Unexpected News (revamp)

Postpartum stress (January 2024)

20th January 2024
4:18 am

I woke up because Arlo was crying in his bassinet so I rolled over and picked him up. I could tell he was hungry so I let him latch on and I laid back down on my side.

I fell back to sleep only to wake up half an hour later to him crying because he needed changing. I got a diaper from the little cart we have with all of this changing supplies and I changed him. I laid in on my chest and fell back to sleep.

I woke up again an hour later because he was crying then felt him being lifted off my chest. I opened my eyes to see Jesse cradling Arlo in his arms and walking around the room.

"Go back to sleep I got him." Jesse smiled while rocking him. I sighed and rolled over to my right shoulder so I was facing the window.

******

I woke up in bed alone and the sun beaming on my face from the curtains. I rolled over to my bedside table and grabbed my phone to see that it was 7:36 am. I got out of bed and walked to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth.

I walked out and saw Jesse in the kitchen talking to Nova who was at the table. Arlo was in his bouncer on the floor while he made breakfast for Nova. Jesse walked over and kissed my cheek then gave Nova a bowl of cereal.

"You feeling okay?" Jesse asked and I nodded. "Want some breakfast."

"Yes please, can I just have some cereal." I asked while getting my breast pump and he started to make me a bowl of cereal.

I attached the breast bump onto my boob as Jesse gave me a bowl of cereal. I kissed Jesse on the cheek before eating the cereal. I heard Arlo whining so I picked him up and cradled him. I could tell he was hungry so I unattached one of the breast pumps and let Arlo latch on.

I unattached the other one and Jesse took it so he could put it into the freezer. Once I had finished eating, I put my bowl into the dishwasher then walked to the couch. Arlo unattached so I put him on my shoulder so I could burp him.

Once he was finished, I put his pacifier into his mouth and laid him against my chest. Nova ran up to me and sat down next to me. She started poking Arlo then when she poked him on the cheek, he started crying which startled her.

"Did I make him cry?" She asked when I stood up then started rocking him so he would calm down.

"Umm, babies just cry a lot its not your fault baby." I explained to her so she doesn't think it is her fault even though it kind of is.

"Is he okay?" Jesse asked, I nodded then Arlo eventually stopped crying. I walked into his room and sat on the rocking chair.

Once he had eventually fallen asleep, I walked out and sat back down on the couch. Nova ran out from the kitchen with her colouring book and pens.

"Mama you colour with me?" She asked trying to shove the book and pens into my face. We sat on the floor and started to colour in her book.

"Hey my favourite girls." Jesse said as he sat down on the opposite side of the coffee table.

"Hi daddy, do you want to colour?" Nova asked and Jesse nodded so she gave him a picture of Woody and Buzz lightyear.

"Thank you." He said when he took the paper. Arlo started crying but Jesse stood up and ran into Arlo's room before I could.

Jesse came back a couple minutes later with Arlo then placed him in the bouncer. Nova crawled over to him and kissed his forehead. We were colouring in for a little bit until my shirt felt wet. I looked down and saw that I was leaking.