Walking Circumspectly
Hey, dearie dear! So much of your birth experience has been my own. Lots of difficulties, but later, the wonderful, sweet child you get to enjoy more each day. It DOES get better, as you are finding out. And it will continue to get better.
Our children were fussyfussyfussy, and Daddy held them for a lot of their young lives when Mommy wasn't. Might I suggest a baby swing? If you don't have one ask around and see if you can borrow one (battery operated only!). My now 10 yo would so fussy that I only got rest when she was sleeping in her swing (it was the battery powered kind and I often only napped while the swing was going non-stop next to the bed with her sleeping peacefully in it.
Cry as much as you need to. It's good for you! And exercise will help a huge amount. Sitting out in the sunshine would be a very good thing each day, too.
Hang in there, sweetie! You're doing fine! ((hugs))
Oh Kristen-- he's beautiful!! What a precious blessing.
Praying for you... that God will give you strength, wisdom, and some sleep!!
Cherish every moment with your little miracle!
Hurrah for sanity! I'm so glad things are looking up. Those first few weeks can be so HARD.
I'm so sorry about your less-than-ideal birth experience. Is it OK with you if I kind of almost hate that nurse? One of the things that made me determine on a nursing career was that there needed to be SOMEONE in hospitals who didn't tell her patients what they were feeling even if they said they weren't feeling it.
Kristen - So glad to see an update from you since you've been on my mind lately. Caroline is 19 weeks old so what you are going through is what I just came out of. It is true what everyone says - it does get better. David and I told ourselves that over and over again the first eight weeks. The sleep deprivation and mental dullness is the hardest part, IMHO. We went through a week or so when Caroline wanted to eat every hour and a half and I thought I would go crazy! Thankfully it didn't last long. I'm glad you and Noah were safe even though the birth was not what you had hoped for. I can relate. He's a sweet baby and I'm so glad everything has turned out well for you. We'll be praying for your little family. Hugs, Sallie
Parenting is the hardest job--but it's easy to see you love it!!
It just keeps getting better and better, too! Really.
He looks like such a sweet little snuggle bug!
Kristen, don't forget: it gets better. If you haven't read my speech to all new mothers yet, please do. I linked to it in your previous post.
My first grandchild was born last week, and I'm giving the same speech to his parents.
In the meantime, doing "normal" things like going to the gym are perfect.
So glad to see an update from you. I totally agree with you about labor being completely different after your water breaks. Thankfully, with my second child it didn't break until she was being born. With my first they artificially broke it and I needed drugs because I felt the same way you did.
The pictures are great, thank you so much for sharing them!!!
I missed the whole thing. I guess my feed reader isn't picking up your feed.
Congratulations! Sorry that your labor was less than ideal. You just never know.
Noah is a cutie pie! I'm a sucker for little boys.
Take your time in getting to feel "normal." It really takes like 2-3 months before you really get beyond the feeling tired all the time. In the meantime, grab a nap and a snack when you can!
Blessings,
Shelly
Kristen,
Congrats! Your delivery sounds pretty normal, actually.
Sleep some, okay?
Oh Kristin, he's perfect! He looks so happy! He looks totally blissed out in Daddy's arms. I am so overjoyed for you. Still praying, even though you all are safe and sound at home 
I love you. Blessings to you all.
I'm thrilled that nursing is going well for both of you. I agree with everyone. Life with baby gets better and better and unbelievably better!
Sharing birth stories--even when we say we won't tell the gory details--is one way all women overcome the trauma of birth.
Thank you for sharing! That smiling picture is adorable!
I've had some birth experiences I wished I could have changed. Talking about it made me feel some better, but then I just had to let it go, and try something different next time.
Rest when you can and memorize every moment in between. It goes by before you know it.
I'm late to the baby birth news. Congratulations, Kristen!
You don't need to apologize for all the details; I educated myself on the definition of "pitocin" and "episiotomy." While I am physically incapable of ever feeling your pain, you have my sympathy, for whatever that's worth. 
Information like this makes me wonder what childbirth would have been like if humanity had never sinned. I wonder how God initially designed that, even though that plan got scrapped.
