Hi there! Long time no see. My daughter
turned six months old last week! I cannot believe that the last time I blogged
was the week she was born. I used to think I knew what “time flies” meant, but
now I REALLY know.
I have so much to say, so many stories to
share. Hopefully I can get on a regular blogging schedule soon.No promises though.
I thought I would start off by sharing a
few pictures (a lot) of my baby from over the last six months.
First day home.
One day old.
10 days old.
Easter.
2nd smile caught!
First smile caught in a picture.
Unsure of this whole "bath time" thing.
1st bath that she enjoyed.
3 months old.
First time in a pool.
Looking pensive.
5 months old.
Sleeeeepy.
¬
6 months!
The joy of the first tooth!
For anonymity’s sake, I don’t want to use
her name on this blog, but I’m not sure what to call her. For now, I guess I’ll
call her little one (LO), which is a very common term to used by mommies on the
internet.
Hope you’re doing well!
Song of the Post:Ave
Maria as sung by Dolores O’Riordan (The Cranberries) and Luciano Pavarotti.
I don’t have time to write up our
birth story right now, but wanted to let everyone know that my little one is
here! She came right on time, on her due date. Only 5% of first time moms have
this happen.
She is gorgeous and big- 8.45
pounds (3.76 kilograms) and 21.25 inches (54 centimeters) long. Beautiful hair,
lighter than either of ours. Blue eyes- they’ll change, so we don’t know what
color they’ll actually be for a long while. This link has a nice explanation
of eye color in general.
I’m not sure how much time I’ll
have to update the blog in the next few weeks. I hope to get into a routine
with baby girl soon. Thanks for all the support!
Post-Pregnancy
Tracking Questions
How old is she: She is 1 week old (because I
couldn’t do a scheduled 40 week post as I was in labor!)
Size of Baby: Born 8.45 pounds (3.76
kilograms) and 21.25 inches (54 centimeters) long. She lost a little more than
she should have in the first 4 days, but is now catching up.
Sleep: I wake up every 1-4 hours,
depending on baby and my own sleep habits.
Maternity clothes: I fit back in my old, stretchy/elastic
clothes, but I had put most of my regular things away, so I’m still kinda
wearing the maternity stuff. No jeans yet.
Don't be fooled- I looked like crap 15 minutes before...
Tummy: I have no idea what size month to
compare my belly to. I was not expecting it to be so “jiggly” after. I did make
sure to buy a belly binder to wear- I hear that it does wonders.
Stretch marks: None have appeared after the
birth (which can happen!).
Wedding
Ring: Haven’t tried yet.
Things bought/given: We’ve had one friend drop by to
give us food and bring us extra nappies/diapers.
Best moments this week: Meeting my little girl. She is
perfect and innocent.
Worst moments this week: When baby was lying down and choking
on her spit up. She was flailing her arms and legs and I thought she was mad
about something and didn’t react right away. When I saw how distressed she was,
I immediately got her into a position so that she could spit it all up. Then
she pooped. I felt so bad and guilty- I was crying, she was; it was awful.
Still brings tears to my eyes to think about it.
Miss anything: Feeling her kicks in side my
tummy. But I can’t miss it too much, when I have her right here next to me!
Outings: Went to the store nearby for
craft supplies to do with/for her.
New Aches and Pains: Never knew how sore my body would
be after labor and stitches. I’m only now feeling like I could walk more than a
block.
Looking forward to: Our baby experiencing all her
firsts!
Worried about: How to keep her safe and healthy.
Song
of the Post:Danny’s Song as sung by Anne Murray. Then sentiment is lovely (even though its about a boy) and so appropriate to our situation/station in life.
Beware, there may be a little TMI
in this post (but not much). On Thursday, when we had our weekly midwife
appointment, I had my first cervical check ever. It wasn’t painful, maybe
because I used some relaxation techniques to get through it. She said I was
very soft, but not really dilated (but not closed up tight), she couldn’t
really judge effacement because she had no previous checks (of my cervix) to
compare it to and everyone is different. I spotted just a little afterwards. Hours
later, I started having some really low cramping below my belly and some major
back ache. It really didn’t have a consistency to it, and would ease up and
increase on its own. When I fell asleep, I was fine, but woke up 3-4 more times
feeling it again. I used more relaxation techniques and was able to fall back
asleep quickly, before the back ache had even gone away. The night’s sleep was
totally ruined though. On Friday, I found just a little bit of mucous from my
plug, but nothing gross looking (yet).
The midwife told hubby and me that
she would be the midwife on call after Monday; and we did a little happy dance
inside because she’s our favorite! I just gotta make it through the weekend (to
have her be the one to assist me in labor). But optimally for our schedule, I
wouldn’t go into labor until after hubby’s work on Thursday (he has a
conference he’s scheduled to present at that day).
But our little girl will of
course take he time and come when she’s ready to. Just like her momma...
“Your baby's waiting to greet the
world! She continues to build a layer of fat to help control her body
temperature after birth, but it's likely she already measures about 20 inches
and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini
watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers
of her skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath. She's probably able
to flex her limbs now. Her brain is still rapidly developing -- she's getting
smarter by the week! Her nails may extend past her fingertips.”
Pregnancy
Tracking Questions
How far along: 39 weeks.
Size of Baby: Weighs as much as a small
watermelon.
Sleep: I wake up every 2-3 hours to rotate
sides or go to the bathroom.
Maternity clothes: At home, prefer to wear a big
XXL stretchy peasant skirt. So much more comfortable than pants!
Stretch marks: None.
Wedding
Ring: Off.
Things bought/given: Nothing.
Worst moments this week: Feeling tired and sad
yesterday, Saturday. Change is hard for me. And when I’m physically not as my
best, it affects my mood. Which is why I worry about the continued/worsened
sleep I anticipate soon. The rainy, cloudy day that we woke up to didn’t help.
Best moments this week: Today, Sunday, when hubby and I
got into major nesting mode. We rearranged our bedroom and kitchen, and cleaned
a lot. We listened to music and worked well together.
Movement: She’s still moving regularly. Her
head is firmly in my pelvis and does not move around- it does put a lot of
pressure on my bladder through!
Miss anything: Being able to bend over easily
to pick things up.
Cravings: I really got it in my head that
I wanted boneless buffalo wings this week. The only place that I thought could
do them justice around here was Hooters. I was mistaken. We went there for lunch
today, and I was completely, utterly disappointed. I think what I really wanted
was Buffalo Wild Wings. Sigh.
Anything making you queasy or
sick: Nope.
Interesting observations: Ever since I hit 37 weeks, people
are always asking me when I’m due. I think it’s when I really obviously “dropped”
and looked way pregnant. It was funny to say yesterday “in a week” to someone and
watch their eyes widen.
Annoyances: Having a small house. A messy and
house full of things is not what I’d like to bring my baby home to. But this is
my life, so I must make the best of it.
Belly button in or out: In.
New Aches and Pains: Nothing new.
Braxton Hicks: Still nothing regular.
Looking forward to: Our baby, hopefully in the next
week!
Worried about: Breast feeding.
Song
of the Post:Come Rain or Come Shine as sung by B.B. King and
Eric Clapton. Unfortunately, there isn’t a performance of their duet, but
please take a listen anyways!
