Firsts

Yesterday was the first time that I ventured out with Eli by myself. I was really nervous about this, mainly because I loathe putting him in the car seat and was not looking forward to him screaming while I was driving. We got off to a rocky start when I realized that one of the car seat straps was twisted. I managed to just twist the strap and get him strapped in and once I started driving he quieted down. I kept thinking that if I was a cat, I had just lost one of my nine lives. I know that sounds so weird, but that's how stressed out I was.

We were headed to a 10:30 a.m. appointment with the Lactation Consultant Lachelle and then on to the post postpartum luncheon at the hospital. The apt. with Lachelle went really well and Eli is a few ounces shy of 9 lbs! We did a transfer and he gained 1 oz from me, so that is really encouraging.

At around noon I made my way over to the luncheon. Every Tues. from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. there is a luncheon for new moms and babies. Usually they divide the group into moms with 2 - 8 week old babies and then moms with 9 - 16 week old babies, but once a month the groups get together when there is a guest speaker. So yesterday was a guest speaker day and I walk into a room with literally 40 moms and babies. It was quite intimidating at first, but then very encouraging to see other people who are going through the same things that you are experiencing. Eli was pretty good the entire time. He fussed a little bit and then I nursed him to sleep for about 25 minutes.

As I looked around and saw all these moms and their babies I still couldn't believe that I was one of them! Even though it is a big ordeal right now to get out of the house, I am going to try and go each Tuesday from now on.

My biggest lesson learned was to bring the stroller! All of the other moms had their strollers with them and I was the only idiot carrying the heavy car seat, my diaper bag, my breast feeding pillow and my water bottle. I am sure I looked like such a rookie!!