His name is Luca

Hello? Is there anyone out there? Have I mentioned lately that I multiplied? No I haven't because I'm a lazy blogger. I have periodically very good intentions to change that but up until now, it hasn't happened. Anyway, yes, I had a baby. He was born about a month ago here in Madrid and he surprised everyone by showing up two weeks earlier than expected. His name is Luca. He lives on the third floor.

Anyway, having a newborn baby is much easier the second time around. Mainly because I know that the horror will not last. I know that the cycles of constant poop explosions, gas attacks, breastfeeding, and screams will not last forever and I know that one day in the not so far future, onlookers will see that I'm actually carrying an adorable little baby rather than a tiny old man who is suffering from some sort of skin disease that covers his face in whiteheads and causes his forehead to peel off in strips (a fun way to pass the time while breastfeeding by the way).

Still, I find these early days tough and I have no clue how it is possible to function with more than one child. Up until now, my mother has been here to do all the cooking and cleaning but when she leaves, I really have no idea how I'll manage it all...

I think what I find most difficult about life with a newborn is the lack of consistency. Each day is different and just when you think some sort of schedule might be forming, everything changes. Personally I like to know that come two-o-clock on any given the morning, I can reasonably expect that I'll be snuggled up in bed, sound asleep. These days however, it's a crap shoot which means that tonight at two am, I might be in bed. OR, I might be plodding up and down the hall, carrying a screaming baby that resembles an irate tomato to whom I will be singing a medley of old Girl Scout camp songs. Now if I knew that this second scenario would be the case, it would be easier because then I could plan. you know, brush up on lyrics and stuff. But I don't know and I find that maddening.

The only thing that gets me through is the reassuring thought that if I'm still carrying my son over my shoulder at 2 am in another 15 years, it'll most likely be because he came home drunk in which case I can just dump him in his bedroom and expect a guaranteed 12 hours of freedom from his demands. Funny how your perspective can get a big skewed from lack of sleep.

 

Four days old.

Comments

[Padded nursing bras]

Thank you for the post, I am quite liking it, keep posts like this coming.
Martina

[Rachel]

Congratulations!

I've been a fan of your blog for a while, and it's great to read an update on you and your family.

Take some deep breaths--the kind that actually make your tummy move up and down--to give you a little respite from the stress.

[suzy]

Congratulations! He is a cutie.

And you have reminded me of the newborn chaos vortex. But you're right, at least this time you know that it doesn't last too long.

[Long Story Longer]

What the ? You didn't go through a whole pregnancy without us. My feed reader must've burped or something. I'll be getting a cup of cocoa and catching up soon!

[Long Story Longer]

I can't believe you went through a whole pregnancy without us! Big congratulations to you and your family! He's a cutie (with a name that reminds me of my favorite city), and you're going to make it through this first crazy part. The lack of consistency sounds really tough. Hang in there, and blog whenever you want sympathy. I have plenty of it for sleepless moms.
:>

[Annejelynn]

holy crap - - my rss feed has been apparently kaput! all this time, I've been wondering when the heck you would write... ya did take a month, but still... I've missed some posts! I will never rely on Bloglines again to keep me posted on your posts! I digress...

CONGRATULATIONS! wish I could smother you all with kisses! oxoxo

[Paula]

Congratulations he is gorgeous! He really looks like you!
Best wishes from a long term fan of your blog & also living in Madrid now.