Elle is One Month Old!

It is so hard to believe that Elliet is already one month old! The month flew by so quickly. Allot of learning has occurred this month, and boy was I naive to what life with a newborn would be like! I'm not sure anyone could have prepared us for the life we've come to know, the good and the hard parts. Thankfully she makes life much sweeter!



Elle is growing and becoming much more alert. We've started tummy time on her play mat to help strengthen her neck and back muscles to reduce her risk of SIDS. She does very well, she can lift her head while lying on her tummy and turn it from side to side. She responds well to sounds and will follow objects briefly with her eyes.



She is such a good baby. Thankfully we haven't dealt with too much fussiness, I think due to my sleep deprivation I'm typically more fussy then she is! Ha! I have been researching sleep training, when to start and what are the best ways to get baby to sleep through the night. I am so much looking forward to a uninterrupted night of sleep, just the thought of it makes me giddy as if I'm about to leave for a vacation!

Bath time has gotten much better! Initially she did not enjoy her baths, but as of a week ago, she will sit through them without a tear. She actually seems to enjoy them now.



What she has added to our lives is unexplainable. We can't wait to see what this next month brings!

 

 

Baby Fav's

So, by no means do I claim to be an expert of babies. While I was pregnant, I enjoyed reading and hearing what other mom’s loved for their babies. These are the items that have become my ‘Must-Haves’ items, in no particular order:

If you are nursing/pumping, you MUST get this bra! This thing has helped keep me sane, I can’t imagine having to sit for 20 minutes holding funnels to my breast at 3 am. You may think this is a ridiculous product if you have not had the need to use one or seen one in action, but it has been a favorite purchase so far!

 

The Baby Connect app has been an absolute ‘Must-Have’! In my sleep deprived state I could at times probably forget my own name much less remember the last time I fed Elliet. It keeps track of her feedings, diaper changes, my pumping sessions and much, much more.  And for my type-A personality, it even puts the information into bar graphs and time lines for me! Just since I started using the app, she has gone through 223diaper changes, 183 bottles of breast milk, and I have had 129 pumping sessions. Wow.

 

Organic Coconut Oil. This was recommended by a lactation consultant while we were in the hospital to use instead of the Lanolin Ointment. What a difference! She also suggested using it on baby’s skin as lotion, while greasy, it rubs in well and leaves skin hydrated and super soft.

 

Elle loves her play mat! She loves to lay and stare at the bright colors, she really focuses on them and you can see the stimulation they provide her.



The Nap Nanny! This contoured cushioned seat is great. When I asked a mommy friend of mine who recently had her second child what her favorite baby item was, she replied the nap nanny.  I know that it’s been recalled and no longer sold in stores due to irresponsible use, but I’m so glad that I have mine. It has come in really good use since Elle has acid reflux, it's reccomended not to lay them flat after a feeding so we use this quite often!

 



I’ve also been learning about infant massage and techniques to help her with digestion and gas. I also found this site that is good for new moms to learn about what it may take to get Elliet on a schedule when the time is right.

 

I found these ROCKABYE BABY! lullabies on ITunes and Elle loves them. They have lots of fun artists that they have remade great songs into lullabies for... Dave Matthews, Coldplay, Bob Marley, U2, etc.

 



And finally, everyone needs a She-She! My Aunt Sheila came in for Elle’s birth and stayed four nights and came back again a week later and stayed with me for the week. She helped with everything from the dishes and laundry to diaper changes, feedings, grocery shopping and trips to Buy Buy Baby! Baby Elle and I are so lucky to have her in our lives!

 



She's Here!

Introducing our sweet Elliet Rose – born January 16, 2013 at 4:43 pm.

She weighed 6 lbs 11 oz and was 18 ½ inches long.

Fun Fact: Elle and I were almost the same size at birth, only 1 ounce and ½ inch different in our birth weight/length. I was 6 lbs 10 oz and 19 in long.

Wednesday, January 16^th started off as any other normal work day. I had my weekly OB appt at 9:00 am, which always starts with a blood pressure and weight check. Afterwards, I sat on the exam table while Dr. Martin reviewed my chart. “Oh your blood pressure is awfully high” she said as she closed the chart and walked over to begin the ultra sound. After hearing Elle’s heartbeat and confirming she was still breech, Dr. Martin took my blood pressure manually herself. After doing so she looked at me and said, “Well we’re having a baby today!” I was in total shock! I think I asked her 3 or 4 times if she was sure {HA!}! She reassured me that we would be meeting Elliet that very day and directed me to go check in at labor & delivery at the hospital. Immediately while still in her office I sent a text message to Ryan… he was out of town in Mustang, which had been my biggest fear since he works out of town during the week. He quickly left work and made it to the hospital in plenty of time. I was 38 weeks and five days shy of our planned C-Section.

Throughout my pregnancy and in the days approaching the planned C-Section I had not been fearful or scared, I was calm, anxious and excited. This feeling of calm, yet excitement remained with me until I reached the operating room.  Up until this point, the most medically I had experienced was having my blood drawn. Being in this cold, sterile room; reality started to set in. The spinal block I received in my lower back to numb my body actually was less painful then the IV that ha been placed in my wrist. Soon they allowed Ryan to come into the OR and sit by my side. I was really glad to see him! The section started and it was crazy to know what was happening to my body while I was awake, yet unable to feel, with the exception of the pressure, reminding me the Dr’s were there.

 

 

In a matter of minutes I heard her cry! I was completely overwhelmed with emotion! They immediately took her to weigh and asses her and Ryan followed. Then they brought her to introduce her to me and I couldn’t help but cry at the overwhelming feeling of love and joy! Our daughter was born, I could see her and touch her and kiss her! All things I had longed to do for the past nine months!

We are so in love!

 

 

Newborn

 

Sleeping with Dad in the hospital

 

Leaving the hospital