My baby-girl? She slept through the night!
We went to bed at about 1130pm. Maddy slept until 7am. That means mom got over 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep!! I am feeling strangely rested... No, really. It's weird.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Month two letter
Dear Maddy,
Two months old. Already! And you have proven yourself to be a girl of extremes. Extremely awake one day, extremely sleepy the next. Extremely grumpy or extremely sweet and adorable. And there are no slow transitions between any of these states. I held you in my arms and you had just finished eating. You were smiling the largest smiles I had seen to date. But then? Then you stopped. You looked and me and your brow wrinkled. And then there was a meltdown! I have no clue why, nothing had changed. You were still warm and full and being held and being sung to. But you had decided now was the time to grump.
We have been spending the last month doing everything we can to prevent you from going into these grump states. And as soon as we think we have it figured out, you find another reason/cause and we're scrambling again. Too warm? Too cold? Blanket too soft? Scratchy? Are you hungry? Too full? Acid reflux? Hating breast milk? Hating the breast? Oh! Breast too full! Now the breast is not full enough? Want to suck, but not eat! This soother is the best, then that one. Diaper too tight? Diaper too wet? Omg diaper too DRY? Please, baby girl, make up your mind! They say the only constant about a child is the constant change. You, my Maddy-moo, fit that perfectly.
But I don't want you to think you are ALWAYS grumpy. Much of the time you are sweet and cooing and looking around and wiggling. And smiles! Oh we see so many smiles now! Again, it changes what makes you smile. But if the smallest thing causes a hint of a smile, be assured your father and I will do that thing over and over just to see your beautiful face light up. We sing the same songs over and over, make sounds or faces. Anything! But when you do grump? You do it extremely well.
This week we went to a bookstore, at the end of one of your marathon awake days. No matter what baba, dido or I did you refused to stay asleep for more than 30 minutes. You had slept for about 1.5 or 2 hours between 830am and 7pm. Yes, almost 12 hours! And at 7pm, while we were at the bookstore the biggest meltdown ever began. It started with you looking at the rows and rows of books. You were happy, you were cooing! You started to look agitated (your head goes from side to side when you're ramping up) but I had to run to the bathroom. I passed you on to dad, and went across the store. About half way across the very large Chapters, on my way back, I heard it. I heard you. I raced back and tried to help dad stop the meltdown. But you were off! Dad went to pay for the book, I tried to get you into the car while calming you too. We met at the car, you were buckled in and then? Then the meltdown went into high gear. You wailed all the way home. We knew you weren't in pain, that you were just upset. But you could not, would not, calm. We got home and held you and rocked you and walked you and fed you. For 3 hours you were upset. Then we put you into your bassinet, eyes open and looking around, head turning from side to side. But thankfully you calmed. You fell asleep from 1030pm until 530am. You had a feed, went back to sleep. Had another feed, went back to sleep... and slept the morning away. Extremely awake one day, extremely asleep the next.
What other things do I want to remember about your second month? The way you slowly and softly suckle when you are nearing the end of a feed. We can always tell if you want more if you are finished the bottle and still glugging away! And how often you eat. You are a natural grazer. Drink a bit, wait 30 minutes or an hour. Have a bit more. Which means you always seem to be eating. And rarely sleeping. Also, when you are starting to meltdown, your head is the telltale sign. Your head turns side to side in agitation and your cooing gets more frantic. That is when my stomach falls, knowing that something is upsetting you. Your head control is really coming together. When you're being burped on the shoulder you will often keep your head up and look around. When I lift you from laying down I only need a finger or two behind your head, you can hold it up almost by yourself now. And you love laying free! You, my love, are not a snuggler. You are happy to lay on your back with your little arms and legs flailing away. Every day we can see that you have more and more control over where those little legs and arms are going. You are also trying so hard to suck on your fingers. You are bringing your closed fist to your mouth and gumming away. Although you also just as quickly pull your hand away, which will upset you. And you are almost always (except the time noted above) a sweet little thing when we're out and about. You love looking at new things! This old house? Been there, seen that... but new stores or restaurants? You are enthralled.
But, Madeline, you are the most perfect and amazing thing in our lives. We love you to extremes (more extreme!) and every day those feelings are deeper. Happy 2 months, Madeline (aka Maddy, Maddy-moo, baby girl, fuss-a-saur, grumpus etc).
