Things I Didn't Expect

I'm still working on my birth story - it is LONG! I got started on it in the wee hours of the morning the other day while Andrew was awake and content (thankfully) in my arms. In the mean time I wanted to write about some things that I've been thinking about in regards to childbirth and the days after. There was so much I read about and prepared for: exhaustion, sleepless nights, extreme joy at the birth of your child, etc., but there are many things that I just had no idea about. Some of them may seem silly to you but here goes anyway...

Childbirth: (more details will be in my birth story)
1 - I never thought my water would break on its own. I was convinced that it would have to be broken for me since I read that only 15% of women have their water break on their own.

2 - Going with #1 - I always thought my "water" would be clear. Um no. I had quite a bit of blood with every trickle and gush.

3 - I never expected to have such intense contractions (shown on the fetal monitors) and not feel them (at first). It was strange to feel my stomach tighten and hear a nurse or my husband say how strong that contraction was and not feel a thing. And this was in early labor, wayyy before pain meds.

4 - I never expected to be puking through labor AND after. Yeah, gross.

The days after:

1 - The EXTREME emotions and hormone overload. Holy crap! I'm completely happy and overjoyed one minute and the next I am sobbing like a baby (no pun intended). The worst is around dinner time. For some reason I become overwhelmed at that point, maybe it's exhaustion, I don't know. But I feel so inadequate and helpless.

2 - How AWESOME my husband would be. I mean I knew he'd be great with Andrew, but I had no idea how incredible he'd be with me and my roller coaster of emotions. I have seriously fallen in love with him over again in a new way and I am so very thankful for him.

3 - Going along with #2 - I never expected to be so clingy towards Corey. I want hugs and kisses and to be around him all the time. He took the week off of work and I dread him going back next week. I don't even need him to be doing anything. Just knowing he is in another room or just a minute away is everything.

4 - You guys are going to HATE me for this one, but I never expected to get my body back so quickly. Andrew is a week old tomorrow and I already fit into my pre-pregnancy bermuda shorts from last summer. I gained 26lbs and only have 10 more to lose. I'm sorry but I HAD to share that one!

I'm sure there's more and there WILL be more but that's it for now. I find talking and writing very cathartic. Overall things really are going well. I am very hard on myself and expect myself to be super mom so I get upset when I feel like I don't know what to do. BUT Andrew is just the sweetest little guy and I am so in love with him! I cannot believe he is mine and that Corey and I created this little miracle. I feel so very blessed.

Thank you all for the well wishes. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we embark on this incredible journey as a family! I promise my next post will be my birth story and then I'll start posting more pictures.