A Hiccup

Still feeling good post C-section, but there was a small hiccup Wednesday.  My incision was pulling apart (the tiniest bit) in one place, and bleeding (the tiniest bit).  I thought this was strange since I am already a month into my recovery.  I saw my doctor the next day and he said not to worry- because this is my third incision, scar tissue on scar tissue just doesn't heal as well, but it will.  No infection, and I am due for my 6 week follow-up this coming Thursday where they can check it again. 

In the meantime, Kaya is consistently gracing us with more awake time.  She is still not much of a crier, but today she seemed much more fussy than usual.  I tried to think about what I had eaten, but there was no smoking gun that was obvious. Hoping tomorrow will be a bit better.

This morning I decided to throw caution to the wind and tackle a bit of our front yard I fondly call the jungle.  Already looking better, but check back Wednesday for the likely post, "Poison Ivy - The Never Ending Saga".

Kaya- 4 weeks

The adrenaline of the first month of sweet baby girl has long worn off.  I am now sleeping during nightly feedings and can barely function before two cups of coffee each morning.  I try to catch an afternoon nap while Tommy naps, but Kaya has designated that general time frame as her "awake" time.  On top of feeling physically exhausted, the pounds have quit dropping off despite the fact that I am nursing.  The scales are now stuck at 170.  I can't wait to start exercising so I have more energy.  I can't wait until I have more energy to start exercising.  Hmmm.  You see my dilemma. 

Still, Kaya is the easiest baby of my three.  She continues to sleep for 4 or 5 hours at a time at night and usually falls right back to sleep after each feeding.  She is an expert at peeing all over herself and me while I change her diaper.  Can't wait for this phase to end. 

So tired and crabby, I decided to try for a photo of all three kids.  After failing miserably, I rounded them up with Baba in tow and went to Picture People at the mall.  They failed as well thanks to a 2 year old who wouldn't sit still for two seconds.   I am holding out hope that my dear friend E can capture three smiling kiddos. 

I did manage to finally get a shot of Kaya's baby blues though-

On a positive note, this past Friday we celebrated Grampy's arrival home after a month and a half long absence in California.  He finally got a chance to meet his first granddaughter!

Only 4 more months before she sleeps through the night?  Tom and I have officially postponed our 5 year anniversary coming up on Friday until I am no longer wearing maternity clothes, have no bags under my eyes, and can stay awake while eating fancy food somewhere.  Completely unrelated, but has anyone actually tasted the multi-vitamin drops breastfeeding babies get?  I never had with P or T, but just did.  Try getting the taste of cherry rust out your mouth.  Ick. 

Kaya - 3 Weeks

Middle of night feedings are kicking my behind, but Kaya is doing well at the 3 week mark. We are solely breastfeeding with an occasional bottle here and there, just so I know that if I had to leave her for a few hours, she would at least take some formula.   She seemed to get a little a stuffy last night while I was feeding her, and am hoping we haven't already picked up a cold.  Although she is spending a little more time awake, her mellow personality is still intact.  She doesn't even wake crying at night for her feedings- I can hear her grunting and snorting over the monitor.  Patrick and Tommy used to cry, cry, cry during their tummy time, but this sweet girl just lays peacefully before dozing off to sleep. 

Who knew tummy time was a team sport?

We are gearing up for some visitors this week.  My sister and two nephews from Vermont arrive late Tuesday night and we can't wait!  Looking forward to having some help for a few days since Tom heads out of town for work at the same time as their arrival.  My recovery is nearly complete- no pain at all in day-to-day activities, and I can drive and pick up Tommy.  I guess exercise is just around the corner...I am looking forward to getting my gardens in order again, just in time for fall.

Kaya at Two Weeks

Two weeks down!  Kaya was an excellent pupil at the Breast Feeding Center of Pittsburgh on Friday, and I am happy to report we are completely off formula after only an hour of instruction from the best miracle workers around.  We had a weigh-in at the pediatrician this morning, and Kaya is already back up to 9 lbs (almost an 11 oz. gain in a week).  She doesn't have to be seen again until her 1 month check-up. 