I'm so happy for you! What a beautiful little boy. May he have a long, blessed, happy life and grow up to be a strong, righteous, fulfilled man.
I'm glad you are getting to the gym. Exercise helps my mood so much. He is such a sweet little guy. If I can find my Lalibaby (pouch), would you like to try it? I would send it to you. We have out grown it and there are no little ones in the immediate future.
Leigh Ann
He is gorgeous and you look fabulous too. I'm soooo sorry you had such a rough time. 
I'm single and childless, hence no words of wisdom. However, I just wanted to say that my heart goes out to you and to leave a note that will add to the encouragement to just keep plodding on looking for the light at the end of the tunnel. I will pray for you! God bless you, all three!
Kristin - He is so beautiful! Share all you want about your birth story - I totally agree with Meredith, it's neccessary to heal. Birth can be extremely traumatic even if the result is more wonderful than you could've imagined!
What is it about the sling that you don't like? I had a pouch and I liked it sooooo much better. They take about two seconds to sew up so let me know if you'd like to try one out. All i'd need is a measurement from the top of your shoulder to the top of your opposite hip. Just email me. Or you might like a wrap better and those don't even require sewing if you buy the right kind of fabric
I'm so glad to know you're starting to feel better. It's rough being a woman sometimes -those hormones will get you!
I'm so happy for you! Everything you are saying resonates with me. It was only 5 months ago that I was going through the same thing! Like Sallie said, it will get better ... HONEST. The first 6 weeks were hard, but it got better and better. Before you know, it ... he'll be hitting milestone after milestone. I know the feeling of being so in love with your little one and at the same time being SO exhausted. It sounds like you are doing a great job. I'll be praying for you ... congratulations on your precious little one.
I have done nothing to deserve great friends like you. You guys are all the best. I wish you all lived right next door!
Kim--we don't have a swing. We have a couple of bouncers that he's not impressed with so far, but no swing.
Rachel--I don't appreciate that nurse's comments, either. This is the same nurse that told me I was pushing "wrong" for two hours. Um, how am I supposed to know HOW TO PUSH when I AM NUMB? HELLO?!
Cindy--I did read it and meant to tell you how much I enjoyed it. Thank you for the link.
Jenn--we are heading your way in a couple of months...let's get together!
Evan--good question. I'm thinking it wasn't this painful before the Fall!
LeighAnn, yes, I'd love to. Please e-mail me at discernthetimes at yahoo dot com if you find it!
Shannon, I'll e-mail my measurements to you. I am desperate to find a sling that works for us before April, when we're going to California and Oregon.
Mrs. S--I was looking at your blog today, and you (and your husband!) are just so beautiful. You are really the kind of people whose inner beauty is reflected on the outside...I can just tell. And your daughter is so precious! I loved the pictures you posted.
I have been thinking and praying for you. I have followed your blog and rejoice in the birth of your precious baby!!! In recent days the Lord has encouraged me that He will be my strength and give me grace when mine is depleated. I know He will do the same for you!! Enjoy your precious baby!
Amy
Ps.127
Kristin, He is so beautiful! Totally makes me want a #4. Ok. wanted a #4 before seeing the cute pictures. hee hee. but they make me want one even more. =)
Awwwww...what a beautiful boy and a beautiful Mommy!!! It' makes me want a #4 too and OK I wanted a #4 before I saw the pics too, but the pics aren't helping my situation!
I remember when it felt like I was nursing Madison ALL THE TIME and I pretty much was! BUT little by little they do start to spread out their feedings and you won't be feeding so much. Each time it gets a little less it feels SO HUGE that you don't have to nurse so often! You'll see.
It sounds like you're doing amazing Kristen!!!!!
*hugs*
Sorry to be so late in offering my congratulations! You are blessed and I am so happy for you guys. Much love,
How wonderful little Noah is!!! I can sure see why you are in love with him, that handsome smile. I never believed that while gas theory, what is that about anyhow?
I am praying for you to feel as "normal", the new normal, as can be very soon! After we adopted Joshua a year ago, it took a few months, but then it we couldn't remember a time without him. When I gave birth to my daughter, 14 years ago (wow), I was very weepy for the first month, nursing takes a lot out of you when getting used to it I think. Grab any nap you can get your hands on right now, don't clean...nap! Don't feel bad for being weepy, those hormones are still a ragin' too!
