Awhile back, I offended a friend who does Matt's hair when I expressed I didn't like the style he gave him. Mostly I was giving him a hard time. I wasn't terribly upset as it is hair and will grow out and can be restyled. However, hair is said friend's life and he is rather emotional. After this disagreement, he unfriended me on Facebook. I let it go. Granted, I'm also at fault for not apologizing and really trying to make amends. Now this friend is in a relationship with my best friend. That's how we met in the first place. After this incident, BFF and I were still friends on FB. However, tonight I checked in on him to find that at some point, he had also unfriended me. Now, we both suck at staying in touch and whatnot, but when we do talk, it's like no time has passed, so I'm a little bit sad that we are apparently no longer friends. I guess that would explain why he never texted me back when I told him Henlie was born and wished him a happy birthday. (They now share a birthday.) It's a little sad to realize I have no close friends outside of family anymore. Although, family, I still love you :)
Yes, I know I haven't posted the birth story just yet - but as today is Henlie's one month birthday and I'm at the computer, I figured it would be more appropriate to write about that. Birth story is coming soon...promise!
Wow - one whole month has already gone by since we welcomed this little one into the world. This first month has gone by so fast! To think I only have one more before I have to go back to work! :(
This has been an interesting month, indeed. We've faced breastfeeding problems, colic from my poor girl being stuffed with gas bubbles, no sleep, and feeling trapped, along with new perspectives, outings, new routines, and new friends.
I love Facebook. I've been able to connect with other mommies and feel like I'm not so alone or crazy or different or whatever the case may be. Interestingly enough, most of these mommies are people I wouldn't have normally reached out to, mostly because we're really more of acquaintances than close friends. The connections are great :) For example, during nights Henlie just won't sleep, or not stay asleep for more than five minutes, I pull her into bed next to me and we end up co-sleeping for part of the night. Now I, for one, have no issues with the thought of co-sleeping. I hear it does good things for a baby to have that closeness (just like holding her for 20 hours a day does too, I'm sure :)), however, all the experts caution against it due to SIDS. Yes, co-sleeping is a lot more dangerous as more things can go wrong than if she is in her bassinet. Matt I don't think has ever been fond of the idea either. These things make me feel a little bad when she does co-sleep with me. However, today I posted on the Facebook that we did co-sleep as part of my celebration that Henlie slept through the night last night! woot! Point is, she sleeps longer (aka better) when she is either a) being held or b) co-sleeping. Anyway, I found a handful of mommies who told me they co-sleep too. How awesome is that? I also got some tips from other mommies to help Henlie actually sleep in her bassinet. (She does sleep in her bassinet too, just sometimes she really doesn't want to be in there - like last night. After feeding her at 9pm, 10pm, and then having her fuss again at 11pm, I was over trying to get her to sleep there. And then we slept til 7:30am hehehe)
I feel like we're sort of starting to get into a routine too, just in time for me to go back to work ;) I'm less worried about the clock regarding her eating and am feeding her more on demand. Granted, if she was hungry before 3 hours beforehand, I would still feed her :) We don't do "cry it out," not this early anyway, unless circumstances demand it (like being in the car). Henlie is seeming to get into a routine with how often she wants to eat, too. Although on occasion I do have to wake her up during the day to eat. At night, she can sleep all she wants, during the day - 3 hours tops between feedings :) However, I'm trying to make sure she goes at least 1.5 hours (preferrably 2 hours) between feedings. For awhile, she was eating every 45 minutes to an hour, and I don't think that was most effective for either of us. She was gassy and colicky - and I'm pretty sure she wasn't eating for long enough to get to the hind milk. She is doing better now though. Thank heavens. Colic is not our friend.
Other updates - breastfeeding. We had latch problems in the beginning, which left me broken and sore. I started using my nipple shield on both sides, although the right side wasn't too damaged. She can latch onto it better. However, now she is so used to the shield that she won't nurse without it. (Not that I offer her the left side without it. I remember the pain all too well.) She will, on occassion take the right side without, but she doesn't latch on for as long. Oh well, at least she is nursing and getting what she needs, and I'm not in constant pain. Win-win.
