Its been three weeks since Sophie's birth, and there is lots to report.
First of all, may I just say that all the cliches in the world are correct!
I CAN stare at my baby all day and never get bored.
ONE smile is all that is required for payment to make the late nights, sore boobs, poo explosions and ear splitting cries worth while.
Having her outside the belly rather than in was a mind trip! Laid out on my chest, the mind boggles how something so large could fit inside a space so small. Its no wonder she kicked like crazy while inside me.
The first night together was rather special too. We were all alone (apart from the 4 hourly check-in by midwives), and we just stared and stared at each other. I suppose she smelled me too, as her eyes weren't too fantastic yet.
The days flew by from one task to the next.
While at hospital, I still haven't grasped the importance of the sequence of events: feed, burp, nappy check, a little play (optional) and feed again.
After a few false starts where she cries and we check everything, we figured out her cues and cries and were able to anticipate what she wants better.
When she is hungry she does this wide mouth baby bird head pop. It stopped being cute after about 3 seconds.
When she's about to do a massive poo explosion, she gets this vacant look in her eyes and her mouth goes into a tiny round O, then she pokes her tongue forward (but not out), and repeats the round O again. That's a signal for us to get as much toilet paper out to wipe whatever comes out of her.
She also does these huge arm waves out of nowhere. I think its her trying to reach out and clutch me?! She also does what Andrew and I call "Thriller Hands". She does this in her sleep where all of a sudden both her arms will shoot up in the air and her fingers are extended outwards. It reminded me so much of Michael Jackson's music video of Thriller, where a particular dance move had his arms stretched over his head and the hand curved over like after throwing a basketball. Anyways, it scares us more than her. A few times she nearly got Andrew on the nose!
She started smiling!!!
It is so cute! I can never manage to capture it on camera because its so elusive, but since Andrew started feeding her via a cup (see next blog), she has noticed muscles there and uses it sometimes.
My mum is over joyed when she gets a smile, despite us saying she's not even aware she's making a facial expression. After a couple more of those smiles I don't care either. It is simply heart melting and I'm content to treat it like a reward for being a good mother.
We got a pass as good parents!
The Primary Care Midwife Team pays us home visits, and by end of week 2, we were making a weight come-back (lost 10% of birth weight in week 1). We were very relieved, and keen for some good news after a few scares.
I feel like a Cow!
My milk came in, and I was very relieved!
I felt like such a failure before in week 1, as she lost so much weight, and we were truly concerned she might be dehydrated from all the sucking and crying.
To suddenly have a more substantial milk supply both made me feel accomplished, but also disturbingly like a milk cow...
Andrew was very proud though, he said he'd make a profit if he sold me to Fonterra!
First of all, may I just say that all the cliches in the world are correct!
I CAN stare at my baby all day and never get bored.
ONE smile is all that is required for payment to make the late nights, sore boobs, poo explosions and ear splitting cries worth while.
First Day:
Having her outside the belly rather than in was a mind trip! Laid out on my chest, the mind boggles how something so large could fit inside a space so small. Its no wonder she kicked like crazy while inside me.
The first night together was rather special too. We were all alone (apart from the 4 hourly check-in by midwives), and we just stared and stared at each other. I suppose she smelled me too, as her eyes weren't too fantastic yet.
First Week:
The days flew by from one task to the next.
While at hospital, I still haven't grasped the importance of the sequence of events: feed, burp, nappy check, a little play (optional) and feed again.
After a few false starts where she cries and we check everything, we figured out her cues and cries and were able to anticipate what she wants better.
When she is hungry she does this wide mouth baby bird head pop. It stopped being cute after about 3 seconds.
When she's about to do a massive poo explosion, she gets this vacant look in her eyes and her mouth goes into a tiny round O, then she pokes her tongue forward (but not out), and repeats the round O again. That's a signal for us to get as much toilet paper out to wipe whatever comes out of her.
She also does these huge arm waves out of nowhere. I think its her trying to reach out and clutch me?! She also does what Andrew and I call "Thriller Hands". She does this in her sleep where all of a sudden both her arms will shoot up in the air and her fingers are extended outwards. It reminded me so much of Michael Jackson's music video of Thriller, where a particular dance move had his arms stretched over his head and the hand curved over like after throwing a basketball. Anyways, it scares us more than her. A few times she nearly got Andrew on the nose!
Second Week:
It is so cute! I can never manage to capture it on camera because its so elusive, but since Andrew started feeding her via a cup (see next blog), she has noticed muscles there and uses it sometimes.
My mum is over joyed when she gets a smile, despite us saying she's not even aware she's making a facial expression. After a couple more of those smiles I don't care either. It is simply heart melting and I'm content to treat it like a reward for being a good mother.
We got a pass as good parents!
The Primary Care Midwife Team pays us home visits, and by end of week 2, we were making a weight come-back (lost 10% of birth weight in week 1). We were very relieved, and keen for some good news after a few scares.
I feel like a Cow!
My milk came in, and I was very relieved!
I felt like such a failure before in week 1, as she lost so much weight, and we were truly concerned she might be dehydrated from all the sucking and crying.
To suddenly have a more substantial milk supply both made me feel accomplished, but also disturbingly like a milk cow...
Andrew was very proud though, he said he'd make a profit if he sold me to Fonterra!
Third Week:
She's started exercising in the mornings and afternoons with my parents, as well as getting a tan when the weather is good.
Sophie has really strong legs now, and can do some good kicks. My mother got kicked once and was very surprised and impressed. Perhaps she will make a good kick boxer after all?
Her arms are a whirlwind of activity too. Trying to feed her is like trying to restrain wind sculptures on a windy Wellington day - there's no pinning her down. Unfortunately she doesn't like to be swaddled for sleep either. When swaddled, she will spend about 3-5 minutes grunting like a rabid bear, then once she's out, she will triumphantly cry on the top of her lungs to get our attention.
She also likes to scratch her eyes out... Why do they do that???
By today, she's getting noticeably heavier, and I find myself already missing the wee tote she was when she was wet and slick from birth and light as a feather. At least I can look forward to toned arms by the end of the year, right?!
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