Love,
--mom
Two months old. Already! And you have proven yourself to be a girl of extremes. Extremely awake one day, extremely sleepy the next. Extremely grumpy or extremely sweet and adorable. And there are no slow transitions between any of these states. I held you in my arms and you had just finished eating. You were smiling the largest smiles I had seen to date. But then? Then you stopped. You looked and me and your brow wrinkled. And then there was a meltdown! I have no clue why, nothing had changed. You were still warm and full and being held and being sung to. But you had decided now was the time to grump.
We have been spending the last month doing everything we can to prevent you from going into these grump states. And as soon as we think we have it figured out, you find another reason/cause and we're scrambling again. Too warm? Too cold? Blanket too soft? Scratchy? Are you hungry? Too full? Acid reflux? Hating breast milk? Hating the breast? Oh! Breast too full! Now the breast is not full enough? Want to suck, but not eat! This soother is the best, then that one. Diaper too tight? Diaper too wet? Omg diaper too DRY? Please, baby girl, make up your mind! They say the only constant about a child is the constant change. You, my Maddy-moo, fit that perfectly.
But I don't want you to think you are ALWAYS grumpy. Much of the time you are sweet and cooing and looking around and wiggling. And smiles! Oh we see so many smiles now! Again, it changes what makes you smile. But if the smallest thing causes a hint of a smile, be assured your father and I will do that thing over and over just to see your beautiful face light up. We sing the same songs over and over, make sounds or faces. Anything! But when you do grump? You do it extremely well.
This week we went to a bookstore, at the end of one of your marathon awake days. No matter what baba, dido or I did you refused to stay asleep for more than 30 minutes. You had slept for about 1.5 or 2 hours between 830am and 7pm. Yes, almost 12 hours! And at 7pm, while we were at the bookstore the biggest meltdown ever began. It started with you looking at the rows and rows of books. You were happy, you were cooing! You started to look agitated (your head goes from side to side when you're ramping up) but I had to run to the bathroom. I passed you on to dad, and went across the store. About half way across the very large Chapters, on my way back, I heard it. I heard you. I raced back and tried to help dad stop the meltdown. But you were off! Dad went to pay for the book, I tried to get you into the car while calming you too. We met at the car, you were buckled in and then? Then the meltdown went into high gear. You wailed all the way home. We knew you weren't in pain, that you were just upset. But you could not, would not, calm. We got home and held you and rocked you and walked you and fed you. For 3 hours you were upset. Then we put you into your bassinet, eyes open and looking around, head turning from side to side. But thankfully you calmed. You fell asleep from 1030pm until 530am. You had a feed, went back to sleep. Had another feed, went back to sleep... and slept the morning away. Extremely awake one day, extremely asleep the next.
What other things do I want to remember about your second month? The way you slowly and softly suckle when you are nearing the end of a feed. We can always tell if you want more if you are finished the bottle and still glugging away! And how often you eat. You are a natural grazer. Drink a bit, wait 30 minutes or an hour. Have a bit more. Which means you always seem to be eating. And rarely sleeping. Also, when you are starting to meltdown, your head is the telltale sign. Your head turns side to side in agitation and your cooing gets more frantic. That is when my stomach falls, knowing that something is upsetting you. Your head control is really coming together. When you're being burped on the shoulder you will often keep your head up and look around. When I lift you from laying down I only need a finger or two behind your head, you can hold it up almost by yourself now. And you love laying free! You, my love, are not a snuggler. You are happy to lay on your back with your little arms and legs flailing away. Every day we can see that you have more and more control over where those little legs and arms are going. You are also trying so hard to suck on your fingers. You are bringing your closed fist to your mouth and gumming away. Although you also just as quickly pull your hand away, which will upset you. And you are almost always (except the time noted above) a sweet little thing when we're out and about. You love looking at new things! This old house? Been there, seen that... but new stores or restaurants? You are enthralled.
But, Madeline, you are the most perfect and amazing thing in our lives. We love you to extremes (more extreme!) and every day those feelings are deeper. Happy 2 months, Madeline (aka Maddy, Maddy-moo, baby girl, fuss-a-saur, grumpus etc).
