Two: We think she's getting a bit of colic, as there have been several evenings in the last week or so that she has been fussy and crying even though she's full and clean. We've tried several things, such as bouncing, different seats (bouncy seat, swing, etc.), singing, talking to her, and holding her tummy side down. These will work for a few minutes, but in the end she either gets hungry and falls asleep nursing or we take her for a scenic tour of the town and she falls asleep in the car. This is a good excuse to go get frozen yogurt at the new place in town, but gas costs 7 million dollars a gallon, and it's hard not to notice when we're just haplessly wandering the town. So, we called the doctor today after an epic crying fest last night, and she recommended burping her more frequently during feedings and having her sit in her bouncy seat with the vibration on for a 1/2 hour or so after eating. She also okay-ed using Mylicon drops, which help with gas and tummy troubles. We're hoping these tricks help, because it's frustrating to hear her cry and cry and not have a solution for it!
Three: She is going to sleep in her own bedroom tonight for the first time. She will more than likely be fine and not notice the difference. Her mother might have an emotional breakdown. We are moving her for a few reasons: first, we want her to be used to sleeping in her room, on her own, before she knows the difference and it's a difficult transition; second, she's quite the grunter when she sleeps, and while she's sleeping just fine, her mother and father are about to lose their minds. I wake up several times a night hearing her and wondering "is she just grunting? is she hungry? is she awake? in pain? needs to poop?" and then I get up just to look at her and she if she's awake. Our pediatrician assured us that some babies just do this. Plus, several mothers who have their own little sleep-grunters have told us that when we move her to her room, we will sleep so much better and she won't know the difference.
Four: Now that my hormones are starting to even out (I think), I can reflect a little on what it's like to be a new mom.
- When the baby was first born, I was a slave to my emotions - and they were all over the place. There were several times when Ryan asked if I was okay, and tears would just start streaming down my face because I was tired and frustrated because nursing wasn't going well. I thought I was more emotional during pregnancy (and I was), but it in no way compared to how I felt after she was born. It wasn't all bad, though - the lows were combined with highs, and any time I looked at her sweet little face, I fell in love all over again.
- There are things (fussiness, wanting to be held and bounced for long periods of time) that won't bother you in the middle of the day; in the middle of the night, those same things will make you cry out of frustration. However, when the morning finally comes and she wakes up and makes those cute little wake-up faces, the frustration from the night before will melt away.
- Everything revolves around feeding and sleeping - and not your own. Logically, I knew this was the case, but until I really experienced it, I didn't comprehend just how much it really controls everything.
- I have a love/hate relationship with breastfeeding. I feel grateful that we have figured it out and it seems to be going well. We had a bit of a tough start because it took my milk longer than normal to come in (possibly due in part to having a c-section), which was very frustrating because I felt like I couldn't provide what she needed. With the help and advice of her pediatrician and my OB, we managed to increase my supply enough to satisfy her needs without having to supplement with formula. Now that we've got the hang of it, though, she has decided that she loooooves to eat and sometimes will go in spurts of eating every hour. This leaves me just enough time to go to the bathroom and eat myself before feeding her again, and it is exhausting. I feel like I'm practically chained to the couch or bed or wherever I'm feeding her,and I definitely don't get anything done. I do pump once on most days, so I am building up a back-up supply and we do give her bottles when we are out of the house, but for the most part, she is nursing exclusively.
- I question everything. Should I be holding her or should I put her down so she learns to sleep on her own? Should I be waiting to change her diaper for a little bit because there might be more where that came from? Should I be worried about ________? Am I selfish for wanting to just out of the house already or wishing that she took a bottle as well as she nurses so I could get some sleep at night? Is it too soon to book a hair appointment? Will she get sick if I take her to Kohls? Am I a terrible mother for taking her for a walk when it was windy and she cried because it got in her face?
- There are times when I feel like every conversation with my husband starts with him saying: "honey, I think she's hungry."
- I have not shaved my legs in weeks. It's a good thing it's winter. I do, however, manage to dry my hair on most days.
Five: Nora has finally hit the 8 pound mark (well - she was 7 lb 15 oz at her appointment on Tuesday, so I'm assuming based on her little piglet eating habits that she has gained at least an ounce), so she is big enough for the Baby Bjorn. I'm excited about this because it means I can have her close to me and still have my hands free to accomplish things.
Six: Every morning I ask her if today's the day she's going to smile at us "for real" - not those teaser smiles she makes while waking up. Those are pretty cute too, though, so they'll suffice for now.
Seven: All of the frustrations, changes, and sleeplessness in the world doesn't change the fact that I love (LOVE!) being a mommy. It's the best job in the world.
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| 1 month pictures |
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| Teaser smile |
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| How can you not love this face? So cute. |
You're doing great, Mama!
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