One. Tired. Mama.

This is written by one tired mama, so I apologize for any {miss pellings} :)

We have some exciting Runaway Moms news to share! Last week, the Dokken clan welcomed another daughter into this world at 8:08am on July 7th weighing 7lbs 10oz. She came into the world loud as can be just like her siblings did. We would like to introduce you to Thea Bayne Dokken.

Being pregnant during a pandemic was full of anxiety and stress to say the least and bringing a baby into the world during a pandemic was no different. However, the doctors and especially the nurses (the superheroes of them all) took such good care of Thea and I, and other than not being able to have visitors, it didn’t feel like there was a pandemic going on. I am so grateful for the staff at MN Health Fairview in Wyoming, MN that made us feel comfortable. Especially Bonnie, she was with me at my worst, while in recovery and was amazing and caring. I will never forget her!

Our birth plan went as expected (scheduled C-section), but the recovery did not. I spent the first 12 hours of Thea's life with a puke bag in front of me, so let’s just say these were not some of my best moments (sorry, Bonnie!). I held my daughter enough to breastfeed her and then handed her back over to her daddy for some bonding time. Finally, at 9pm the day she was born, I was able to keep chips down. Phew, what a relief!

We were able to go home the next day and introduce her to her siblings. I didn’t quite know how her siblings would respond to bringing her home, and it made me quite nervous honestly. Big brother took a bit to warm up to her, but after 24 hours, he loved touching her toes and head. And a few days later, he built up the courage to finally hold her by saying, “Mama, I didn’t want to hold her because she’s just too cute.” I think he was afraid of breaking her. Either way, we let him hold her on his terms, when he was ready. Our daughter on the other hand, asked to hold her the second we got in the door, and didn’t want to let anyone else hold her for the first few days. She’s adjusting well, and enjoys “helping” me pump and change diapers.

Like any mama with a newborn, older kids, a snoring husband, a puppy, a kitty…you get my point - sleep is something of the past and this time it’s no different. Although, she’s been a pretty chill baby, I can’t complain. The first week has been full of happiness, soreness, tears, snuggles, laughs, takeout food, nummy crockpot meals from Helena (you are the best ever!) Netflix documentaries and piles of dirty laundry. But not only that, it’s also been filled with massive poop explosions on the carpet, frosting smeared all over the couch, toys everywhere, spit up, sink full of dirty dishes, finger prints on the doors and five hearts full of love.

I. Love. My. Life

Here are some tired mama pictures

Xoxo Tressa