Time in Parent Mode

Here is an entry I wrote in Week 1 of Anoush’s life with us, but never posted.  Though you might enjoy reading it and the update below.

Nobody warned me that parents have a different time dimension than the rest of the world.  Anoush has been here a week already, and I honestly don’t know where the days went!  We enjoyed watching the clock yesterday, saying things like “this time last week my water broke” and “by now, she was already here!”

This has likely been the fastest week of my life.  Couple this with what one woman called “placenta brain” (that scatter-brain state of new mothers) and I literally find myself walking in circles because I’ve forgotten what I was doing…constantly distracted by all the baby stuff scattered around our apartment that needs to be put back in place.

This new concept of time is intimidating for someone who has two assignments and a book review to write and a dissertation to tackle by September 15!  I find myself wondering if I will make it.  I believe, however, that as we become accustomed to having Anoush in our lives that we’ll somehow manage to find a rhythm and schedule that will help us return to some state of normalcy.  If I’m wrong, don’t tell me because it’ll make me panic!

Any tips or reassurances?

Thankfully, since then things have gotten easier.  I’m dealing better with all the baby items, now that they all have a proper ‘place’ in the apartment.  Having Mom and Dad here for a week was a great help, and now Jason’s classes are finished, so he’s here most of the time.  Having an extra set of hands and arms in the house is tremendously helpful!

Anoush is doing very well.  She’s gaining weight and up to 7 pounds 5 oz at her last weigh-in, which was a week ago.  She had a check-up at the hospital for her prolonged jaundice which has since cleared up and the Dr. is happy with her current state.  We go for our six week check-ups on Friday and I will also take her to the hospital the same day for an ultrasound of her hips.  This is common procedure for breech babies.  The paediatrician checked her out already and is confident she has no problems, but according to protocol had to refer her for the ultrasound check.  She is spending long periods of time awake now, just gazing around.  She loves staring out the windows and is drawn to sources of light.  She’s managing to get her fists and thumbs into her mouth from time to time (no pacifier yet).

I’m also doing quite well and feeling more like myself each week.  Today I will finish the second of three term papers.  I’ve taken Anoush to the university a few times for meetings and presentations and she’s done fantastically well.  As long as she’s in the sling or being held by someone, she’s a happy little girl!

I received news last week that my proposal to present a paper at the annual conference of BAICE (British Association of International and Comparative Education) has been accepted.  I will travel to Glasgow, Scotland in early September to present at the conference, and as one of the few student presenters, will be eligible for a cash prize.  This should be a very good networking opportunity for me and will help me get my name ‘out there’ in the field of international and comparative education.  Wish me luck!

As Jason mentioned, our postings may be fewer in the coming weeks.  We both have a lot of work to accomplish for university.  Please keep the comments and emails coming…just know that we may be very slow in replying.  Please don’t be offended or think we’ve forgotten about you.  Thanks, as always for your support!