She did absolutely fantastic with everything! We have decided she is a good, easy baby... with a little bit of a temper :) Obviously she gets that from me and not her daddy.
Her stats: I don't know how much she weighs these days or how long she is, but I do know that she is growing! On Thursday night we put a newborn sleeper on her that didn't quite fit and I got a bit teary eyed. So on Friday I boxed up most of her newborn clothes and brought out the 0-3 month stuff. I know I should be happy that she fit into newborn things for 4 weeks ( a lot of babies only fit into it for 2ish weeks!), but it does make me sad to think that she is already growing! I mean, I know that is kind of the point and I am excited for her to grow and develop but already things are going by quickly. She is still in newborn diapers, which I think she will stay in for a while. Here is a picture of a newborn sleeper vs. a 0-3 month sleeper. Crazy!
Eating: She was once a sleepy 2-day old baby who couldn't keep her eyes open when she nursed, and now she loves it and stays wide awake most of the time! Breastfeeding is going a lot better for me in general. We are both enjoying it more, things are getting less painful (although still not pain free) for me, and I really do enjoy it. This past Monday when I had to leave her for the first time she took bottles during two of her feedings. I am pumping so she still get to have breast milk which I feel good about, but that day when I got home I realized how much I missed feeding her myself! Like I said, she is a very easy baby because she adjusts so well to things like bottles and pacifiers, but I can't say that it broke my heart just a little bit to know that a bottle was stealing my job twice that day.
During week 3, when colic normally appears in babies, our little one had some clear stomach issues. We got really, really nervous that this would continue because the babies on David's side of our family tend to have lots of gas, spit up a bunch, and be colic due to stomach pains. There were definitely some rough evenings when she would cry anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and you could just tell by the way she pulled her legs up toward her that her belly hurt. Since them I have been trying to see if there are patterns in what I eat and how she acts, but I haven't found any yet. Thankfully, her fussiness subsided after 4ish days and now, even though she spits up a good amount, as long as we burp her well her belly doesn't seem to bother her too much.
Sleeping: This little newborn is still sleeping really well! Again, an easy baby. She still eats every 3-4 hours during the day and then every 4-7 hours at night... that is right 7 hours! One night this past week I got 6 straight hours of sleep. It was fantastic. She still isn't on a strict schedule, but in general after her night time feeding (which happen anywhere between 7:30 and 10) she has her long sleep. Then she wakes up between 1:30 and 3:30 in the morning to eat again, then sleeps until between 5 or 7.
At night we try to put her straight back to sleep after she eats, gets a diaper change and is burped. We also try to have her sleep in her pack-n-play in our room during these times (although sometimes her daddy spoils and sleeps with her in his arms on the couch). During the day I try to keep her awake after she eats. She lays on her back and looks around, we chat (she has given me a couple coos!), and I have her do some tummy time. She is so strong- especially her neck and legs, and a couple times this past week she rolled from her tummy to her back. She starts to fuss a little bit during tummy time so then I pick her up and hold her facing out for a while to keep her awake. All of this lasts for 20-45 minutes usually and then her eyes get a bit heavy and she starts yawning. I put her back to sleep usually using my sling (which you will see below) and/or a swaddle blanket, and her pacifier most of the time. Then I try to lay her down in her swing or on the couch; places where there is light and noise. My hope is that she will start to distinguish daytime naps from night time sleeping.
If we let her get too sleepy, or usually in the evenings, her temper shows. This girl fights sleep! Normally though she will fight hard for 15-20 minutes and then will calm down. During those 15 minutes though things can be frustrating, especially if it occurs at 3 or 4 in the morning.
What she loves: If Lydia Grace is fussy, take her to the kitchen and turn on the water. She will fall silent. My sister discovered this trick on Monday and so far it has never failed... hilarious. Also, I like to think she is starting to love her mommy. Various times over these past two weeks she would be fussy and then as soon as I take her she would calm down. She is definitely starting to know me and can distinguish me from other people. I know that this happens right away, but I am noticing it more and more now and it is so amazing.
What she hates: She is still hating diaper changes and getting her clothes changed, but ever since her umbilical cord fell off and we could give her real baths she doesn't mind them so much. However, she yells at us big time after the bath while we are putting lotion on her... again that little temper!
Cute things: She is flashing some really adorable smiles these days, and even though sometimes they coincide with some one talking to her or smiling at her, I think they are mostly still random. She has also cooed a little bit this past week and I love to hear her tiny, sweet voice. The sneezes and hiccups are still a daily, adorable occurrence and they are so cute because they come from such a tiny person.
Postpartum Me: I am feeling great! I think I am almost fully recovered from delivery, although I still am taking Ibuprofen daily, especially with school starting back up since that means I walk and stand a lot. But as long as I take a little bit of medicine my pain isn't really noticeable. Breastfeeding is still giving me some pain, as well as annoying things to adjust to, but it is worth it!
