A couple of days after Sadie's birth, Ryan's aunt passed away. She had a stroke and a heart attack late June, was in the hospital for about 2 weeks and fully recovered. She was even sent home. While at home, she suffered another heart attack and was hospitalized again. She then went into a coma that she never woke up from ... & even if / when she did, the doctors deemed her to be in a vegetative state. My heart broke completely for her husband and three kids. So while feeling the joy of having a fresh newborn, our families were grieving the death of a loved one ... it was an emotional week.
It feels like time is flying, but at the same time I can't believe that Sadie has only been around for a month! She's filling out nicely, but still such a sweet little girly girl.
Miss Sadie Baby!
At one month ...
-You're wearing size 1 diapers
-You still love a good swaddle at night time
-You're sleeping a 4 hour stretch at night!
-You're sleeping a 4 hour stretch at night!
-Tummy time isn't your favourite, but you love being on Daddy's chest - always trying to hold your head up
-Daddy is also the best at "helping you poop and getting rid of your gas"
-You ooh and ahh, and love to hear stories - especially from Kuya Aiden
-You adore bath time
-I am convinced that Coldplay soothes you-Your hair still looks silly
Here's what else we've been up to:
Sleeping
-We're getting some! and for the most part, it feels like we're getting more than what we got with A (again, will the sleep now go away because I said something out loud - please no!). Sadie's been sleeping 3-4 hour stretches at night and once even a 5 hour stretch! I startled myself completely when this happened! Typically, our last feed is around 10:00pm. She's up again at 2:00am for a feed and will go back to sleep. Up again at 6:00am for a feed and will go back to sleep. Then up around 8:30-9:00am, again - to feed. Not too shabby, I'll take it!
Breastfeeding
Challenging, to say the least - refer to my last post for more details. But since then, we went to the breastfeeding clinic and fed with a lactation specialist. Funny how lovely things work out there (Ryan even commented how I was smiling and laughing during the nursing session, lol) and when we get home, the basic principles are thrown out the window! The afternoon after our appointment at the clinic, I felt defeated and discouraged. I called to book another appointment for the very next day - unfortunately (or fortunately) they were booked completely (which I guess makes me feel better, because it goes to show that other mamas are having challenges too!). I settled for an appointment the day after. This forced us to practice. Which is maybe, exactly what we needed. I had a bit more confidence in myself (and the fact that I had a conversation with my mom who told me, you will get it - you did with Aiden). I tried not to stress about a crappy latch and wouldn't be afraid to start over. We're not masters of the whole thing, yet - but I'm hopeful.
As for the frequency of feedings, they're still sporadic. Some days it feels like we're on a "schedule", nursing every 2-3 hours, other days - not so much. I do, however, nurse on demand - so really, I let Sadie lead this one. For 3 night this week, it felt like I was glued to my "nursing chair" from 6:00-10:00pm, nursing every hour! Potential growth spurt? ... A schedule would be nice, but I'm OK with the way things are right now, just want to make sure she's happy, heathy and thriving!
WeightYour one month check up is tomorrow, so your latest weigh in was at the breastfeeding clinic just one day shy of one month. You weighed in at a whopping 8 pounds! Yay! Validates that we're doing something right! **edit: Dr. Wong was really surprised to see how chubby you were (compared to when we saw her last), you're now 8 pounds and 9 ounces!
Challenges
... one night, I was shifting through Aiden's baby photos and was feeling more than nostalgic. Ryan asked me whether I missed the days when it was just A. I choked. I didn't even know how to answer. Because the truth of the matter was, I did. I missed it, beyond words. And I almost felt as though I took that time for granted. And now that I'm being pulled in a million and one directions, I'm wishing that I could tend to my A - the way I used to. I miss my time with him. I do.
And for a million reasons, I feel crappy about this. For obvious reasons, Sadie relies on me tenfold. So as majority of my attention goes to her ... I have to remind myself that things will get better, easier. And that Aiden is learning to adjust too. His independence is soaring.
Me: Post-Partum
I am doing pretty good. The lochia has slowed down and nearly diminished. Compared to last time, the healing has been much faster. My 6 week post-partum appointment will be the week of the 13th and hopefully everything is a-okay! & because my inner motto has really been "this too, shall pass - things will only get better from this point on", I'm really trying to find the positive in all the situations / challenges wer'e finding ourselves in now that we have two kids (two freaking kids - wow).
So, overall - not only has it been a surreal month (my goodness we have a son and a daughter!), it's been well, fulfilling. Though Aiden and I are starting to have a bit of cabin fever (sporadic bfeedingness), we're doing pretty fantastic.
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