Luis Everyday

In his 3rd month Luis has learned

to make friends with his toys



to use his fingers for putting things in his mouth



to let us know when he likes something



and when he doesn't

My Own Personal Painkiller

Anyone who tells you motherhood is easy is either lying or in denial. No matter how many books you've read on the subject matter, you are never really prepared for all the drastic changes that will take place.

My body clock, for instance, no longer exists. I used to be a night owl and could never function as well early in the morning. By early, i mean anytime before 10:00 o'clock. Bedtime was always a little before or a little after midnight. A good night's rest meant 8-10 hours of sleep, maybe even more on weekends. When i skip sleep for just a night, i get an achy body and possibly a bad headache the following day.

I have slept an average of 3-4 hours since I gave birth, or on a really good night, when my husband takes over feeding the baby, i can go as long as 5-6, in 2-3 hour increments. What continues to amaze me, is that despite the lack of sleep, I have never been sick and can function quite well, with occasional groggy moments. Although my body aches all over, some parts achier than others, it has never been so bad that I couldn't pick up the baby when he needs me.

Speaking of aches, my tolerance for pain used to be non-existent. During labor I was calling out for epidural until the doctors took pity on me. My dearest dentist friend laughs about how much oral anesthesia I need for an ordinary teeth cleaning session. Heck, I can't even tolerate pain from an ingrown nail. But in the hospital, after giving birth, I was sitting up 24 hours after my C-section because I wanted to be well enough to see my baby. When Luis was brought in to room with us, 48 hours later, I would stand up when he needed to be changed. My wound hurt like hell but I ignored the pain. I still don't know how I managed to do that.




There have been moments when I have been reduced to tears because Luis would not stop bawling no matter what I did to comfort him, and since he is a colicky baby this happens quite often. Anyone who knows me well can attest to my impatience and colic has been such a struggle. When this just started (when Luis was around 3 weeks old), I would get frantic and anxious. I can't say its better now but I am no longer freaking out as much.

The only explanation I can think of for these changes is that having another human being completely dependent on us for survival motivates us to forget the pain and exhaustion, perhaps even changing something in our brain's wiring that allows us to go beyond our own needs and wants to satisfy that of our child's? My entire body is aching but when Luis does that funny sleeping giggle of his while I'm holding him, I feel the pain but I don't care. Now I understand why my friend says her baby is her daily dose of prozac and xanax.

Luis Everyday

 

How You've Grown

Dear Luis,

You were so teensy two months ago





But you've grown so much in two months

When Can We Start Reading?

Dear Luis,

Before we left Cebu I got you some books from my favorite 2nd hand bookstore (well, the only 2nd hand bookstore I know) and I can't wait to start reading with you. Here's our stash:

1. Goodnight Moon



2. What Does Baby Do



3. Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?



4. Eyes, Nose, Fingers & Toes



I wonder when we can start?

The Wait Was All Worth It..

Dear Luis,

It has been a little over one month since you joined us here. Your arrival was highly anticipated and we waited so long for you. Mommy (that's me) spent a longer time than usual in getting you out into the world. I was induced and in labor for two days before the doctors finally decided we had to get you out the quickest way possible, by c-section. And so it came to pass that at around 12:17 in the afternoon of July 4, 2011, you were brought out into this world.

I had to wait a couple of days before I was allowed to see and hold you and those were the longest days of my entire life. Its funny now but my first glimpse of your face was on your dad's facebook page.

I was overjoyed when they finally brought you to my hospital room and I could hold you at last. I have held you in my arms every day since then and eventhough I tell your dad and anyone who cares to listen how exhausting it is and how sore my arms are, its really very difficult for me to put you down, especially when you burrow
your face into my chest and look up at me with those beautiful eyes of yours.

We hope you forgive us for being clueless most of the time and taking so long to figure out whether you need to be fed, changed or burped or all three at the same time. We hope eventually our response time will improve so please be patient with us.

We love you very much.