Baby Owen's Home – Two Down, One to Go
Owen (Carseat) and Bella Meet Face to Face
Owen came home from the hospital Sunday evening at about 5:00pm, so we've already gotten a taste of dueling crying from two of the three triplets. My wife and I were trading off the two overnight feeds but now it's looking like we'll both have to get up for each feed. That means less sleep and an extra layer of crankiness but we're getting close to having our whole family home.
My first time feeding Owen last night did not go as well as planned. I'd fed him in the hospital before but not while he was on the portable heart rate monitor. My wife was trying to catch an hour of sleep so I was alone with him downstairs.
I went to put him on the diaper change table so I could swaddle him because he's particularly active with his hands and it's near impossible to feed him if they are free. So, I tripped over his heart rate monitor which set the alarms screaming and the leads pulled off his body which were under two layers of clothing. I couldn't get him stripped down fast enough and so he's crying, the alarms are blaring.
I managed to cut the power to the monitor and then get him dressed and swaddled. I then sat down with him and his bottle and when he calmed I started to feed him.
I marveled at how fast he was taking his food when the bottle was nearly empty after three minutes. Then I realized his bottle had a leak when he was soaked all around his torso and my pants were wet underneath.
More swear words ensued and then I sat him up on my knee to wipe him down. It was then that I noticed how dark his diaper was…and how it was overflowing with crap which was now all over me as well.
More swearing…yada yada…some more swearing…then my wife was forced out of her slumber to come down and help me with the carnage I left in my wake. The two of us together managed to clean the poor guy up, and I've gotten used to now walking around the house in my underwear (I know, not a pleasant visual) since everything else gets puked or pooped on.
Last night was impossibly tiring. Between the two feedings for each baby overnight, both were crying and fussy and Owen's monitor must have gone off at least a dozen times with the leads failing to pick up on his chest.
I'm just incredibly tired today and I don't know how we are going to do this with three babies, plus maintain my wits so I can keep my job (which I am petrified of losing since we are down to one income), plus keep this blog going. And we're only through week one of parenting.
What was it I said here before? God (The Universe) doesn't give you more than you can handle? I think God has more confidence in me than I do.
I'll be checking in with the 100 Thing Challenge tomorrow. The Butterfly Effects Challenge does not need to be updated every week now. With honesty, I am close to failing out of that one as I've underestimated the time and energy involved in raising babies.
On the plus side, I have a new Butterfly Effect – apparently not eating and not sleeping helps one to lose weight. Who knew?
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Comments on Baby Owen's Home – Two Down, One to Go
12:36 pm
Hey Charley…I don't mean to sound like a know-it-all here and I don't want to give you advice that you probably already are aware of…but here goes anyway…for the next year (for one whole year), put everything on hold…everything…that is, except going to work and taking care of your family…no planning for music time, blog time, writing down all your expenses, whatever…then if you have a spare 10 minutes to pick up your guitar, it's gravy…an unexpected bonus! I guess what I'm saying is don't try to do too much…or set too many goals this year…you'll just stress yourself out and get frustrated that you don't have enough time for these other things…
~cousin matt
12:47 pm
also, regardless if it's paid time off or not, you should take a week, preferably two, off of work right now…the first couple of weeks is a huge adjustment and it really helps to just take that time off of work and get used to having the babies at home…
1:12 pm
@Cousin Matt, Thanks Bro, I'm hearing you (or rather reading you). Whether I can slow down enough or not, is another story. I try to fill every spare moment except for the few when I'm meditating, but then that's kinda doing something too. I always appreciate the advice. So when's baby #2 coming?
1:13 pm
Been off for a week, but was trying to save my other two weeks for when Noah comes home.
6:24 pm
Once you get your own schedule and into the groove of having this be your new normal down it will get easier! But I know that going from no babies to 3 babies is the biggest adjustment any person can make. I remember just wondering when I would enjoy another meal and not be eating just for pure survival. But you will get through this and honestly some day you will have a hard time remembering these things. I didn't start my blog unil the boy were 7 months old so I think it is great you have this to reflect back on right from the start. If there is anything I can do to help please just ask
6:30 am
HI! Just popping to see how you're doing! So glad to hear the babies are doing well and home with their mommy and daddy!! It will get easier!!!! It's amazing how you develop kick ass multi-tasking skills when you become a parent! You'll have it down in no time!!!
