Let me try to think of the right word for my first night with Chase at home…
Mellow?
No, that’s not quite it.
Relaxing?
No, not exactly.
Restful?
No, definitely not that.
Oh. I’ve got it. Completely insane. He basically woke up every hour and a half to breast feed despite the fact that I kept reminding him that in the NICU he only fed every 3 hours and seemed quite content and happy.
And the next day, a mother from my daughters’ preschool actually said to me,
“You look really really tired.”
Well, that’s because I am lady. Well, in my head I said “biatch” instead of “lady.” Yes, I’m tired. Yes, I still look pregnant. Yes, I have constant hot flashes and night sweats from breast feeding. Yes, I had planned to have my hair done and my eyebrows waxed before the babies came. But when they told me I needed an emergency c-section six weeks before my due date, it really was too late to say, “But I need my highlights done first. I’ll hit the salon and be back in two hours.”
The second night with Chase was a bit better. Because he’s a preemie, he is not quite as skilled at breast feeding and gets tired and falls asleep before he’s full. So now I breast feed him and supplement with a bottle of breast milk which gives me a longer stretch of sleep.
The girls are completely OBSESSED with the little boy. They can’t keep their hands off him. He’s better than candy. Summer is determined to be a fabulous big sister…
And it looks like Harlowe is coming home on Friday. I can’t wait. I really miss the girl.
44 Responses to the boy at home
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kelcey kintner
Wear your tiredness like a badge of honor, a true sign of a wonderful mom of four. Your girls look beautiful with that baby boy. Can’t wait to see pics when each has their own baby to amuse. Wonderful to hear Harlowe is ready to trade zip codes and come home. Rest up while you can and THANKs for sharing your lovely family.
Of coarse you look tired…hello you just had twins! Is this lady clueless! I think you are going to be tired for the next 18 years sorry Kelcey…but the trade of is having babies keeps you young and thin from chasing them. I’m so happy Harlowe is coming home soon that will be nice. I hope you can nap when Chase naps that might help.
I don’t think I’ve mentioned this before – but I’m in love with Chase. He’s beautiful. If I was on that couch – Summer and I would have a serious problem on our hands. But since I outweigh her by about 500%, I think I could take her.
I told you not to look in the mirror for the first few months. I guess I should have added, that you have permission to bitch slap preschool moms who comment on how tired you look.
Oh and what a sweet picture. With all those adoring sisters I feel bad for the woman who decides to marry Chase.
He’s precious. And hopefully that makes up for the lack of sleep. I wish I had some amazing words of encouragement, but at this point, the best I can do is shed a few overwhelming empathy tears for you. Sleep deprivation sucks but luckily you have beautiful babes to dampen the exhaustion. Congratulations to you and your beautiful family.
yaaaaaaaaaaaaay! that’s such great news – roll on friday – and the crazy that will surely follow! do you get paid help from the govt?
I also feel bad for the woman who decides to marry Chase, because he’s a BABY! Really, Kirsten.
It’s too bad that they don’t do highlights and brows at the hospital.
Sleep depravation sucks! That Chase really knows how to work the camera though! Kelsey, thanks for sharing we’re all there with you sister!
I am so excited that you’ll have both babies at home soon 🙂
Your response to the other woman should have been: “And you look old. What happened?”
Aw, he’s no dummy. He knows when he wakes up at home he gets to see, and be held by, you! He’ll setttle down. Just in time for his precious sister to arrive home! That mom probably thought she was being sympathetic but that’s not what you need to hear! Hang in there. This is such a challenge and I’m in awe of you.
I’ve recently discovered the magic of under eye concealer. Where has it been all these years? 3/4 of my children have all been in sleep therapy of one kind or another – I haven’t had a good night sleep in years. Someone once told me that having children after ‘advanced maternal age’ keeps you young. How can that be? Best wishes – they also told me that sleep is overrated. Crazy talk, all of it.
Iheard Ferber has a new book – “Cry It Out – the preemie version.” Sigh – if only.
YOU LOOK FANTASTIC! She clearly was a.) not looking at you b.) did not have her contacts in c.) drunk d.) all of the above
You are doing so great – it is very impressive. Please tell Summer and Dylan that they are the best big sisters. It is hard to keep your hands off Chase – he is so adorable. Can’t wait to meet Miss. Harlowe. XOXO
Elizabeth did the very same thing when we brought her home from NICU. I was almost ready to take her back and beg the nurses to get her back on her very nice schedule.
Elizabeth did the very same thing when we brought her home from NICU. I was almost ready to take her back and beg the nurses to get her back on her very nice schedule.
But she settled down pretty quickly.
