Daddy's Week Off

Well, daddy's week off has come to an end! It was great while it lasted. I think we made the most of it and I certainly enjoyed having him around. I got a little time to myself, we went on some family outings and Meredith got some quality time with her dad! We kind of got a routine down - I was in charge during the night, then daddy took her after her 7am feeding while I went back to bed for another hour or so. Then I got up, either took a bath or a shower - then I fed her and was in charge while Jon went to work out or run some errands. Then after her 1pm (approx.) feeding we went and did something together as a family!

On Tuesday, I was able to get a stretch of 4.5 hours to myself. I really didn't do anything incredibly exciting - I went to the dentist for an exam and a cleaning, then I ran a couple of errands - going to Babies R Us and Target. But just having that freedom, being able to turn my music on as loud as I want in my car, taking my time to shop, etc - it was rejuvenating! I definitely felt like I came home and was a better mom to Meri.

Wednesday we finally were able to make a stop to visit our good friends, the Thompsons. Nicole is a CRNA that I met through work and we've become very good friends. In fact, we've gone to Key West, FL as well as going to France together in the past year. And as luck had it, we both became pregnant at the same time - she was due 3 weeks after me. She had her baby girl, Paisley Margaret, on Monday, Oct. 5th. There schedule was finally slowing down, so Jon and I took Meredith to their house, which is literally only 1 mile away, and met Miss Paisley! She is adorable and has her mom's spiky dark brown hair. And I'm sure she'll have her mom's fun and sassy personality, too! I look forward to hanging out with the two of the much more during our maternity leaves (which I just found out has been extended - I don't have to go back to work December 21st !!! YEA!!).

Thursday our big adventure was - wait for it, wait for it.... the Government Offices at Midtown Exchange!! Yep, we decided to go as a family and get Meredith's birth certificate and passport. I'm really hoping to go to Mexico in February with the family and you apparently need both parents present to get a child's passport and since we were both off, why not. It took a little time, it was surprisingly busy for a Thursday afternoon, and getting an acceptable picture of Meredith for the passport took a little time as well. Her passport will be good for 5 years, I just think it's funny that this picture will be on her passport along with her height, 20.5 inches and eye color, which is still blue, but still may change! Well, I guess that's what they normally do, as long as we can take that nice warm vacation, I'm happy!

Yesterday we decided to brave the Mall of America. Jon and I actually love this mall as it's been the closest mall to us since living in the Lake Nokomis area the past 7 years. I fed Meredith around 1pm and we packed up and head to MOA. I had written down all the stores I wanted to go to as well as their locations and we had a general plan of attack. Meredith fell asleep in the carseat on the way to the mall and remained that way in the stroller for the first couple of hours. We were able to get quite a bit of shopping done. The downturn occurred when I wrongly decided to wake her up to feed her in the "Mother's Room" at Macy's. From that point on, she was fussy. I still don't get that about Meri - she's changed, fed, warm - yet she's fussy. Someday I know this won't be the case and believe me, I look forward to having a baby that's awake and happy!