Trapped - those first few days home (okay, maybe first week or two), I felt like I couldn't go anywhere. Matt had the carseat base in his car, and I didn't even know how to put the carseat in my car, not to mention, I didn't know if my seatbelts were compatible (they are, as long as you use the locking clip. I don't want to learn how to use the locking clip :)) We were getting used to nursing. She was premature and I wasn't comfortable taking her lots of places. I was stuck. That coupled with Matt going back to work and school, breastfeeding problems, and baby blues made life difficult. However, the hormones are more in check, she's eating fine, and we're used to Matt being gone again :) Oh, and my darling husband put the base in my car, so I can just pop the carseat in and go! I am no longer stuck. I do, however, have to drive when we go places as a family, though :( (Matt used to always drive.) Henlie and I have even braved Walmart on our very own.
This first month has definitely changed my perspective on life. Matt will come home and I'll tell him about my day - and the highlights are usually pretty lame compared to what used to constitute a highlight. Most days, I don't even change out of my PJs. I feel I've had a productive day if I can get the animals fed before 10am. It's a plus if I get breakfast in by then too :) My life is pretty simple, and I feel like this is how it was meant to be. I try to clean and take care of some things, but she's still so little that it's hard. Example - today I had the huge success of gathering all of the garbages in the house (every single one was full....) and finagling the bags and boxes out to the dumpster while walking the dog. That right there is a highlight. I do so little that anything extra is a win, and wins make me happy - and then Matt tells me my life is sad lol.
I can't believe it has been a month already. She's so cute and a joy to have in our lives (most of the time :)) I'm trying to document things during this time so as not to forget them. I actually wrote in her baby book the other day (after I purchased the appropriate color of pen ;)). I'm a step ahead of my mother. I have some things in my baby book, but most of the blanks are still blank :).
I think her hair is getting a little longer. It's still strawberry blonde. I can't wait until it is long enough to see if it curls.
Her eyes are still dark blue.
Dr. Fullmer says she is filling out around the middle, and it seems her thighs are next on the list to fill out.
People have commented on her long fingers. Jackie will have to teach her piano one day :) (So don't move too far away forever!)
Matt used to say Henlie's ears were put on upside-down because the top was skinnier than the bottom; however, her ears are filling out as well. It makes me a little sad because they had fun little ruffle-like waves in the top that are getting stretched out :)
I love her upper lip. It comes to such a cute point in the middle. She also makes fun "oh" and "oo" faces :)
Her legs are so long, and she pushes against whatever she can find. I have to be careful laying her in my lap because she could push right off of me. I've also had to change the orientation that I change her in (we lay the changing pad down in the bassinet to change her), because she'll push her head right into the side of the bassinet.
She had a weight check at the doctor's yesterday, and she currently weighs 5 lbs. 8 oz. From two weeks ago (when she was 5 lbs. 1 oz.), she is gaining half an ounce per day.
Also two weeks ago, she'd grown to 19.25 inches. They didn't check her length again at the last appointment, but from my best measurement just taken, she is at 19.5 inches today.
Just today, I noticed she is making some new noises. This afternoon she started crying, and I had no idea why because it was a whole new cry I hadn't heard before.
She still gets hiccups quite a bit, and her little coughs and sneezes are so cute.
I'm a little scared, but oh so excited to see what new developments occur over the next month!
So I really started this yesterday . . . . but I believe Henlie needed to eat or something and I didn't get to finish.
