The 7 am feeding

I woke up and laid awake in bed starting at 6:45. I heard Eden stirring from about 6:55 or so, and she really woke up around 7:10, so that's when I fed her. I think she took a pretty full feeding, though pretty sleepy, and dirtied two diapers during the process (every baby likes a clean canvas), and then she was awake with me and family, and then:

- 8:00 swaddle, finish a conversation with husband

- 8:05 to 8:10 sit down, holding Eden upright on chest and patting back softly

- 8:10 put Eden down awake 

- 8:20 Eden was sleeping! Miraculous! 

I think this morning nap is affected by three things:

- amount of sunlight coming in through window (she's sensitive to light)

- amount of wake time needs to be under and hour (she's tired in the morning!)

- (maybe?) cluster feeding th evening before somehow affects the morning

That's what I have to say about that so far. :)  if I do all these things, she kind of becomes a textbook baby. Otherwise, sensitive and quickly overtired. 

From "on demand" to Babywise

We nursed on demand for about 2-3 weeks (so hard!! Sometimes we nursed every hour and a half, which means only about 30 minutes breaks for us between eating sessions!). We started babywise scheduling, and we were off to a bumpy start. Now that we're coming up on week 4, were doing much better and sometimes baby gets a 2+hour nap I during the day and great sleep at night! It's still rather challenging to put baby down awake and have her fall asleep, but I do feel like we're making progress, especially for those morning naps. The last sleep of the day is the hardest. I think I need to do some more reading...

The best part this week has been that Moses has been at Nana and Grandpa's, so I've been able to really concentrate on Eden and get her into a groove. I'm so thankful! She's most eating every 2.5 to 3 hours and has done a few 4 hour stretches at night. 

She weighed 11 pounds at her appointment the day before yesterday! To the doctor who tried her nasty guilt and fear tactics to get us to supplement with formula, I think the appropriate respond is: BOO YAH. 

So, newborn clothes are packed away! At her weigh in last Friday, she was 10 lbs 4 oz, so she's gaining a lot of ounces each day. Babies are amazing. Even the 3 month clothes aren't really that big on her! I think she's growing out of those swaddling outfits too. Just as well, sometimes I think she hates them. Plus, I wonder if she's just too hot in them. #sweatybaby

our second hospital stay

our first hospital stay, of course, started the day Eden was born and ended the very next day. just about one month later, we had our second hospital stay (this time 48 hours). the morning of Friday, Nov 21st, i took Eden's temperature because she was feeling warmer than usual (she had been feeling rather warm for about a week). 100.4. the cut off for when it is an emergent situation for a newborn. so, i went to the pediatrician, and they sent me to the ER at CHOA Egleston, and they administered all the necessarily tests in a situation like ours. little baby Eden got a catheter to collect sterile urine, an IV to draw blood samples (and for the later antibiotics and fluids), and a lumbar puncture (the nice way to say spinal tap!). i wasn't prepared for any of this when i left for the pediatrician. i especially wasn't prepared to not leave the hospital again until Sunday evening. it was all such a shock.

when they examined baby girl, they found a rash all over but (of course) no fever. but they still had to move forward with everything in case she had some kind of bacterial infection that (in such little newborns) could quickly become a life-threatening condition. they administered serious antibiotics, and even anti-virals for a potential herpes simplex infection. i'm praying that all these interventions don't affect her long-term.

from the beginning, all the nurses and doctors reassured us that it probably was nothing more than a simple viral infection, and in the end, all her tests did come back negative (PTL!). it's too bad it was all for no real reason, but i thank God that we did go, because if it hadn't been nothing, we would have been wrecked. we already love that girl so much.

overall the hospital stay wasn't so bad. the first night was great, with excellent care. i think it actually the best night's sleep i've had since E was born (because i think i could really rest knowing that staff were watching over Eden). the second night E and i didn't get much sleep because of a grumpy nurse and a tech who CHANGED A SLEEPING NEWBORN'S DIAPER. E, of course, woke up screaming. that was probably the low point in the whole hospital stay, to be honest with you. so, not bad.

also, they give free food to nursing moms. so. that's cool.

Shut tight

For the first few days of life, you kept your precious little eyes shut tight. I think they were partially swollen that way, but you also just kept them closed. I wonder if it had to do with how I kept my own eyes shut during labor and delivery. Your big brother was the same way. Now that you're opening your eyes more, we can see your pretty face. You are precious and all I want to do is kiss your sweet face. 

Also, I'm not sure if this is residual from being slightly dehydrated last week, but you seem to be hungry all the time. Please, if possible, could you give me a little bit of rest, little one? Even you can't stay awake for all these feedings. Let's rest a bit. 

shane's mini-me

so, as it turns out, you look just like daddy! when you were born, you actually also snorted a whole lot like daddy, too. ;)

so far, you have been a perfect little baby. you are very smart and give great hunger cues, like rooting, sucking on your hands, smacking your lips, and turning your head (your big brother never did any of these things), which makes it feel like you're already communicating with me, which is lovely. you started to get pretty fussy yesterday, but i think it was really because my milk hadn't come in until tonight, and you were getting thirsty and hungry. i think things will get better from here on out, honestly. :) love you little girl.

eagerly awaiting your arrival~

we are at about t-minus 2 weeks until your official due date, Oct 21st. daddy will be finishing portfolio center on Friday, after which, I feel like we'll be really free to focus on your arrival.

Eden, in case I don't get to say it as we hurry through the newborn days, your name means delight. and you will always be my delight, now and always.

your middle name is Kylee, after your Aunt Kylee. she died during childbirth in 2010, and we still miss her a great deal. she was a remarkable woman, and I hope there will never be a shortage of stories about her told in our home.

as you wiggle and kick in my belly, I think of how beautiful you are. of how perfect. of how you and Moses will be friends for your whole lives. of how much we all love you already. your bassinet and crib are ready, your clothes are clean, our bags are packed. I can't wait to kiss your cheeks and smell your sweet head.