherhood for the first time.  Being able to share, ask questions or just listen is rejuvenating.  I look around and think, “Hooray!  I am a mom!  I am really doing this!”  I also go to a free group at the Bolton Library called “Babies, Books and Buddies.”  We sing songs, listen to stories, and meet other moms (and their babies, too!).  I finally got a library card which had been on my to do list for six years!  So now I can get books for free instead of paying for them at a bookstore…hooray for this budget saving strategy!  My latest accomplishment was getting my haircut (thanks to Jolene at Elite Hair Studio in Hudson!).  Benjamin cried in the car and during the shampoo portion (not a good sign) but then slept through the whole cutting and blow-drying segments!  I think he likes the white noise created by hairdryers.  These outings have given me confidence and provides the connections I have been craving.  I feel refreshed and proud to have found a few routines that provide structure in our schedule.  Motherhood is amazing and I look forward to many more adventures out in the world!

Here is my official first day of being on my own with Benjamin.  Since I often forget what I did, I decided to start keeping a log of things that happened throughout the day.  That way, I can look back and see patterns that occur.  I can appreciate the calm days, document the hectic days, and shout, “Yahoo!” on triumphant days. 

5:30 a.m. Feed Benjamin

7:00 a.m. Breakfast, continue writing thank you notes

8:15 a.m. Feed Benjamin

9:00 a.m. Call about New Mother’s Group at Emerson (I left a message)

9:30 a.m. Went for a walk with Benjamin and Macintosh (in the rain, “Hooray!” for the stroller rain shield)

10:00-11:30 Benjamin is napping (During nap, Mommy painted her fingernails and toenails, called to reserve a bag of dog food at pet store, and made a haircut appointment for a few weeks from now!)

11:30 Feed Benjamin

12:00 Research library programs (found a Friday program at Bolton Library for Babies that I want to start attending when he is two months or so)

12:30 Chat with my neighbor on the phone

1:00 Lunch, Brainstorm blog ideas, decided to write about my first day “alone”

2:00 Big adventure of the day: pick up dog food and a new toy for Macintosh (for being such a good boy!)

2:30 Fully came to appreciate drive thru at Dunkin’ Donuts…coolatta for Mommy!

3:30 Feed Benjamin, spoke with organizer of New Mother’s Group on the phone, (Hopefully we can start going next Wednesday!)

5:00 Feed Benjamin

5:30 Shower while Benjamin sits in his bouncy seat (a shower is also very exciting for a new mommy!)

I never thought things like buying dog food, going to Dunkin’ Donuts and having time to shower would be so exciting, but hey, it’s the little things, right?  And even though these days “It’s all about the Benjamin”, I hope to remember to make time for myself each day.  Keeping the log will keep me in check (and help with my memory loss too!).

Adam has always been great with chores (grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, taking the dog for a walk, etc.) and has always been handy around the house.  What happens when you add a newborn to the mix?  He kicks it into high gear, doing all the things he has done PLUS caring for a newborn with ease and expertise   (the kind of expertise that makes me think he has been borrowing other people’s babies to practice without my knowledge).  He ordered a book called The Happiest Baby on the Block and pours over it to expand his baby knowledge.  He jumps right into things like giving a sponge bath to a screaming infant, swaddling and swaying to comfort said infant, and remains calm when baby cries for an unknown reason.  He also has been catering to my needs as well, asking if I need anything or if there’s anything he can get done while I am breastfeeding.  He refills my water jug and offers to cut up my dinner.  He is always one step ahead, anticipating and planning for the next task.  Most importantly, when I need a hug, he is always there.  I am so fortunate to have him supporting me and our son is lucky to have such an amazing dad!

…just a nursing cover.  Or is it something more?  This afternoon, when feeding time and visitors were about to overlap,  I wanted to try out the nursing cover I had bought (it looks like an apron around your neck with fabric that covers you while you nurse your baby).  I put the nursing cover (aka hooter hider) on over my head .  Once I established that it would provide plenty of coverage, I turned the cover around so it would be out of the way for the time being.  Now I was wearing it backward (and could easily swing it back around to cover myself quickly if necessary).  Suddenly, I realized I was wearing a cape, transformed into a superhero!  This woman has milk that pours out “faster than a speeding bullet”, pushed through contractions that were “more powerful than a locomotive”, and even when she is sleep deprived, would still “leap tall buildings with a single bound” for her husband and son (Wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman).  What will happen next?  Stay tuned for the adventures of Supermom.

