Layla’s First Week (or so) May 31, 2010

It’s been about a week and a half now since Layla was born.  She has been a little doll.  She eats really well and really only cries when she is hungry or if her belly hurts (in which case the cry ends after a burp or other such relief).  I wonder if she has been having a little growth spurt the last couple of days as particularly in the evenings she seems to eat for hours on end with little breaks here and there.  She sleeps all the time.  She has more wakeful periods every day, but I think she is only awake a total of about two hours per day. 

So far we have been really lucky with her at night, as she is sleeping well and gets up every 2 – 3 hours to eat (that’s from the start of one feeding to the start of the next).  Her feedings last 45 min to 1 hour at night, including changing her diaper which inevitably wakes her up enough to want to eat some more.  There has only been one night when she decided to wake up right before we were going to bed, and then was awake for a couple of hours (which meant I was awake for a couple of hours).  But the vast majority of the time so far she is going straight down after feeding and allows me to get a couple of hours of sleep before the next one (except for last night where she was up every 2 hours, so I was only getting one hour of sleep between feedings). 

Speaking of feeding, a little off-topic but something I didn’t want to forget was how long Layla fed right after she was born!  With breastfed babies there’s always the big question of how well they will latch on in the beginning.  I didn’t get to feed her until about an hour after she was born.  First they did their tests and all the different things they do to babies right after they are born (and in the meantime they were taking care of me and all the things they do to mommies right after the baby is born).  So once I finally got her back I was able to get her to latch on pretty quickly.  The nurse came over a few minutes after she was already eating, intending to help me and not realizing she’d been latched on for a while (she was impressed – well done, Layla!).  Those first few feedings were so sweet because I almost felt sorry for Layla as she used her instincts to try to get to her food but wasn’t always quite able to get there – either not opening wide enough, not going in the right direction, getting her hands in the way, etc.  So sweet.  Anyway, I hadn’t eaten anything since about 8:00 the previous evening, and by about 5 am, deep into labor, I was starving.  They wouldn’t let me have anything to eat, and there was a good half hour to an hour where I would have given anything for one little cereal bar.  So I imagine Layla was famished by the time she finally got to eat, and she breastfed for over an hour in that first session!  I had to switch sides three times as she just kept going!  If that first session and the following week and a half are anything to go by, we are going to have another good eater on our hands.

In the hospital they gave us 2 swaddle sleep sacks.  We had used these with Hayden and he had responded really well to them, but we must have gotten them when he was a bit older as the ones we have are too big for Layla.  The ones they gave us at the hospital are newborn size, so I washed them once we got home and as soon as we started using those at night she has just slept so well.  At the hospital she would not sleep well in her basinett, even if she was swaddled in a receiving blanket.  I would lay her down so we could both sleep at night and she would cry after about 5 minutes.  When I picked her up she was fine and didn’t necessarily need to eat.  The postpartum ward was not very busy while we were there, and both nights the nurse had come in during the middle of the night and had seen me sitting up in the dark trying to sleep, holding a sleeping Layla on the Boppy pillow.  This was the only way I could get her to sleep in the hospital, and both nights the nurses asked if they could take her to the nursery and rock her until she was hungry so I could get some proper sleep.  I decided to go that route because I wondered if I would ever get any sleep again once we came home and I didn’t have a nurse to rock her while I slept, but she has done a great job since we got home and I think it’s thanks to the swaddle sleep sacks.

The last thing of note is that her umbilical cord fell off this morning.  I seem to remember Hayden had his for a couple of weeks or more; hers definitely seems to have come off faster.  Whenever Hayden sees me changing her diaper and comes to see what’s going on he would ask what was on her belly, so I think he will be glad that it’s gone!

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All better February 25, 2008

Well, after a couple of weeks of being sick with my first illness, I am finally feeling all better.  My cough is gone, I don’t have to be nebulized anymore, and I am back to my old self.  Although, I did tell Mommy Happy Valentine’s Day in my own special way – by projectile vomiting all over her.  I am not really sure where it came from, I was just talking to her a bit while we were rocking and all of the sudden it all came up (and out!).  I used to show my love by peeing on people when I was very first born, but I’ve decided that in 2008 the best way to show I care is by vomiting on the ones I love.