So as I was just mentioning, it was especially nice to have Jon home this week because just when I thought the fussy spells may be ending, because last weekend Meri seemed more calm and happy, I was wrong. Perhaps she's going through her 6 week growth spurt a little early, but this week, when Meri was awake - once again, she wasn't happy, especially in the evenings. It doesn't seem to correlate with anything. She can be fussy before eating and then fussy after eating as well - so feeding more frequently doesn't seem to change anything. And honestly - though I generally would contribute her fussiness to gas pains, it doesn't seem to correlate whether she burps well after eating. Often, I spend time trying to burp her and it doesn't happen and then she sleeps for hours! It's perplexing and sometimes frustrating. But I really can't complain too much - she's been awesome during the night. In fact, this week I have successfully been placing her in her bassinet to sleep and she's still sleeping for longer stretches - like 10pm to 3am, then again until 7am - on average. Knock on wood, but she's been this way since like week 2. I'd much rather her fussiness during the day, then night. And I know a few sure fire ways to make her happy - Baby Bjorn, carseat driving in car or walking in stroller. I have yet to not calm her down those three ways. She also seems to love her changing table. I wish I could just let her sleep there sometimes! Laying flat on her back and staring at our big TV sometimes works too! But her vibrating chair and swing don't always do the trick. I do feel guilty doing these things for more then a few hours a day, like I'm ignoring her or something. Maybe I should just get over that and rejoice that I know ways to calm her. I just can't wait until she's awake a little more and happy at the same time. We have seen her smile a few more times - though it's for a very brief time, not every day even, and is often followed very closely by her pterodactyl like cries, seriously she sounds like a pterodactyl (or at least what I think a pterodactyl would sound like!) Regardless, we love her to pieces and are so happy to have her in our lives!

This weekend, we don't have much going on. Tomorrow I do get to go to Jen DuBois's baby shower and I'm super excited to see all of my girl friends. Jon's going to stay home with the babe and I'll leave some milk for a bottle so I don't have to hurry home. Then this coming week will be the first full week I'm home alone. I plan on spending some time with my friend Nicole, taking Meredith to work with me to meet some coworkers (and get my flu shots), and going to my 6 week OB appt. I may even try some Baby Yoga, we'll see. Then this coming weekend we're heading back to Blue Earth for a baby shower for me and Meri at my mom's friend Brenda's house, a little Trick or Treating, and Brooks' Baptism, for which Jon and I are God Parents! Then a work party/ Baby shower for Nicole on Sunday evening. I'm looking forward to it all!!

Me and Meredith with Nicole and Paisley! (P.S. Happy 30th B-day Nicole!)

Travis working his calming dad magic on Meredith

A little half smile from Meredith

Trying to put Meri in cute outfits during the day - what a cute sweater!

This morning - a true, open mouth smile at me!

So hard to catch on film, but I hope they keep coming!

Visit from Grandma Stone (Jon's mother)

This past weekend we had Jon's mother in town for a visit. It was her first time to meet her first and only granddaughter! She came in late Friday evening and just left us late this morning. Meredith was very well behaved and the two of them got along great!

We didn't do anything too exciting, but we did get a chance to go on a little shopping trip, to Baby Grand in Hopkins and Target. We also stopped at a butcher shop to pick up a steak and Jon and his mother made a lovely dinner Saturday night, and Meri was kind enough to be relaxed and happy for both the shopping trip and dinner!

On Sunday we made a simple brunch at home, then Jon and his mom went to work on our yard while I had a chance to catch up with a couple of friends, Jen and Mindy, and introduced Meredith to a couple future playmates - Laeney and Fiona Gallagher! After the visit, Jon and his mom were done and the yard looked wonderful - all the wilted veggies and plants were cut back and leaves raked - thanks Jon and Kathy! And since it was such a lovely day, we took advantage and took a little walk at Lake Nokomis.

The evening finished by us going to Chino Latino. It was surprisingly busy, but they were ready to accommodate us with our newborn and Meredith didn't seem to mind the noisiness, in fact she may of even preferred it - she slept the entire time. Dinner was delicious, despite adding a bit to much of some really hot sauce to Jon and Kathy's fish tacos. Then we headed home, watched a little "Mad Men" and settled into bed.

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend. Now, Jon and I have this week together with Meredith and then I'm on my own. I'm starting to feel more and more confident with her and am sure I will be able to handle it, but I do sure love the company and the help! By the way, Meredith started smiling this weekend. She was doing it for quite awhile on Sunday morning, but we haven't seen it return. As soon as it does, I will make sure to snap some photos and post them!

