Finally a moment to write!

I don't think I could have ever predicted how much time in the day could be devoted to a new baby. This week I learned! Hence, why I am just now writing on the blog that we are home and settled, and have been since Monday afternoon!

Co-sleeping in the hospital last Sunday went pretty well. The nurse still had to come in to bring milk and to take Abigail out for some tests. But, for the most part, it was just us. I actually think that night was easier than the nights to follow. Monday morning, the bilirubin test came back at 7.5 and the doctors decided we could go home. We got a host of discharge instructions, including appointments scheduled with two doctors for follow-ups. We dressed her in the outfit my grandma picked out, and left the hospital. The ride home was a little surreal. After being there for almost 9 days, it felt weird to take our baby out of the hospital, though she didn't seem to mind. The ride home was pretty smooth.

Chrissy checks out the new arrival

settling in to the new digs

Tuesday morning, we had our first pediatrician appointment, which went well. Dr. Burk examined her and said she looks really great - currently no sign of returning jaundice, apparently good muscle tone, and she's gaining weight. She weighed in at 5 lbs, 9 oz on Tuesday. We will see the doctor again this coming Thursday, and she will decide whether or not we need to run another bilirubin test, and they'll weigh her again to make sure she's continuing to gain weight. Abbie seems to be doing well with her feedings (almost consistently taking 50mls each session), so I expect she'll be even bigger this week.

I am extremely grateful that my mom came to stay with us again this past week. She arrived shortly after we returned from the doctor's office on Tuesday and stayed through Thursday afternoon. She helped with nighttime feedings and babysat so that I could get out a little bit, too. Wednesday, I visited school to see my students and meet with my principal, followed by a dentist appointment. We were supposed to have a master class for my Adv. Middle School Chorus, but there was some confusion and the clinician did not come. However, Mom was super sweet and agreed to stay an extra day, because the clinic was rescheduled for Thursday. I am really glad that I got to see my kids in action. They are singing the music that I had chosen for their spring concert, and it gave me chills to hear their pretty sound again! They responded well to the clinician and seemed to have a really good time. The whole experience made me miss school even more!

Friday was my first day completely on my own. It went pretty well, but I must admit I was physically exhausted. My feet were sore as can be by the end of the day and I felt like I accomplished nothing! Tony and I took a short walk around the neighborhood after dinner. We stopped to talk to a few neighbors along the way and got some advice from another dad down the street who is expecting his second child in October. It looks like there will be 4 kids on our section of the street who will be within 1 year of each other - two boys and two girls. I hope they will grow to be great playmates!

By the time we finished our VERY short walk, I was completely worn out and needed a serious foot massage from Tony. My body is not used to all of this moving around and being on my feet, since I did not exercise, or hardly even move, for 15 weeks. It's clearly going to take some time to get back in shape.

Yesterday, I went crazy running errands to accomplish all of the things on my To-Do list. Sometimes I feel like I cannot rest until everything is done, so I got it all done yesterday. Tony stayed home with Abigail and I went out for most of the day (had to break it into two trips, though, so I could handle it... and pump inbetween outings). I got the grocery shopping done, along with purchasing some most storage bins at Target to help me get the house organized. I also picked up a baby gift for my neighbor, who is due on my actual due date - June 11. I got some clothes that fit (I have a lot to lose before my pants will fit again!). Had to settle for nursing shirts and some flowy skirts. Shorts are just NOT an option right now! Also got another baby hat to fit Abbie's tiny head. I searched and searched for hats that would work, but most everything is made for size 0-6 months. They swallow her! Just as I was about to give up, I happened upon a single rack for preemies. I had to buy a whole outfit just to get the hat, but it was worth it to have a replacement when her other hat is in the wash.

I also picked up a recommended book at the library - The Happiest Baby on the Block. I tried to start reading it last night while pumping, but I was so tired that I barely got through 3 pages! Abbie was also requiring some extra attention, which kept me from really getting much of anything done.

Tony was completely exhausted yesterday. He went in for a nap before dinner and was out like a light within seconds of hitting the pillow. I'm hoping he is catching up on sleep right now, too, so that the upcoming work week will be a little easier. We're trying to settle on a nighttime feeding schedule that will allow us both to get the optimum amount of sleep and allow Tony to maintain his gym schedule. It looks like Tony will probably be feeding at 11pm and 8am (after going to the gym at 5:30), and I will get up in the middle of the night for the 2am and 5am feedings. Theoretically, I can nap during the day to catch up, though I've yet to see how that works.

So besides the obvious exhaustion we're experiencing, there has been some good stuff this week, too. Mainly, Abigail is starting to have more awake periods and is looking more alert. We even had a little play session the other night for a good length of time. So far, the cats have not tried to get too close to her, nor have there been any attempts to get in the crib. They actually lay out in the hallway, seemingly guarding her door at night. It's pretty cute!

playing on the couch

I think Abigail gets prettier every day. She is starting to develop some personality (as much as one can at 2 weeks old). I also feel like she is recognizing us and responding to our soothing, which makes me feel good, too. I really can't believe she is officially 14 days old. It doesn't seem like that much time has passed. Though, at the same time, I feel like we are developing a great bond that makes it seem like she's been here forever. I'm looking forward to seeing how she grows over the next few weeks.