One week old today! Family drama.

Can you believe that Aliah will be one week old today, as of 3pm?

That's right, one week ago today, I was in labor. It's kind of crazy, to think of it like that.

And a new year has come around already! Im excited for 2009.
Hannah is super-duper excited to get to be a big sister. She has been a really good helper - except when she flat-out says "NO." Her daddy says that she is reverting back to her terrible twos.

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My dad and brothers came to visit this weekend, and they wore me out! It hurts me to laugh. and we did a lot of that. I think they were a good distraction for Mike and Hannah though. I really appreciate how well our families get along.
We also did a lot of walking around on Saturday, which I shouldnt have done - I dont know if my stitches are healing properly. And my milk has come in, that is pretty painful too. I could barely sleep last night because my chest hurt so much! I have to wake up Aliah for her to eat, so that I can get some relief. In fact, it's about time to feed her again.

My mom just left this morning. We will all miss her. She has been such a HUGE help! Especially with Hannah! Mom has been here eight days, and she has to go back to work tomorrow. I wrote her a sweet poem yesterday, as a way to say thank you for helping us out.

My relatives (my grandparents, primarily) are hounding me about coming to visit soon, before Mike has to go back to work at the end of the month. But his mom is coming to help us out the week that he goes back to work, and I just dont think it's feasible for us to travel that much at 3 weeks post-pardum.
I am being honest and telling them that I am just not up for it. Im having enough trouble feeding the baby every 2 or 3 hours and getting in meals and sleep myself, much less take a shower or look presentable. I cannot imagine sitting in a car with Mike, Hannah, and a newborn for 6 hours. At this point, it hurts me just to sit still for ONE hour! Heck, I cant even drive yet!
When Hannah was an infan,t we waited until she was about four months old before we went on "vacation" to meet all the relatives. Even then, it was because of a wedding, and still, she was no where near sleeping through the night, so it was absolutely exhausting. I am just notready to go through all that right now.
Maybe when Aliah is a little older, we'll go visit. For now, they can come to us. And I have put my foot down.

My brother, the older one, (we'll call him "A") is moving away to California on Wednesday. He is also turning 21 this week. I hope this move is good for him - my parents dont know how to straighten him out and have run out of patience. Maybe living with my aunt and uncle in LA will be a good change for him.
At least, we are hoping so.