Jon and his mom just hanging out with Meredith

In the mornings, mom went back to bed and dad and Gma hung out with Meri

Saturday, taking a walk around the neighborhood

Jon and his mom, pic at Minnehaha Creek

A chance for Kathy to give Meredith a bottle

She looks happy and full

You'd think all that food would make her tired, but usually it's the opposite: big eyes!

And, yes, the dog is still cute, too!

Working on tummy time

Sunday morning visit from Jen, Laeney, Fiona and Mindy

Bath Time!

All Clean!

Taking advantage of the weather Sunday, another walk around Lake Nokomis, this is actually the same bridge Jon and I had some of our engagement photos on - so we felt it was only natural to take a pic with our new baby daughter here!

What a beautiful day!

Hanging out on our patio back home, snuggling with daddy

Dinner at Chino Latino...

Meredith slept the whole time!

Meredith is One Month Old!

Today is October 16th, which makes it officially Meredith's one month birthday! So, I'll follow in the footsteps of some of my fellow bloggers and friends and post a one month photo and some one month happenings!

What Meredith is up to at ONE MONTH.....

- She's eating 6 times a day, every 3 hours during the day with one 6 hour break at night. At first I was waking her up to feed her, but now during the day she's starting to become noticeably hungry at about the three hour mark.

- Yep, she does sleep through the night. But only because I'm a bad mommy and she sleeps in my arms. I feel bad to admit it because I know it's not recommended - but I have researched it and as long as I'm not intoxicated or otherwise compromised and I keep all fluffy items away from her - it can be safe. But believe me, I do not intend on making this a permanent issue and am planning on weaning her (and myself) back into the bassinet next week while Jon is home on vacation (in case I get no sleep at night, then Jon can watch her while I nap!)

- She's still using the nipple shield, but has demonstrated her ability to latch. We're still working on that! But I guess if I have to use the darn thing, at least I'm still breastfeeding her - it could be worse!

- She still has her fussy, gassy spells. It's often worse in the the evenings. We give Mylicon at every feeding and do our best to burp her. But we're basically getting used to her fussiness and know as much as we can to help her through it.

-She is gaining weight. On Tuesday she weighed 8lb, 8oz. In fact, it looks like she's getting in the habit of overeating at meal time based on her intake at my final lactation consultation. So, we just might have a little piggy on our hands - whatever makes her happy!

-She's spending more time awake and looking around, and relatively happy. She's starting to like watching our big screen TV downstairs. I think she likes the big faces and bright colors. Once again,whatever makes her happy - for now anyway!

- She's just starting to coo a little. I can't wait to spend more time having conversations with her.

-My mother claims she smiled at her. But all I've seen, which has been since birth - is her cute half smiles as she's drifting off to sleep. I'm sure she'll be smiling at us soon, though!

- Her head is pretty darn strong. We don't spend a lot of time on her tummy on the floor (because we end up keeping her upright for like 45 minutes after feedings to prevent reflux - then she's usually asleep, and then she gets fussy - so I rarely find a time when she's happy and not going to spit up). But she works on her head strength a lot when she's in the Baby Bjorn or when we're holding her on our shoulders.

-She seems to be focusing on our faces at times and sometimes moves her head to look at you when you talk.

- She loves being in her Baby Bjorn or Moby Wrap. In general, she prefers to be held rather than to be alone. Though she does fall asleep in both her vibrating chair and swing. Basically bodily warmth and movement are way preferable to being flat on her back alone!

Visit from my Mom!

This week I had the pleasure of having my mother stay with us! It has been great! Great to have an extra set of hands and also to have that motherly advice. We have been a good team and have accomplished a lot, considering we are also taking care of a 4 week old - yes she is already 4 weeks old! Our two biggest accomplishments were cleaning the entire house and making our yearly batch of canned salsa.

