one month favorites!!

I found some things I can't do without (so far) for the first month and other than the obvious necessities, I narrowed it down to these NINE items.

3 weeks :)

Height/Weight:

 21 ¼ inches

7 pounds 14 ounces

Size:

Newborn!

Since she’s “tall” the pajamas with little footsies don’t fit!

           

Favorites:

Food- BREASTMILK! J

Book- “On the night you were born”

Song- “Beautiful, beautiful” by Francesca Battistelli (when she cries in the car, I play this from my phone and it usually helps calm her down)

Toy- My boobs.

Non-toy toy- My boobs.

Time of day- any time as long as she’s fed, clean, and napping!

TV show- she doesn’t get to watch any yet!

Thing to giggle at- She loves laughing and smiling in her sleep! She is starting to look at us in the eyes now and sometimes she will throw us a little grinJ

Firsts/Milestones:

- Blowouts & farts are still HILARIOUS.

- Her FIRST road trip to Michigan (normally a 3.5 hour trip) and her first wedding of our beautiful friends, Matt & Emily!

-THREE-week doctor’s appointment:

Our little girl gained some ounces but still has not gained what our pediatrician (and us) was hoping. It was a bit of a downer of an appointment. Our pediatrician had me nurse her while in office and to weigh her immediately after to see how much transferred and she weighed 8 pounds meaning she took in 2 ounces! The only thing that we’re thinking could be a possibility is that my overproduction of milk is causing her to have an imbalance of foremilk and hindmilk (the fattier milk with calories). She could be getting too much foremilk, which she just poops out and causes her poops (lately) to have a green tint (mustard yellow is normal for breastfed babies). It could also be from food sensitivities so I cut out gluten and dairy recently hoping that will help (she’s also had some colicky nights). We have our 1-month appointment on Friday and hoping she gained more weight. It is a bit disheartening because I feel like a failure for her since she depends solely on me...but I am trying to keep my spirits up! On a positive note, her pediatrician did a full exam on her again and everything still is super healthy!

through his eyes...

September 20, 2012 at 4:16 a.m. The time I looked at my phone wondering if this was actually the day. To be honest, the day before, I would have bet money that my wife was going to go into labor that evening. However, the prodromal labor had tricked us before. I knew this time was it but I wasn’t in any hurry because I knew the process was going to be long. I felt nauseous and fatigued. No way I am getting sick right now…

We were on the road by 4:30 a.m. Bags were already packed, snacks were loaded and I just had to sneak her push gift into the luggage. The drive was quick and easy (for me) despite erratic, yet consistent contractions. We were admitted and escorted up to our floor just as the contractions started up once again. This was about to get real. Regardless, I knew we were not leaving this hospital without our little girl. Our first nurse was very friendly. She hooked up the IV, started a Non Stress Test to monitor mom and baby and let us know that Mimi was 4 cm dilated. Contractions still intense, consistent and erratic. I was prepared to see my wife in pain. With our birth plan, pain was the only option.

We were all moved to our Alternative Birth room. Of course I hadn’t brought all the bags up when we first were admitted. I had only grabbed the snacks to keep Mimi’s energy up. I didn’t want to carry all the bags from room to room. So, I had to run down to the car to get the other bags. “Babe, don’t forget the polka dot bag with the birth plan in it. And the diaper bag. And Xander has his back pack, a cooler with his food and his clothes.” Ok, no sweat. 

I see one of our friends from our birth class in the hallway that had given birth the day before. We are both heading down so we started chatting as we wait for a nurse to buzz us out (someone has to let you in/out of the floor for security purposes).  I ask about their birth and let him know how Mimi is doing. About 5 minutes pass by… I’m playing it cool thinking “Why the hell is no one here to let us out.” 

Finally, 8-10 minutes later a nurse shows up. We get down to the main floor. I was told I have to use the other entrance because the door we came in was closed until 6 a.m. We just came in that door… ok? So I had to go outside and run around to the other side of the building in which we had parked. I grabbed the 7 bags and get 50% of the way. S#$@! This is some serious weight. It’s hot. I didn’t eat. But my wife was in labor. How could I even be complaining knowing what she was going through inside. I realize once I get to the parking lot that it would have been smart to move the car. Too late now.

I pile all the bags in a wheel chair and head upstairs. “I hope you are bringing that wheel chair back down once you are done,” the guy at the reception desks yells to me in a tone trying to sound tough. I yell back,”yes, sir!” in a sarcastic tone. Thinking “you #$85, my wife is in labor and you are surrounded by wheel chairs. I’m not bringing this back down in spite of you.” I get to the room and unload the bags. “Babe, will you get my phone. I think it’s in the car?” No problem. Ok, this time I move the car to the correct side of the hospital. Back up to the room within 5 minutes. Oh, and I did bring the guy back his wheel chair.

I get back to the room. The contractions are not decreasing in intensity. Sucks for her. But good for the process. I want this process over for her sake. It has been a long, somewhat miserable two weeks leading up to this process. I start massaging her back and telling her how strong she is, how her body was meant to do this and that I knew she could do it. None of that was a lie. I knew it was going to be a long road. But I knew baby Estella was coming out drug free. I never doubted my wife’s strength.

