The good, the bad and the ugly

How can one week be the best and worst at the same time? On Tuesday of last week, Christy and I went in for her regular doctor’s appointment. Her amni­otic fluid had been low so they wanted to keep on eye on how she was doing. After 30-40 minutes on the monitors, they told us it may be best to head over to the hos­pital for further testing.

After being there for what seemed to be hours, the decision was made to induce labor. Our scheduled due date was February 5th, so being so close any­way, they decided it was for the best. On Wednesday morning, our son Eric entered the world. He was absolutely beautiful. Christy did so well and I was/ am very proud of her. I had slept next to her all night in a cot and awoke feeling like hell. It seemed pretty selfish for me to say I was achey and tired to a woman who just went through labor, so I bit my tongue as best I could.

After a few hours, her parents arrived from Rome to see the new bundle of joy. The pain got worse and now I was feel­ing just plain awful. Again, not wanting to let on that I was in bad shape, I told Christy that I was going to head home for a bit to prepare the house for the baby.

Upon my arrival back at the home­stead, my worst fears were confirmed. I had the flu. Both my physician and the doctors at the hospital agreed that I should not be around baby or mother un­til things cleared up a bit. I knew they were right but I immediately felt like a dirtbag not being there for my wife and son.

They were released on Friday and went to my parents house so as to not come home to a house full of sick. I again knew this was the “smart” decision, but still felt like I was shirking responsibil­ity by not having them here with me.

I went over to visit a few times, but in a full mask and only for short periods of time. Finally, on Sunday morning, I told everyone it was time for them to come home.

Not being with them for the last few days, I was ill-prepared for all that comes with a newborn, let alone a new mother. Oh and by the way, I was still sick as a dog but figured they would be better off home. Thus began the toughest night of my life so far. The Good thing was that mother and child were home. The bad was being completely unprepared for the feedings, diaper changes and lack of sleep. As I have mentioned before, I re­ally don’t sleep much anyway so what’s the big deal? When I get sick, I get sick. I am like a little infant myself. So on top of not having any rest herself, my wife took up the charge of trying to take care of me as well.

As she is breastfeeding, there is little I could do when it came to feedings but I tried to help with diapers and such. That is until about midnight when I just plain lost it. I was sick, tired and cranky. I flopped into bed, pulled the covers over me and zonked out. Not wanting to wake me, she stayed in the nursery with Eric all night with zero sleep. I guess moms are just a different breed.

There she was at probably her weakest point, having to be the stronger person. I love my wife with all my heart and if this kid doesn’t turn out screwy, it is completely her doing and not mine.

She is being the rock that I was sup­posed to be and I’m not sure how she is doing it but I’m totally amazed. Hope­fully I will be back to normal soon and be able to help out like I know I should. Until then, it’s up to supermom to take care of the two of us. That’s the good and the bad. The Ugly? Have you seen a baby’s dirty freaking diaper!?!?

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