Tagged [Mommy Q&A]
I got tagged! This is the first time ever that I get to answer one of these things.
I'll be answering for Paul and for Kevin...
How did you feel during those first few days after the birth?
Paul: After Paul's birth, I felt like I knew everything...when in fact, I didn't pala. Boohoohoo...after nine days, had to take him back to the hospital and his doctor pronounced him dehydrated (I partially blame the nurses in Cardinal Santos who didn't know a thing, and myself.) I was so crying in his office---I felt like I was Maricel Soriano in some drama special. My eyes were red and bulging for days.
I think I had some form of PPD after Paul's delivery since there would be days that I'd look at him and just...cry...out of sheer love, happiness and well...tired-ness (is there a word?) too.
But I couldn't get over the fact that I delivered him naturally, after 2.5 hours of active labor. No drugs, I was up and about around 5 hours after the birth!
Kevin: Ah...for Kevin's birth, I PREPARED! I was mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually prepared to take care of him and breastfeed him exclusively.
How were you emotionally?
Paul: I was tired. I had to listen to people tell me that I didn't have milk, that I should let the baby cry because it was good for his lungs, that I should not take a shower because I would get creaky bones in my old age.
Kevin: Again, I was prepared for all that. So whenever someone insinuated that my milk was inadequate, deadma. When someone said I should let the baby cry because it's good for his lungs, deadma. When someone said I should not take a shower because I'd get creaky bones, I tried to follow but couldn't do it past the tenth day. Besides, I wanted to join the rest of the family in Tagaytay for New Year's dinner, so I had to take a shower.
::Well...that is would be better to get a steam sterilizer so that my Medela pump bottle wouldn't melt. *sigh*
::That breastfeeding is a learned art.
::That crying isn't exercise for the lungs.
::That babies cry because of so many different things, not only because they're hungry.
::That you'll be in charge of their lives after you deliver them. (And how they turn out will be your responsibility.)
::That the older they get the more difficult the problems you'll encounter.
How long do you plan to breastfeed?
With Paul, it was a year (first 3 months were mixed, the next 6 were exclusive, and the last 3 were mixed again). Weaned him in a year. Kevin, at 15 months, is still breastfeeding.
Do you have any advice for getting through those first weeks of breastfeeding?
So yes...position your baby correctly, make sure his/her latch is correct, eat healthy food, drink lots of fluids, let everyone else do the chores while you focus on baby, and attend support group meetings!!!
Was there any stress between you and your husband over the baby?
Not with Kevin. Only with Paul. And I guess it's because he was first and we didn't know what to do.
Let's talk about your body, did things get totally rearranged?
Care to share how much you weighed before and how much now?
Breastfeed! You'll lose most of it!
How important is it for you to have a work identity?
Not very. When I quit work in anticipation for Paul's arrival (it helped that I had symptoms of preeclampsia) a lot of my friends lauded my decision (which, essentially, was made for me, because I *had* to quit work), while some chided me...that my "smarts" (are there any?? =) ) would go to waste, that my MBA (oh, I had too much fun!) would go to waste, that I'd be bored outta my wits.
That's why I feel guilty that I am not spending the same amount of time with Kevin. =(
With Paul, it wasn't so fun, because he was "new" and we were new at being parents. But with Kevin, it was a whole different ball game. He was such a cool baby, and of course, we knew what we were getting into now.
What's your baby like now?
Paul's about to turn FIVE (!) next week. He's very tall (at 4'1") and quite the talker. He can be a litigator (in the steps of his Ninang Trina!) the way he weasels his way out of things.
Gramma Tan: Paul, you'll be in Xavier (big school) next year, so you have to listen to your teachers, okay?
PAUL: Okay.
Gramma Tan: If not, they'll make you stand in the corner...sige...
PAUL: Oh, which corner??
Hahahahahaha!)
Kevin, on the other hand, has mastered walking first before talking (Paul was the other way around). He's begun talking in small syllables "pa-pa", "ma-ma", "ya-ya", and "mom-my!!!!" (when in dire need). Oh, and "car-car" for star.
He's much the entertainer his Grandpa Tan hoped Paul would be. (Paul's a bit more like Stan and myself...we prefer to be alone in the crowd sometimes.) And perhaps, one day (NOT!), he might actually fulfill his grandfather's dream to have someone in government from the familiy.
Tagging my other friends for this!!! Apple, Mia, Ella, DinDin, Trina, Jen, Caroline---sagot naman kayo (answer the Q&A too)!
I loved reading that! What a great idea!! I could relate so much, having had 5 homebirths. You seem like such a GREAT mom!
Breastfeeding for me got easier with each child. With my first one it was so painful it was like being cut with a knife. With my third child it was just fine- no problems. For moms struggling with it, I think you just have to get through the first 10 days and then you are good to go.