Metta shows up after us being in the room for 1.5-2 hrs maybe? She says a prayer. Mimi gets more focused. I provide counter pressure on her hips and it offers her significant relief. Fantastic. Finally something I can offer to provide some relief. Every time a contraction came so did the counter pressure on her pelvis. Even if I was getting her a drink or something to eat… I was commanded to stop, drop and get my butt over there. Shirley gets there. Things seem to be progressing. Mimi wants to get in the tub so Shirley gets it prepped. “It will be about 45 minutes” Shirley says. I say “ok” thinking “how can it takes 45 minutes to fill a tub of water.” Doesn’t matter. It seems like her labor is progressing into transition phase. Mimi is staying strong but the contractions are starting to wear at her. One hour later we get in the tub… It seems to offer relief. Shirley checks and Mimi is 8 cm. Gets back into the tub. She decided to push a little to see if any progress is made. Nothing. Contractions are coming erratically. Metta is helping by pushing on her left side as I push on the right. With the types of contractions and 8 cm dilated I am positive this baby will be here within the hour. At this point it was 9 something in the morning.

big NURSERY reveal!

ESTELLA'S AMAZING NURSERY!

Finally right?! Sorry it took so long. Taking care of Estella has taken precedence over everything and my internet sucks so this has been prolonged for good reasons :)

I will post WAY more pictures on my FB but here are my favorites! 

Enjoy!

2 week update + my baby blues

Height/Weight:

 21 ¼ inches

7 pounds 11.5 ounces

Size:

Newborn!

           

Favorites:

Food- BREASTMILK! J

Book- “On the night you were born”

Song- “Jesus loves me” although her daddy sang “Still Fly” by Big Tymers to her and she really liked it haha

Toy- My boobs.

Non-toy toy- My boobs.

Time of day- any time as long as she’s fed, clean, and napping!

TV show- she doesn’t get to watch any yet!

Thing to giggle at- She loves laughing and smiling in her sleep!

Firsts/Milestones:

- She started trying to roll onto her belly from her back! She’s a bit of an over achiever.

- Blowouts & farts are still HILARIOUS.

- She is making eye contact with us when we talk or sing to her and little faces! Yay! Can’t wait for her to interact with us more and more.

- We are followers  of “attachment parenting” and it has really worked for our little family- whether we have support concerning it or not!

- TWO week doctor’s appointment (10/5/12): Estella only gained ½ of an ounce which is quite strange since she has about 6-8 poopy diapers, nurses like a little piggy, and also pees a lot! Our pediatrician did an exam and according to our facts thinks the scale is off (from last week or this week) and would like us to come back in a week to get her weighed and checked again. He thinks she is progressing well otherwise and really thinks we’re doing a great job. Although he has full confidence in my efforts to keep her healthy and thriving...I still feel guilty or disappointed in myself..that I could have done more or something. We came home and weighed her on our scale and it said she was clearly over 8 pounds...so we’re hoping there was a technical gliche at the office today. Plus a couple of her newborn outfits are getting a little snug...so there’s no way our little piggy is not gaining proper weight!

Estella's 1 week update

"I <3: mama's milk and sleeping on daddy's chest; I am 7# 11oz and 21 inches"
"I helped mama pass Part II ND Boards when I was in her belly! Good luck charm!"
(Sorry they are hard to read!)

Height/Weight:

21 inches

7 pounds 11 ounces

Size:

Newborn!

           

Favorites:

Food- BREASTMILK! 

Book- I’ve read “On the night you were born” to her and she loves it J Well that’s what I think at least!

Song- She loves when I sing “Jesus loves me” to her.

Toy- My boobs. Seriously. Haha

Non-toy toy- My boobs.

Time of day- Well all she does is sleep right now so every minute of the day seems like her favorite unless she’s hungry, tired, or DIRRTY

TV show- she doesn’t get to watch any yet!

Thing to giggle at- She loves laughing and smiling in her sleep!

Firsts/Milestones/Memories:

-She already holds her head up on her own! My strong baby girl!

-BLOWOUTS are very common! And I never thought I would think they were so cute! J

-FARTS are so adult like...LOUD! At one point, we (my mom and I) thought Ryan farted but it was Estella! Haha

-First doctor’s appointment on 9/27/2012 and her first day out with mommy & daddy!                         Boy was it....interesting.

-Estella had tons of hiccups in utero which I was always worried about but she still has TONS of hiccups now after nursing! They’re cute but I bet annoying for her.

-We had our first morning (Thurs 9/27/12) alone since my mom had to go back to Rockford earlier than planned and I was SCARED. But we managed. I fit a shower in, got ready, got our bags ready, and ate lunch all before Ryan came home to go to her first doctor’s visit! Accomplished!

 -Oh and YES...MY BABY IS MY GOOD LUCK CHARM! I passed Part I ND Boards with her 8 weeks pregnant in Feb (nauseous and everything) THEN recently PASSED PART II ND BOARDS with her 8 1/2 MONTHS PREGNANT! I am still in shock but I owe it all to her!

(BTW I found out by mail 4 days after she was born! Thank goodness I passed...I think I would have had a nervous breakdown! ha!)

How can I sum up our first week in one word? CHALLENGING.