We’ve heard all the classic things about newborns and life after giving birth: they poop a lot, they have their nights and days mixed up, your hormones are crazy, etc.
But these are some things I was not expecting as a new mom.
1. Babies sneeze and hiccup a lot.
I think Cullen has the hiccups at least twice a day. He doesn’t seem bothered by them, but the only way to get rid of them is to feed him. He also sneezes probably 20 times every day. Once again he doesn’t seem to get worked up about it, thankfully.
2. Babies fart a lot–and it is not that quiet.
Without fail as soon as I put a new diaper on Cullen, he farts and poops in his diaper. I don’t know what it is, but I can count on it happening within 5 minutes–usually less. Craig says his poop smells like movie-theater popcorn.
3. Getting out is essential to my well-being.
I’ve found that I need to get out of the house on a regular basis. This means at least every other day. Especially as the weather gets colder and the daylight hours diminish (We are already down to 7.5 hours of daylight with the sun rising at 9:00 a.m. and setting at 4:30 p.m.), I feel cabin fever setting in. The days where we have run errands, or I have gone for a walk cause me to feel much happier.
4. Breastfeeding calorie needs are no joke.
I knew breastfeeding required extra calories, approximately 500 they say, but it feels like I need to eat so much more than that. A 5 mile run, which equates to approximately 500 calories, is an easy day for me, and one that didn’t seem to affect my caloric needs all that much. So why is it that when breastfeeding, I never feel full and eat 5 – 6 small meals constantly throughout the day? I swear the ‘I-feel-full’ signal has been shut off in my brain.
5. More often than not, my baby is normal.
I think I’ve consulted Dr. Google nearly every day with a concern about my newborn. And without fail, it has always turned out to be normal:
– A white tongue and white spots inside his mouth. (Leftover milk residue.)
– Baby acne. (Normal and there’s nothing you can really do.)
– How long does it take for the umbilical cord to fall off? (It has been 3 weeks, and it is still attached, which is normal. Often times it can take up to a month.)
– Excessive moaning and groaning while my baby sleeps. (Nothing to worry about.)
6. As a mom and parent, you will do things you said you’d NEVER do.
I never thought I’d have a C-section, sing silly songs as much as I have, ride in the backseat with my child, or learn to do so many things with one hand (like type half of this blog post).
7. Burping, farting, pooping, and peeing is encouraged and applauded.
I never thought I’d be verbally praising my child when he loudly burps or passes gas. (My husband would ask me why then I give him the stink eye when he does these same things.)
8. The occasional contraction.
I thought my contractions were over once I delivered, but that is not the case. Your uterus is still shrinking, so occasionally I’ve felt a contraction during the day. It is always short-lived and mild but reminds me of how painful they once were.
9. Rash on stomach.
A few days after we got home from the hospital, I developed a red, splotchy rash on my stomach. Another Dr. Google search result: totally normal.
10. Night sweats.
Those crazy hormones will also cause you to become drenched in sweat in the middle of the night. Plan on at least one outfit change during the night.
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Alright, now for something non-baby related.
I am in need of some hair advice. I have a hair appointment tomorrow to get highlights and a cut. I am toying with a few different ideas.
First of all, I have to decide if I want to go with more low-lights (like this picture below) for more of a fall/winter color or bright blonde like I usually do (see the second picture).
I am also trying to figure out how much I want to cut off. Do I just get a trim or do I go shorter? Craig likes the haircuts in the two pictures below.
He also likes this one, but this is definitely too short for me right now.
I like a lot of these haircuts, but I have to admit that prior to becoming a mom, I vowed I would not be that mom who chopped her hair as soon as her baby arrived, so that’s a big reason I don’t want to cut my hair short. I could see going shorter but nothing like the last picture. Thoughts??
Cullen is adorable!!!
I think you should go blonde- i am never happy when I get lowlights.And for the cut!! Go for the 2nd picture- i think it would love great on you!
Actually, that’s exactly what I was thinking: I’d go for the 2nd picture. Great minds think alike. 🙂
look great* not love 🙂
The first 2 pictures are both cute…go for it! You have the fun of change with long bangs and shoulder length but you can still pull it back into a ponytail if you need to. As for color, if you have never had low lights, maybe this is the time. It seems that you might enjoy walking out of the hair salon with a completely new look. And have fun with Cullen!
I like the two longer bob (shoulder-length) pictures and I think that cut would really flatter you. A big plus is that it’s a fun change with more styling options, but it would still be long enough to pull back into a pony tail, which you would not have in that last picture. I’ve had my hair all different lengths and found that the length near the chin actually takes the most maintenance and daily styling effort. I am currently rocking a pixie for the first time in my life. It took me years (!) to work up the courage to do it but now I can’t see myself going back to longer hair. If there’s a specific style/length you’ve been wanting to try for a while go for it!
As for the color, I think the lowlights would be great for winter! Whatever you decide, enjoy your time of pampering at the salon!! 🙂
I think your hair looks good bright blonde! You could do an A-line cut which might feel less dramatic since it would be longer in the front. If it’s long enough to pull back you’ll be able to make it work!
I read this blog earlier then went out to Chipotle with the family, and I left hungry and thought “I have to tell Michelle!” You are so right – breastfeeding calories are no joke!
I chopped my hair short and then regretted not being able to do a ponytail/braid anymore. The second one would be really pretty on you =)
Just an FYI, Jackson had the white on his tongue and dr google said normal, but at one of his checkups, his doctor saw it and said that it wasn’t just residue and he had to take some medicine.
Initially I Googled it because I thought I had seen something else (herpes??) that babies can get where the symptoms are white spots inside their mouth. I remember the image being of white spots on the baby’s lower lip. I’m not sure if that area means something different??
I loved all the baby stuff you wrote about. Granpa Steve and I were cracking up! Your thoughts and humor on the different baby things brightened our evening! You are a good mommy! I like you best as a blonde. Kely
I’m glad you enjoyed my randomness. 🙂
I love this post 🙂 So many true things, especially about the poo smelling like rotten movie theater popcorn! And I am still eating constantly 9 months later (still nursing, too!), so just embrace it if it works for you 🙂 The white tongue and mouth can occasionally mean thrush, but if you google photos (they are gross) Cullen probably doesn’t have an issue, unless you are also having yeasty symptoms in regards to breastfeeding, but you would know. Erin’s white tongue wouldn’t “scrape” off like it was supposed to if it’s just milk residue, but her pediatrician still felt it was in the realm of normal and it went away after a few months. I love the small things blog, so I am partial to her haircut, the second long-bob.
I do remember seeing pictures of thrush. I’ll keep my eye on it. The Small Things blog is a good one!
I love the haircut on the girl in the striped shirt. Also: thanks for the baby honesty, this stuff is so fascinating.
Isn’t it! I thought I knew quite a bit, but now I’m not sure I know anything.