I am confidant you look amazing. And Chase? COULD NOT BE CUTER! YOU HEAR ME OVER THERE ON THE EAST COAST!
Hang in there Mama. You’re doing great!
Sorry about the insensitivity the other mother showed, she’s CLEARLY drunk. Chase is ADORABLE!!! His big sisters are in for a TREAT!! You’re an amazing mom!
Chase is SO cute! Both of my boys were the same way when they were newborns – they fed CONSTANTLY. And, they weren’t preemies – I think it’s a boy thing.
Your girls looks so cute with their baby brother. Can’t wait to see all of the kiddies together.
Oh I lOVE this picture…
It will get better remember it always does, but it’s hard, hang in there and try to enjoy the little moments I know you are…xo
If it weren’t for the sleep deprivation, I probably would have had 10 more kids. Hang in there, lady! It will get better!
I think you get to sleep in about 18 years, so just hang in there
beautiful babies, beautiful girls!! and wonderful harlowe will be home soon, soooo happy for you all!! the sleep thing is awful though, i feel for you girlfriend, i remember those days. xoxoxo
yay for Harlowe’s homecoming! Friday will be here before you know it. In the meantime, I hope the chaos softens a little…
He looks so grown up already!!!! What a beautiful baby.
Why does ANY woman ever say “You look tired” to another woman?! Especially one that just got sliced up and had two human being extracted from her body?! Gonna slap you upside the head, you stupid broad!
Okay, I”m done. Can’t wait until Harlowe arrives and your family is all together!
He’s SO CUTE!
So cute! Glad to hear Harlowe is coming home soon 🙂
Priceless photo…keep em coming! cant wait for Harlowe’s coming home pic too :-} hang in there girl! You are doing FABULOUS!!!! xoxo
Fast forward to 3 years from now, when you’re strolling down the street with 4 beautiful children, handsome husband and YOU, back in shape…looking as lovely as ever. Not that it will take you 5 years to get in shape….but you know what I mean. Thanks for all the photos of the surprise in your tummy. And YES, boys eat all the time…why do you think ‘the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach’ is so true.
Chase is awesome. Saw your hubby on the news the other day — he did NOT look tired… is he helping?! Better be!
Oh my god! I’ve obviously been blogging under a rock… because somehow I missed these last few weeks of posts. Congratulations!!
He’s such a little cutie! I hated having those night sweats! My husband actually told me I reminded him of his old dog…can you believe? I just lined up pjs next to my bed and kept changing. Good luck w/ everything!
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Congrats on the homecoming of your baby boy. Darling photo! You have a gorgeous family. And people who make rude comments to new mothers should be shot!
The “wearing tiredness like a badge of honor” sounds like fantastic advice! You’re a mommy…of 4…2 of which were just born…via c-section. Sorry about that preschool mommy’s comment, she may be a bit envious of your usual *glow* and saw the need to get a dig in. Boo on her!
He’s so cute. Good luck tomorrow – I hope they spring her. And, I’ll say it again, let me know if I can do something. (I don’t know where you live, or I’d just show up with a plate of food or something.)
Oh my goodness!!! HE IS SO INCREDIBLY ADORABLE 😀 Lots of {{hugs}} and sleepy vibes coming your way! Can’t wait to see baby Harlowe!
Oh, that’s such great news! Tomorrow! Yay!
And, really, Kelcey, once she’s home, why eve bother putting on a shirt?
OK…all of these comments are absolutely true…you look amazing, the babies are precious, the girls are beautiful, yadda yadda yadda…what I have to say is this…I just read your last couple of posts, and you are absolutely f%^ing hysterical!! I was literally laughing out loud from you. You have this gift of creating such vivid visuals with your descriptions, that I just crack up. Keep your sense of humor and you will be just fine!!! Can’t wait to see you all…hopefully soon! Much love…Deb
I only have 1 kid (such a slacker) and when I look back at my blog entries from after labor, I felt like I should be doing so much more than I was and now I look back on my post c-section self and wonder how I was doing it. You are amazing…with 4 kids, new twins!
mine was 6 weeks early and also did not eat til he got full but tired out before that. after three weeks I gave in, and started bottle feeding. best decision i made. a baby is no good without a healthy mom and i was about ready to break into a million pieces.
someone on my site recommended this great book to me called the happiest kid on the block. apparently the guy has a great sleeping method. I just ordered it.
Try to make him stick to that every three hour routiine. It will be harder on your now, but soooo much easier in the long run. Our pediatrician told us when we had our twins, you have to make it known from the start that this is a dictatorship and not a democracy. Or they will take over everything. I thought he was nuts, but turns out he was right! You can do it!