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Understanding Alexis

they are sleeping together again. she is on his shoulder. it's 8:25am and I guess I'm used to running on 2 hour sleep intervals with a 1 hour awaken stupor. the instant she fussed I felt my boobs stock up. oh it's that pressure that actually makes me want to nurse. however, my little chubs is getting better about not hurting mama. I just have to watch for the head bucks and stay calm when she chokes herself which naturally makes me all but calm. this first week really does kinda suck & outside of slight improvement, the second week probably will to. but it's not like I'm going anywhere. not yet. and the 2 hour interval I mentioned, that's a lucky day.

I must say though, I think I got an easy first baby. if she isn't hungry or poopy, she is typically pretty happy. I just think she's too hungry but I'd rather have that issue than the opposite. at our 5 day weigh in she was 9.5lbs which is 1lb heavier than when we left the hospital 3 days before. at least I'm doing something right.

the man mentioned in the beginning is her father. he loves to cuddle with his little girl and likes to hold her before he leaves & when he comes home regardless if she's sleeping and mom isn't quite ready to nurse... they are cute together though. he does as many diapers as he can to make up for my pain. it helps.

having a baby is a little surreal. I cried the first time she cried & ever since then I've just been in this stupor. I don't think motherhood has hit me yet. but bring it on.

the things we learned about Alexis this week:

she's rarely a fan of the pacifier so it's a good thing she doesn't cry much. she takes more to my pinky finger if she needs comfort.

she has strong legs and loves to kick and make diaper changes that much more difficult

grandma figured out that a blanket over her head keeps her calm during diaper changes especially if she' s already a little tired.

she doesn't have a firm grasp. she'll hold your finger very dainty like, but her arms have a mind of their own too. she loves stretching them above her head.

she sleeps in the bassinet (she passes out after being fed), enjoys the swing, music, & her daddy's shoulder.  She even does great with the car seat.

& she might eventually like baths, especially now that her cord fell off!

She put that little neck up on day 1 & sucks on her fingers until mom takes the hint

she gets the hiccups a lot

She smiles a lot too. grandma says it's the angels talking to her.



And as for me, I'm healing. I used the ice packs at the hospital & got the witch hazel pads (which I didn't need till last night) & dermoplast (which I'm not sure if it really helps but makes me feel like I'm doing something) & all that other good stuff. I'm slowly phasing it all out, blood clots & all. I haven't tried that little bath thing they give you yet. A few days after, walking became a lot easier, but then the pressure comes back & I just realize I need to take it slow.  And I'm sure I still need to be drinking more water.  Especially with how much comes out of you at this stage in the game.  Oh it's a beautiful life.  I haven't taken any meds though outside of what they gave me at the hospital. But I should be taking my iron pill... For those new at nursing, I REALLY appreciated the gel pads the lactation consultant gave me at the hospital. and you will need nursing pads a few days into it.

You're welcome.

I've only broken down into tears & swore a couple of times . . .
it's perfectly understandable (if you want my understanding)

Comments

  1. Only twice into tears? You're doing fantastic. The stupor eventually goes away. I know that for me it felt interminable because it sort of is with your first one. People just keep telling you it will end and you wonder when it actually will. But I PROMISE it does. I used to watch Good Morning America (only time in my life I ever did) just to make me feel like I had some sort of routine. Glad that's over ;) Can I come visit you yet?

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