Evie is doing really well, but alas she has hit the 6 week growth spurt. She went from drinking an average of 24 ounces a day, to nearly 38 yesterday! She's also not sleeping as much now. She's not very fussy, but she really doesn't want to be put down if you will not get down with her and entertain her. She's also waking up twice a night now instead of just once. I shouldn't whine about this, but she had us spoiled with her once a night routine. We did some photos yesterday. I'm anxious to see how they came out. We weren't able to lay her down and prop her up or anything. I think she's just too old for that, and she also wasn't sleepy at all. We were able to get several shots of us holding her while she is awake, so that's just fine by me. We also are going to lessen the amount of baths she gets per week. She had been getting daily baths in trans care, but the more I read about babies, both white and AA, that can really dry out their skin and hair. We're going to continue nightly massage and wipe downs, but actual baths will be once or twice a week, as needed.
Stephen continues to be an outstanding father. He never complains, he is always willing to help, and he insists on giving me breaks when I get going too fast. He's doing all this AND working! God bless him.
The pets have their ups and downs. They are getting attention, but the steady flow of visitors has them on edge. They bark a lot, but thankfully Evie sleeps right through it. Max is more needy than ever. Almost every time I put Evie down, he comes right on up into my lap. At night, he sleeps right in my face. Oh well, better me than the baby.
I continue to struggle to sleep with the monitor on. I just lay there waiting for her to wake up. It's sick. I have to get used to it! I also don't know when is the right time to resume my level of errands and activities. Evie is still getting to know us, so I really don't want to rock her world to much with my usual level of activity. At the same time, I am getting stir crazy. I think if I can get a Moby wrap and wear Evie, I won't feel so sedentary. As it is now, I can't set her down when she's awake without her crying. That really limits the amount of things I can do around the house.
I'm open to suggestions or feedback on anything I've blogged about today.
I have a sling you can have!! It will help a lot! I used one with S all the time since I had to be up and about with Jack and couldn't sit and hold her constantly like she wanted sometimes. As far as baths, you're right. Baby skin loses moisture on average twice as fast as adult skin, and I'd imagine AA skin even faster. And as far as activity, I'd just add a few things gradually. Take a trip to HEB one day, stop off at the mall the next. And you can always come here!! I'd love to have you over, and someone is always crying over here! :) Starting about 3 months Evie will learn that when she cries you will pick her up, and she will start to use that to her advantage. Right now she's too young to know that, so just hold her as much as you need to. She'll get big so fast, so soak in every second!
ReplyDeleteI vote for getting out bit by bit, too. She's at the age where she'll really start to observe her surroundings. I also vote for baby-wearing. There's a whole sect called Attachment Parenting, but I just did it so I'd have extra hands, lol. The wraps can be very frustrating at first since there's SO much fabric. I preferred the sevensling the best, followed by the ring sling. You'll find out what you prefer, though. If she's crying, no matter the age, she's trying to tell you something. I'd try to think of it as A talking, not crying. That's the only way they can communicate for a long time!
ReplyDeleteI vote for baby wearing and getting out! Kathryn had the coolest sling, the wraps have so much going on that I never got the hang of them, and the actual baby carriers were really hard on a big chest.
ReplyDeleteI used to go to the mall, before it opened, and walk around with the mall walkers then I would hit one or two stores when it opened. That might be a easy first trip out, you get super close parking.