Random note: It sucks when you need to stretch while nursing.
After the first couple of emotional and rocky weeks we settled into a routine of sorts. Both of us adults working to figure out how best to please this tiny human we are now responsible for. I will tell you this; six weeks in and we are doing pretty good. The only time it's been truly tough lately has been when dealing with her colic.
Luckily, I have a plethora of friends who have been there, done that, and they have been great for tips, tricks, and advice. I take it all with a grain of salt knowing full well what works great for one baby doesn't necessarily work well for others. One thing that has worked wonders: Wellements Gripe Water. A friend who has a wee one a few months older than mine suggested it, and it has been a lifesaver.
Truth be told, this little jelly bean amazes Collin and I on a daily basis. Not just because we are witnessing her as she develops and learns. The biggest thing? The horrific stench that comes out of her tiny little butt... I mean, seriously?! How can something so tiny and cute contain such toxic and raunchy smelling gas? Collin constantly asks me what I am feeding her. Sad fact is that we haven't been able to figure out what make her such a stink butt. I've even tried limiting dairy in case that was it and cut out other random things but to no avail.She could most men to shame. Her beef is strong...
The weekend before xmas Miss Stinkbutt hit her first big growth spurt. It was a nightmare, and another one of the many things no one really forewarns you about. It was about thirty six hours of hourly feedings and super evil fussy baby action. I swear she literally was growing as I watched her. Side note: Her next growth spurt is due any day now (between six and eight weeks). Sooo looking forward to that...
Christmas was awesome. On Christmas eve we went to Collin's Aunt's house. His aunt, uncle, cousin, sister, sister's boyfriend, sis' bf's mom, and Collin's mom were all there, and got to meet Miss Emma. What made this even more special was that there had been a rift between us and his family for about two years caused by stress and misunderstandings during a really difficult time. The only sad part of this visit was the absolute knowledge (we had a feeling it would be the case but...) that Collin's mom will never remember her granddaughter. She doesn't really remember who I am at this point, but I am thankful she still remembers Collin. Other than that it was a lovely gathering and Emma was fawned over by all.
On Christmas day we ventured to my grandma's for dinner. Emma got to meet her great nana and great grandpa Wayne, along with my dad and my younger brother. My mom and sister were both sick, so they didn't make it.
In super current events (like this happened in the last hour), the stinkbutt jelly bean in question just gave her momma a super surprise! Thank goodness we switched her to the size one diapers last week! What she just did would have been an atomic blowout if she had been in a newborn diaper... The size ones are still "big" on her around the waist but that's due to her continual growth up versus out... Hopefully soon she will fill out a little. Length-wise she is fitting PERFECTLY into the three month clothes, but most are still CRAZY baggy on her.
Back to the lead up to today.
Saturday after xmas we ventured to Salem to visit my niece and give her the chane to meet her cousin, after swinging out to Canby to see Collin's grandma/Jelly Bean's namesake. It was a great day.
The next week was mellow and uneventful. Midnight New Years Eve came as I was nursing fuss butt. The biggest thing is Emma hit the one month mark. It shocked the crap out of me how fast the first month had gone by, but then considering the first two weeks and then the holidays I guess it makes sense. That Friday I took Emma into my work; she was oohed and ahhed over by all. With it being cold and flu time I didn't really let anyone hold her or touch her.
Last week I had my postpartum checkup; all went well. Emma of course has continued to grow. I know in the next week or two she will be hitting the next big growth spurt. I am prepared for a day or two of constant feedings and a cranky baby. Plus, I'm sure Emma will be fun too... LOL. The biggest accomplishment in my book was that I was able to get her to take a nap in her crib while I took a super fast shower. It was an amazing feat!
Saturday, our good friend came over to see Emma. It was great visiting and sharing fun stories about the new parent experience.
Yesterday I finally bit the bullet and went to introduce Emma to my mother. The visit went better than I could have hoped for.My mom remained mellow, and Emma managed meeting a new person fantastically (not that she has been otherwise antisocial). My mom attempted to give me unnecessary advice, and I listened politely, smiled and nodded. I gave her a copy of the birth announcement (and this is the one thing she did to grate on my nerves) and she asked if I had brought anymore pictures. I told her honestly that I haven't had time to even print pictures for ourselves. I had told her when I made the plans that I didn't have any pictures other than the birth announement. Yea, other than that small moment it was probably the best visit I have had with my mother in forever.
It's crazy to think that my two month leave is almost over... Two and a half weeks left. Next week is the last "peaceful" week. The final week of my leave we have Emma's two month check up, and I have to get all her stuff set up at the daycare.
I feel like I am forgetting something I wanted to share about the last few weeks but I am totally blanking. In the midst of typing the paragraph about the visit with my mom Emma needed fed and then I finally got her asleep so that I could eat my lunch. I then took the opportunity to prep some guacamole for my afternoon snack (avocado == healthy fats for the boob milk). I have been gnoshing on that with ancient grain chips (heart them). Also on the topic of food, I have fallen in love with tossing almonds and walnuts in with my oatmeal for breakfast (more healthy fats) along with sliced fresh strawberries.
Speaking of her sleep, she has been having these awesome nights where she sleeps for three to four hours for at least one stretch of the night. It's still hit or miss. Some nights she still wakes up ever two hours for food, but more and more I am getting one decent stretch of sleep. Two of the last three nights the little angel gave me four plus hours between feedings. Eventually I will even be able to sleep the entire time she is asleep.
Well while my little snorlax is a-snoozing I am going to do some surfing while Alias plays in the bakground. Never watched the show when it was on, but I have been kind of watching it on Netflix much as I did Lost... LOL.
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