I went back to day care last week after being home for two weeks.  I had three good days there.  I seem to be starting to be better about my naps now.  I am sleeping in my crib for pretty long stretches of time at day care (around an hour, sometimes a lot more), and even Mommy can put me to sleep successfully for naps most days.

Mommy is trying to wean me now.  She said that since I have teeth now (which I have been known to use on her – I think I am so funny!) and I am six months and eating more and more solids that it is time to start weaning.  So we are dropping one breast feeding per week, which is replaced by a bottle feeding.  It is going averagely well.  I’m not in love with the bottle, that’s for sure.  But I don’t flat out refuse it which is good.  I can usually take about 5 ounces over a period of an hour – a lot of starting and stopping in that hour.  Mommy is slowly introducing me to formula by giving me thawed breastmilk that was expressed and adding one or two parts formula.

Scotty October 10, 2007

Scotty’s been and somehow he managed to leave without being pooped on or peed on.  Scott was thrilled to be here as he finally found someone smaller than him!! haha.  Sorry Scotty!!!  In fact it was great to have Scotty here.  A great excuse to great drunk, play some golf and go to another Colts game!  It reminds you how much it sucks not to have your friends around and accessible.

Hayden is still going through his fussy period, but he is also learning to sleep for longer periods.  We are trying to get into a routine of going to bed early and sleeping through the night.  He still likes to get up to feed but he is definitely sleeping for longer periods which is all good for his mum and dad!!

We were just driving home from a restaurant where he was crying his little lungs out and we realised he liked turns so we snaked our way through the neighbourhood with sharp turns and he loved it.  I think his future is sorted.  Racing car driver and he is growing up in the right city to make that happen!!   Lewis Hamilton watch your tail!  (Well he would probably race Indy Car or Nascar but I can’t name any of those red necks :))

home alone September 30, 2007

Not only is that the title of my favourite movie in the world, but also it’s the story of my week.  I’ve had Hayden to myself for two nights this week and most of Saturday.  I called it babysitting, Kara corrected me that it’s actually called parenting :).

I was a little worried because he comes across as a bit of a mummy’s boy, and he cries and cries when I hold him, give him to Kara and silence!  Kara thinks it’s the boobs.  Like father like son then…  Anyway back on track, I found it so much easier to take care of him when I was on my own for a couple of reasons.  Firstly you are the only one.  So failure is not an option, you’ve got to do something otherwise he’s going to cry and cry and scare the cats.  Secondly, you’re not being watched, you can try lots of techniques to entertain him and keep him quiet, if it doesn’t work there is no one to laugh at you!!

So things actually went pretty well.  It’s hard to get him to sleep in the evenings as he fights it so hard, but as long as you’ve got a bottle of milk you can basically get through anything!   We danced around to various music, he particularly liked Kasabian and Kaiser Chiefs so he has good music taste which is very important for any son of mine!  We watched baseball, football and American football, Hayden liked them all of course, and asked me if we could watch more.

Going back to the sleep thing.  It is really a challenge to get to sleep.  I was sweating and my legs were killing by the time I got him to sleep on Friday night!!  Friday nights are very different these days!  Anyway better finish this blog now or will be as long as one of Kara’s… O:-)  Just kidding honey! 🙂

Hayden is growing up September 26, 2007

Last night Hayden only woke up twice for feedings and went about four hours from the start of one feeding to the start of the next.  This was like a holiday for me, because the most he has done before was three hours from the start of one to the start of the other, and depending on the length of the feedings that leaves about one to one and a half hours of sleep at a time.  I hope this is the start of more restful nights for both of us!

As John mentioned, Nanny Mad left yesterday.  We were all very sad to see her go.  It was a really good visit.  There were a few incidents that were quite funny — the funniest one being when Hayden had a diaper blow-out that went up his back, out his diaper, and onto Nanny Mad’s white trousers!  It took a couple of moments for us to realize it had gone on her.  We all heard a big noise, then she was saying how warm his bottom was, then I saw the spillage.  No wonder her lap was so warm!  We laughed about that one for a long time.  It’s a good thing she has such a good sense of humor!