7:08 am
Hang in there! I second the comment above – Not a single thing is important right now, other than taking care of the babies and each other. You'll find a schedule, and get used to less sleep, and I swear you won't remember these stressful moments when you are watching those babies play with one another, and giggle, and then crawl, etc – Before you know it, you'll be celebrating their first birthday – this time goes too fast, so soak it up while you can!
Lots of love – MB
9:10 am
Hi Chuck. The one good advice I can give you is to sleep when the babies are sleeping. Don't try to get everything done when they are sleeping. You will learn to co-ordinate the housework and cleanling up when they are up. The best think you can do is have someone come in to watch over the babies while you both get some sleep. Hope everything goes good for you two.
1:03 pm
Baby #2 will be here in early December…
You said "I try to fill every spare moment except for the few when I'm meditating"….I gotta ask…why?
2:49 pm
@Matt Forness – Why do I try to fill all my time? Because I believe too many people go to the grave with their song still inside them, and I didn't want to be one of them. Not saying it's good to always be on the go. I was stating it more of a pattern for me in the last several years and I have to evaluate that in light of the three babies now, per your good advice. I'll burn myself out if I don't take a break.
That and I loathe sitting around watching TV.
My perspective is now changing a bit. I know I need to scale back on filling the moments now. But instead of filling the time with more nothing, I would rather fill it with the Essential which is spending those moments with my children instead.
I've been meditating over this Essential vs. Unessential lately. I think it's more important now, than ever. In fact, I've started a book on it just so that it will take me through the research and self discovery process.
Sorry for the long answer to a short and simple question. And where's your brother been? Haven't heard from him since your father's induction into the Kenmore High School Sports Hall of Fame.
Warm Regards,
Charley
7:33 pm
I can't imagine how exhausted you two must be, but I have to tell you — your last entry had me chuckling aloud! I could just picture it all happening to you. My good friend told me that it all gets better when the baby is around 8 weeks old (that would be 8 weeks adjusted age for you, not chronological age). At that point, it seems to get a little better. The babies should start sleeping longer, taking more food (which means less feeding frequency), and be into more of a routine. The first 8 weeks are a blur. Of course, I'm just talking about 1 baby, so hopefully this will be true for you with 3 the little critters. Hang in there!!! It gets better!
7:54 pm
I promise it does get easier and you will eventually be able to sleep again. It is really exciting news to her that both Bella and Owen are home! As for the monitors, my niece and nephew (2 mo premature twins) both came home with the heart/lung monitors. The both adjusted really well and were still able to do the normal baby things. Plus you wouldn't believe what peace of mind it really gives you! Good luck and enjoy!
4:47 am
Hang in there Mother Teresa also said that she wished God didn't have such confidence in her some days.
4:51 am
@Charley Forness:
Forget that Chukk!!! Scribe For The Tribe LIVE at Club Diablo's next week!!!!!!!
10:08 am
"Because I believe too many people go to the grave with their song still inside them, and I didn't want to be one of them." I hear you loud and clear here. I have been frustrated in the past with how little time I have to devote to my hobbies…things that I love to do and want to get better at. But I've realized that what I should be striving for is balance. I think that balance is the key…not just regarding this part of our lives, but to just about everything. However, finding (and staying close to) balance is the hard part: the target is always moving. It's really hard…especially for people in our culture.
Hang in there Chuck and Nikki. It will get easier! And you have grandparents in town. Get them over often to give you guys a reprieve….
As far as Ry, I talk to him on the phone weekly, but he's doesn't seem to be into online communication…
~matt
7:29 am
Congratulations Charley! So pleased for you – you will almost a full family at home soon.
You have had some great advise and never having had any children I can't add anything more – except ENJOY!
Your kids will grow up far too quickly:-)