They Don't Tell You....

There's many things about labour, birth and being a new Mum that they don't tell you! The last 2 and a half weeks since Bobby has arrived have been a complete whirlwind and I wanted to capture some of the thoughts I wasn't expecting.

Firstly, they don't tell you how much blood you'll lose. It's horrific!

They don't tell you how scary your first trip to the loo will be! I thought the whole of my insides were going to fall out!

Day 4 in Hospital

They don't tell you how attached you'll become to your temporary catheter. I was totally working that look as if it was an in-season clutch bag!

They don't tell you how much you'll love your midwives and the team of people who helped deliver your baby. I've written individual thank you cards to all of them - from my own midwife and student midwife to the midwives who were present in our labour, to the midwives who looked after me in the hospital for 4 days post labour, to the nurses and counsellors who have been to see me to help me process and come to terms with the traumatic birth, to the physio who has treated my infected stitches and helped speed up the healing process. Each and everyone of them has played a massive part in this journey and I can't thank them enough. In fact, I did have a little cry yesterday when the midwife discharged me. I'll never forget them!

In the carseat ready to leave the hospital

They don't tell you how hard the lack of sleep is. I don't even know what month it is, never mind what day!

What the future holds

They don't tell you that you'll have days when you're actually really with it and have enough energy to put your face on and paint your nails - and even blog!!

They don't tell you that the feeding, winding, changing, cuddles cycle is literally a constant conveyabelt. No rest for the wicked!

Peekaboo! It's winding time!

They don't tell you how proud you'll be when your son does a massive belch or fart during the winding process. Good Boy Bobby!

They don't tell you that your boobs go as hard as bricks and you're literally crying at them to stop leaking.

They don't tell you that you'll have a new found love and respect for your own Mum! 

They don't tell you how intolerant you'll become of other competitive Mums. If I hear about another baby sleeping through the night I'll punch them in the face (the mum that is, not the baby!).

They don't tell you how amazing it is to see your other half as a Daddy. I didn't think I could love Chris anymore than I already did....but I love him so much my heart might explode.

My Boys

Finally, they don't tell you how much you'll love your son. No job is too much for him, no hour is too late for him, no love compares to the love I feel for him. He is tiny, perfect, wonderful; and I just can't believe he's ours.

This is what love is....

So, what else have we been up to in our first 2 weeks at home? Well we've had 5 million visits from health profesisonals, midwives and also our own friends and family. We've been for tea at Granny and Grandads, had days with Nanny Neen, had our first pub visit to the Brinton Arms, our first walk in Wyre Forest, our first trip to the Bridgnorth Garden Walks, our first meet up with the NCT girls in Bewdley, we've registered his birth and got his official birth certificate, oh....and we've enjoyed many sleepeless nights whilst Bobby continues to think that night is daytime and vice versa! Still, I wouldn't change him for the world.

Our first solo outing to Bewdley.

He's changing all the time. I wonder what the next few weeks will bring....