Thank You!

I'm a true believer that God always gives us just what we need. After another rough night w/baby girl, I was sooo glad to see Mama B this afternoon. Olivia's paternal grandmother came over today to give me some relief. My darling daughter has been giving me hell these last several nights. I'm not sure whats the cause, but she has been very fussy. Last night was certainly no exception as it took me 3 hrs to get her calm and relaxed enough to get to sleep. She finally crashed around 2:45am. Her eyes would be closed (which I would assume meant she was asleep) and I'd stop rocking and then she'd wake up screaming for dear life! How upsetting this was for me. Unable to console my own child...**tear**. It's been rough, emotionally, rough. I got a migraine last night, hadn't had one of those in a very long time.

I've heard she could be going through a growth spurt. She will be 3-weeks old tomorrow, so I'm hoping we are rounding out the end of these wicked nights together. So little, yet so loud...LOL.
Mama B came right in and sent me up to bed. I got a good 2.5 hr nap but was awakened by Olivia's screams. She likes her food to be ready when she wakes up and I guess Gannyma didn't have that bottle in her mouth quick enough. Spoiled huh? Since having that bottle she's been out cold. Mama B got busy cooking up something that smells amazing! I believe she's making some spaghetti and meat sauce. YUMMY! It's so nice to have her here. I thought I could do it all, but I realize that I can't and her help is exactly what I needed today. I was finally able to fold some laundry that I did for myself (imagine that) from this weekend. I would love to vacuum my downstairs and bedroom. Maybe I'll manage that tomorrow. Baby steps.

Baby talk

I don't know when babies are supposed to start baby talk, but Olivia started this morning. She was laying on my bed awaiting her morning change and wash-up and she just start gurgling out these baby noises...she was talking! I was shocked! So I started talking back to her and it was like we were having a conversation. I talk to her all the time anyway, and I talk to her like she's a little girl and not a baby. Maybe that has encouraged her to put some sounds together. I'm thrilled. My baby is growing up *tear*!!!

Watching you breathe

Dear Smoochie,

The expressions that come across your lovely face during sleep are priceless. I stare down into your bassinet wondering if you're comfortable. Too hot, too cold? I can never tell. Right now you're sleeping in a Onesie and pjs w/the foot out. I removed your socks b/c you're tightly snuggled in your swaddle. They say the swaddle is womb-like so I hope you like being swaddled while you sleep. Sometimes I feel like its a tad bit restrictive and like you want to break free, but again, I just don't know. Maybe one day we'll have a conversation around this. I hope I've made your first 11 days comfortable. I love you with a love that is indescribable! I'm your mother and you're my baby girl. The most special bond on earth and I'm soooo loving it, but especially you!

All my love,
Mama
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Call me Bessie!

It's seriously hard to find time to blog with a newborn baby. In fact, as I'm writing this post I am pumping breast milk for Olivia while she takes a nap. I have got to get on a more regular schedule with pumping b/c my breast are getting lumpy and kinda sore. Even with help here, it's hard to be on a schedule. Olivia's needs really sets the pace of how things will go, everything else happens when it happens.

The "plan" was to exclusively breastfeed her. But finding out that she was low-intermediate w/jaundice sent that plan packing. When we left the hospital 3 days after my c-section, my milk still had not come in completely. A few drops here and there but certainly not enough to nourish my hungry child. So upon the recommendation of the pediatrician at the hospital we started to supplement with formula. Enfamil Lipil has been working well. Slowly, but surely Olivia has weened herself off of her mother's nipple and now I'm pumping using the Medela Pump In Style so that she still gets the same nutrition she would if she were taking it straight from the breast. She's getting the best of both worlds with the breast milk and formula and it has certainly helped to rid her of the jaundice.

Pumping breast milk is truly a labor or love b/c its hella uncomfortable. Maybe my nipples haven't toughened up enough yet, but after having her gnaw on them for her first three days of life I figured they could withstand anything. I do like the Medela Pump In Style, it gets the job done and it comes in a cute little backpack which makes hauling it's accessories around much easier. I have a new appreciation for cows and what they go through to supply milk to the masses. Its still amazes me that my body even produces milk when 10+ months ago it did not. The female body is a mighty wonder!

Miss Olivia Gabrielle

Miss Olivia Gabrielle

March 30, 2010 @ 6:50pm via C-section

7lbs, 5 oz, 19.75 inches