About Babywearing. Plus Camera Advice Requested. AND A PICTURE!

Thanks for all the great comments. Sorry I’ve been a terrible commenter. I’ve been reading, but it’s hard to comment more than a few words here and there.

About all the babywearing suggestions. I actually have 4 options. I have a Hotsling, a maya wrap, a Moby wrap, and an Ergo carrier with the infant insert. 3 of them hand me downs, 1 a gift. A big part of the problem is how constantly she wants to nurse. She’ll nod off while nursing, I’ll burp her, then I keep her upright for a while to keep spitting up to a minimum, but often within 5 minutes of taking her off the boob, she’ll be awake again and rooting for more. This literally goes on for hours. I’m sore! When I can wear her, the Hotsling is easiest around the house, since it’s the easiest to take on and off. But it’s the hardest on my back.

It’s really amazing how she’ll seem to be out cold in my arms for quite a while, but within 2 minutes of gently putting her down, she’s fussing or crying. I am not going to let my 3 week old CIO. (BTW, anyone have a good comeback for the idiots well meaning people who tell me I shouldn’t spoil her? Spoil a newborn! Puleeze!)

Re camera advice, I have a decent “point and shoot,” but have been thinking about getting a digital SLR to take better pictures of my cutie pie. Any suggestions for a moderately priced camera?

Here’s a little cuteness for you all.

Happy holidays from us!

Seriously, this ROCKS!

I’m tired, but not horribly sleep deprived. I’ve managed 3 showers in the last 2 1/2 weeks, but I don’t care. My daughter can gnaw at my boobs for hours at a time, and when she’s not nursing or sleeping, only wants to be held. It makes it hard to type. When she’s sleeping, I’m either trying to sleep myself, or getting something done around the apartment. Still feeling guilty about the list of thank you notes that is getting longer. But ya know, when I have a few minutes, the sink full of dirty dishes (or other household chore) needs attending. Or I'm trying to eat something. I admit to getting cookie crumbs in baby girl’s hair the other day, munching while nursing. I’m pleased with myself today because I managed to finish filling out the FMLA paperwork. Tomorrow’s goal is taking care of my insurance stuff. Adding baby girl to my plan, and making flex spending and dependent child care account decisions. (Hate the “use it or lose it” aspect of this.)

Ummm, newborns are really demanding. But I am so madly in love with her, and am drinking in her baby sweetness. Her skin is truly the softest thing I’ve ever felt. Her cheeks and belly are getting rounder. So smoochable! I can’t describe the feeling I get when she’s content with a full belly, and just gazes at me. I love being her mommy!

Oh, I know this post is all over the place, but it’s what I can manage right now. I will write the obligatory birth post when I can. BTW, I highly recommend the Itzbeen for new, sleep deprived moms.

Perfect Moment Monday — Satisfaction

I haven’t participated in Perfect Moment Monday before, but I’m too overwhelmed with my amazing 8 day old daughter to write a longer post, and I wanted to share this moment.

I think baby girl is getting ready for a growth spurt. She wanted to nurse for HOURS last night. At one point after sucking steadily for about 30 minutes, she let go of my nipple, turned her head to the side, smacked her lips, and let out a satisfied, “Aaaaaah!”

These are the moments I want to remember. I’ve waited so long for her, I want to drink in these simple moments.

She's sleeping next to me right now, but I've been hearing the unmistakable sounds of her filling her diaper. So I'm off to partake in another mommy moment.

Here She Is!!!!

Much to tell you all, but a bit overwhelmed right now. Baby girl was born one week ago. She is a delightful baby. When she fusses, all she needs is a quick cuddle or a boob, and she's great. I want to protect her privacy, so will not be using her name here. I am posting a photo with her name embedded in it, but that way it's not in the text and not searchable.

I'm taking suggestions on what to call her here. I could just call her S, but certain bloggers (Aunt Becky ;-)) have said they find that annoying. So help me out here.

I will write more when I can. Enjoy the deliciousness.

BTW, I had decided on her second middle name before I found out that a certain famous mommy blogger had given her second daughter that name.

She's Perfect!!!!!!!

My daughter arrived via c-section at 10:40 pm on November 29th. She's gorgeous! I'm madly in love. I will probably post her name embedded in a photo the way Calliope did after W's birth, so it's not searchable. So you'll have to wait for that. And for more details, as I'm posting this from my iTouch. I may try to convince my mother to bring my MacBook from my apartment, but I'm not going to count on her cooperation with that. So you may have to wait until Thursday for a photo and details.

It still feels surreal. Right now she is in the nursery being further cleaned up and checked out, but then she will be with me. Feeling her soft baby skin against mine is the most wonderful feeling.

Holy crap, I'm a mommy!!!!!!

Admitted!

Well, I thought I was leaking some amniotic fluid last night, but wasn't sure. Had some lower abdominal cramping, but no contractions. Called my doula, but not the dr. The cramping kept me up most of the night, so after talking to the doula again this morning, I called the dr's office. They said to come in. I expected that, but didn't think much of it, since I hadn't had any contractions. Baby girl was and has continued to wiggle around. I took my time getting ready. Ate some Thanksgiving leftovers and took a shower. I really expected them to check me out and send me home. So I stopped at Starbux to pick up a coffee and a blueberry scone, and took the subway in. That will make for some story for my girl to tell about her birth.

Anyway, when I arrived, I could hear the dr on call talking about me down the hall. They expected me much sooner. Sure enough, my water has broken, but I am not even a cm dialated. I've been admitted, and pitocin has been started. Looks like I'm having a November baby!

Will keep you all posted as I can.

xoxo

Long Awaited Update

As of today, 37 weeks 2 days! Although I really don't look it. She is measuring perfectly. As of my u/s last Monday (at 36 weeks) she was estimated at 6lbs 5oz. 60th percentile. But when the OB walked into the exam room last Friday, she looked at me and said, "Where are you hiding her?" I think she's hiding against my tailbone, since that's where it hurts!

Sorry to keep you all waiting. I’ve been trying to wrap things up at work and just haven’t able to get anything much done otherwise. The thank you notes that need to be written are taunting me. I feel sooooo guilty about that. Baby girl has received so many beautiful, heartfelt gifts. I'm so incredibly touched. This is going to be one well dressed little girl!

Well, my placenta has moved sufficiently for me to be cleared for a vaginal birth. YAY! But still, being cleared for it doesn’t mean it will happen that way. I really have no great hopes and dreams for the birth other than delivering a healthy baby. (Oh, except could it please not hurt too much?) My blood pressure on the other hand, remains somewhat elevated. I did a 24 hour urine collection (oh, joy!), which showed some protein. Word from the OB yesterday was to continue to monitor my bp with my home monitor, and come in to L&D if it goes over 140/90, or if I have any other symptoms of preeclampsia. She suggested I use evening primrose oil vaginally (5 capsules up the vag at bedtime, prometrium flashbacks), to help soften the cervix in case she needs to induce me. Been doing that since the weekend. I also have an appointment with my acupuncturist next week. I haven’t seen her since I’ve been pregnant. I will have her do points to get labor rolling.

So I think this baby’s going to be here soon!!!! OMG!!!!

In the meantime, I hate to whine, but I am so uncomfortable. Commuting is a killer. Any walking causes lots of low back and round ligament pain. Putting on socks is REALLY hard. (Although, truly one of the few things that has been annoying about doing this as an SMC. I've been very at peace with that aspect. Particularly hearing about friends' marital difficulties lately.) So glad to have this upcoming 4 day weekend. I have told them at work that unless I go into labor sooner, next Wednesday will be my last day.

Oh, she had hiccups this morning. So cute.