Saturday, February 14, 2009

The honeymoon is ~over~.

It's been over for about a week now and I'm bummed. Karl is in the classic "freak out starting around 6pm and ending around 11pm" mode. Each of my babies followed this schedule.

I don't know if it's overstimulation or just the process of learning daytime from nighttime. Whatever it is, I know it's normal, which helps me tons and tons. Instead of trying everything I can to get my baby to STOP crying during this time, I know now it's just a normal thing and I just have to try to make him comfortable as I can while he cries. It's not my job to stop the crying, it's my job to just be there while he's crying.

I can't tell you how frustrated I used to get with my other kids. Ella was the worst since I had no clue what was going on. Allison was a bit better, but she had this high pitched scream instead of a cry, so that added to the tension. Karl, on the other hand, just cries like a normal baby - not too loud, not quiet, but a very average cry. So during his crying jags, we just hang out together. Tom takes a turn, I take a turn then the swing takes a turn. I'll admit I have to put him down for 5 minutes here and there for a sanity check, but we'll make it through this. We always do.

Here is Karl, 1 month old.

17 comments:

jenn said...

ack. Sounds miserable, but I am really glad you know it's 'normal' for you. You better believe I will be calling you approximately every 30 minutes or so to ask 'is this normal?'

He's gorgeous by the way! You guys really do make the cutest kids!

Mermaid said...

What a cutie! I hope this phase ends soon.

Elana Kahn said...

It must be so nice to have that mom experience so you know what to expect, but I hope he doesn't cry too much! You deserve a break. :-)

Birdee said...

He's so cute - at first I thought he looked most like Ella, but now I'm seeing more Allie in him (tho he has his own look too).

It will be interesting to see how things go with our little one with the crying now that I can take turns with someone. But I honestly don’t remember this phase with Dylan, however there's a lot I don’t remember, guess that can be a good thing if you forget any frustrating parts and just remember the sweetness.
I do remember being extremely patient with him though, I hope I have the same patience. I hear age can give a parent patience, but I’ve also heard age can make a person less patient.

Sarah said...

Aw, I don't miss all that newborn crying!

He is so cute. I think he looks a lot like you!

Anonymous said...

He is such a little cutie. Trying to figure out who he looks like. Maybe your Allison? hmmmmm....
Enjoy every moment with him!
Heather

Hollie said...

We have a similar period of time we call fussy time. It's ususally a few hours of on and off crying and sleeping, more crying than sleeping. I hope Karl and you and Tom get through this hard time.

ssbean said...

Thanks for sharing. Like Jenn said, I think I'll be another one calling you every 30 minutes to find out if something is normal. I really appreciate little tips from experienced mothers.

Amanda said...

Sorry the honeymoon is over. At least you know what's going on! I hope the peace returns soon.

He is beautiful! Happy one month, Karl!

Monica Fayth said...

uh oh, not looking forward to this. I guess it'll start soon since Sarah is a week younger than Karl.

He's a real cutie :)

MrsSpock said...

I hated that fuss time most of all!

Eden Riley said...

Mate. I feel your pain ... but, you know it was actually kinda reassuring to read how NORMAL crying is. Roccos crying at that stage was like -

A freakin cat scratching, foghorning, ear-imploding big pile of dogshit bull fucking TORTURE.

*Ahem*

Soz. Hey I like reading here! I learn so much from you. You should start your own Baby Oracle business. I love how you share your knowledge. You do a fucking service to humanity, Nancy.
OXOXXOXOXOXOOX

PS Karl is DIVINORAMO omg so beautiful.

PPS Every single time when I spell Karls name I think ... does it start with a C? So I have to go back to your post and check because I couldn't bear to insult you by spelling his name wrong.

Anonymous said...

Ohhh he's going to be a heartbreaker! :) What a cutie!

Anonymous said...

Ahh I remember those days. We still have them sometimes. Karl is such a cutie.

Amy

The Captain's Wife said...

He is really too cute....

Kira is a complete fuss pot daily from 7-10. I hand her over to T because by then I have lost patience and she knows it. He is golden with her during those hours..

Anonymous said...

I TOTALLY feel you on this one. Worst time of day for both of my kids and everyone else I know.

Anonymous said...

TBB screamed like that All. The. Time.

TTG didn't but he did BF constantly from around 4pm-9pm daily for a couple of months!