mandyunruh

Simplicity

I can worry about money. I can worry about what will happen to my body when it doesn’t get to exercise for six weeks. I can worry about getting enough sleep or getting the baby’s room done or putting away the Christmas decorations before my parents come into town or whether the brownie I ate […]Read Post ›

Gratitude & Grieving

Much like contractions during labor, my new mama moods can fluctuate rapidly and violently. I am riding those waves. Last night I had a nice, long, snotty cry on husband’s shoulder about the following: Being sad that the pregnancy is over. Being sad that all the birth preparation at The Sanctuary is over. Wondering “Who […]Read Post ›

And Then There Was Jaundice

I worked damn hard to not go to the hospital. When I was in overwhelming pain and fantasizing about downing the vicodin in my bathroom leftover from surgery because that’s how much I wanted drugs, it wasn’t enough to get me to go to a hospital. It’s not that I think hospitals are evil, I […]Read Post ›

Labor: The Second 23 Hours

Here I am, on the other side. I just read my first labor post and thought, “Poor girl, she had no idea what she was in for.” I’m going to try to recall everything and I must say mama amnesia is NOT a myth as so many of the details are hazy and it’s only […]Read Post ›

Labor: The First 24 Hours

Water broke at about 5:19am on December 30. I woke up, thinking I had to pee (again), stretched my arms and legs (Ian simultaneously stretched his legs), stood up, and GUSH. I tried to hold it in as I sped walked to the bathroom, to no avail. Water works. Fluid was sweet-smelling and clear, just […]Read Post ›