Baby Bracken turned 5 weeks old on Thursday. I took this picture of him on Friday afternoon. He is so incredibly adorable that pictures just can’t fully capture it. (I’m sure all parents feel the same way.) Jeff and I are constantly in awe of our little man. He is changing so fast, it’s amazing.
After the birth, we took the first week to spend entirely the three of us. What an incredibly sacred time it was. The midwives came for a few check ups and that was our only visitors. It was such a gift and is a time I will always cherish. Just thinking about it makes me smile. We could have stayed in that private little world of bliss forever. (One week just didn’t feel like enough.)
After he was a week old, we had a few family visitors. We were still not quite ready for anyone else to hold him and it was hard for me to be away from him for even a few moments. We were so grateful to the visitors who brought us delicious food, helped haul firewood, cleaned, and did laundry. What a help it was. We appreciated people being considerate and asking us permission before holding him. We liked getting him used to people by having them in the room for awhile before holding him, it can be scary to wake up to a stranger’s face.
Bracken has been teaching us so much. My advise to new parents is to listen to your heart every step of the way and don’t be afraid to set boundaries and communicate honestly. Take as much time as you need before having visitors. Some people might try to make you feel guilty or use manipulation, just ignore it. People can get a little crazy about babies and barge in- if your boundaries are not clear, they will be crossed. If you are not ready for people to hold your baby, they can wait. If someone is holding your baby for longer that you’d like and you want your baby back- tell them. I know it’s easier said than done. Setting boundaries has never been my strong point in life, to say the least. People who love you will be understanding and respect your wishes. Since becoming a parent- integrity, honesty and strength have become even more important characteristics for me to have. Not setting any boundaries and pleasing everyone around me rather than listening to my own needs was one thing when it was just about myself. But now I am a mama bear and I have a baby to protect. I need to do what’s best for him and he relies on Jeff and I completely to take care of him, protect him, and nurture him. Jeff wrote a beautiful post about communication here: Communication
Since the birth we have been so incredibly, wonderfully busy. We get a little more sleep day by day and are falling into a new rhythm of life. Now we are preparing for our Holiday Market and we have the booth set up in the middle of the living room- making it better than ever. Our days are so full and our hearts are even fuller. When I catch my reflection, my eyes look tired and exhausted, but I look happy. And I am.
After he was a week old, we had a few family visitors. We were still not quite ready for anyone else to hold him and it was hard for me to be away from him for even a few moments. We were so grateful to the visitors who brought us delicious food, helped haul firewood, cleaned, and did laundry. What a help it was. We appreciated people being considerate and asking us permission before holding him. We liked getting him used to people by having them in the room for awhile before holding him, it can be scary to wake up to a stranger’s face.
Bracken has been teaching us so much. My advise to new parents is to listen to your heart every step of the way and don’t be afraid to set boundaries and communicate honestly. Take as much time as you need before having visitors. Some people might try to make you feel guilty or use manipulation, just ignore it. People can get a little crazy about babies and barge in- if your boundaries are not clear, they will be crossed. If you are not ready for people to hold your baby, they can wait. If someone is holding your baby for longer that you’d like and you want your baby back- tell them. I know it’s easier said than done. Setting boundaries has never been my strong point in life, to say the least. People who love you will be understanding and respect your wishes. Since becoming a parent- integrity, honesty and strength have become even more important characteristics for me to have. Not setting any boundaries and pleasing everyone around me rather than listening to my own needs was one thing when it was just about myself. But now I am a mama bear and I have a baby to protect. I need to do what’s best for him and he relies on Jeff and I completely to take care of him, protect him, and nurture him. Jeff wrote a beautiful post about communication here: Communication
Since the birth we have been so incredibly, wonderfully busy. We get a little more sleep day by day and are falling into a new rhythm of life. Now we are preparing for our Holiday Market and we have the booth set up in the middle of the living room- making it better than ever. Our days are so full and our hearts are even fuller. When I catch my reflection, my eyes look tired and exhausted, but I look happy. And I am.
Abby- you know just what I mean. 🙂
“I am a mama bear and I have a baby to protect.” Good!! 🙂 Thank you 🙂
such a sweet and curious look! I can relate to the need for setting boundaries. I don’t have children, but have been at the births of my niece and nephew and people just want to jump right in and take babies out of mama’s arms. It can seem so abrupt and out of the interest of the needs of the baby. That clarity and firmness you have is so important.