Anyway, aside from being thankful I can end the meme for another year ;), Friday I was thankful for having a Disney Store back in the Orem Mall. You see, I ordered a stuffed Piglet online to use in Henlie's newborn photos (she snorts when she cries, and she reminds us of a little piglet....) Well, nothing ever showed up on the shipment tracking web page. However, Thursday, Nov. 29 was the last of the estimated arrival dates, and it still hadn't showed up. I emailed Disney, UPS, and called my local post office. PO checked and had nothing on their end either, indicating it probably didn't actually get shipped. So I found a phone number for Disney Store. Chick set it up to expedite another Piglet to hopefully be here by Saturday. Friday morning, I got an email saying the item was out of stock, so I called back because I didn't know if that was due to the fact the original didn't really ship or if the one she tried to expedite was not available. Option 2. I told them it was fine and I didn't want to replace it with something else. I also asked for a refund, which, in theory, has been processed on their end. I don't see it yet on my end, though :\ Anyway, fortunately we have a Disney Store in Orem again, and they had stuffed Piglets. Plus side? I was able to get the larger Piglet (which I am happier with than I think I would have been with the one I ordered originally) for the same price as the tiny Piglet. Woot.
Also awesome on Friday was free diapers. I found a group on Facebook for a Utah County diaper exchange - and someone in Orem (right by my work, actually) had extra preemie diapers. Score! These things are expensive - and she goes through so many!
Oh man, don't get me wrong, but I'm going to be thankful tomorrow that the month is over. Counting one's blessings is a great idea, but remembering to blog about it daily is hard :)
Yesterday.....I'm thankful Henlie had a better day yesterday. She was in pain and crying in the middle of the day, but less so at night. It's easier to handle when I'm awake and not wanting to be asleep :) Although, she did need to sleep with me the whole night. Tuesday night (so totally counts for Wednesday :)), Matt slept on the couch to try to get more sleep. It was sad to have him on the other end of the house, but nice for me as I didn't have to worry as much about trying to keep Henlie quiet. I also left the lamp on (makes diaper changes easier) for half of the night. And I could put Henlie in the middle of the bed, which made co-sleeping with her easier and more restful. Like I said, the day was much nicer for her. Also, by evening, I was tired and ended up napping. Matt was awesome in changing her while I napped between her feedings, even though he hadn't been feeling well.
Today, Matt stayed home from work, which worked well for me as I could pick out some yarn with my aunt while Matt watched the baby. I'm also thankful for Camile shooting me a text to check in :) AND I'm super thankful for online shopping, especially since I have a newborn. Christmas magically became mostly done. I'm also grateful for my cousin Holly, who helped me with gift ideas for her husband and sister-in-law. Buying cousin gifts is hard now that most of us are adults :) Lastly, while I'm not super happy the Piglet I ordered from Disney Store still hasn't arrived, I am grateful they are shipping another and expediting the shipping. She couldn't guaranty it would arrive on Saturday, but at least she did all in her power to attempt to get it here by then. I really wanted Piglet in Henlie's pictures we're doing Saturday.... keep your fingers crossed :)
Well, November is almost over - but I have good reason for being absent from the blog world. So here is a list of things I'm thankful for. I'll try to remember specifics for each day if possible, but at least I'll list out some blessings :)
3rd - Having a couple of days off of work to veg and prep. AND spending time with family at the final baby shower :) AND talking to Natalie - who was my doula as well :)
4th - Henlie :) there are more, but we'll go over those when I finally post her birth story
5th - Having the day off of work anyway so I had some time to give my boss notice I wasn't going to be at work :)
6th - Leaving the hospital AND my mother-in-law for helping carry all of our crap to the car AND Jason and Camile for letting us borrow their bassinet.
7th - Having Matt home with us.
8th - Mocha being just fine with the baby.
9th - Matt getting our bassinet put together.
10th - Matt being such a cute dad to our little girl (and yes, it is weird to think that I am saying that - not that he's a good dad, but that he *is* a dad and we *have* a little girl).
11th - Neighbors and friends who brought us meals - very tasty!
12th - Tender moments with Henlie, like seeing her interlock her fingers while she's eating.
13th - As mentioned previously, my smart phone and Camile :)
14th - Facebook and phones - both to chat and send texts and pictures on. My poor parents still haven't been up to see her yet.
15th - Henlie's many different expressions. So fun :)
16th - Awesome gifts you don't think of having - like the "swaddle pod" Lynell got us. It's awesome :)
17th - Scriptures - having not gone to church for a few weeks, scripture reading definitely helps put things in perspective and helps to keep that Spirit a little more easily than not reading them - even if it is about how to build the tabernacle and do sacrifices properly (ick).
