The Bishop Family: April 2011

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation is a VERY real thing. For the first couple of weeks, I still had enough adrenaline that it didn't honestly seem that bad during the daytime. Of course, it was difficult to get out of bed several times in the middle of the night, but Wayne was helpful in either taking a feeding for me or getting up if he cried in between feeding times. For the morning feeding, Wayne would go get Will and bring him to me so I wouldn't have to get out of bed. He would also then let me go back to sleep and take Will downstairs to start the day. What a blessing it is for me to have a husband who is completely confident in caring for Will on his own!

Before I go on, I need to stop and explain a little bit about our parenting style. From the recommendation of countless parents in our lives, we read On Becoming Babywise before Will's arrival. It's a book about how putting your baby on a schedule (yet still knowing how to be flexible to accommodate your baby's needs) from early on establishes stability AND helps the baby sleep through the night. It also encourages teaching the baby to sleep in his or her crib and to not use "sleep props," but instead, put the baby in the crib awake and let him/her learn how to fall asleep on his/her own. I also read Secrets of the Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg that teaches the same principles as Babywise, but was a much easier read. (I recommend reading both!)

That being said, after two nights of sleeping in the pack-n-play bassinet in our bedroom, Wayne made the executive decision that Will needed to go ahead and sleep in his crib. Without warning, the emotions welled up inside me and the flood gates opened. Fear. I did not want my precious brand new baby that far away from me! And let's be honest, I'm terrified of SIDS. After a good bit of comforting and a lot of convincing, I trusted Wayne's judgment and agreed. I should also say that the ONLY reason I was okay with this is because of our incredible video monitor. I knew that I would be able to see and hear his every move. That first night was an eye-opener: we both slept so much MORE and so much BETTER with Will in his own room! We've never looked back.

Okay, back to sleep deprivation. Here's my story.

One night (probably in the first week or two), we both woke up to the sound of Will crying.
Wayne: "Is it time for him to eat?"
Me: "He is eating."
Wayne: "Huh? What?"
Me: "He's eating."
Wayne: "What are you talking about? He's crying."
Me: "I know, but I'm feeding him."
Wayne: "You're what? No, he's crying!" (laughter)
Me: "I know! He's right here! I'm feeding him!" (feeling defensive...why is he laughing at me?!)
Wayne: (laughter) "What?!"
Me: "Stop talking to me like I'm an idiot! I know what I'm talking about!"
Wayne: "HONEY, wake up! He is not in the bed with us. He's in his crib and he is CRYING." (more laughter)
Me: (finally realizing that the pillow I was clutching was NOT my baby, I laughed) "Oh my gosh! What is wrong with me?! Stupid pillow! You're not my baby!"

I was completely convinced that I was feeding Will lying in bed even though I knew I was hearing him cry through the monitor! Talk about a moment of crazy!

There were a few more nights where I woke up thinking I was feeding Will in the bed, but I eventually was able to be aware enough to realize: 1) not to say that I thought I was feeding him in the bed, and 2) that I wasn't, in fact, feeding him. I was clutching a pillow.

Oh well. At least we got a good laugh out of it! (And thank the Lord I wasn't smothering my son like I was that pillow!)

First Date Night

My parents came over March 3rd, the night before Will's 3-week birthday. It was just going to be a regular visit, but turned into a date night for Wayne and me. They insisted that we go out, and we accepted the offer! It was a LOT harder for me to leave Will (and just go 10 minutes away!) than I ever imagined it would be. I wanted so badly to get out (being stuck in a house eventually takes its toll on you), but the actual act of leaving my precious boy was really difficult for me! He was asleep when we left and the whole time we were gone...but I still cried. However, once we got to the restaurant (Mexican, por supuesto!) I soaked up the break and how nice it felt to get out and be around real people. Wayne and I enjoyed the time we got to spend with just the two of us even though we spent a lot of the time talking about our new son. :) We were back home within an hour, but it was a good first outing! And my parents enjoyed it so much that they've babysat for us once a week ever since so we can have date night! We are incredibly blessed that our parents live close to us.

Grandmother is excited to see Will again!

He's in good hands

After our first date night. (The vain side of me doesn't want to post this pic, but I like that it's documented. And thank the Lord, I don't look that bad anymore.)

Two weeks

I feel like I'm living life in fast-forward now. It's amazing how LONG being pregnant for 10 months feels...and then the baby arrives, and you find yourself begging time to slow down! So the first 2 weeks of our little Will's life flew by, and here are some of my favorite pics.

Who are you and why are you sitting in my chair?!

Hmm...how should I pose for this picture?

My precious sleeping baby boy

Rock on!

Hanging out with daddy

I love this face! haha

Daddy and his buddy

Getting dressed is his favorite.

Here I come to save the day!

Our little thinker

Meeting the Greats

Will is so fortunate to have FIVE living great-grandparents and he's already met all of them! Wayne's paternal grandparents Grammy and Pawpaw came over with Wayne's dad to meet Will when he was 12 days old. They also brought us dinner, which was really nice! He slept right through the whole visit, but I know we'll have plenty more as he gets older, and he won't be quite as peaceful. :)


Four generations from left to right: William Wayne Bishop II, Samuel David Bishop II, William James Bishop, and William Wayne Bishop

Will with daddy, Pawpaw, Gigi and great-Pawpaw

Wayne's mom brought her parents over to meet Will on his 2-week birthday. We had such a nice visit with them! And of course, Grandmother Coffey was dressed to the nines (heels and all!)...just to come visit us. :)

Bebe and Will


Will meeting his Great-Grandmother and Great-Granddaddy Coffey

We're jumping ahead a bit here...when Will was 5 weeks old, my aunt Deborah and cousin Molly brought my beautiful 90-year old grandmother up from Macon to meet Will. (Look how much bigger he is!) The visit almost didn't happen because I came down with mastitis the day before, but my doctor gave me a z-pack, so I was feeling much better in time for the visit. I'm so glad I was feeling well enough for them to come. It was such a special treat for me to have my grandmother in my home and get to spend time with her! She absolutely adored Will and kept telling him over and over how much she loved him! It was a day I'll never forget. :)

Will and Great-Grandmother Waters

Aunt Deborah and Will

Will already loves his cousin Molly!

Mom and Grandmother

One Million Faces

One night, Wayne and Will were having some bonding time, and daddy took pictures of the many faces Will was making. Will was 10 days old when these were taken on 3/2/11.

I LOVE this photo stream. :)