Yesterday we canned salsa. As many of you know, Jon and I have had very good luck with our small garden. So, the past two years I've been flash freezing tomatoes, peppers and jalapenos so that I can use them to make salsa. My mother has been using this recipe for years, so now she comes up to help me make it. And this year, Meredith helped as well. It went relatively well, considering Meredith was having one of her fussy days. I basically had to keep her in the Baby Bjorn the whole day while I did the least dangerous duties - like chopping peppers, onions and garlic - cleaning up and getting ingredients and wiping the jars and putting on the lids. It was an all day process, but now my deep freeze is much more empty and I have 35 pints of salsa to last until next year!

Today we finished the cleaning, which doesn't sound like a big deal - but with a 4 week old, it kind of is. My mom did most of the cleaning, and did a much better job than I would have. I basically just did the floors - vacuuming and mopping with Meredith - once again, in the Baby Bjorn.

My mom is leaving tomorrow and then Jon's mom comes into town until Monday - and then Jon will be home all next week - so there will be extra hands for another week and a half - then I'm on my own during the week. I can't complain much! Meredith will be almost 6 weeks old before I've had to do much by myself!

Update on Meri and all my lactation nonsense. Well, I had my last appointment on Tuesday and basically I still am overproducing. She is still getting more foremilk and more milk in general than she needs. So, this foremilk as well as a distended stomach is probably what causes her fussiness. What can I do about it? What I have been doing - expressing some of the foremilk before she eats so she gets more hindmilk and so it doesn't come out too fast at her which causes her to cough and gag and swallow more air (which also causes the gassy fussiness). I'm also on sage tea and using cabbage leaves in my bra to try to subtly decrease my supply. And I'm still using the nipple shield. We both agree that she takes in less air that way (which usually the opposite is true, but she can't sustain the latch without it because there's too much milk coming at her and that leads to more air intake). I'm still hoping to get rid of it someday, so I'm still trying to get her to latch without at the end of feedings to keep her familiar. We are hoping that everything will just eventually work itself out as my supply and demand issue will hopefully subside with time and as Meredith gets stronger, her latch will too! Only time will tell. I guess I'm okay with what we're doing. There's not much else I can do. I'm also giving her Mylicon before every feed and giving her Gripe water when she's extra fussy. But I did find out that she is gaining weight doing 7 feedings a day (foregoing one feeding at night, giving me a 4 or 5 hour stretch to sleep!!). So, that is at least good. I'm also considering trying a few other things to help - like Baby Yoga, asking about Zantac for GERD, and even possibly visiting a chiropractor (for Meri - my Aunt swears by it!).

Well, that's all for now. I'll have more soon - 1 month update and happenings from the weekend with Gma Stone! I don't have too many pics from the past week - but I'll post what I have. I also just received our photos from our professional session from Swaddlebee Photography! The photos are AWESOME! I'll post those soon, too!

Just a cute pic of Meredith sitting in the Boppy!

A visit from my Aunt Mary

Me with my Aunts Mary (holding Meri) and Nita

Another chance for Jon to feed his daughter.

Visit from my mom, helping out all week - one duty, bottle feeding (we're pumping and feeding bottles about once a day to make sure she's used to them for when I'm gone and back to work!)

A close up of Meri while eating

Our 35 pints of salsa!

Meri seemed to like the show "Nip/Tuck" last night! That's a little scary, huh?

There's No Place Like Home

We're back home in Minneapolis after being down with my family in Blue Earth for 3 days. I packed up way too much stuff before going to my second lactation appointment on Tuesday so that I could make the 2 hour drive down to Blue Earth before needing to feed Meredith again. However, this did not quite go as planned since I am forever thinking that I have time to do just one more thing. Instead, I ended up taking an our to try to run a couple errands on my way out of town and then ended up having to pull over in Owatonna and change and breastfeed Meredith in my car! I left my appointment in Minneapolis at 2pm and didn't get to my mom's house until nearly 6pm, but we made it!

