Rainer celebrated his 2 week birthday by losing his umbilical cord and partying at the boob all night long. He's been on a three day bender apparently. The last three nights have had me camped out in my BF throne while Alex takes over Georgia duty (baths, dinner, entertaining) from 4pm until almost 10pm (for me and Rainer that is, Georgia goes to bed at about 7:30). Rainer nurses near-constantly during this time with brief breaks (enforced by me) to do things like use the bathroom and scarf down some re-heated dinner.
I feel very fortunate about this arrangement actually. I know not everybody can do this. I am fortunate that my husband is willing to take on his role as Georgia's climbing toy and general caretaker and that we are even in the position where we can camp out in our home in the evenings attending to our children's needs.
It IS tiring though. I'll grant you that. I am not one who overly LOVES being tied down and while I am getting better at moving around while the boy is latched on, I still feel sort of crippled at times when the overwhelming thirst hits me for instance and I am BF-ing and the boy has just started to doze off. Or even, just...DOING ANYTHING in the evenings...it's not the easiest thing when you have a 9+lbs little one attached to you. He's really mostly a doll though and I would take this over colic any day (please no colic, PLEASE no colic!)...I am just glad I have some way of calming him down when he's upset. And the long stretches of sleep at night make our days so much more bearable than what I imagine they WOULD be.
But boy! I do wonder if I will ever be able to just sit back and read a book again without being attached to the boy...or, sit down and eat a meal with my family...or, well...I'll stop complaining. I really am lucky. But, uh...how long did you say the cluster feedings last? ;)
Oh yeah and as a few of you reminded me...I just want to note...if you look back (I can't find it right now) in my archives from this past spring when we moved to MD, you'll note that our therapists did not want to write "walking" by age 2 as a goal in Georgia's IEP. Well, guess what? Poo on you, IEP! That's what I say! :)
wow you just brought me back to nico's cluster feeding days, its a hard thing, it will pass and in its place you will have an affectionate cuddly boy.
i think Nico went on for 4 months.
Posted by: lucy | 2008.11.14 at 11:25 PM
Oh I loved the baby but wasn't too keen on the constant attachment thing either- it gets easier, it really does- it's just hard to remember when you are in it!
Posted by: starrlife | 2008.11.15 at 08:20 AM
I need to introduce you to someone in exactly the same boat! http://motherhooduncensored.typepad.com/motherhood_uncensored/
Posted by: starrlife | 2008.11.15 at 08:32 AM
Ugh, I remember those cluster feedings from the early days. I felt like my butt was permanently welded to the couch. Breast feeding is great for the baby, but I never loved doing it. I was glad that I did it - but I was relieved when it was over too! (I know that sounds terrible.)
Posted by: amanda | 2008.11.15 at 12:29 PM
Ah, a growth spurt, just about the time you think you're gonna lose your mind, he'll sleep and sleep, then suddenly all his clothes are too small. It'll happen again in about 4 weeks..
Posted by: Anne | 2008.11.15 at 04:34 PM
Husbands are precious, mm-hmm. I am nursing my 3rd (and last) so patience is found easily as I blink back tears.
Good luck!
Posted by: amanda | 2008.11.16 at 08:09 AM
I remember when you had that discussion about putting walking by age 2 for her goals! Ha! She showed them! :)
There were times I felt like Lucas was never going to let go of the boobs! LOL
Posted by: Michelle | 2008.11.16 at 10:57 PM