Near….Far…Where-ever You Are….
May 29, 2007 7:31 pmSo I’m a huge Celine Dion fan if you didn’t know that about me. So, hopefully this wonderful song that I used to keep on repeat in my CD player will play in your heads…and don’t hate me for it. You know you love it.
As Chris wrote (he always beats me to postings….he’s so good at that!), we are home sweet home…bitter sweet that is. Our arrival home was expected to be with a tiny bundle of joy, but she is still recovering and gaining strength at Seton Central as we prepare ourselves for her REAL arrival home next Sunday or Monday. This morning the hormones, emotions, frustrations, guilt, and disappointments hit me. We were stuck in a tiny room with five people for almost 10 hours a day—-a little much for a recovering mom and dad who were trying to be as strong as they could. I am thankful for family, but I’ll also tell you, I am thankful for a home that has space, peace and quiet, my Brodie, and a beautiful nursery that is awaiting it’s new companion. I needed this afternoon. Needed to be able to lay in my own bed and take a two hour nap (something I haven’t done since Tatum has been born), while my wonderful mother spent two hours at the grocery store stocking up on food, let us have space, and made us dinner without asking us to lift a finger (we didn’t even have to clean up).
Tomorrow we start our routine visits. But only for a few days. That’s what I keep telling myself.
Here’s some comic relief for you (or maybe for me):
Things Not So Fun After Birth:
1) Constipation. What is this? I need extra iron b/c I lost so much blood in the delivery, and now, well, let’s just say, COME ON. Going to have to readjust my iron intake for a few days to catch up!
2) Back Spasms–am I alone in this? They are scary; make you stop in your tracks; and also give me a fear of being paralyzed for my entire life. Doc prescribed medicine, heating pad, and less stress. HM, maybe the NICU stress has something to do with this….rest will help, yes?
3) Looking four-five months pregnant still. My stomach has shrunk a LOT after the first few days. However, not totally back to normal, and I know it will take a while to get there. And girls, yes, I was marked. I’ll admit it. Two weeks before delivery. Marked with the pregnancy beast. I thought I was free and clear. Will these go away/fade? I’m already starting treatment on them. B/c the one thing I had going for me pre-pregnancy body was a flat stomach (unmarked). Need that back as best as we can.
Fun Things After Birth:
1) Bigger boobs = new bras of course. I once had a friend that said “Pamela Anderson ain’t got nothing on me” after her first baby. I’m about to start using that phrase. Almost to the point that I think I look dis-porportioned. But hey, if this is the only time in my life I’ll have them, then I’ll take it.
2) People doing things for you. Mother cooking. Mother washing dishes. Husband & mother washing the breast pump “tools” after each pumping session (which is about 8 times a day since my little one isn’t around). Not having to do everything (which is actually hard). My mom told me today to sit down and rest and not worry about it. Wow. And I did it. Nice feeling.
3) Unlimited snowcones. But I think that was something I made priority in my life BEFORE birth.
4) Most importantly, love from a ba-zillion people all across America. :) Thank you to everyone for your text messages, voicemails, emails, comments on our blogs. You have no idea how much you mean to both Chris and I. I tear up everytime I read comments everyday. Love is a wonderful thing.
Must go—I’m a pumping machine.
Categories: Thoughts
6 Responses to “Near….Far…Where-ever You Are….”
Good Morning, Friend!
It is so great to see a post from you - as I was praying for Tatum last night, I was thinking “How is Summer recovering?”
Now I know. Thanks. 
I hope you are able to rest as you await Tatum’s arrival home. Also, Jerit has Chris on his heart today as he knows that feeling of leaving behind a wife and baby to go to work and provide. That is so hard and Jerit has spent special time in prayer just for today’s transition.
Chris and You are already displaying the amazing traits that it takes to be a wonderful parent. Tatum is blessed indeed.
We can’t wait to meet her! Allie asks me everyday “where is Baby Tatum?” She prays for her… “God our father, God our father, touch baby Tatum…”(it’s a song!)
I hope our girls will grow to be great friends.
Now, I shall comment on a few of your “commic posts:”
1) Constipation: Yes… bad deal! Lots of flax seed for me!
2) Back Spasms: Didn’t have that one right after birth - only now, 2 1/2 years later did my body decide to break down altogether!
lol
3) Looking 4 or 5 months pregnant/ newfound “marks:” YES! At first, I actually cried tears thinking I would never look the same again (love those hormones…). Good news = It took me some time but I did get my “flat” tummy back and the stretch marks faded dramatically! So, have no fear, you are & will be a hot Momma, no doubt!
4) Bigger Boobs: Let’s just say Jerit called me the “head Hooter!” Money was tight so we decided I could part-time at the local Hooter Resturaunt!!! (jk)
5) Pumping… oh, the pumping! I had a really hard time nursing Allie so I pumped and pumped and pumped until I thought I was a milk cow.
The good news - pumping hurts less than actual nursing - so that’s a positive spin. 
And, I must add, good for you for being such an amazing, dedicated Mom that you will pump around the clock to provide the best nutrition for Tatum. Although it may seem that it is the only natural thing to do, not all Mommies would sacrifice like that. So, realize how pleased God is to see such a wonderful Mommy already sacrificing of herself for her child. Good job! 
6) People caring for you: This is nice! Mothers are an amazing gift. Just think… years from now, you will be such a gift to Tatum. Precious thoughts, huh?
Ok… I have rambled now. I love you lots, Summer. Jerit & I both are praying constantly for all three of you. I can’t wait to talk to you soon.
Haylee
Oh yeah… speaking of Celine Dion - have you ever heard her CD, “Miracle?” Someone bought that for me after Allie was born and it has some of the sweetest songs on it! If you don’t have it, maybe I’ll send it to you.
Ahhh, snowcones. =) I’ve done the “race for the snowcone” before. Thanks for sharing the fun and not-so-fun things! You continue to teach me new things about childbirth … =) I’m so proud of you, Summer…what a strong woman you are. And you too, Chris. (not a woman, but you know what I mean.) =)
Love you both, Kristen
Summer,
I am so glad you are getting some rest. Kiss Tatum for me…I can’t wait to meet her.
Some Not so Fun things that you forgot :
1) Being so tired that you can’t remember if you fed the baby or not.
2) Crying about everything…even TV commercials.
You are in for so many wonderful times with Tatum. Cherish the small things….Motherhood is the most fun!
Angie
you crack me up… i am so glad that you & chris take the time to write on here so i can be apart of you’re lives even though i’m hours away.
keep letting your mom do things for you - she will leave soon & then its all on you to do!!! haha
i love you… misty
From one mommie to another - believe it or not, constipation is better than the alternative until you can heal a bit “down there”…
Care to comment?