D has the flu, just in time for it to coincide with my mom leaving.
I guess I am officially fully recovered (whether I feel that way or not)!
Thankfully Ava slept from 10PM to nearly 8AM, only waking to eat twice. No bedtime fight last night!
She also had her first bath, having lost her umbilical cord Friday!
Pics to come soon. Apparently I blew the Ram on my computer. How? No clue. Oh well, at least I have my beautiful sleeping daughter to curl up with!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Oh Sleep, How I Miss Thee...
In her defense, Ava is a champion sleeper. With the exception of when we initially put her down for the night. She just won't go to sleep.
Part of it is that she sleeps a lot during the day - so we've been trying our best to wake her up during the day. It's nearly impossible, but we've come up with some creative strategies at this point.
I thought perhaps our room is too quiet, since she sleeps like a baby out in the living room all day, so we tried her noise machine and her seahorse glowworm, but no dice. It may work for a bit, but she won't stay asleep.
We've now adjusted several different variables, but still, it can take hours before she'll go to sleep at night. And so I ask this: What is your bedtime routine like and does it work for you? I'm desperately needing suggestions. I try to make sure she consistently gets full feedings rather than 'snacks' so that she needs to eat less often and will sleep for longer periods, but still, nothing. And then once she gets to sleep, she'll generally only wake to nurse and then go back to sleep, which at least is something, right?
All advice and input appreciated!
Part of it is that she sleeps a lot during the day - so we've been trying our best to wake her up during the day. It's nearly impossible, but we've come up with some creative strategies at this point.
I thought perhaps our room is too quiet, since she sleeps like a baby out in the living room all day, so we tried her noise machine and her seahorse glowworm, but no dice. It may work for a bit, but she won't stay asleep.
We've now adjusted several different variables, but still, it can take hours before she'll go to sleep at night. And so I ask this: What is your bedtime routine like and does it work for you? I'm desperately needing suggestions. I try to make sure she consistently gets full feedings rather than 'snacks' so that she needs to eat less often and will sleep for longer periods, but still, nothing. And then once she gets to sleep, she'll generally only wake to nurse and then go back to sleep, which at least is something, right?
All advice and input appreciated!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
My Little Pee-er!
For having a little girl, I get peed on ALL THE TIME. I mean, technically the first thing she did when they pulled her out was pee all over, and then poo. Cute!
Since then, I've been peed upon at least four times, as has D. It's her first response to any temperature change (aka changing her diaper) and when she does it, it's like a fountain. No joke!
I've managed to make changing a diaper just in time to see the swaddlers strip turn from yellow to blue (isn't that an awesome feature?!?)into an art form!
More pics to come soon - my computer currently has a virus so I've had to use my BlackBerry instead.
Since then, I've been peed upon at least four times, as has D. It's her first response to any temperature change (aka changing her diaper) and when she does it, it's like a fountain. No joke!
I've managed to make changing a diaper just in time to see the swaddlers strip turn from yellow to blue (isn't that an awesome feature?!?)into an art form!
More pics to come soon - my computer currently has a virus so I've had to use my BlackBerry instead.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Sidebar Error.
Just an FYI - ever since my blog went private, it no longer updates on other blogs aidebars! It shows my last post being a month ago when I went to L&D with gallstones, so if you're following along, definitely check back often as I plan to post frequently still.
That being said, tonight I'm exhausted, and just waiting for Ava to finish nursing so I can pass out! Nighty night!
That being said, tonight I'm exhausted, and just waiting for Ava to finish nursing so I can pass out! Nighty night!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Adventures in Breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding, while amazingly rewarding (not only is Ava thriving, but I've lost 21lbs!), brings with it some, um, shall we say interesting situations.
Take for example yesterday. I was really tired when feeding Ava, and as soon as she was safely laid down, closed my eyes before I even had the chance to put my breast pad back in. Big. Mistake. I didn't realize what I had done until the next feeding, when I went to remove the breast pad and discovered the adhesive had sealed shut to my poor unsuspecting nipple. Ouch.
The day before that, though, was far worse. Ava has mastered the art of chugging, which makes for quick feedings, but also the occasional mishap. Apparently little A took a bit too much in, and subsequently coughed to clear her throat, spitting breastmilk ALL OVER ME. Everyone keeps asking me if I plan to taste my milk, to which I always look horrified and say, 'what the f is wrong with you?!', but turns out Ava had other plans for her mommy :P
Take for example yesterday. I was really tired when feeding Ava, and as soon as she was safely laid down, closed my eyes before I even had the chance to put my breast pad back in. Big. Mistake. I didn't realize what I had done until the next feeding, when I went to remove the breast pad and discovered the adhesive had sealed shut to my poor unsuspecting nipple. Ouch.
The day before that, though, was far worse. Ava has mastered the art of chugging, which makes for quick feedings, but also the occasional mishap. Apparently little A took a bit too much in, and subsequently coughed to clear her throat, spitting breastmilk ALL OVER ME. Everyone keeps asking me if I plan to taste my milk, to which I always look horrified and say, 'what the f is wrong with you?!', but turns out Ava had other plans for her mommy :P
Monday, January 4, 2010
Happy One Week Birthday, Ava!
