We've Made it This Far

We're a little over a week in and things are looking up. Here are a few successes:

Success #1: Our first outing as a family was to see my OB on V's one week birthday. I was apprehensive because of the breastfeeding thing, but we managed. She ate at home and we left. We hit an obstacle when we had to wait about an hour to actually see the doctor. Then he had to remove my staples and doctor me up. V stayed pretty calm due to the introduction of the pacifier. That thing was a miracle worker. I was hesitant, but gave it to her for our own sanity. Sometimes she just wants to be soothed. I tried nursing her before we left the office, but she wasn't having it. So, we held our breath and left.

Success #2: After the doctor visit we had to head over to the hospital to retrieve a jacket we'd left. They had a hard time locating it and the entire time my stress level is rising because I know V needs to eat. She's staying calm, but I'm slowly losing it. As we left there was a family bathroom so I stepped in there and got her latched on. I didn't want to nurse her in a bathroom so we kept walking and she nursed while we walked. So, not only did I successfully feed her in public, but I walked while doing it. I'm going pro soon.

Success #3: We ate out in public. Again, I nursed her while I ate. It was a struggle, but we managed. It can be done.

Success #4: She had her own doctor visit on Saturday to check her weight gain. She was 8lbs 6oz at birth, 7lbs 11oz when we left the hospital, 7lbs 9oz at her checkup last Tuesday and this Saturday she was at 7lbs 14oz. She's gaining like a champ. We go back next Saturday to see where she is. As long as she's gaining she's ok, but they'd like her to be back to her birth weight. She's eating very well so we shouldn't have a problem at least being close to that.

Success #5: A visit to Gran's. Tempers and patience have been running short around this house. We're all stuck in the house and Ollie's energy level has reached a new high. He needs to get out. So, we decided to take him to Gran's and throw him in the pool. We had dinner over there and then Ollie was entertained by Gran and Pappaw (thankfully) and then the boys went swimming. It was a pleasant and much needed break from the daily routine.

Success #6: Swaddling. V's been fussy at night leaving me to get very little sleep. I tried swaddling her in the beginning with a knit blanket that is very stretchy. She managed to get herself out of the swaddle about 5 seconds after I wrapped her up tight. I wrongly assumed she didn't like having her hands confined. My next sanity saver was to put her in her carseat at night. We did this with Ollie when he was little and it worked. It worked with her for a couple of nights, but soon that faded and she was again fussy. Well, two nights ago I decided to use these blankets that are quite large, thin and just a bit stretchy. WORKED PERFECTLY!!! So, thank you Dru Donald for these blankets. Run out and buy some for those grandgirls! They are Carter's for anyone else interested.

And success #7: She's still a girl!! When we announced the sex of this baby girl we put a pink onesie on Ollie's babydoll and took his picture. This morning I put a onesie on V and realized it was the same one I'd put on the babydoll. So, here's a second shot to say, "Yep, she's still a girl." She has the best big brother EVER!





So, we are slowly making our way into the world with this fourth member of our family and I'm beginning to be able to distinguish one day from the next. I actually got quite a bit of sleep last night and hope that continues. Of course, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction...I'm going to use that to say that while we're having some good things going for us these past few days our microwave also went out. How are we supposed to eat without a microwave? :-) Home Depot will be here Thursday to install our new one.