While I was in Blue Earth I got to spend quality time with my mom, step-dad, sister, niece and nephew. I also got visits from several family members and friends - including my brother, my Gma Wick, Aunt Sheila, cousins Alesha and Tanner, friend Danica, step-brother in-law Yankten and parent's friend Paul More! I even had time to get my haircut and high-lighted, go on a walk to the park with my sister, niece and nephew and have a girl's night in to watch Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice. All-in-all it was a great trip. It was great to have some extra hands to help and just great to have family and friends around for support, love and company! The only bad part about it was missing Jon and he missing his little girl!

On Friday I learned my lesson and headed back up to the Cities with no delay after a morning feeding and made the trip in 2 hours, just in time to feed Meredith again! I'm very happy to be home again to spend some time with my husband and to give him time with his daughter, especially since it is his birthday tomorrow! Next week we get to spend more time with Gma Lacher as she will be visiting and helping out from Monday until Friday and then Jon's mom flies into town for the weekend. Then Jon has another week off. So, I guess I don't have to worry about being alone for awhile!

Lactation update.... my last appointment was last Tuesday and as it turns out, Meredith ended up losing a little weight, or at least not gaining any - depending on the difference in the scales from my Dr's office to the Lactation office. She had weighed 8lb 1oz at the Dr's on 9/30 - then only weighed 7lb 15oz at the Lactation office on 10/6. So, I'm back to every 3 hour feedings with one 6 hours break at night when she'll allow (which she has every night so far!) - whereas I was only waking her up to feed her every 4 hours before because she had gained so much weight. She also has demonstrated that she can latch on just fine - but it takes a lot longer to feed her without the nipple shield because she loses her latch all the time. So, basically now I'm trying to start all feedings without the nipple shield, but I almost always end the feedings with it to make sure she gets enough milk, plus I feel like she gets less air with her feedings with the shield, because she can maintain the latch better - which means less gas and fussiness. I've also started giving her Mylicon before every feeding and started giving her Gripe Water a couple of times a day. Is all of this making a difference, I can't tell - she still has her fussy spells and the whole time we were in Blue Earth she was literally pooping foam (lots of tiny gas bubbles in her poo!). But since we've been back home and I've been giving the Mylicon the foam poops have stopped. I just hope she gains weight by our next visit on Tuesday! Otherwise I'm completely comfortable with her progress and know it's just a matter of time before she completely gets this latch thing down! Also, Jon and I introduced one bottle feeding yesterday (in place of her normal feeding) and it went so-so. She seems to have the same problem with the bottle she has with breast feeding. She starts sucking so fast and hard at first that she ends up choking on the milk. Maybe it's just a learned behavior because of my overproduction?! Yet another discussion to have with my lactation guru - thank God for her!

More on that later. For now, enjoy some pics from our visit to Blue Earth!

Hands Free! Meredith sleeping in the Moby wrap and my new hands free headset, awesome!

Madison, Meredith and my sister. It's obviously Meredith's fussy time!

But Gma Lacher has the magic touch!

First time meeting Uncle Andrew (my sister's hubby)

A kiss from cousin Madison, how cute!

Meredith next to her much larger (8lb vs 13lb) and 4 week older cousin Brooks!

Taking advantage of that one nice day to go on a walk to the Blue Earth Park!

A visit from my friend Danica

(who knew I was going to be in town because of my blog - what a loyal follower!)

Meeting my cousin's Tanner and Alesha for the first time!

Meeting Great-Aunt Sheila Wickersham (great-aunt sounds so old, doesn't it?)

Madison holding her baby brother, Brooks!

Another side-by-side comparison of Meredith and Brooks

Madison in her dance leotard - I can't wait to get Meredith in one of these

Put on a special outfit to see daddy! (It says "My Daddy Loves Me")

Daddy's first chance to feed his daughter!

Gaining Confidence

Meredith is 19 days old, she'll be 3 weeks old on Wednesday. I can't believe we've already had three weeks with our beautiful baby girl. And slowly, but surely, Jon and I are gaining confidence in our abilities to be parents. We're getting used to the faces she makes, the noises she makes and have a better idea of how to soothe her when she's fussy (#1 help is the pacifier!). We have even been making a point of getting out of the house with her, which at first I was very hesitant to do.

