The Aftermath

Here is everything you need to know about having a baby after 40

EXHAUSTED isn’t potent enough to describe how tired I feel

SPLITTING is too tame for the headache I awoke with one night

SWOLLEN is an understatement when referencing my edema

DELICIOUS doesn’t capture how the Cream of Wheat tasted that my mommy brought to me in bed

GRATEFUL isn’t adequate for my feelings when my parent’s plane was delayed a day

JOYFUL barely describes how my heart felt as I bonded with my baby

Let me share a few tidbits of postpartum advice: you prolly should read the hospital discharge papers – that’s where they tell you that a headache can be dangerous.  Have my mommy come take care of you.  Have her also call my sissy to tell you to stop messing around and go to the doctor. (I cleaned up her language a bit but she was convincing.) Then have my mommy monitor your elevated blood pressure and make you Cream of Wheat.  My dad can also make you a mean bagel and egg samwich.

Make sure you have a husband who will get up in the night with you and share all the baby duties equally.  Don’t feel bad if your baby has to drink formula.  Let’s just focus on keeping her alive. Take every opportunity to stare at your miracle and kiss her little head.  Offer a gob-ton of sincere and thankful prayers that you have a little baby head to kiss.  Hug and kiss your older daughter so she doesn’t feel replaced, but then be patient with her when she does. Don’t worry about how big your butt is now – you can work on that later. Shower occasionally.   

But most importantly of all, cherish the experience. 

It's a miraculous one.