Post-Birth Plan

So after a "night of sleep" and I use that phrase because I'm not sure what else to call it, I'm still feeling a bit crappy, but better than yesterday. I'm begging Mason in my mind to keep sleeping for at least 1 more hour but I'm not sure he will. I hear him stirring. Since I've been feeling better, I took back morning duty with Mase. But I may need some help this morning.

Changing the subject, I'm pondering our birth plan... I guess it's really more like our post-birth plan.  We all know I'm getting a repeat C. I'm thinking about after baby is out.  The worst part of having a c section is not getting to hold my baby until I get out of recovery.  Last time, they brought Mase over for me to look at for probably less than a minute but your arms are strapped down so you can't reach out and hold the baby or anything.  Then they wisk them away while they finish with you. I felt content knowing that Garrett was with him though.  I mean, Mason was with me 100% of the time for the previous 10 months. I got to feel him kick and grow. So I was ok with G getting to spend that first hour or so with him.  

We had a plan to be able to spend an hour or so, just the 3 of us, before we had visitors.  We didn't adhere to that. Garrett felt really bad because by the time they rolled me back to the room, I was the last person to get to hold my baby. He apologized because he said he was just too excited. Lol.  I can't fault him for that. It's actual really sweet.  And honestly, it's really not that big of a deal.  And also, it probably helped G feel at ease because he'd never really spent any time with a baby, much less a newborn. So it was probably nice for him to have a little backup. I never thought about that part before.  So in hindsight, I'm glad they were there with him.  It probably really put him at ease.

I'm not hung up about it or anything. Nor was I ever mad at all.  But I do think this time, we will adhere to our plan. All I want is just a half hour to hold Malcolm before we introduce him.  Just a few quiet moments for us to soak in this new little life that insisted on being in our lives.  Then, people can come swoop in and steal some snuggles to their hearts content!  I'm sure I'll be ready to see Masers at that point, too.

So that's part 1 of the post-birth plan. Part #2 is having my awesome parents stay at our house with Mase. I think it would be best if he were to stay here while we are gone and keep his routine and normal as possible.  So they are going to come up and stay at our house.  And G is going to probably go home at Masons bed time to do his bedtime routine with him so he doesn't feel totally abandoned.  And while G is doing that, mom or dad, or both can come up and help me with Malcolm.  Last time, it took a while for the feeling to completely return to my legs, so they kept me on the catheter a bit longer than normal so I may or may not need the help but either way, it would be nice to have someone there so I don't have to call the nurse every 5 minutes.

Part 3 of our post-birth plan is after we get home, we are going to send Mason to Grandma and Grandpa Zantos for a night or 2.  This an idea from Kari.  For those that don't know, she just did this last year. She has babies spaced apart almost exactly as far apart as Mase and Mal will be. So she has been a GODSEND to me during this pregnancy!  She said she sent her boys to gmas and gpas for a couple nights so they could have a few moments of calm to get to know this new little person before trying to get settled into a routine.  And though she said it was definitely tough to send them away, she did not regret it! I think it's a really good idea. I mean, I am sure her boys had a blast too. Everyone wins.  So we are pretty sure this is the route we will go!

And lastly, after Mase comes back, my mom is going to come up and help us out a bit for a week or so.  I'm so appreciative because she will also be a GODSEND as I will be worthless with Mason for a while.  I probably won't be able to pick him up for a week or two. So G will have to do everything with him. Mom will be able to help him and give G a little breather.  Plus, she offered to help cook and do laundry...those type of things. I probably won't want her to ever leave. Hahahah!  

So that's our rough plan.  On getting sooo excited for this baby.  Insanely nervous, but I know we aren't the only ones who have had babies back to back and as far as I know, everyone usually makes it out ok. So I'll take comfort in that. 

Officially less than 8 weeks to go.  I'm hoping we get out c section scheduled soon so I can have an actual countdown!