Love,
--mom
Monday, March 22, 2010
Day 1 as a duo
Day 1, just Maddy and me.
I have been so lucky to have Neil home with me for almost the first 2 months of Maddy-hood. It has made the transition to mommy-hood so much easier. Neil and I had each other, to trade off duties. Today Neil starts his new job, one that sounds pretty awesome, and it's just me and my girl! We started the night off with a change in sleeping patterns, which resulted in an earlier than usual feed and an epic meltdown at 5am over pooing. Yes, my drama-queen lost it over a turd.
Another positive of Neil being at home for so long is that he understands. He knows how hard it is to be at home responsible for a child that is normally pretty calm and awesome but is capable of going from zero to sixty in three seconds flat, from calm to grump in an instant. So when he comes home from a long day at work he will understand why I am exhausted from just staying at home.
So far, all is good. She is sleeping peacefully in my arms, as I type one handed. She loves to lay on her back and kick and stretch, so I will use that to get house stuff done. My mom and dad have volunteered to come whenever needed, to help me out. And we are making plans to get out of the house almost daily, to get contacts and passports and doctors (more doctors...) and visit family/friends and other such errands. Just to break up the day a little.
And the boob issue has been resolved. I thought she was almost starting to self wean. Nope! I was just too full and milk was coming too fast. With the new pump we bought, I was able to return to normal amounts and we are still happily breastfeeding! I don't supply much, but it still is so important to me to be able to feed my girl some. Plus, this may be TMI, but it helps also loosen Maddy's poo which prevents the meltdowns over the thicker, formula only poos.
And as a special treat? A wee video of Maddy-moo (just ignore mom's voice *blush*)
I have been so lucky to have Neil home with me for almost the first 2 months of Maddy-hood. It has made the transition to mommy-hood so much easier. Neil and I had each other, to trade off duties. Today Neil starts his new job, one that sounds pretty awesome, and it's just me and my girl! We started the night off with a change in sleeping patterns, which resulted in an earlier than usual feed and an epic meltdown at 5am over pooing. Yes, my drama-queen lost it over a turd.
Another positive of Neil being at home for so long is that he understands. He knows how hard it is to be at home responsible for a child that is normally pretty calm and awesome but is capable of going from zero to sixty in three seconds flat, from calm to grump in an instant. So when he comes home from a long day at work he will understand why I am exhausted from just staying at home.
So far, all is good. She is sleeping peacefully in my arms, as I type one handed. She loves to lay on her back and kick and stretch, so I will use that to get house stuff done. My mom and dad have volunteered to come whenever needed, to help me out. And we are making plans to get out of the house almost daily, to get contacts and passports and doctors (more doctors...) and visit family/friends and other such errands. Just to break up the day a little.
And the boob issue has been resolved. I thought she was almost starting to self wean. Nope! I was just too full and milk was coming too fast. With the new pump we bought, I was able to return to normal amounts and we are still happily breastfeeding! I don't supply much, but it still is so important to me to be able to feed my girl some. Plus, this may be TMI, but it helps also loosen Maddy's poo which prevents the meltdowns over the thicker, formula only poos.
And as a special treat? A wee video of Maddy-moo (just ignore mom's voice *blush*)
Friday, March 19, 2010
Another week goes by
It's really frightening how fast time is flying. Every day is much the same. Wake, feed Maddy, change Maddy, entertain Maddy. Maddy sleeps? Do Maddy's laundry, wash Maddy's bottles, get Maddy's formula water ready. If there is time, clean the house, sometimes get the chance to hop on the computer before it's back to feed Maddy, change Maddy, entertain Maddy. And we have been having a wonderful time doing it all!
We have been enforcing quiet/nap time more stringently. And she really is a much calmer baby! Also, she is passed her 6 week growth spurt (and she spurted). She'll sometimes fight the nap, she has been getting better about it. Although her new thing to fight? The boob. While I am not making enough milk for her to exclusively breast feed, I still am trying to supplement the formula with some boob. The last day or so? Boob is just not interesting at ALL. But I am sure this is just another phase and soon she'll be back to liking mom-food.
