My baby girl is changing so quickly. For the first time I feel like she has been in our lives forever. I also think Alexa's view on her sister has changed. I believe she now considers her just as important as Justin and I in her world. It's hard for me to explain. Something with their interaction has recently changed and I love it. Alexa now soothes Addison without being asked to help. She thinks about what her sister may want to do (or not do) and includes her in her plans. I just love it! I know they are very early in their relationship as sisters but I think we are off to a good start. Alexa has also tried picking up her sister on her own a few times. Alexa's intentions a really good but it is scary. Addison weighs around 9 lbs & Alexa is 26 lbs. There is little chance Alexa could pick up 9 lbs and less of a chance she could carry a baby safely. We are just going to have to keep a closer eye on them.
Parenting/Mothering a newborn is much harder than I remember. I feel like I am at a disadvantage having a second child. Everything I learned with Alexa goes out the window. I am having to figure out if what I know is true to all babies or rather it was just what worked with Alexa. Alexa liked to lay on the floor and she would fall asleep. Addison wants to be held and rocked. Alexa liked to eat once and be done for hours. Addison would prefer to on demand nurse all day long. My girls have very different personalities, looks and habits. The one thing they have in common is how quickly they captured my heart. With both girls every day brings new things I fall in love with. They are both my whole world & I feel truly blessed to be their mother.
Addison still sleeps swaddled, eats when she wants (except at night she eats every 4 hours), giggles in her sleep and HATES dirty diapers. The first 7 weeks have been great. We have 3 more weeks home together before we slowly go into our new normal. These are the best days. :)
Friday, September 20, 2013
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
One Month Old
Addison and I are having so much fun being home together. I absolutely love being able to take my time getting up, taking walks with my girls and enjoying endless giggles. They are truly the greatest girls ever. Addison is VERY alert. When she is awake she enjoys sitting in my lap and staring at me. Of course she wants me talking and playing right back to her. She is going to keep me busy.
We had our first trip to Ohio this week. The trip started out rough. We had lots of traffic, had to drop Justin's car off at the airport and 2 upset little girls. Once we finally got going things were much more relaxed. We made it about half way before stopping for the night. Alexa and Justin shared a bed & Addison and I shared another. It was challenging having all four of us in one room. On Friday we made it to Ohio. We saw Dad, Beth, Megan, Matthew, met baby Kate, Grandma & Grandpa and Aunt Maggie. I love the initial excitement of seeing family & of course showing off my new little girl. Saturday we were able to see everyone again & Donna and David arrived in town. Justin spent the evening making Alexa's birthday cake.
Sunday was Alexa's third birthday party. She choose Sophia the First as her theme. I have to say I was very excited about it. She is one beautiful princess. She was caught sneaking cake & even ate some of her candle. Addison was dressed up as Cinderella. We had Alexa's slideshow playing & everyone seemed to have a good time. Alexa got lots of Sophia toys, books, super cute clothes & much more. She is one spoiled little girl.
On Monday we had Beth's birthday party. Alexa and Matthew had a great time playing. Addison spent the day getting spoiled by Great Grandma & Grandpa. Justin had to fly home so he could work. It was my first night with both girls by myself. It was very exhausting but we made it through. During the week we had LOTS of time with Megan, Matthew & Katelyn. It was the most time I have spent with her in a long time. I loved it. We visited Dad & Maggie's work places. Had countless meals out (quite the experience with two toddlers and 2 infants). We did some shopping, saw Maggie's new house, went to a "Run, Jump & Play" and the Cincinnati Zoo and even had a sleep over. It was a great week.
On Saturday we drove to Dayton and picked up Justin. He was such a trooper for flying all the way back just to drive us home. We had another rough start but made it through anyways. I am really starting to just enjoy the journey instead of stressing about running late or sitting in traffic. We arrived home on Sunday and I have to admit it felt good.
This week we are getting things back in order and getting ready for Alexa's actual third birthday. Always lots to do around here. I am even getting things ready for fall. I cannot believe the summer is over. Oh well, this was our last summer in Kansas. Time to clean out the pots & get things boxed up for South Carolina. I am also starting to run again. I took an unplanned break while in Ohio. I need to run every other day in order to make my goal for Disney in just 8 weeks!!!
Addison's one month appointment was this week. She gained 2lbs & over 2 inches since birth. She is now 8lbs even & 20.75 inches. My tiny peanut is growing right on schedule. The doctor said she looks great & is doing everything she should be. I asked about the bruise she was born with. The doctor said it looks like one caused by a bone she was resting against. I giggled when she said this. I guess my bruised or broken tail bone is starting to make more sense. We will go back in the beginning of October for her 2 month appointment. Doctor said she should gain 2 lb again this month. She will also be getting her first set of shots then (I am already dreading them).
Addison is a very active little girl. When she gets uncharacteristically still & starts starring at me for a long period of time I know what is coming... a dirty diaper. I think its the most serious time for me. Love it!
My poor baby has had baby acne since she was a few days old. I know it has a lot to do with our nursing but I am not too worried about it. The doctor said to wash her face after feeding... clearly my doctor has never nursed a baby. There is NO way I am going to wake a sleeping baby after a good feeding. I guess we will just work on it slowly.
