I've been a bit preoccupied in the last seven weeks, but the publication of a study of school nurses reminded me that I used to have a paying job, and this writing outlet. First, the study: School Nurses Save Money. The study mentions RNs, I suspect the use of LVNs might save even more money. It's nice to see something positive about school nurses in the headlines, though I'm not sure it will change the fact that school nurses seem to be being phased out in my area.
Second, and far more importantly, I had my baby! It is crazy to recall the time in my life in which I just referred to her as "the baby," before she had a name, a face, and a personality. A few thoughts on motherhood while she finishes her afternoon nap:
1. Natural birth is without a doubt the coolest thing I have ever done in my life. 12 hours to the greatest surprise ever. The most important thing is that our baby arrived healthy, but I am so, so happy to report that I would not change a thing about her entrance to the world. I just found my admission paperwork for the hospital stay while cleaning the house: I signed my consent forms at 4:45 AM, and our baby girl was born 5:51 AM.
2. Recovery after childbirth is a bitch. No one told me how much I'd hurt afterward. I recall actually thinking I'd never walk again. A bit dramatic, maybe, but I was in pain and sleep deprived. Thankfully, that time has passed. The pain part, I mean.
3. Breastfeeding is hard. Again, no one told me how hard it would be. My milk was late coming in, or at least too late according to my baby, and one of the hardest nights of my life came just days after the best night ever. Not being able to feed your child is probably one of the worst feelings in the world.
4. Labor, recovery, breastfeeding, etc. are all washed aside when your baby smiles at you. Seriously, parents aren't joking about how rewarding it is to make your kid happy. It's the best.
5. Newborns poop. A LOT.
In the words of my husband and I: we are obsessed with her. Our trials continue, right now facing a possible cow's milk allergy, an unsteady milk supply from me, and irregular sleeping patterns, but so far, parenthood is awesome (except for the daycare costs we are facing come August). It also puts work in perspective. My district has hired more LVNs in my absence, and reorganizing, supposedly, our nursing staff in August. I have no idea what that means. I have one more school year left before my credential expires, and as for now, don't plan on going back to school to get my permanent credential. What that means: I essentially have one year left to be a school nurse, and after that, I'll need a new job, or be "taking a sabbatical," also known as unemployed. The latter doesn't sound nearly so bad when I take a look at my sleeping baby...Hmm.
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