Some Babies Are Just Hard

Sam came into the world via c-section after I prepped for months to deliver him unmedicated and with as little medical intervention as possible (but still in a hospital because I wasn't brave enough to try a home birth). At the time (and for many months afterwards) the c-section was devastating to me because I was so set on the natural birth.

Everyone says "healthy baby, healthy mom" is the goal. Well, while I appreciated the fact that we finally had our baby and he was happy and healthy, I was completely miserable for probably close to 6 months. Looking back on it now, I can obviously see that I had some postpartum depression, and should probably have had some help with that, but when I was in it I didn't recognize it as that.

The depression combined with the fact that he didn't sleep for more than 2-3 hours for most of his first year, and the extremely painful breastfeeding experience (which I overcame and didn't quit thanks to many words of encouragement from great friends, YAY), made it the most difficult time of my life. In addition, I thought I was crazy because all the other moms I'd spoken with seemed to think their baby was the best thing in the world and that it was the happiest time of their lives'.

I definitely realize and appreciate that many people have babies and birth experiences MUCH harder than Sam, and my hat is off to you for making it through though difficult times successfully. For me though, my experience really did rock my world.

Luckily, my 2nd baby is an easy baby, and now I know what all those other moms were talking about!!! The experience with Charlie has been almost nothing but pleasurable (I say almost because there were a couple VERY painful physical experiences the first week after having him, which all of you who've had babies know what I'm talking about). I truly have enjoyed the entire first month with him though. He has slept for a couple 5 hour periods already (miracle!!), and the breastfeeding has been a cinch this time! It's so much fun to be able to appreciate his cute little personality (which Sam also had, but I was too out of it to really appreciate).

I'm not exactly sure why I'm dumping all this out on the internet right now. I guess it's a combination of my world revolving around a baby, and wanting other moms out there with hard babies who might be feeling how I felt with Sam to know that they aren't crazy or alone in those feelings.

Now, for the good part, pics: