1. That whole, "She's so cute, I even love the sound of her screaming her head off," lasts until about 2:00 AM. This may be compounded when she poops out of her diaper onto the sheets you're trying to sleep on.
2. In the dimmed half-light at around 3:00 AM, her screaming face begins to look and sound like a space alien.
3. Sleeping in shifts helps.
4. Mom's are the true heroes in families.
5. Patting a fussy baby is as much a comfort to you as to the baby.
6. She's so cute, I even love the sound of her screaming her head off. When I'm not in charge.
As you can see, we had a midwife home visit this morning in order to help SAM with a couple of questions that she had and to do a quick check of the baby. She's lost just a tad of weight as she's weighing in at 2820 Grams / 6.22 pounds which is, apparently fine as the weight loss is less than 10% of her beginning body weight. Also, her poop is yellowish/greenish/brown which is apparently what we want. Hooray for breast milk (which is coming in wonderfully)!
In the examination, the midwife thought that Margaret was a touch jaundiced and so is recommending that SAM feed at least every 3 hours during the day and every 4 at night. We were about there if not better anyways, so it represents little change to our schedule.
So it seems like things are going along quite well, I think, all things considered. Sarah and Margaret came home last night with my mom and aunt helping her. Through the evening, Sarah and I worked out a system of responsibility for Margaret.
As she is on my side, every 3 hours (or if she wakes), it's my job to unwrap her, wake her, check her diaper and change it if necessary. I then hand her to SAM who will breastfeed while I nap. Once Margaret has had all she wants, I take the baby back, burp, check the diaper, re-swaddle and put her down again. What's especially nice is that I can reach over and pat her on her tummy to help her sleep if she's a bit fussy. It makes dad feel nice too.
Last night, the system seemed to work alright - except for when I didn't burp her well enough and she kept screaming. Finally, she burped up all this milk and so we had to change her receiving blanket and shirt and the sheet in her crib because she was soaked! Then, of course, she was hungry again. But hopefully the system will allow Sarah to get a little bit more sleep over time in the evenings.
Besides that, however, it went alright. We successfully got through our first night at home! I have NO idea how Sarah managed it alone in the hospital. Women are apparently superhuman. At least superior to men.
These past couple of days we've had a flood of wonderful emails, text messages and phone calls from all of our friends and family who have been incredible engaged, supportive and loving. Thanks to all of you for being your wonderful selves and for showing Margaret, Sam and I so much love and thought. We are truly lucky to be so blessed and will keep you all updated with the latest via the blog.
4 comments:
You are the BEST, John! I needed exactly that laugh around the sack of potatoes, followed by being deliciously provided with all the details of that first night. There is no other like it, when you're just trying to figure it all out. Crash course! And often a very inflexible baby complaining, "Don't you GET IT, Dad??" And the no sleep thing...
But this little being is a total charmer- at least when she's asleep. How can you resist that angelic face? They just don't come any cuter...well, from this perspective, at least! It's a quiet picture of the bellowing baby that I get. :-)
We're all in your pockets, sending support as you muddle through these first few days. You're doing a super job so far!!! What a lucky baby to have you two as parents. Thanks SO much for sharing! Love you! M/R
Hi John! I've been trying to figure this out ever since you posted... what part of Margaret's body are we looking at in the first picture?
It's so cool to be reading along with you guys as you figure out your first few days living with this new little person!
love, Brad and Sylvia
In the first photo, what you're looking at is her whole body in the sling. But you can see the little black spot through the opening which is what's left of her umbilical cord.
Congratulations!! Steve and I are very happy for you. Margaret is beautiful. She will continue to amaze you..and she will constantly change. We wish you much happiness with your new addition. Love, Sandy and Steve
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