Needles are Not So Bad

Today baby had her 2 month well baby visit. Which is funny because she was well when she went in but not too happy when we left. She had her shots today! 3 of them, in the thighs. I've heard horror stories of babies getting thier shots - I wasn't sure what to expect. But baby did really well! She cried and was upset but calmed down and has been sleepy today. Otherwise, I can't complain because it was a great checkup.

The rundown:

*11 pounds, 11 ounces. That's in the 75th percentile. She was 8 pounds, 13 ounces at her 6 week appt so the doctor was very pleased. This also means I am successful breastfeeding. Woo hoo! What a great feeling.

*24 inches long. This is very long and in the 90th percentile! Dh asked if that meant she'd be tall - Dr. M said it's too early to tell, but maybe. Sweet. That also means her long torso will out grow all of her cute onesies very fast.

*I had a whole list of questions, which of course, I left at home. So I pretty much asked everything that came to mind. Sunscreen? Sure, we can use it now as needed. Bowlegged legs? Normal. Being rocked or swinging to sleep? Time to start trying out putting her down sleepy, but we're not spoiling her (yet) with letting her swing to sleep. Again, sweet.

She's been sleepy today but doing well and I'm surprised. I have to say that leaving the doctor's office today I felt proud and that I can really do this - it's a great feeling! Through all the tough times with a newborn, it was great to finally feel like I know what I'm doing afterall.

The First 8 Weeks

Holy crap, I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted! Wow! The time is flying by. Things are going MUCH better now. Honestly, the first 2 weeks and then some are a total blur and I can't believe it's only been a month or so since then. What a roller coaster parenthood is.

But I'm loving it! Baby K is 8 weeks old now. She is just the cutest thing ever! Of course I'm sure every parent thinks that but it's true. Ha. We're still getting into a routine - which how much of a routine can we have at this point anyway?!?!- but each week is better. She's a superstar sleeper and sleeps 4-6 hour strechs at night. She's an all around happy baby, not too fussy (knock on wood!) and pretty easy to entertain right now. I am so, so lucky.

We have her 2 month appt at the pediatrician office on Tuesday. I have a huge list of questions, which I can't wait to ask, and she's going to get her first round of shots. Eeeks. I hear it's terrible so I'm bracing myself but I'm sure once she cries, I'll cry too. But we will survive.

I had my 6 week postpartum appt. It was uneventful. I got the all clear to resume my 'pre-pregnancy activities', work and otherwise (wink, wink). Ironically, two days after my appt, I got my period. It's weird because as you all know, I'm breastfeeding - and I'm on the pill. Go figure. I actually called on Thursday to find out what the deal was since my breastfeeding sherpa friends all said they didn't get a period until after weaning, so I'm wondering what's up. But the nurse never called me back....SIGH.

And, now the boobie update. I'm happy to report that breastfeeding is going very well. I'm really happy with it and I'm pretty proud of myself. Pumping, however, sucks and I hate it. I try to pump once a day when I'm not at work. I manage to pump every 3-4 hours when I am at work and it's such a pain - pumping in the car sucks too. But it's necessary so I do it, although my goal is 6 months of breastfeeding and I'm 1/3 of the way there. Yipeeeee for that.

I have joined the new mommy's group and it's one of the BEST things ever to happen to me. It's very weird at first - like a therapy group but everyone's got a kid. We went back the second week and made new friends. And now it's awesome. I feel like I belong there and everyone's really nice, which is great. I'm pleasantly surprised. We also have started going to story hour at the library once a week which was another pleasant surprise. Me with a baby. In a Mommy group. And at story hour.

It's all still surreal.

Surviving W Day

My short lived maternity leave is over. I went back to work on Friday.
It was pure hell but I survived!! Yey me.

First off, I only work part-time and I'm away from baby Friday through Sunday. I have a screwy work schedule though. I travel around, so I'm not in the same place for more than 2 days in a row. I have an unpredictable work day so I never know how many hours I'll be gone. I have to drive anywhere from 20-90 miles each way to work.

But the good news is that I have family to watch the baby. I'm very thankful for that.

I was anxious for W Day (work day). My milk stock was small - I only had enough milk frozen for two feedings and fresh milk for 4 feedings. But I had no idea how much she'd drink since she doesn't usually get a bottle! So I was ready to supplement with formula as needed. I also needed to pump while I was gone, which I hoped to do every 4 hours or so.

But it all worked out. It was really hard. I had to drive 90 miles each way to work, in the rain. I had to pump in the car which is just comical! I found a nice big open parking lot to pump in which was private. Except for my first morning pumping session and the employees who worked nearby all parked near me. By then, I'd lost some of my modesty and while pumping in my non-tinted window car, I just covered what I could and avoided eye contact.

It was like the first day of school - leaving the baby was a little hard but I know it's good for me to get out too. And back to work. Now that I've gotten through the first weekend, I think it's still going to be hard but at least I know what to expect and I know that I can do it. Baby ended up getting only a small amount of formula and mostly my milk. And I was able to freeze what I pumped so I now have a small freezer stash.

Oh, I had a blocked duct - OUCH!! We got the okay from the pediatrician to let the baby sleep for as long as she wants at night - thank goodness!! She took full advantage and slept from 11pm to 5am the first night. Good for baby, bad for mommy's milk ducts. The plug has since gotten better but it's still sore.

She's doing so well with the sleeping (knock on wood!) She's going from 5-6 hours at night. Yey.

Otherwise, things are going well. I'm just really happy to be feeling more "normal" again and like a person, rather than a zombie who doesn't leave the house. It's a good feeling and I really like being a mom.

Tomorrow we're going to a mommy/baby class....wish us luck!