Homecoming

Wow.

It's been hard to get a moment. Here, I finally have one and I don't even know what to say. This last week has been amazing and it's going to take me awhile to get it all arranged properly in my head, much less on "paper."

I'll post Mateo's birth story in a few days. Suffice it to say that childbirth really IS as painful as I feared it would be. I got the epidural after six hours of laboring in the hospital, which was pretty awesome. It wore off after about two hours, and when I asked for it again, I was disturbed to discover that it didn't work anymore. The midwife confirmed that due to Teo's position, I wouldn't be getting any relief (and she also apologized for ever administering it in the first place, as it slowed down labor a bit as well), so I did the next three hours without any pain medication. That was less awesome, but the important thing is that he showed up safe and sound (with a really funkily-shaped head) and that I was able to recover quickly.

My stay at the birth center went wonderfully, and I think being able to rest up there -- where they bring you your meals three times per day and you can get help with breastfeeding and so forth -- was imperative. I know that in the US, mamas are sent home after only a day or two. I would say I felt like I could consider going home on day 3, but I was glad for the extra 1.5 days just to recuperate.

Breastfeeding was a bit of a challenge at first, but the center has staff available 24/7 to help you get the baby to latch on. My mom kept saying, "He'll figure it out..." and he did, but I think those first 48 hours were scary. As both Teo and I were new to the whole breastfeeding thing, of course it was a little intimidating. I was so grateful to have people around who could help me. The second night of Mateo's life, he wanted to be feed at midnight, at two, and again at five am. I couldn't get him to eat, and I was so happy to be able to call someone who came in to show me how it works. I can't imagine how frustrating it must be for new mommies to figure that out entirely on their own.

So now we're back home and everything is going pretty smoothly. Teo seems like a happy baby who goes through the usual baby cycle composed of eating, pooping, crying because of the poop, feeling better for a few minutes, falling asleep, waking up, crying for food, eating, pooping, and so forth. Sleep-wise, it hasn't been as bad as I had imagined, although he is definetly most alert at 3 am. We'll figure it out.

The Boy was completely overwhelmed by the birth, which he was there for from start to finish. At first, when I was just doing the early labor, he just sat and read the paper while I either breathed through a contraction or breathed through my minute or two of rest. As things accelerated, however, he definetely stepped up his game, and he was an excellent partner to have around in the delivery room. Both of us were overcome with emotion when Mateo arrived, and he has been absolutely smitten since. He has been coming home earlier than usual to be with him, and he has even taken on late night duties to the best of his ability. Unfortunately, when Teo wants the boob, there's only one person he can turn to, even if that person is sleeping.

At any rate, we're just going through the days and getting to know one another. I have a whole collection of photos but I can't find my USB cord or memory card reader, so all of my pics are being held prisoner in my camera for the moment. To tide everyone over, I snagged a few of my dad's photos: