Monday, March 13, 2006

The Art of Biting One's Tongue

We had a weekend. Yes, I realize most people follow that up with good, bad, wonderful, horrible, etc, but ours? Was just a weekend. I'd love to go into more detail, but there are some things I don't talk about on here. Let's just put it this way, there were guests, Shepherd got cranky, decided not to sleep Saturday night... or rather, his poor digestive system decided not to function properly and he's learned to scream every time he poops. I don't know if it's a phase, or if it's a genuine problem. He's pooping at least once a day, so I know he's not constipated, but according to all the books (yes, I realize most of them are full of it), Shepherd should be pooping at every feeding, if not every other. I know it's normal for a baby to grunt pretty hard when having a "moving experience", but is it normal for him to scream his head off?

Anyways, I digress... The weekend was okay. If anything, Forrest and I realize how much of a team we are, and by Sunday night, we were professing our love for one another over and over. As for me? I'm slowly learning the art of biting my tongue. It's so hard not to say the things you want to say, or rather, to complain about people who drive you batty. My reaction to past relationships where someone hurt me has been to lash out verbally... or at least to communicate everything I'm feeling to that person to let them know how they hurt me. But sometimes, it's best to bite your tongue. Either because it's inappropriate or because anything you say will go in one ear and our the other... or, because what you say might be just as hurtful, malicious, manipulative as what that person said, and to say anything would be to stoop to their level. Granted, I'm not very far along in learning this, but it's a start.

We did have family in to see Shepherd, and it was nice to see them. They really enjoyed seeing Shepherd. It's so hard when people come to see him, because everyone wants to hold him. Which is totally fine, but I've learned in the past few weeks that if Shepherd is held all day long without several good naps alone in his crib, that he tends to be cranky at night and not sleep as well. It's likely that he gets overstimulated and has a hard time calming down. So, I now know to make sure to take Shepherd away, and allow him some time in his crib, even if he's not sleeping (he likes to lie there and watch his mobile, and will coo at himself for quite awhile... it's so cute!!) It's so hard... learning all of these things about my son... things I didn't know about babies. And also, learning about my son's personality.

Well, I'd better go feed the little one... Hope y'all have a happy Monday!!

4 comments:

Erika said...

I'm glad to hear that you and F are a team. I have worried that all this pregnancy husband bonding would disappear with a screaming child. In another one of my dreams last night, you and Forrest came to stay with us after I had the baby, to help out I guess. You didn't bring Shepherd though!

Unknown said...

I agree with Erika- it's great to hear that the bonding continues beyond pregnancy. I feel like my husband is totally my partner in everything, and I have these wonderful visions of us being a team tackling parenthood together! And handling all the guests. I am actually pretty worried about the guests after the baby comes, which my husband thinks is silly.

I would love to see more pics of him, cooing in his crib in his mobile, etc! Makes me soooooo excited for our little one to get here!

suzspeaks said...

I totally remember those days with all the company that wants hold the baby, then making your night-time misreable! Oh, how I remember. Just remember your the mommy & you get to make the rules!

Anonymous said...

You're smart to realize that Shepherd needs his "down time." It took us a while to figure that out. Babies get tired out pretty easily.

I'm sooo impressed that you're blogging so soon after the baby's birth. I couldn't think straight enough to do anything like that until way on down the road!