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| Avery loves Mazie! |
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| Mazie in her blessing dress. I need to get some better pics taken because my camera is lousy. |
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| In a pot. She was supposed to be 9 days old, but I didn't get around to taking the picture until she was 21 days old. Oops. Still, it's supposed to show perspective. I think my angle was off... |
The transition to 4 has been the easiest so far...and also the hardest. Because of my easy delivery, recovery was almost nonexistent. I had some pains (symphysis pubis dysplasia, a pinched nerve, and a hemorrhoid) but they resolved within a week and a half of her birth. Because of my tremendous milk supply and an electric pump, I was able to store almost 200 oz of milk in the first 2 weeks ON TOP of feeding Mazie. I felt like "that ol' heifer out there" (quoting my grandfather). Anyway, besides all that, it didn't feel like I actually had a baby.
But Mazie has shown some of the classic dairy sensitivity symptoms, leading me to go to a dairy free diet...again. And it has helped SO much. (For those of you who are about to ask "What symptoms?", she was very fussy most of the time, struggled to get burps out, had explosive poops, some green stool, full body contortions as she tried to get the bubbles out, high pitched squeal-like screams after eating, stopping in the middle of nursing crying, discomfort lying down, and the tell-tale sign--a rash that appeared all over her body at 11 days old.)
After going off dairy, it takes about 1-3 weeks before the dairy has cleared both our systems. We're at 13 days and things are so much better. We've had 3 evenings where she hasn't screamed for 2 hours, fighting against the bubbles, 3 days of a very pleasant, very calm baby. It has been SO nice! However, it does make all 200 oz. of that milk in my freezer unusable for this baby. I'm looking into donation.
Despite her struggles with dairy, she has gained weight like no other! Leaving the hospital, she was 6 lbs 13 oz. At her 2 week appointment, she was 7 lbs. 12 oz. Amazing for our kids! Today, she was weighed at another appointment and was 8 lbs. 12 oz. Really?! A pound in just 9 days? I honestly think the scale must have been broken...
She is beautiful, delightful, and continues to be a source of entertainment for all the girls. Keara is a lifesaver most of the time when I need to make dinner, help another little girl, or do anything else I may need to do. She can watch Mazie and I don't have to worry. Or, like the other day when I was exhausted beyond comprehension, I laid down with Mazie and Keara babysat her sisters. I got a full hour of sleep without an interruption from any of the three older girls. Wonderful!
The reason the transition to 4 has been hardest is because I feel like I don't have time to get anything done. Either I don't have time or I'm too tired. I'm getting about 6 1/2 opportunity hours of sleep, with a half hour interruption in the middle to feed Mazie. But I'm needing about 10 hours of straight sleep, not chunks of 3 and 4 here and there. I find myself almost falling asleep going to and from Keara's school. But I can't "sleep when the baby sleeps" because I'm either in the car, making dinner, or taking care of Taryn and Avery.
So I'm redefining my expectations. Whereas normally I wouldn't turn on the TV during the week at all for the girls, they have watched two movies this week so I could lay down. And I'm convincing myself that that is okay. I would rather let them watch movies than me be so worn out that I can't be patient, kind, and respectful of my girls. I've lost my patience more in the last week than in the last 6 months...so I guess movies are a better alternative. If in a day I feed my kids, do the laundry, cooking, and cleaning, and maybe spent a little time with the girls, it's a good day, right? I have to put everything else aside for now. But that's hard with Christmas coming up and feeling like I have to finish the last details.
Oh well. I'm doing my best. If I weren't so tired, I think my best would be better. But then I just keep reminding myself that I had a baby just 3 weeks ago and being tired is part of the territory. And this little girl is so worth the exhaustion!
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| Merry Christmas! This display we created on our entertainment center makes me very happy!! |
4 comments:
Hi Cheri, So glad things are going so well. I am getting ready to send out Christmas cards and would love to send your family one.
kelsey2202@hotmail.com
Cheri 2 movies in ONE WEEK?! Seriously...we watch pbs cartoons in the morning and at least 2-4 movies in a week after nap time. Don't feel guilty. You have to survive. We are finally slowing down on the tv as life is finally becoming a little more stable for us but we still have our share of zoning out. I have been making more frequent trips to the library which has been fun for the kids. Let the movies flow and let sleep take over. You will be a much happier mama who won't have to re-gain her love for her kids after losing it to insomnia and impatience. You are a ninja mommy and I love you!
Ha. Graham watches TV almost every day. 2 movies in a week is impressive. I think I'd be putting 2 movies on each day if I were as tired as you. When you get your energy back, you can restrict the TV again. Don't beat yourself up. Let them watch TV for a while. You can be wondermom again once you're getting full nights of sleep. :)
And how nice that you already know the signs of sensitivity to dairy. You were able to nip it in the bud right away. Lucky you and lucky Mazie!!
Congrats Cheri! you are a great mom!
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