I haven't started officially working out again because I want to clear things with my doctor at my 6 week postpartum appt. first, but last week I took a few good walks with Rooney and Lydia and it was great! This week it is FRIGID here, so I won't be doing that, but I try to do chores with Lydia in a front sling and that is definitely a work out of sorts. I was weighed 3 weeks after I had her and had lost 20 pounds! Craziness. I still have some weight to lose to get down to where I was, but already a couple of my old pairs of jeans button which is exciting. The most important thing is that I feel great about my body. Even though I weight more now and my stomach isn't as pretty I never feel self conscious. I am so proud of what my body made and what it did to get my baby girl into this world. That is clearly its greatest purpose-not to look good in a bikini- and that fact is so real to me now and it is really cool to have that change in perspective.
I am still eating like a pig because nursing makes me SO hungry! However, I was just telling David that I want to start being a little bit more careful about what I eat. Over Christmas break we got used to things like cookies, soda, and other terrible foods that we usually don't have around the house. Also, we have been super blessed to have tons of people bring us dinners which are always delicious, but a lot of times they aren't too healthy. I want to keep eating a lot of food since I am not worried about the calories and I know I need to eat more now, but I want to start making sure I am eating food that is good for me... like my yogurt and fruit that I love so much! I have to remember that I am fueling my body and Lydia's little body (still), and even though I love that I LOVE food again, I should make sure what I eat is balanced and good for both of us.
To change the subject...remember when I was that weird, pregnant weepy woman crying in the middle of Walmart? Well now I am weepy mommy. I know that there are real "baby blues" that can happen and I don't think my emotional changes would be classified there really because in general I am so happy and joyful and have my old energy back! However, as the sun starts to set and the lack of sleep has more of an effect on me I get emotional. If I hear Lydia really cry anytime after 8 pm then I will start crying with her. It is so funny how during the day I can handle when she is upset, but as soon as I am exhausted I really can't do it anymore. We noticed the pattern and have adjusted well (i.e. no baths late at night, if she gets upset David takes her and I go to bed, etc.). Oh hormones... they make us women crazy sometimes.
Heaven-sent baby items: I wanted to add this section because as we were registering for baby things there were so many choices for things to buy for this tiny baby. I am very practical and frugal and so my inclination was to not get too much stuff for our newborn because all they need is milk and diapers... right? Well yes, babies don't really need much, however as a new parent there are things you will very much want to have; in fact you might need them to not go crazy. So I wanted to tell you the things that are life-savers for David and I each day. Don't take it as a guarantee that it will also save your life with a newborn, but I figured I would give you my opinion.
So far, the picture below sums it up for me.
1. Pacifier - I know it is a bit controversial, but after having a baby of my own my advice is, if she will take a pacifier let her take a pacifier. The truth is babies want to suck.. like all of the time. It is comforting to them and it is something that they need to do. I much prefer having this green thing be her way to fall asleep than mommy's... well, you know.
2. Swaddle Blanket - I was suspicious at first. I mean, this velcro, tiny, expensive blanket looks just like a straight jacket. But, it is awesome. We spent so much time trying to swaddle and re-swaddle her with receiving blankets during the first two weeks. It was silly- her arms always escaped! As soon as we whipped out the swaddle blanket she went to sleep faster and stayed asleep longer. Again, babies just want to be swaddled, like really, really tight. So just give them what they want :)
3. A sling - I really wanted a Moby wrap; let's be honest, I still do. But they are 40 bucks and are just a big piece of fabric! I have heard great things about them and one day when we have a salary I will probably get one, but for now this hand-me-down sling (from my sister in law) works great. Lydia falls asleep so quickly when she is right up against me, and with her like this I have two available hands, which you will learn is truly a gift when you have a baby, and I can do dishes, laundry, type, even eat dinner! I wore it for a while yesterday and my back was a little tired toward the end and I bet a nicer sling wouldn't have this down side. But again, this kind works too.
Words from Daddy: This section was suggested by a reader - Thanks Holly!! - and it is a fantastic idea. You probably are sick of hearing things only from me, so I should let David say some things every now and then. So, here are this week's works from him:
Keys to a happy baby:
1. Listen to Disney musical songs on YouTube (Be Our Guest - Beauty and the Beast, Never Had a Friend Like Me - Aladdin, etc.)
2. Lots of singing and dancing with Daddy.
3. Mommy may want her to sleep in her crib, but just hold her all night long on the couch and spoil her.
4. Lots of kisses - if you place your nose on her cheek when she is hungry she will kiss you back! And get really mad.
5. Just remember, sleeping is overrated anyway.
Have a great Saturday. And Go Broncos (or mostly, Go, Tim Tebow)!
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