We had a very nice family weekend. I had a new appreciation and love for my husband after he had gone back to work for the last two days of the week, leaving me home alone with our daughter. Those days weren't bad, but I was lonely and it feels much better knowing I have him around to watch her so I can do things around the house, or just to have him around to help me make decisions about her! Jon was able to come home by 2pm on Friday and we spent the afternoon cuddling with Meri and watching "Marley and Me" - which is a very cute movie.

Then after giving Meri dinner we decided to hit "Adrian's Bar and Grill", a small local little hole in the wall place, to have some burgers, fries and a Stella. Meredith was on her best behavior and slept quietly in her car seat while we sat, chatted, ate and just generally enjoyed being out and about. There was even another couple in the booth right behind us with a 3 week old baby. It was a lovely afternoon and evening.

The next day we were going to be having a few visitors. First, my good friend Katie Young came up from Rochester to visit us. As always, it is so nice to have visitors and it's very fun introducing them to our baby girl. It's also great catching up with good friends! After she left, I had just enough time to feed Meri before my brother and sister-in-law came for the rest of the afternoon. My brother had been up to visit once before, but this was the first visit from Auntie Jenny. She looked very happy and natural holding our little Meri - I know they'll both make great parents - some day! After the Twins game, they hit the road to meet up with her brother so they could make a reservation at a local pasta joint so they could carb load before the half marathon they were running the next day!

That evening, Jon and I contemplated what to do - and decided to order Fat Lorenzo's for delivery and rent a movie through iTV. It was the perfect evening in and Meredith, once again, cooperated - minus a 2 hour fussy period between 9 and 11pm. I can deal with that!

Finally, on Sunday Jon let me "sleep in" - well, at least let me go back to sleep for a couple hours after I fed Meri - while he entertained her. Then I was able to get up and take a nice bath before snuggly and feeding Meri again - while my wonderful husband made us brunch. Did I mention that I love weekends?? We then packed up the babe and headed out to run errands - which is normally I job I did by myself, but now definitely takes us both with the little one. I have to admit that I enjoy running errands so much more when Jon is around - it's a lot more fun. Before heading home, we stopped by our friend's Nicole and Travis' house to see their baby room before their little one arrives sometime this week - hopefully! And last night we treated ourselves to a lovely dinner at home: rosemary roasted potatoes, asparagus and filet mignon. Perfect ending, to the perfect weekend.

Since we started this new breastfeeding plan with Meredith, I feel small improvements have been made. I do feel like my production is slowing down, which means less painful engorgement for me. I also feel like there are times were Meredith is more comfortable after feeding - meaning instead of spending 1 to 2 hours after feeding grunting and crying, she has fallen asleep right after eating. Though we still have times after feeding where she seems very uncomfortable and grunty. So, I'm not really sure what to think about the plan. I have another appointment with the lactation consultant tomorrow and we'll revisit what we're doing. I do feel like we're going in the right direction. And even when she's fussy and inconsolable - I can't believe how much I love her!

This week, Jon is at work and I'm home alone with the babe - so I have decided to take a little trip down to Blue Earth to hang out with my family. My sister is also on maternity leave with her 7 week old and my mother has a few days off as well. So, since Jon will be busy at work - I thought I'd go down and get my hair done and get some good advice and help from my family. So, I'm sure I'll have more to blog about when I get back. In the mean time, here are some pics from this past weekend!

Visit from Katie Young! Great catching up with you!

Auntie Jenny and Uncle Justin

They'll be great parents one day!

Another family photo, with dog too! Can't get enough of these!

Close up of Miss Meri in her bouncy chair! One of her favorite spots!

Meri in her swing. Another one of her favorites spots to sleep!