She is still waking on her own at night, but only twice the last few nights.  Considering her sizable weight gain, there is no way I am waking her for middle of night feedings at this time.

Other developments?  Note the very subtle beginnings of what I fear is an emerging mohawk (originally made fashionable by big brother Patrick at birth).  It just won't go down.  I also swear her hair is getting lighter. 
She had her first bath last night, but cried as soon as I stripped her down.  Patrick was my helper, of course. 

I am still not driving, but getting very tempted to do so.  I still don't want to pick up Tommy quite yet, so I am going to stretch my patience a bit further until I can get him in and out of carts safely. 

We had some more visitors this past week - my sister and nephews. 



Jack (who was rooting for a little girl!)

Big cousin Nathan



Aunt Karen with Kaya

Growing

At a week and a half old, Kaya seems to be making progress on the eating front.  Last night she woke up to feed before my alarm went off each time.  I even got her to breastfeed for two of the feedings, although it wasn't for long.  I will take whatever I can get from sleepyhead right now. 

Meanwhile, the boys have been busy introducing their sister to the wonderful world of construction vehicles. 

My dad finally had a chance to hold Kaya while she was awake on his birthday earlier this week.  Happy 75th birthday, Dad!



Kaya her had first introduction to movie night on mom and dad's bed.  The boys are making their way through the Muppet's version of  the Wizard of Oz.

Who said baby gear is good for occupying only baby?

A Love Affair

Week one is under our belt and this household is holding strong.  We have had so much help, and Kaya is a mellow babe, at least for the time being.  We have been busy showering her with cuddles and kisses.


Patrick and Tommy visiting Kaya in the hospital on Day 3



Love this picture - P was leaning in to whisper to Kaya , " I love you sister".



Tommy continuing to surprise by how much he wants to hold his new sister

We were discharged from the hospital Thursday afternoon, but had to head straight to Children's Hospital to have Kaya's tongue tie clipped (a webbing that interferes with her ability to latch on properly while breastfeeding).  Tommy had one as well, and it turns out they are hereditary.  The procedure only took about 10 seconds, and while it has helped, Kaya is still not latching properly.  As a result, she was down over a pound from her birth weight.  While in the hospital, she went from 9.5 to 8.6 to 8.4.  We headed to the pediatrician on Friday and she had dropped to 8.3.  We started supplementing with formula and a return visit to the pediatrician yesterday revealed our first gain to 8.5.  I have already scheduled an appointment at an amazing breastfeeding center in Pittsburgh for Friday, but in the meantime it has been all bottles of whatever I can pump, supplemented with  formula.  I am discouraged that she will never want to latch after being on a bottle for so long, but I am not giving up. 


Uncle M and Aunt L visiting in the hospital

Heading home!

The cutest welcoming committee.

My mom, Jeanne, holding Kaya on her first day home.
 

Because Kaya lost so much of her birth weight, she has transformed into sleeping beauty and sleeps much more than either of my boys did at this stage.  I actually have to set my alarm and wake her up at night for feedings.  Really. The pediatrician told us this would likely last until she reached her birth weight.  The good news is she took a bottle/formula instantly like she was an old pro.  No pacifiers yet as I don't want any additional confusion as we try to get back to breast feeding, but she rarely cries, so it hasn't been an issue. 

My own recovery is speeding along.  I can already get up and down from the couch/chair by myself with barely any pain, and as of yesterday could get out of bed from a sleeping position on my own.  This is great news because it means I don't have to wake Tom to have him help me out for feedings.  Yesterday I had my staples removed (they kept them in a little longer than usual because it was my third incision).  My feet, which had barely shown any swelling throughout the pregnancy, ballooned up after the surgery.  This is the first morning they seem to be shrinking.  Today Tom heads back to work for the first time since Kaya arrived.  A little tired, but I am ready for today!