My baby book for Benjamin from my friend Lauren suggests that I write a letter to Benjamin.  Here it is!

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Dear Benjamin,

We have waited a long time for you.  Now you are here and we are a family!  When you were born, all three of us cried happy tears together.

I hope your life is filled with happiness and I will do my best to make sure that is the case.  I will have lots of advice for you along the way, but I will start with a few here.  Laugh often and love wholeheartedly.  Let yourself cry when you need to and use my shoulder.  When you are trying something new, think “Hokey Pokey” and put your whole self in.  Stay optimistic, even during the most trying times.  Remind yourself this phase is not forever.  It will pass and things will start looking up.

Take risks and make mistakes.  That is how we learn.  Life is full of obstacles.  Face them.  That is how we grow.  When something unexpected happens, adjust your sails and persevere.  Don’t ever give up on your dreams.  Make sure you always dream big.  Daddy and I did, and now we have you!

I love you deep as the ocean and high as the sky.

Love, Mom

I don’t have to watch A Baby Story anymore, because now I have my own baby story!  Here is an outline of my labor and delivery of our son, Benjamin David Rice.

4pm Arrived at Emerson Hospital for induction

5pm Cervidil administered

To sleep overnight, they gave me Ambien.  Good thing because the day ahead was long!

5:00 am Cervidil removed

I was able to shower and brush my teeth before the rest of the induction took place.

7:30 am Petocin administered

11:00 am only 1 cm dialated

12:00 noon my water broke on its own, had greenish tint so they want the pediatrician to be at the birth just in case he ingested meconium (spelling?) while in the womb.

2:20 pm Epidural, made some progress of 3 cm dialated

For a few hours I was stuck at 4 cm, possibility of C-section is discussed

I was relieved when they said I was 7-8 cm soon after that!  Phew!

8:35 pm I am 10 cm dialated and it is time to push!

Pushed for 18 minutes!

Benjamin David Rice was born at 8:53 (later recorded as 8:56), weighing exactly 7 pounds, and 20.5 inches long.  The pediatrician said he was healthy so they gave him back to me and we all cried happy tears together.

Placenta had trouble coming out, but eventually it did after I experienced some nausea and threw up.  I had lost a lot of blood so they monitored me while I stayed at the hospital.

Adam and I sang “Happy Birthday” to Benjamin.  We are so happy he is here and is healthy!

Today marks five more days until the due date.  Could be more, could be less.  We’ll see!  I hope it’s less because I am so excited to meet our son!

The nursery is looking beautiful!  White crib, dresser, night table, two matching lamps along with the Benjamin letters which sit on top of the shelf the previous owners left for us.  The monkey bedding (which I had been dreaming of), jungle animal prints and wall decals, a stuffed animal monkey, as well as a stuffed animal alligator all compliment each other without overpowering the room.  Orange carpet squares, blue paint on the walls and clouds on the ceiling…it all looks so sweet!  I look at the nursery at least three times a day and marvel at how lovely it looks.  Adam assembled the crib the first night we had it delivered and connected the carpet squares when they arrived.  Now we are just waiting for the glider rocking chair and ottoman.  Yay!

Adam ordered The Expectant Father on his own.  Awww. so sweet!  He will be the best dad, I just know it. 

I told my students the big news on April 8th, the Red Sox home opener day.  At school we wore Red Sox gear for a spirit day and on the morning message I asked the students, “What should Mrs. Rice name the new Red Sox fan?”  They were very confused.  So I told them to look at the back of my name tag where I had put the ultrasound picture.  Their reaction was priceless!  One student said, “I just can’t believe it!”  Of course I started to cry, and I had to explain that they were happy tears.  The list of names they suggested were very creative.  One student suggested Youkilis!  Another said Little Red.  Needless to say it was so much fun to share the news with them!