Nursing has been a struggle from day one, most because of my nerves. I am constantly worry about how much Addison is eating. I want her to have every chance to be a normal size and not tiny like me. I still enjoy nursing and really find the bonding experience remarkable. I am however starting to supplement with some formula. Although I don't think formula is bad I do know every time I give her formula I am hurting my own supply. I also really want to make it to a year with breast milk like I did with Alexa. I know I will not exclusively pump so the breast is my only option. I am also taking Fenugreek. It is a natural herb that is known to increase milk supply. I currently take 2 pills 4 times a day. I smell like syrup. :)
The Fenugreek also has the symptom of causing gas. Poor Addison has had it rough. I am not 100% certain it is the Fenugreek and not the formula. Addison has her first cold. Once her cold passes I will look at either stopping the formula or the Fenugreek to see if I can find the cause of her belly issues.
I packed up all of the newborn clothes. Addison is officially in 0-3 months & will probably stay there for the next 2 months. I love her new wardrobe. There are a bunch of outfits that were Alexa's first. I love seeing them on Addison. As if I had not said it enough, I LOVE having daughters. :)
We had our first trip to Ohio this week. The trip started out rough. We had lots of traffic, had to drop Justin's car off at the airport and 2 upset little girls. Once we finally got going things were much more relaxed. We made it about half way before stopping for the night. Alexa and Justin shared a bed & Addison and I shared another. It was challenging having all four of us in one room. On Friday we made it to Ohio. We saw Dad, Beth, Megan, Matthew, met baby Kate, Grandma & Grandpa and Aunt Maggie. I love the initial excitement of seeing family & of course showing off my new little girl. Saturday we were able to see everyone again & Donna and David arrived in town. Justin spent the evening making Alexa's birthday cake.
Sunday was Alexa's third birthday party. She choose Sophia the First as her theme. I have to say I was very excited about it. She is one beautiful princess. She was caught sneaking cake & even ate some of her candle. Addison was dressed up as Cinderella. We had Alexa's slideshow playing & everyone seemed to have a good time. Alexa got lots of Sophia toys, books, super cute clothes & much more. She is one spoiled little girl.
On Monday we had Beth's birthday party. Alexa and Matthew had a great time playing. Addison spent the day getting spoiled by Great Grandma & Grandpa. Justin had to fly home so he could work. It was my first night with both girls by myself. It was very exhausting but we made it through. During the week we had LOTS of time with Megan, Matthew & Katelyn. It was the most time I have spent with her in a long time. I loved it. We visited Dad & Maggie's work places. Had countless meals out (quite the experience with two toddlers and 2 infants). We did some shopping, saw Maggie's new house, went to a "Run, Jump & Play" and the Cincinnati Zoo and even had a sleep over. It was a great week.
On Saturday we drove to Dayton and picked up Justin. He was such a trooper for flying all the way back just to drive us home. We had another rough start but made it through anyways. I am really starting to just enjoy the journey instead of stressing about running late or sitting in traffic. We arrived home on Sunday and I have to admit it felt good.
This week we are getting things back in order and getting ready for Alexa's actual third birthday. Always lots to do around here. I am even getting things ready for fall. I cannot believe the summer is over. Oh well, this was our last summer in Kansas. Time to clean out the pots & get things boxed up for South Carolina. I am also starting to run again. I took an unplanned break while in Ohio. I need to run every other day in order to make my goal for Disney in just 8 weeks!!!
Addison's one month appointment was this week. She gained 2lbs & over 2 inches since birth. She is now 8lbs even & 20.75 inches. My tiny peanut is growing right on schedule. The doctor said she looks great & is doing everything she should be. I asked about the bruise she was born with. The doctor said it looks like one caused by a bone she was resting against. I giggled when she said this. I guess my bruised or broken tail bone is starting to make more sense. We will go back in the beginning of October for her 2 month appointment. Doctor said she should gain 2 lb again this month. She will also be getting her first set of shots then (I am already dreading them).
Addison is a very active little girl. When she gets uncharacteristically still & starts starring at me for a long period of time I know what is coming... a dirty diaper. I think its the most serious time for me. Love it!
My poor baby has had baby acne since she was a few days old. I know it has a lot to do with our nursing but I am not too worried about it. The doctor said to wash her face after feeding... clearly my doctor has never nursed a baby. There is NO way I am going to wake a sleeping baby after a good feeding. I guess we will just work on it slowly.
Nursing has been a struggle from day one, most because of my nerves. I am constantly worry about how much Addison is eating. I want her to have every chance to be a normal size and not tiny like me. I still enjoy nursing and really find the bonding experience remarkable. I am however starting to supplement with some formula. Although I don't think formula is bad I do know every time I give her formula I am hurting my own supply. I also really want to make it to a year with breast milk like I did with Alexa. I know I will not exclusively pump so the breast is my only option. I am also taking Fenugreek. It is a natural herb that is known to increase milk supply. I currently take 2 pills 4 times a day. I smell like syrup. :)
The Fenugreek also has the symptom of causing gas. Poor Addison has had it rough. I am not 100% certain it is the Fenugreek and not the formula. Addison has her first cold. Once her cold passes I will look at either stopping the formula or the Fenugreek to see if I can find the cause of her belly issues.
I packed up all of the newborn clothes. Addison is officially in 0-3 months & will probably stay there for the next 2 months. I love her new wardrobe. There are a bunch of outfits that were Alexa's first. I love seeing them on Addison. As if I had not said it enough, I LOVE having daughters. :)
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