Beautiful pics! (Well, beautiful kid, for that matter!)
Sounds like you're working too hard already. Those babies can be so much work. (But they're worth it... most days!)
I love your pictures of your little guy. Prayers for you! My firstborn's birth was very similar to yours.Blessings!
My first birth wasn't what I was expecting either. We had a midwife from the beginning but after 3 days of labor we ended up having to deliver in a hospital in the next town. I had pitocin also, as he had a large head and he just plain wouldn't come out. By that time I was so exhausted and dehydrated that I also asked (yelled?) for pain relief. I was given precious little. (They were a conservative hospital!)
However, it was all worth it when my precious son was born. I cried for weeks-I was a complete hormonal basket case. He also ate round the clock so I got very little sleep for the entire first year. Really.
As if all that weren't enough, we had to pay twice for the birth. Our midwife charged us even though she didn't deliver him. Ouch.
Thankfully, the other four were all delivered by her in good time.
That first birth was sure the toughest, but also the sweetest. I was finally a mom!!
Many blessings on your mommyness.
you are so normal! praying that God would satisfy you with His love and remind you that He "gently leads those with young"
He is so beautiful. Just know that every new mommy has felt exactly how you feel right now. Welcome to the club! Don't feel bad about the birth experience. He is here and healthy and next time (wink wink) you can try to have the experience that you desire. I had a homebirth with my second pregnancy because my first was such a horrible experience. Now I am pregnant with number four (and OLD to boot) and will gladly go get my epidural at the hospital. Things have come full circle! LOL!
Congratulations! He's so, so handsome and I'm so excited for you and your family.
Oh CONGRATULATIONS to you and Ryan! Little Noah is absolutely adorable, I love the shot of him smiling. I totally agree with you, they DO smile and laugh for real. I'll never forget when our little Tabitha smiled up at me when she was only two days old, with the same little smirk she still has! I was so tickled, and even had my SIL as a witness.
I'd tried to leave a comment here a week or so ago, but apparently it didn't take?! So, I'm trying again. I pray that you're resting and recovering beautifully. As you said, he was born to you healthy, and that is what matters most. My first two births didn't go as I'd have liked either, and I can only hope that this next one is better. But ultimately, I'll be happy and thankful no matter what once the little bundle is safely in my arms.
Blessings to you and your little family!
Hey! I e-mailed a thanks for the pictures but it was returned to me...said the box was full.
Just wanted to say that HE IS GORGEOUS! AND SO ARE YOU!
Yes - to what everyone else has said. You're normal. What you are feeling is normal.
And in even a short month, things will be getting better.
p.s. Exercise...but don't over do it! Okay?
Well...if you ever want to feel better about your birth experience, ask me about mine.
I am sorry you had a tough time and a tough first week. It only gets better! Love ya!
AHH, blissful motherhood... and chaos! LOL
I'm sorry your birth experience wasn't what you prayed for. My first one wasn't either. I was praying for no pitocin no epidural too, but I ended up with both. Thankfully we had a mostly healthy baby boy (eight days in the NICU really got him "on his feet")
But this is about you! You did great! It does get easier. I can't wait to hear more about little Noah... and a picture!!
Meg
Kristen, you look lovely in his birth pictures, I wouldn't have guessed about the bad experiences! Sounds like you're doing a really good job, and he looks adorable.
Dear Kristen, Congrats on the birth of your son!! I'm so sorry you had a difficult birthing experience. Mine didn't go how I planned, either, but thank God it wasn't at all as difficult as yours. In fact, I rather liked giving birth. But maybe that's because God made me forget so as to prepare for the next one. teehee
Oh, those first few months were so hard! Crying is normal, getting nothing done is normal, feeling unlike yourself is normal, even getting mad is normal. Oh, and my son would only sleep in his carseat in the bathroom with the fan going. You know how bad of a mother I felt I was because my son slept in the bathroom!? But it was the only place he'd sleep! Thankfully, he's now and excellent sleeper in his own crib.
So, sit back, relax, marvel at your baby and try to treasure these moments the best you can. You'll miss them, warts and all.
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