Some babymoon...

[dooney]

Soon after we got home yesterday, DH started throwing up and having diarrhea. His muscles ache and he can't keep anything in so he's getting dehydrated.

My 2-year-old is sick and fussy, demanding attention by doing everything naughty that he can think of. I think I have seen more fits in a day and a half than the entire rest of his life.

So I'm taking care of my sore self, my newborn, my sick kid, and my sick husband.

Last night I alternated between feeling like Superwoman and bawling my eyes out.

Coen is nursing a lot. I have almost constant crampy pain, my uterus feels hard almost all the time. The nurse was surprised how quickly it was going back to size yesterday. Since I hadn't had an IV, I didn't get pitocin to jumpstart the shrinking. Today it's even lower by quite a bit.

Even though Coen nurses a lot and I know he's getting milk, he's hardly peeing which worries me. He's so sleepy, I can't imagine how he'd be if I'd been drugged! I have to hide to nurse him or my 2-yr-old will need it too, and I can't do that just yet.

My first tandem nursing session had me bawling last night, it was so sweet but the cramps from it hurt SO BAD.

I'm worried about my little skidmark, it's got white pus or something and it's so sore, even when using the peri bottle. It wasn't bleeding, could it still be infected?

I'm going to go microwave a can of something and hopefully get my older son to sleep, then maybe I'll go curl in a ball and cry.

Some pictures (start here and click to see the rest of them)

[LionTigerBear]

Oh, sweetie, I am so sorry. That is really rough! Is there ANYONE who can come over and help? I see other family members in your hospital pics, can one of them come over and help out? You really SHOULD NOT be caring for two sick people all day when you are trying to heal and recuperate yourself!
This could cause long-term affects on your healing down there, (which can affect your sex life for months or years) and possibly on your nursing relationship with your son! Oh, and on how your abdominal muscles are able to bounce back or not, as well-- and as a mama of two, you will need your abdominal strength!

Your little son is so handsome, by the way. Congratulations! Adorable pictures.

[LionTigerBear]

P.S. Call someone from your church if no one in your family can or will help.

[justKate]

to you mama! My internet has been spotty so I don't think I got to tell you Congrats on the other thread--but your little one is beautiful and I'm sure things will get better soon. And kudos to you on the tandem nursing--I think you're a rockstar for even trying it!

[hedgewitch]

: ON the new bean. You are amazing!

Now...call EVERYONE who lives within a 30 minute drive and tell them your hubby is very sick and that you need help. Cash in on their desire to see the baby! You deserve help and everyone else deserves to be helping! Don't try to carry this alone, get everyone you can involved or you are going to be wiped out pretty quickly.

In the meantime I'd suggest you do anything and everything to make life easy on yourself for the next week, whatever it takes. Cut corners, use paper plates and keep yourself stocked up on snacks that you can grab and nibble on constantly as well as water. Put dh in the spare bed with snacks and water in easy reach then get on with the babies. I'd even humbly suggest some tv time if that is an option.

You are a superhero, well done for being so awesome

[baileyandmikey]

HE is just too cute for words. Take it easy and see if you can find SOmeone to help care for your older one. The last thing you need is to get sick from your dh, that bug is hitting everyone!

[JesiLynne]

Yes, call everyone, don't feel bad, don't feel like you are going to be a burden. CALL NOW!

[liseux]

I'm popping in from April & I'm sorry you're dealing with so much! I know you've been drug free, but esp. with tandem nursing, there's nothing wrong with taking something for the pain of afterpains. Just about anything is safe while nursing, you'd be surprised what those of us with c/s take while nursing. The pain can definitely make letdown harder too. I hope there's some improvement today!

[k13]

Yes, I'm not big even on OTC pain relievers but those afterpains are rough, especially if you've already had a baby before...

I hope some superhero helpers come to your rescue soon :

[hedgewitch]

BTW raspberry leaf tea can help with those pains. You are so brave.

[dooney]

At my parents' house. Still can't stop crying.

DH went to the doctor, it's the flu and a sinus infection. He's not allowed near me or the baby.

This sucks so bad.

[mama-aya]

You're doing great. Any of us would be bawling, too! Heck, I'm crying just thinking of you and the house of sick and soreness.
Call people! Get help. Do it.
Asking people for help is a blessing for those you call on, too, you know. Think of it as a community building exercise. Call someone and explain that you need help and ask THEM to get on the phone and get people coming over with food and juice, to take care of your (bigger) little one or do a load of laundry or whatever. You should be resting, getting strong, and getting in sync with your new baby, not mopping up puke and taking care of sick people, or eating microwave food, for goodness sake!
Sleep as much as you can, and in any case, it won't last forever....
I'm sending you cyber casseroles and soup, in hopes that they turn into real ones, with real people ready to give you real help, Mama!

[Larissa]

I do hope you can get someone to help you through this! Adding that second baby is hard no matter what . . . but you've got some extra hard stuff you are dealing with in the midst of it all. Hang in there, and please call for help!

[Jenivere]

I really do hope you have some friends and/or family you can call on for help. That's a lot to take on within a few days of birth and you really need to be resting. In your position I'd probably be crying too.

[dooney]

It just keeps getting worse... my 2yr old now has diarrhea.

[Maggirayne]

Ohhhh,

Are your parents able to help?

Praying for a quick recovery for all of you.

[dooney]

I just took a shower, and when I sat down to pee, I just about died. It hurts soooo bad. I called the birth center and they're going to call me back, possibly with a script for lidocaine ointment. I still have some of that left from 2 years ago, do you think it's still good? I'm not all that worried about the pain because it doesn't last that long, I just don't want to be infected or heal wrong!

[Nillarilla]

Oh dear, I hope you get some help. Everyone feels good when they help someone so call on a good friend or some family.

Can you apply some arnica essence to the area that is sore. See if that helps. Get a mirror and check if the area is red, inflamed or weeping pus. If it is I think you may need abx. Do you have a sitz bath that you can use with some herbs?

[dooney]

It's got something white "growing" out of it, it looks almost like when a seed sprouts. The area is swollen and dark purple except for that white. The doctor said try a few sitz baths and I need to be seen if the white is still there tomorrow. I have no idea what arnica essence is, no idea where to get it, and no money if I did. I wish I was more herbal/natural knowledgeable.

[JosieAK]

Wow. I'm so sorry that you're dealing with all of this! I'm excited for your sweet little one coming! Congratulations. Coen is a really cute name. I will be keeping your struggles in my prayers. Please, do take care of yourself.