It's hard to believe that tomorrow, our baby girl will be 1 week old. It has been the hardest, sweetest, happiest week. We've found that Madeline isn't a fussy baby at all. Just really, really hungry and extremely alert. She likes to listen to and look at her surroundings - and she LOVES to be talked to and sung to (primarily by her Vie and Papa who have great voices). She's a little social butterfly. She also really, really likes to snuggle, which melts my heart. Sometimes when she's sleeping (and even when she's not), I will scoop her up just to love on her. Her Daddy (a.k.a., her clone) is a favorite. Derek will pick her up, rock her and talk to her and she just stares at him. When he walks into the room, she arches her head around to where his voice is. She's such a sweet child.
Madeline is lifting her head a little bit already and has learned how to turn over on her side when she's in her Pack and Play. She also knows how to remove her little mittens and always, always kicks her covers off. When she sleeps, it's usually with her arms over her head and her legs either in the air, or out to the side. Funny creature.
Our nights haven't been that bad so far - just tiring as we adjust to this new schedule. The first couple of nights, we set our alarm and got up every 2-3 hours to feed her (sometimes, she woke us up). We are experiencing what the doctor calls "cluster feedings" where she wants to eat and eat and eat. And eat she does! She has been brilliant with breast feeding, which has been a relief. It has come so easy to me and it really helps that M latches well and grubs!
We had her first pediatrician's visit yesterday and Madeline has gained 5 oz. in the past 2 days, which is outstanding! She's now 7 lbs. 14.5 oz., so working her way back to birth weight quickly. We were instructed that for the next little bit, public restaurants, shopping centers and exposure to other kiddos needs to be restricted, but I think we can swing it. We had gotten quite used to laying low while I was pregnant. And for now, Mom doesn't really feel like doing too much anyway. Anything to keep little girl healthy and happy!
Because of her good report, the doctor says we don't have to wake up every 2-3 hours to feed her anymore, but to rely on her to let us know when she's ready to eat. This sounded great, but was harder than we thought. Madeline slept a lot yesterday, so last night, she fed and went down about midnight. She woke up at 4:30 ready to eat (good right?!)...well, after she ate, she wanted to hang out. And then she wanted to eat again. And eat again. And hang out some more. SO, we were up from 4:30 to about 6:30 with her. Then up at 7 again. Luckily, Vie scooped her up at 7:30 and let us sleep for another little bit. WOAH. Can we say nap? We'll get the hang of it though. At least she's not up screaming, just wanting to eat and socialize with her mom and dad.
Madeline enjoyed a "spa day" this week with Mom and VieVie. We had our first bath and a "manicure." She LOVED both. She's my little prissy water baby.
So, week 1 has been a wonderful, eventful week. We're excited to see what week 2 has in store!
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