Quick updates

Today was Tom's first real day back at school so I got both kiddos by myself. An adjustment to say the least. For all parties involved. So far so good though. I even managed to pick up a package at the post office without melt downs on anyone's part (yes, this does include me).

Later this afternoon we get to make a trip to the big city and my doctor to get one last staple out. Somehow the nurse that pulled my umpteen-zillion staples missed one. Oh well. I don't even know how many were in there, but it was a lot. It took me about 10 days to realize that there was still one in there. Goofy.

Bear is doing really well with his little sister. I've even seen some hugs and heard some I love you's. He likes telling people that she is his sister when we go places. We went to a friend's for dinner the other night and Bear was a bit protective of his baby sister. All good things as far as I'm concerned. Bear is pretty funny about things like blankets though. He doesn't like Tom or I to grab a blanket of his and use for his sister, but it is just fine if she uses one that he put on her.

As far as Amelia herself goes... She has her nights and days a little mixed up. She likes sleeping during the day and has several hours in the middle of the night that she likes to be up. Kinda kicks her momma's hind end. Otherwise she is just doing her job of being a newborn; sleeping, eating, pooping (I forgot how much newborns do this), and gaining weight. The other thing we've discovered about this kid is how much of a cuddler she is. As much as Bear liked being by himself, Amelia likes being snuggled up. So long as she is in someone's arms she'll sleep soundly. The moment you lay her down she is working on waking up. I guess I did ask for a more cuddly kid. :)

I'd better get a few things done while the Bear is laying down and before we have to head into town. Before too long I'll pull some more pictures off the camera and get them posted. In all my free time.

A few pictures...

Great smiles from Bear
Amelia

Bear sharing his blanket with Amelia

Bear holding Amelia's hand

Proud big brother

Celebration cheese cake from the hospital that went with a whole special dinner they made for us.

Hospital bathtime

Dad's footprint "tattoo"

Doctor Appointments

Last Friday we ended up taking Bear to the doctor for a cough that has been going on for about 2 weeks. These usually end up as ear infections and antibiotics. It did this time too, but I think we caught it before it got too bad. Bear never complains about his ears hurting. All I see is the cough and runny nose. It has taken a couple times but I finally have it figured out that it is generally an ear infection.

During this doctor appointment we found out Bear weighs 35 pounds. We got curious when we got home and measured how tall he was. He has grown about 3 inches in 5 months which puts him around 39 inches tall. No wonder I feel like he keeps getting bigger. He really is growing like a weed.

Today was Amelia's first well-baby check. When we were discharged from the hospital they were a little worried about her weight. She had dropped a bit more than they like to see. One comforting thought (as strange as this might be) is that the lactation consultant was pretty sure the hospital's scales are off. They have a company coming in soon to calibrate the scales more often. What it amounts to is that the gal didn't think Amelia had lost too much weight since she didn't show any other signs of issues.

Today we were happy to see that our little one is gaining weight again. No more worries there. All the nurses got too ooh and ahh over the newbie and Bear got to tell everyone that Amelia is his sister. Plus Bear got suckers. He was pretty excited about that. Tom and I were just happy our girl got a clean bill of health. We'll go back in at two months for the first round of shots. What a difference from our experience with Bear. With Bear's jaundice and circumcision and weight loss we spent a lot of time at the doctor office the first couple of weeks.

With that experience we found we did not like the clinic in the big city. We much prefer our little clinic that is within walking distance. Everyone knows us there, we can get in to see a doctor usually within an hour of calling, we don't have to make our appointments until the week we want the apointment, and we have a much more pleasant experience at our little clinic.

Off for bath time, diaper changes, and bed time stories.

Amelia Rae

Well, we did it, had our baby girl and managed to get home. I had forgotten the sleep deprivation. Now that we are home it isn't so bad, but hospitals are awful for sleeping. Between lots of people, being checked on every two hours, and a new baby there wasn't much sleeping. Then you have goofy things going on like I did and end up with fire drills and plates being dropped outside the room. Amazing.

So I'm sure that my readers are wondering how the baby is...

She is good. 8 pounds 8 ounces and just under 21 inches long at birth. Dark hair and blue eyes. We'll see how much the hair and eyes change in the next couple months. "Millie" (what Bear has been calling her) is a very mellow kid. Everything seems to be by the book so far with this one. I didn't think Bear was difficult but this baby seems much easier. Maybe it is just because it is number two. I have experience now so everything isn't quite so terrifying and new.

Surgery went well too. I think not being in labor before the surgery made it easier to recover. I still move slowly and can't pick up heavy stuff but I feel pretty decent. Besides the actual incision pain the only thing that is really bothering me is where the i.v. was and the other hand where they tried to do my i.v. at first.

Now we are working on figuring out our new routine. The kids seem to be figuring out the routine pretty well. The adults still have some adjusting to do. Granted we've only had about 2 days to get it figured out. It will get easier. Especially as I heal up and everyone gets used to each other.

I hope this makes some sort of sense as I'm getting used to operating on very little sleep. Which since both kids are asleep I think I will try to get some sleep myself.

Soon to be in the depths again.

Well, as of Monday (if all goes as planned) we should have another kiddo. I'm ready to have baby out, but I am not ready to have a baby household again. I love each new stage that Bear goes through. The older he gets, the more fun he gets. Although I am excited to see each new first thing again. I can't believe it has been almost 3 years since we were at this point with Bear.

I don't know when I'll get back to this blog. It will be interesting to see what kind of a schedule we all come up with. I don't know if Bear will like his routines messed with. Although it doesn't take him long to adjust to a new schedule. He's a pretty flexible kid when it comes right down to it.

One thing I'm finding with this pregnancy is that all the pregnancy trackers and advice really have nothing concerning a baby in the winter. Of course all the advice is directed at preventing SIDS. This is fine and dandy and something that absolutely be prevented, but they recommend no blankets in a baby's crib. Then it becomes a choice. Frozen baby or the possibility of SIDS? I know, not very happy thoughts. I just have a drafty house and live in a northern climate that gets nice and cold. I am not looking forward to the propane bills that are coming up. Such as life.

Maybe I'll get ambitious and write an article for one of the parenting magazines. I can't imagine that I'm the only person looking for how to keep a newborn warm in a drafty old house. For now I'll just worry about getting the baby here. Then I'll worry about all the other stuff that goes with being a parent.

Until next time when I'm updating everyone on the newbie...