Yesterday Neil, my dad and I went to a movie (Avatar), leaving Maddy at home with baba. They two girls had a great time, according to baba, but it was hard to leave her. In the middle of the movie I had to pee. It took everything I had not to call home, to check on Maddy. Although I had the cell in my pocket, just in case baba needed me for anything. As soon as the movie was over, the first thing I did (even before peeing again) was call home. Of course Maddy and baba were fine and all I did was interrupt Maddy being fed but... As nice as it is to have a short break from being a mom, it's even better to return home to my little girl and enjoy every second of her in this stage.
We have been enforcing quiet/nap time more stringently. And she really is a much calmer baby! Also, she is passed her 6 week growth spurt (and she spurted). She'll sometimes fight the nap, she has been getting better about it. Although her new thing to fight? The boob. While I am not making enough milk for her to exclusively breast feed, I still am trying to supplement the formula with some boob. The last day or so? Boob is just not interesting at ALL. But I am sure this is just another phase and soon she'll be back to liking mom-food.
Yesterday Neil, my dad and I went to a movie (Avatar), leaving Maddy at home with baba. They two girls had a great time, according to baba, but it was hard to leave her. In the middle of the movie I had to pee. It took everything I had not to call home, to check on Maddy. Although I had the cell in my pocket, just in case baba needed me for anything. As soon as the movie was over, the first thing I did (even before peeing again) was call home. Of course Maddy and baba were fine and all I did was interrupt Maddy being fed but... As nice as it is to have a short break from being a mom, it's even better to return home to my little girl and enjoy every second of her in this stage.
Monday, March 15, 2010
She knows me!
Today I had to go to the optometrist, for my check-up. My eyes? They are a bit worse... but that is to be expected since they are tired (like the rest of me is). I was gone about 2 hours, with the appointment, banking and an errand. When I came home I came to my little girl, said hello and grabbed her to hold her. She looked over at me, and her face lit up and she smiled the biggest smile I have seen yet! She knows me! She was happy to see her mom. It brought tears to my eyes, to see the joy in my daughter's face to see my face... Damn, being a mom rocks.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Open House success!
The open house was wonderful. Much food, many friends, and a very sweet little Madeline! There were many pics taken - but I forgot to ask people if they were ok with me putting their pics on the blog... so here is the diaper cake that was made for me by Joc - isn't it gorgeous? It's still sitting in the living room, I can't bring myself to disassemble it yet!
The house is cleaned up, the dishes washed and the family is hanging out on the couch (including the dogs) and watching TV. What a perfect way to end a wonderful day and weekend!
The house is cleaned up, the dishes washed and the family is hanging out on the couch (including the dogs) and watching TV. What a perfect way to end a wonderful day and weekend!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
How have we been?
We have been good! I think we may have finally figured out what was causing Maddy's manic fussing... she was overtired. I (in my naivety) thought that she'd fall asleep when she needed it. Nope, not my little one. Just like mom, she has a hard time settling in to sleep. So she'd be up for way too many hours in a row and get overtired. So the little things, like gas, would set her off in a spectacular way. The last few days we have been enforcing nap time more rigidly and we have a much happier baby in our home! Even though she's also in a growth spurt and cluster feeding like a champ. Although we still can get grumpy-baby, once in awhile. When we do? It looks something like this:
It's hard to believe 6 weeks have passed already. Maddy has her SIN, her RESP set up, she has benefits and an Alberta Health Care number. Her CCTB has been applied for. Twice. The first time mom MAY have forgotten to get dad to sign. Oops. Much like the birth certificate fiasco (where, at the hospital I gave my maiden name as one of my given names...) a person who is sleep deprived should NOT be responsible for official documentation. *grin* She's now officially in 3 month clothes even though the only part of her that is way larger than average is her head.
She loves looking out the window as we change her. In fact, she loves looking around at anything! Which is maybe why naps are so hard to enforce. She is cooing and grunting and talking up a storm. Last night, after her 3am feed, I was trying to lull her back to sleep as she was fighting it. Her little face was scrunched up and she was struggling to stay awake. In her struggles I could swear she said "ANG-REEE". I know that is not possible that she knew what she was saying, but in the middle of the night? I was almost convinced we had our first word. Almost.
Final picture, little Maddy fighting the sleep. Her eyes rolled back into her head as she struggles to keep them open (aka Demon Eyes). And yes, I even called them that to the Healthy Beginnings nurses. *grin*
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