Rich and Anita were also in town last week for work, so we got to spend some time with them.  In fact, Anita took Thursday off to spend the day with us which was really nice.  It was so great to see them, and we’re really glad they got to meet Hayden.  Rich even got to feed Hayden!

Other notable events of late: Jude caught a baby mole and Lucy caught a squirrel.  Madeline and Deirdre were really sad about the squirrel, but John and I didn’t really feel sorry for it.  The squirrels around here completely taunt the pets.  Seriously, they ask for it.  Trust me, I’m a vegetarian.  I wouldn’t take the side of the hunter, except for the fact that I have spent many hours over the course of our beautiful and dry summer watching the squirrels interact with the dogs (including Macy) and cats.  The squirrels beg of them: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!

Daddy feeds me August 27, 2007

Friday I turned 3 weeks old, and Mommy and Daddy decided it was time for me to try a bottle.  Doctors, lactation consultants, and books had told them they had to wait until about this time so I don’t get nipple confusion.  So Mommy pumped some milk and Daddy gave it to me in a bottle later.  It was the greatest!  I love it when my daddy feeds me.  I didn’t have any problems with the bottle or when I went back to Mommy for food.  I just like my food I guess!  They also started letting me have a pacifier (Daddy calls it a ‘dummy’ – he has some funny words for things!  Nappies for diapers, cot for crib, pram for stroller – where does he come up with this stuff! 😉 ) sometimes, as like all babies I find comfort in sucking.  (Not unlike the Bears — oh yeah, high five!)

Last week my parents’ friends Sunil and David came to visit me.  I got in cahoots with Lucy and we did the ol’ one-two on David.  He was cradling me, and I got hungry and started rooting around.  I was level with where I figured his breast must be so I opened wide and started nestling in.  Everyone thought it was hilarious, but I was just trying to be resourceful.  Then as I was distracting everyone with my own version of ‘nipple confusion,’ Lucy came up to him and stuck her nose up the side of his shorts.  She really got right on  up there.  Between fits of laughter my mommy told her to go for his wallet.  We make quite the little comedy duo, my dog and me. 🙂

Two weeks already! August 19, 2007

Hayden had his two week doctor appointment on Friday.  By two weeks they hope that babies have regained their birth weight.  Hayden was 7 lbs 4 oz when he was born.  At his two week check up he was 8 lbs 8 oz!!  He’s such an overachiever!  His length was 21 3/4 inches.  That makes him 50th percentile in weight and 75th percentile in length.

He hit a milestone on Thursday night as we were getting ready for bed — his umbilical cord fell off!  So Friday he was able to have his first proper bath instead of a sponge bath.  He was pretty tolerant, although I would be going too far if I said he liked it.  He did like the nice warm towel that Helen and Wyn got him, though!  He was all snuggled up in that for quite a while afterwards, as his reward for being so good. 🙂

My recovery is coming right along.  I stopped taking my pain medicine on Wednesday, which means hopefully someday soon I can start driving again.  I’m not supposed to drive until I’m off the pain meds and I can stomp my foot hard on the ground (to signify that I could brake suddenly without problems).  I have not gotten up the nerve yet to stomp my foot, as even though I don’t need pain medicine anymore things are still a little tender.  I’m trying to get out and take walks when it’s not too hot and humid, and that is really nice.  Hayden comes along in his stroller and when John comes with us we usually have Lucy in tow (I can’t take Lucy on my own yet because I can’t correct her if she pulls just yet).

John has been a really great daddy, and seems to really be enjoying it as you might tell from his blogs and all the photos! 🙂  He does a great job of soothing Hayden, and he’s an expert swaddler!  I have the edge on soothing I think because I have the magic food, which is the most efficient way to calm him.  Even when he’s not really hungry he gets comfort from the sucking.  But John gets right in there and uses the tools in his disposal — bouncing him, rocking him, singing to him, changing him, etc.  Speaking of changing him, we have a rule that when we hear that he is dirtying his diaper whoever is touching him or touched him last has to change him.  I think I started that, which was unwise looking back because John used to take a lot of the diaper duty whenever he was home (since I obviously do it while he’s at work), but now I find I am doing a lot of the changing because he dirties a lot of diapers while he’s eating!  I think the boys are ganging up on me!

