Lifesaver

I wanted to dedicate a post to my mom. I shared my labor story on this blog, but I have not shared the drama after labor. My mom was able to spend three weeks with us after TJ was born and I don't think I could have made it the first three weeks of TJ's life without her. As soon as we brought TJ home, we knew he was a different baby than Camo was. He cried incessantly and J and I had no idea how to handle all the crying. J was only able to get a couple days off of work so when he went back I was so grateful my mom was able to step in and help with Camo and the baby. My mom would take Camo out all morning while I stayed home with the baby. I was so grateful for this because it meant that Camo took a great nap in the afternoon. Camo was also hard the first three weeks of TJ's life. He was acting out a lot which I assume is normal for a 2 year old, not to mention we had recently moved and a brand new baby to add to that. My mom helped a lot with the disciplining considering I was so exhausted after delivery and TJ not sleeping well at night.

Then about a week after delivery I developed mastitis again.I had this with Camo as well.  I started feeling a bit feverish and then went to take a shower. I had to yell at my mom to come in the bathroom to help me because I started getting extremely lightheaded and thought I was going to pass out. My mom said when she walked in the bathroom I was white as a ghost. She quickly helped me into a towel and I laid me down right on the bathroom floor. I was shaking so bad that she had to bring a heavy blanket to wrap me in. Once again, what would I have done without her in that incident. She was a true lifesaver. It took me about an hour to gain my color back and stop shaking. At that point J was home from work wondering what all the commotion was. That whole night was miserable because I was running a very high fever from mastitis. We decided the next morning to go to the Urgent Care to get on some antibiotics. While we were leaving the Urgent Care to go home Camo wasn't cooperating and would not come to the car. I started feeling lightheaded again and headed straight back into the Urgent Care. I found the closest couch and plopped right onto it. Meanwhile my mom was holding TJ's carseat, chasing after Camo, and worrying about me. They took me in a wheelchair back into the Urgent Care and ran a few tests on me. Slowly I regained my color again and started to feel better. The doctor told me that I was probably getting lightheaded because of the infection mixed with exhaustion and stress.   Once again, how would I have handled that situation without my mom.

After getting over mastitis I slowly started gaining my energy back. On top of helping me with the kids and dealing with the health issues I was having,  she was doing many other things around the house. She made me french toast every morning. For some reason I craved that. She did all the laundry plus folded it, cooked, cleaned and basically kept Camo fed, dressed, entertained every day. She held TJ while I napped. My mom was also such a great companion to have around while J was gone at work all day.

I could not have asked for a better mother and grandmother to my kids. She is the most kind, giving, loving, service oriented person who puts other people before herself. I know that she loves to workout, but she sacrificed a month of not working out because she knew that I needed her help throughout the whole entire day. Thank you mom for all you did and still continue to do for me. I wished you didn't live miles away, but I enjoy being with you when I get to see you. We love you Grandma (or Grandpa according to Camo)!