I've been torn in two directions for quite some time now: On one hand, I'm going absolutely stir crazy in this house, not having left much at all in the past six weeks. On the other hand, I'm terrified to take Carter out because of a) the H1N1 epidemic and cold & flu season, and b) I'm afraid he'll totally melt down and cry in a store and I won't be able to help him. It's a vicious cycle really... the longer I stay home and avoid going out with him, the more afraid I get to do it, but the more stir crazy I go as well.
So, today we finally broke the cycle. My friend Julie was headed to the mall with her 4 month old Daughter Annabelle. Carter was a pretty fussy boy this morning, but I decided to man up and give it a try. Becky always says if worse comes to worst, you just take him and go home. Easy, right? (Terrifying.) Miraculously, and thankfully, Carter calmed down enough to put him in his carseat, grab the necessary items, and head out. Once we were in the car, he stayed nice and calm. It was pretty intimidating to be out in public setting up the stroller and getting myself organized. While I know this is just my paranoia, I feel like everyone who walks by is thinking "Wow, that girl's such a mess, this must be her first time out."
Carter was very well behaved at the mall while we ate lunch, walked around, and then stopped to feed the babies (I brought a bottle of expressed milk, there's no way I'm going to attempt to nurse in public.) We were there for about 2 hours, and he never made a peep-- not even when he was awake and eating! And just to make me even happier, I had to bring Carter to my six Week post-partum check up today, and he was really good there too!!
And finally, one more reason today was a red-letter day: I am officially cleared to do anything-- no more restrictions from the C-section. Yay! Also, the Dr. (Yes the same doctor from my other posts, who I hated for a long time) was super nice and very personable today. He actually had a (two-sided!) conversation with me, which included small talk instead of just medical babble. Yes! I like him more every time I see him, and I NEVER thought I'd be saying that :)
8 comments:
See... nothing to worry about. You are a natural pro!
yay! we did it! i will NEVER park underground again! it was so sketchy down there. i am surprised that i didn't get mugged!
Congratulations on your first outing! It's like pulling the bandaid off -- you just have to do it.
And funny -- I have pictures of those two carseats together, but with different babies in them! They (they carseats) were so happy to be reunited. :)
Congratulations Kristeen!!
I am so happy that you made that really hard first step. I am so glad you and Julie could go out together! The pictures of the kids in the strollers is wonderful! mom
I am so glad that you all had a fun outting and having a great friend there I bet was also a relief in the even that Carter became fussy just to have some moral support.
Elaine
Yeah Kristeen! Our first solo outing was to target! I remember it well. Congratulations..
p.s. I'm going to let you in on a little secret. No one is looking at you thinking anything about you, they are obsessing about what you might be thinking about them. Everyone has their own *imaginary audience*
I agree with Becky. I have never looked at a newborn and thought "wow that mother looks clueless" I have been melted by seeing such a cute lil' baby.
Elaine
and the more you do it..the better "you" will feel about doing it..."Hey you KNOW all this" :) xo
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