Wow, time flies.
This has been such an amazing first week. There has been a flurry of emotions running wild, but I can say with certainty that despite the depression, this week has been overwhelmingly positive and joyful. I've seen the fulfillment of a lifelong dream after all - I am a mother, I have a daughter, the three of us are a family. Is there anything more than that?!
Ava had her first pediatrician appointment this afternoon. She has already regained and surpassed her birthweight, weighing in at a whopping 8lbs!!! Holy moly. On top of that, she's measuring 21 inches! Is it possible to grow TWO INCHES in one week?!? I know a lot about babies, and that just seems impossible to me! The pediatrician gave her a glowing review, saying that she's absolutely thriving. She also went ahead and did her follow-up heel stick, since at one week you can technically do it, and said she would be comfortable not seeing us again until Ava is one month, since the main concern at their two-week visit is that they regain their birth weight, and little A has no trouble there! Not sure how I feel about that, since it seems half the point of ped appts is for mom to ask questions, but we'll see. I can always call in if I need to know anything.
We also talked about my depression, and she said that the medication they put me on is perfectly fine for breastfed babies, and is the frontline med for PPD. She said to call anytime though if I feel I need more help. It was reassuring.
Ok, Ava's asleep, so I should hit the hay also. Happy one-week birthday, Ava! We adore you.
This has been such an amazing first week. There has been a flurry of emotions running wild, but I can say with certainty that despite the depression, this week has been overwhelmingly positive and joyful. I've seen the fulfillment of a lifelong dream after all - I am a mother, I have a daughter, the three of us are a family. Is there anything more than that?!
Ava had her first pediatrician appointment this afternoon. She has already regained and surpassed her birthweight, weighing in at a whopping 8lbs!!! Holy moly. On top of that, she's measuring 21 inches! Is it possible to grow TWO INCHES in one week?!? I know a lot about babies, and that just seems impossible to me! The pediatrician gave her a glowing review, saying that she's absolutely thriving. She also went ahead and did her follow-up heel stick, since at one week you can technically do it, and said she would be comfortable not seeing us again until Ava is one month, since the main concern at their two-week visit is that they regain their birth weight, and little A has no trouble there! Not sure how I feel about that, since it seems half the point of ped appts is for mom to ask questions, but we'll see. I can always call in if I need to know anything.
We also talked about my depression, and she said that the medication they put me on is perfectly fine for breastfed babies, and is the frontline med for PPD. She said to call anytime though if I feel I need more help. It was reassuring.
Ok, Ava's asleep, so I should hit the hay also. Happy one-week birthday, Ava! We adore you.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Baby's First Christmas & Other News.
Happy New Year, everyone! Sorry for the hiatus...something about having a baby and all that jazz...
Lots to report. First off, Ava's first outing was Friday, when we took her up to the hospital for a weight and jaundice check. She's back up at 7lbs, 9oz, having regained 5 ozs. since leaving the hospital and being a measly 3 from her birthweight...we rock! Also, her billirubin levels were borderline, but since she's eating and pooing like a champion, they felt comfortable leaving it alone and having her pediatrician check it at our first appointment tomorrow. Whew.
After that, we returned home just in time for her first grandparent visit, with D's dad, Grandpa Don, coming into town for Friday and Saturday. We then went to lunch and hit up Babies R Us for a few things we found we could use (lanolin cream, burp cloths & another swaddling blanket, to be exact) and then headed home, where mommy promptly passed out. We also stopped by the pharmacy to pick up the prescription my doctor called in a couple weeks back. Postpartum depression has hit full force, though after just a few days on the meds it's starting to lighten up a bit. More on that another time. Right now I'm trying to enjoy my daughter. All I can say is that if you think you might be showing signs of it, CALL YOUR DOCTOR. There is no shame in seeking treatment for this potentially very serious condition. If you don't want to call your doctor, email me. Sometimes it's just nice to know others have been there too. Trust me - trying to explain sadness in such a time of joy is difficult. Luckily, D is fantastic, and was prepared for this. My physical recovery is going slowly, though I am completely off my painkillers. I think they were contributing to my depression, so I've decided to go without. It's a tough decision some hours of the day, but I'm trying to control it with ibuprofen and the hope that this too shall pass.
Our next first was Baby's first (belated) Christmas! Though we'll celebrate baby's first Christmas next year, this year Santa came by the house in anticipation of her arrival, so she had some great presents to open :) It was awesome! She got the Madeline book set, the Eloise book set, a snuggly seahorse glowworm, a play telephone and a doll. Ava was a very good girl this year :)
And on a fantastically positive note, I've lost 18 lbs!!!!!!!!! Yep...you read that right. 18 POUNDS! 8 of them in the past 48 hours after getting up and walking got that fluid circulating and eliminating. Sweeeeeeeeet! I feel hopeful.
Last Sunday:
Today:
Ok, off to nurse soon. Last night she slept from midnight to 8am, waking only at 4am to nurse, and has stuck to a four-hour schedule nearly like clockwork since. I wish I was delusional enough to think this would last forever!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
