Aug 20, 2009

Did I Say Mellow?

We came home from the hospital yesterday afternoon, and we're getting settled in. The first order of business was to forget everything we've learned about Kate since Monday and figure out how to deal with New Kate. The second item on the agenda was moving every piece of baby paraphernalia (diapers, changing table, bassinet, mobile, blankets) from it's perfectly thought-out and planned location to the spot where we now realize it actually needs to go. This is the kind of on-the-job training that only having a baby in-house can really provide.

Last night was Opposite Night. When we wanted her to be awake and eating, she was fast asleep. When we wanted her to sleep and give us some rest time, she was fidgeting in her bassinet and crying up a storm. She has definitely found her voice. For the most part, she was happy....but only if we were holding her in our arms. A good swaddling definitely helped, but I am at best a beginner swaddler at the moment....I'll be practicing quite a bit in the next few days. She's still incredibly cute, but I'm also pretty exhausted. We're still supplementing her milk with formula, so every meal time has a bunch of extra gear associated with it. I made more trips up and down the stairs last night than I have since we moved in last year.  Fortunately, two of Kate's grandmas (Yia-Yia and Grandma) are here to help, so we had a lovely dinner and a nice relaxing evening last night.  I even got to take a nap!

I posted more pictures on the photo site....here are a few teasers. I don't have as many as I'd like....she was in the isolette under the lights in the morning, and I was busy dealing with a take-home baby in the afternoon. Her jaundice had cleared up enough by morning to be discharged, and we'll have another checkup tomorrow morning to see how she's progressing (with her weight, jaundice, and other stuff).

Here's Baby Kate's first non-hospital outfit.


She didn't like the outfit or the car seat.


But she was just fine once we got her into the car.


She didn't like her beds much, either (pre-swaddle).

6 comments:

Annie said...

I am so glad she is home! I know exactly what you mean about the "perfect place" for things. I ended up with a pretty basket always stocked right by the couch full of diapers and wipes etc. and I think didn't use the changing table for at least 3 months! I am sure she will continue to settle in and soon there will be plenty of milk and D can lie in bed and nurse her peacefully. We love ya'll and love that you are keeping us so posted! Wish we could come give her some kisses! Love to all!
Annie et al.

Anonymous said...

She just keeps getting cuter! By the time you figure out how to do the perfect swaddle, she will no longer let you swaddle her. Don't worry about her sleeping at the wrong times because it seems like most babies do that and then they grow out of it and sleep through the night in just a few short weeks, or...they don't. Good luck!

Love, Jen

Kevin said...

Treasure those first couple months when your new house was yours, decorated and cleaned like you liked it. That's over now. Kid stuff takes up more space than adult stuff in our house and the kid stuff keeps multiplying.

Oh, the opposite day stuff is just to remind you that she has you completely and totally wrapped around her finger... right where you should be.

Judy said...

You ask how to make a 9 lb. baby look small? Your mom and dad were probably wondering the same thing when she brought you home! lol

The Wrights' said...

Congratulations! She's beautiful! We hope we can see her in person really soon.

Make sure to get some rest when she's resting Danielle, it really helps!

I sure do hope you have enough clothes and accessories for her so you don't have to do the laundry more than once a week! LOL If not, send out an APB to family and friends, and we'll be sure to send you some more.

Enjoy her, she'll be all grown up before you know it - isn't that right Denny?

We love you guys,
Bill, Cathie, Matt, and Amanda

Katherine said...

She's cute even when she cries!! We are thinking of all of you in this adjustment period.