My little boy is growing August 14, 2007

Hayden is now about a week and a half old, and already his face is starting to change.  He’s filling out a little around his chin and jaw.  John, Hayden, Lucy and I went on a walk last night (oh, and Abbey too – she was trailing us pretty much the whole time) and I mentioned to John that I thought Hayden’s face was already changing.  He was sleeping and we could only see his profile when I made the comment, so John couldn’t see it.  But when we went inside and he was holding him he could see what I meant.  I know there are lots of great times to come as he grows, but I can hardly bear the thought that he’s getting bigger already!  I want all those great things to happen, but at the same time I want him to always be this age and size.

Yesterday was our first day home without Daddy.  He was gone for 1/2 day last week but my mom was here with us and it was just a 1/2 day, so that doesn’t really count.  We miss having Daddy here.  But we’re getting some rough semblance of a routine started, as best we can considering Hayden sleeps most of the day and his eating routine is demand-driven.  Speaking of his eating, I have a book on breastfeeding that I have been diving into, and it says babies range from the all business types who pause little throughout feedings and get the job done in 10 minutes or so to the ‘dawdlers’ who may take up to 45 minutes for a feed.  Hayden is definitely a dawdler.  He’ll eat with a gusto for a few minutes, then he’ll fall asleep and take a few gulps here and there with big, snoozy pauses in between.  No amount of fussing with him, talking to him, even getting him undressed down to his diaper, seems to make much of a difference.  Sometimes I’ll stroke his cheek with my finger and say ‘Haaaayden’ and he’ll just get this big grin while still asleep but usually doesn’t prompt him to carry on eating.  I’ve already learned that even though he has slowed down in his feedings, it doesn’t mean he’s done.  He doesn’t do well with ‘top ups’ where I feed him until he starts taking his biiiig pauses and then I close up shop.  That just means he’ll start fussing a few minutes later because he’s still hungry.

He’s been pretty good in the night the past few nights, though.  It seems he takes a little while to really go down.  I give him his last feed upstairs, and he really draws that out by falling asleep a lot.  I’ll change him and he’ll wake up enough to want more.  Then I’ll put him down in his bassinet and the last few nights he will fuss a little and seem to want more food.  We’ve had good results with swaddling, though, so we get him good and wrapped up and once he finally does fall asleep he stays asleep for about 3 hours.  After that middle of the night feeding he tends to go straight back to sleep again (of course, that’s after 40 minutes or so of snoozy nursing!).  So it’s really not too bad.  But thank goodness I can take a nap or two during the day, because for me it really only adds up to two sleep sessions of 2 – 3 hours each.  I guess that’s not too bad for a newborn, but for me that’s not enough!  So during the day Hayden and I have a little nap together on the couch, which is the absolute best.  He’ll lay on my chest and we crash together while cuddling.  It’s one of my favorite things ever.

Milk Chin

One nickname that Kara has always thrown at me is “Milk Chin”. If you’ve ever seen me eat a bowl of cereal you would understand why. I can cereal quicker than anyone I know by a considerable margin, but in the result I usually manage to get milk all over my chin!

Well I’m very proud to announce that I have created a heir to the throne!!! Hayden is the new ‘Milk Chin!’ This kid is one messy eater! He dribbles every time his mummy feeds him!!! haha! Thanks Hayden!

First Thoughts On My Mum! August 8, 2007

My mum is the best vending machine in the world!!  Whenever I’m hungry i just make a gurgle and she feeds me.  It’s great :).  I seem to fall asleep before I finish though!!

She likes to cuddle me lots and i really like that.  It’s so easy to fall asleep on her chest.  I like sleeping lots (except at night when i like to wake Mummy and Daddy and see how many times I can make them change my nappy!)

My mum is the best.