Invest in a Wet Nurse, Seriously.

The good Lord has blessed me with a beautiful little girl who loves to sleep. She goes to bed sometime around 10 pm, and generally sleeps for 4-5 hours. When she wakes up, all she wants to do is eat, and go back to sleep. Which she does without protest. In case of spit up or the hiccups, the Lord in his wisdom has also blessed me with a husband who has volunteered to be back up - if she has trouble falling back asleep, or needs a little holding, he takes over after the eating part of our night is finished. I realize how incredibly lucky I am to have these two elements contributing to what should be incredible sleep with a newborn. What I seem to be lacking is either a) the money to have hired a wet nurse to wake up with my darling girl in the night or b) the ability to put MYSELF back to sleep when she's so clearly taken care of. Every night, she falls asleep within minutes of waking up (seriously, I'm talking within 15 minutes), and I lay awake. Tonight, I've almost managed to make it to her next feeding. I've tried counting things, I've tried getting out of bed, I've changed positions, Shawn has rubbed my back. The only thing I haven't tried, and I'm getting really close, is my own pacifier.

The Reason for Having Kids

The moment parents look forward to, that tells them this has all been worth it, has happened. Well, the first one. I think hearing Mommy for the first time will be one of those moments too. Em smiled at me, not at gas today. How do I know this is the case? I tested it. I left, telling her I'd be right back. 4 times in the course of the day, when I came back after a minute and said hi, and smiled at her, she smiled back! Whoooo! I guess the jury's still out on whether or not she loves Daddy, but I've been confirmed. I'll also see if I can get a short video of her newest trick. She either loves or is terrified of a horsey/tractor noise. You know, when you blow air out through your lips? Grandma Patsy found out that she reacts quite strongly to that noise. It's incredibly cute.

Baptism

Emmeline was baptized today, and was SO well behaved! She slept for most of the service, and woke up only when Pastor Dave sprinkled the water on her. She had a great time at the party we had afterward at our house.

On Thursday, Em got to meet Grandma Patsy! She was a little cranky at first, since she was ready to nap, but has warmed up to Grandma. They have been having a great visit all weekend. At 4 weeks, Emmeline is holding her head up beautifully and loves to watch people. She is talking and talking, especially to the picture of the butterfly above her changing table. She tells him all her woes, and the good stories too.

Pediatrician Update

Emmeline had her 2 week check up today; she weighs 8 lbs 7 oz, meaning she's averaging 1 oz a day. Pretty good. She also had her first vaccination, since we opted to wait on the Hep B they normally give in the hospital. I managed to make it through without crying, but barely. Em was another story. Very unhappy baby. We also went and visited CA, where she got to meet all her future teachers. Then we had lunch with Connie. A very busy day, and now my poor girl is worn out. Not too tired to give me reproachful looks though.

Emmeline on her Movement Mat

Sorry there's no sound...

Weight Issues

Quick post before we give Miss Em another bath: Pediatrician was concerned about her weight loss (she lost 9 ounces from her birth weight), so he asked us to come back in on Thursday for another weight check. In two days, she gained 10 ounces! She was above her birth weight for the appointment, so the nurse practitioner told us whatever we're doing, to keep doing it.
On my end of things, this has been the best diet I've ever been on - one week out, I have exactly four pounds to go till I'm at my pre baby weight!!!! I don't know what I'm doing right, but this definitely exceeds my expectations, so I am VERY happy. I've worn regular jeans, with a button and fly and everything since Wednesday. Yea!

A Busy Day!

Miss Emmeline had her first bath this morning. It was only slightly stressful, she actually seemed to really enjoy it at first. She didn't get too upset until she was mostly wet. All in all, it wasn't too traumatic, and we all survived. After that, we got all ready for the big inauguration, with Emmy being the only one dressed for the occasion. She was very calm and watched some of the pre-inaugural stuff, but then fell asleep. Shawn felt she wan't showing the appropriate respect for the gravity of the situation, but we let her sleep anyway. As soon as the inauguration was over, we had to run to the pediatrician appointment. She's doing great, and we like our pediatrician a lot. We all went to the grocery store after the doctor's office, and she slept through her first trip out running errands. It was a VERY busy day, and she is now passed out, likely down for the count.

Shawn and I want to thank everyone who has stopped by, called, texted or sent us well wishes in anyway - we really appreciate everything, and are SO grateful for this huge support network we have!