18th - Adorable outfits for Henlie - although I can't remember where they all came from. Oh, and an outfit having pants that will actually stay up on her! Woot!
19th - Our pediatrician's office - okay, and him too :) - and Henlie getting some whole numbers on her measurements (in terms of her percentile). Her two week check was on the 19th. Although she wasn't quite back up to her birth weight, she weighed 5 lbs. 1 oz. (0.05%), height = 19.25 inches (9%), and head circumference = 13 inches (3%) AND seeing friends I don't see often and getting to catch up :)
20th - Having our very own house - even if Matt is already ready to move :)
21st - Matt taking the day off of work and getting to hang out with him :) AND spending time with family AND yummy dinner that Jason and Camile made AND adorable outfit they got her and Charlie so they can match :)
22nd - Thanksgiving! Getting to spend time with our families!
23rd - Not worrying about Black Friday at all :)
24th - Getting some errands done....okay, one of three, but we did *try* to get a replacement CO detector....
25th - More family time for Sunday dinner! AND new episode of Once Upon a Time. I was sad the Sunday before to rush home only to find they skipped that week :p
26th - Medicine that may or may not have helped Henlie feel better, but at least it gives me one more thing to try to help her when she isn't feeling well AND her calming down when Matt cuddled her, even though he got no sleep before his long day of work and school.
27th - Having a healthy 3 week old baby girl, even though today was her due date. AND my mother-in-law for coming over and holding Henlie so I could shower, feed the animals, and have some breakfast. If only my little girl could feel better now :(
I've done well with the thankful posts, no? :) In my defense, I was only two days behind when our little girl decided to make her appearance. I promise I'll make them up, but I wanted to express some gratitude for today. More will come when I'm not doing this from my phone.
Today, I'm super grateful for my sweet sister-in-law, Camile.
Henlie and I have been having issues with breastfeeding, and tonight I was trying to feed her without much luck. She has a hard time latching, and her latch isn't always good, which has already caused one nipple to crack.
Earlier today, Matt asked if I was doing okay with my new life, and I told him no. They weren't kidding about baby blues...just sayin'. Anyway, so Henlie and I had been fighting trying to get her latched. She was crying. I was crying. It was awful. Camile called, and I ignored it. I was in no state to talk to anyone. A little later, my doorbell rang, and there were Camile and Charlie. We visited and I tried to nurse some more. Henlie finally latched well and was able to eat, which was good because it'd been way too long since her last feeding.
Camile was sweet enough to make me some food since I hadn't had any lunch. Then she held Henlie so I could eat. Plus, it was really nice to just be able to chat, especially with another mom who went through all of this not that long ago.
That's really the main thing to be thankful for today, that, and my smart phone. I'd be ever so bored while nursing or just holding Henlie without it. Plus, that's how this post actually came to be! So thankful ... 13 is it now? ... are Camile and my smart phone :)
Yay for Monica getting me pictures! Here are some more pictures from the baby shower she hosted.
The banner got fixed :) Oh, and it says Baby Princess, in case you were wondering.
Me and Shelli - the cousin I didn't know I had :)
Carol - Shelli's mom
Lainee
Lainee got Henlie a cute little dragonfly clip.
Lexie got Henlie a purple crochet beanie - her color!
And look how cute the two go together :)
Kiera got her some little flower clips - and Lainee was all about photo bombing :)
Sabrina got her a cute little hooded towel and bath supplies.
Savannah got us an awesome first aid kit!
I included this one because I think Andressa and I look adorable :)
Andi got her some froggy bath toys :)
My sister, Makayla
got her a vinyl growth chart :)
Mom made her some blankets and got the cutest pink fuzzy coat. It has ears! :)
Monica and I with the big-a** box.
Unwrapping.....
A bathtub with some bath toys! I hadn't registered for a tub because I had no idea what to get, so I'm glad I got something from an experienced mom :)
Thanks again for hosting the shower, Monica! It was lots of fun, even though our visit was super short.
