Poop. Feed. Sleep. Repeat. I know this is what people perceive to be the life of a dog, but I beg to differ. This is the life of a newborn. Baby Carter turned one week and one day old today and I’ve definitely noticed some changes to how we do things around here.
A pattern has taken shape in the Schmidt home that revolves around this (albeit simple) regime. Poop. Feed. Sleep. Repeat. Sometimes it is like clock work, repeating every three or four hours. Other times it varies, usually picking up in frequency. This tends to happen between about 7 p.m. and 12 a.m., which makes much of anything I used to do with my people a secondary priority. It also makes blogging quite challenging because I require help from mom for that.
And whoever said this late night feeding thing is for the dogs didn’t know what they were talking about. It’s not for the dogs. And it’s not for the people either. Yet the four of us are in this together, and with each feeding we all stumble through the house to make sure Carter’s cycle is completed before we stumble back to bed.
It’s all a little monotonous, and last night I found myself giving in to the negativity fed by the repetitive cycle of sleep-related doom. It was 3 a.m. and we were all up. Carter was screaming (as we’ve all come to know more likely than not signals the poop portion of the routine) and mom and dad were struggling to change his diaper (another thing about babies I don’t think I will ever understand). I was sitting on the little rug in the nursery watching the action. My head was almost as heavy as my eyes. I knew I was slouching over and I didn’t care.
In that moment both my forever mom and dad noticed my posture. Oh Wiles, mom said, you’re right there with us in this aren’t you?
Poop. Feed. Sleep. Repeat. Indeed, I am right there with them through this. There isn’t much I can do to help with any of it. (Other than alert my people when there is poop in the diaper before the screaming starts). But mom was right. I am right there with them through this. It’s the least I can do.
Wiley's Wisdom 
I am with all of you in empathy, sympathy and whatever else you need, Wyles. Here’s the best part, you’ve made it through the first 8 days, which are the hardest, as nobody understands a baby’s code until enough time goes by.
There’s a wonderful song by Al Jareau, “I will be there for you.” (when you’re falling) – coming in the near future when Carter Joseph starts moving…
A baby’s code!!! That is a great idea for a blog post, dear friend. Thank you for your thoughts and encouragement! I don’t know what I would do without you. 🙂
Lots of love,
Wyles
I sent your Mom a special video on FB, Wyles. … can’t remember it now, but maybe she’ll share it with you! …umm, might have to do with newborns and tunes. 🙂
She did share it with me and it brought joy to my heart. Partially because of how darned cute it was, but also because it’s a good reminder that the piercing screams that haunt the Schmidt home these days will stop too at some point.
Lots of love,
Wyles
Yay so so cool! Congrats on the wee one 🙂
Thank you!!!
Wiley you are brilliant, with your nose of course you can tell mum the poop times. Great. You are right life of a new born is rather repetitive.. I wished I could just feed and sleep….
The thing is with mew parents, they look always tired but they have this smile around the face, being happy and feeling blessed with this little miracle around them. Eventually they will have a bit of a routine, with bathtime, feeding sleeping. I used to feed on demand as I was told and after a while it gets easier.
You are a real pal being with them all way through!
I know – they have it so easy, don’t they? And all without a care in the world? Ah to be a puppy again…
I do agree with what you said about the “glow” though – I’ve never seen them so exhausted and yet every person who visits tells them both they are just glowing. Its the joy – it illuminates even the darkest (sleepiest) of places. 🙂
Lots of love dear friend,
Wiley
Wiles, you’re a champion! Just make sure you tell your Mom, no matter what time it is, if she can, to sleep when Carter sleeps. Forget everything else. The unimportant parts of housework will still be there when Carter is sleeping through the night. Oh, and make sure your Mom accepts any help her friends might offer. I wish I lived closer (lol can’t be any further away really) I could be a “daily” for you all.
I would love it if you were a “daily” as you put it! Too bad you’re so far away. Mom has been having lots of visitors/helpers – perhaps too much however, since she’s missing out on the aforementioned opportunities to sleep….hmm, perhaps we need to rethink that around here. 😉
Lots of love,
Wiles
These night shifts are the worst of it all. You can’t really catch up during the day because the cleaning and feeding cycle does not stop. Luckily it won’t last forever. LOL
You’re right about that. I felt like mom did nothing today that didn’t revolve entirely around feeding the baby. I hear this too shall pass….and (to be honest) I can’t wait until it does.
Lots of love,
Wiles
🙂
Many congratulations to your Mom and soo agree with what Lyn says above …
Great start to 2014.
Hello new friend!!! Welcome!!! I love new paw prints on my pages. Thank you for your kind words and please come back and visit me again soon!
Lots of love,
Wiley
I’m not allowed to poop in the house. That baby has a lot to learn! Hang in there, W. It won’t be like this for long. (That’s a country song your parents should hear, if they haven’t already).
Love and licks,
Cupcake
That’s what I’m talking about! What is up with the double standard?? Silly infants, not knowing the rules. 🙂
Lots of love,
Wiles
And it is your presence Wiles which is essential for them…for you are their first baby together so never forget that! Carter is their human baby and you are their first furbaby. xo
I think I do forget that sometimes when I feel like I’m losing my way. Silly me. Furbabies have a special place in their hearts too, thank goodness. All the more reason to take good care of everyone involved. 😉
Lots of love,
Wiles
You are so right Wiley! Never forget that! xo
I won’t. 😉
Just when I thought I couldn’t love you more… you remind me so much of my dog Mity and I love for you it!!
In relation to Carter I have been told there is a time you will look back on all this with fondness, but I have never had a kid so could be talking utter…!
I’m so glad I remind you of a dog you love! I’m sure Mity and I would get along swimmingly! 🙂 I too have heard this about looking back fondly….maybe it’s like a weird surreal take on the whole hindsight thing or something. Who knows? 😉
I’m looking forward to you telling me about it in a few years time!
Me too, friend. Me too. 🙂
Wiley you are incredible! Your family is soooooooooo lucky to have you!
Mom says we’re blessed. I concur. Thank you!!! It’s always so nice to see you!!!
So you have a new job as a poop alert dog – how impressive, Wiles. You will be getting more jobs as your little person grows. You will be a playmate, guardian, and crumb-cleaner-upper and most of all a best friend. What a great new career path you are on. 🙂
Dear Linda,
I can’t decide which of my future jobs I’m most excited about – crumb-cleaner-upper or best friend…..hmm…tough decision. 😉
Lots of love,
Wiles
You’re doing great Wiley – there will be times when it is just Mom getting up to take care of Carter and she will appreciate your being there for moral support. Your picture is so sweet.
That’s all I can hope to be – moral support in mom’s time of need. She winced in pain at one point today and I rushed to her to lick her face and make sure she was okay. I think I made it better.
Lots of love,
Wiles
Reblogged this on Wiley's Wisdom and commented:
I wonder how baby No. 2 will be.