We're Not Quite There Yet...

Well, we went back to the pediatrician this past Thursday evening for a weight check, since Casey was only up to 6lbs, 12oz at our first appointment the Friday before. The doctor was hoping that Casey would be up to her birth weight (7lbs, 4oz) at the appointment, but we only made it to 7lbs even.

We thought that the 4oz gain was pretty good for 6 somewhat shaky days. We believe that Casey is a little bit "behind" in her feeding, thriving, etc. due to the jaundice, lethargy (which coincides with the high bilirubin levels), and extra hospital stay. But, alas, the pediatrician didn't agree with us.

Her concern means that we now have another weight check appointment this coming Thursday evening, and it also means that we have to force Casey awake at least every three hours for feedings. (We had been trying to do this in the beginning, but found that an upset, fussy, not-wanting-to-be-awake baby wouldn't end up eating until after a good 45 minutes of crying. That would put us practically to a 4-hour mark, and she was waking up around that time anyway.)

It's been a good three days thus far - we think.

Casey's becoming more alert on her own, so the wakings aren't as forced or "painful" on any of us. (Mommy and Daddy, however, aren't the best at getting up the first time our alarm clock goes off - having hit the snooze button for an extra hour plus last night!) And I've been reading up on both "What to Expect the First Year" and "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" to ensure that Casey is gracing us with enough wet and dirty diapers daily AND that I am letting her stay on each side until she's truly done... and has hopefully received some of the fatty, rich hind milk.

But it's not easy. Every time that we begin our nursing process, I get a little pit in my stomach, worrying about nourishing my daughter well enough. I'm petrified already about what the doctor might see or say on Thursday. Will we gain the average ounce-a-day? Or, if we don't, will the pediatrician want us to supplement Casey's diet? In which case, will I have to pay an arm-and-a-leg to get a lactation consultant in the house? (Let me tell you, this whole breastfeeding thing takes commitment!!)

I really don't know any of the answers to my "what ifs," so I shouldn't worry too much about it for now. But just pray that our baby is thriving!

More Photos...

Hope you're not sick of them yet!!

"Stuff" Takes Time...

Tee Jay and his sister Kristy have this little saying (coined by Kristy) of "S#%t Takes Time" - which we will call "Stuff Takes Time" to be kid- and baby-friendly.

It's totally true. It takes time to prepare for a baby. The nine months of pregnancy is a wonderful time to await the life change that your child will bring. But it's also a time when you need to buy items, set up a nursery, rearrange your home, and so on.

We did the normal preparations early, having the swing, bouncy seat, pack 'n' play, etc. ready well in advance. The co-sleeper was attached to our bed for at least the past couple of months, and the car seat was on the living room floor for several weeks. This was a nice way to get both us and our cats used to the upcoming adjustment.

When we headed out of our house on Friday, February 20th to the hospital, we were thinking, "Well, we didn't have this one last weekend for preparations, but at least we're totally ready!"

And we were. Clean house. Baby items appropriately placed. Etc.

After just a few days, here's what her pack 'n' play looks like; can you even find the baby?

Visitors...

We've been blessed with several visitors already, some from nearby and others from afar. Again, more pics!



Jen, John, and Makenzie.................................................



Grania..................................................................



Grand Dad and Cheryl....................................................



Grandma.................................................................



Auntie Tree.............................................................



...and cousin Violet....................................................



Auntie Heather..........................................................



Owen Alexander..........................................................
(who did come with his Mommy and Daddy, Carrie and Ken)

You Decide...

Ah, the infamous (and not-often-too-cute) hospital photos! You decide if Casey looks like her Mommy or Daddy or both...







Casey Susanne,
02/20/09















Terry Alan, 11/11/82
















Christina Louise, 11/05/79

Burpy Girl...

When we sit Casey up to burp her, she almost always opens her eyes and looks so intensely serious. It's the cutest thing, so here's a pic and a video.







(Pardon the dopey voice on the video - I think that everything about new parents is pretty dopey!)

Our Sweetie...

(at her first pediatrician's appointment)