My little bean pole!

Went to the doc today for baby girl's check up. Holy cow! She is in the 96th percentile for her length (she is really tall) and in the 42nd percentile for her weight (more skinny than average). No wonder we can't find clothes to fit this kid! She is so long she needs to wear 0-3 months and so skinny she needs preemie clothes! I don't know what to do with this girl! She is healthy though, and that is all that matters! We are so happy she is doing well! Love you baby girl!

Pickiest eater alive!!!

So, after a month of nursing like a champ my runt suddenly decided to stop latching, but only in the evening. I figured she was just too hungry to wait for let down so I would give her a bit of bottle and try again. All she would do is larch for a second or two and then scream. When I woke her up to eat, she did so without a problem. At night, no issues. I was at a loss and started to search the wonders of Google. After hours all I had found was stuff talking about a nursing strike (way too young for that) and other moms saying there was no way to fix the problem. I was about to give up when I came across a Yahoo! Answers post. The mom said she switched her body wash and it fixed the problem. My issue? I haven't switched my body wash. I was wracking my brain for what scents have changed. Then it hit me....I asked my husband to grab me some conditioner while he was out and he (being a man) grabbed the cheapest kind. That stuff smells like dial tastes (I had a mouth as a kid). I switched to my previous kind and it was like a total one-eighty. She hasn't had another issue since! The reason it was only in the evening? She is more awake then which means she is more in tune with her senses. She could smell it more at that time and refused to latch! I thought I knew some picky eaters, but this kid takes it to a whole new level!!!

Already????

Baby girl,
How are you four weeks old already? It seems like last week we were walking along the cornfields trying to get you out. Just thinking about how fast this month has gone makes me want to cry. I love you more than words can ever describe and you will always be my little girl. So, hang in there when I cry. Watching you grow is already the hardest yet most amazing thing in the world. No matter how big you get, you will always be that little girl that slept on my chest and laughed at my singing. I will always protect you like a crazy lady. Don't even get me started on your first boyfriend. We are gonna have a big family dinner when he comes to pick you up. Daddy and papa will be cleaning their guns while mommy and Nana dig a hole. He will treat you right, or we will all have a long night ahead of us. I will do my best to make sure no one ever hurts you and if somehow by sheer coincidence someone gets by me, they better hope the cops get them first. Even then, mommy will pay their bail. After all, the cops won't let me near them while they are locked up. Even when you are on your own, you can always come to me. You can always talk to me about anything. I may not like the conversation (sex for example), but I will always listen and be there for you. No matter how much I may hate it, I would rather you come to me than wind up pregnant before you are ready. My parents were the same. As you get older there will be rules you think are just meant to make your life hell, they aren't. They are because I have learned a few things in my life and I don't want you repeating them. I want you to go farther and do better than I ever did or will. I will make you earn things you want and I will be hard on you, but only because I don't want you to settle for anything less than amazing. Follow your dreams baby girl. Daddy and I will be here to help in any way you need. The only thing I want is for you to be happy. I would give my life to make that happen.
I love you more than anything in the world.
love,
Mom

When did couples stop being couples?

Seriously though....what happened to two people enjoying each other for a while before starting a family? It seems like today as soon as people get married they start having kids. What happened to vacations, the honeymoon year, the dating, and the spontaneity that is so much easier without children? Don't get me wrong, I was pregnant on my wedding day. With my husband deploying a month after our wedding I wasn't willing to risk not having the family I always wanted with the man I loved. Even if he died a hero. However, it didn't work that way. So, he came home safely and we took the chance to live a little. I love baby girl to death and would never giver her up, but it was great to have those last minute vacations before we had to buckle down. Now, its 18 years of planning. Although I don't mind, it was nice to have those random experiences with my husband. Now it seems like everyone is celebrating the birth of their child before or on their one year anniversary. After nearly 5 years of marriage I firmly believe marriage changes things and it takes time to adapt to those changes. The first year or two can be especially rocky. Hell, in 5 years I haven't learned everything about my husband. In 5 years we still haven't figured everything out (and never will I'm sure). In 5 years we had a lot of ups and downs that would have been a lot harder with the stress of a child. I'm not bashing anyone by any means....I'm just curious what ever happened to couples being couples....

My little princess and "nipple confusion"

My beautiful princess asleep at the hospital. It seems she does a lot of sleeping. She sleeps through most of the day and night. Even when she is awake, as soon as she sees mommy she is hungry! She thinks that is all I'm good for! Who am I kidding? Even in her sleep as soon as I touch her she is hungry. I hold her on my shoulder and she will slowly move her head to my chest and start sucking my shirt. She knows what she wants, she knows who has it, and she knows where it is. I swear, the kid can smell me as soon as I walk into the room. I don't mind though. It gives me quality time with my princess that I don't get when daddy feeds her. Which brings me to this question....What is the deal with nipple confusion? My mom fed all of her children by nursing AND formula/bottles (I was strictly bottles due to medication). People have given their kids bottles from birth for years. I was all worried about nipple confusion with my daughter, but my body doesn't produce quickly enough to satisfy her. She cluster feeds which leaves me dry at times and full at others. Either way, I have to pump to get my body accustomed to its new job. Pumping means bottles. Often I even have to supplement with formula. Which also means bottles. She won't sleep without something in her mouth, which means a binky. So, how could I avoid nipple confusion? 

Honestly, I have no answer. All I can say is that with a little effort you can make it go away. We had a hiccup on day 3 where it took her longer than normal to latch, but other than that she takes to nursing like a champ. She fights the bottle slightly at first because she would rather have the real thing, but she never denies it completely. I just don't understand why every doctor says to wait. Am I supposed to let her starve until I make more milk? Not gonna happen. She has no problem switching back and forth. Ten years ago before nipple confusion was thought of most babies had no problem. Why did we create it?

Just one of the many things I ponder while sitting at home. 

On another note, I couldn't be happier right now. My husband returns to work tomorrow and although I love having him here, I am excited for some mommy-daughter time. You know, before she grows up and becomes convinced I am out to ruin her life. No matter what baby girl, I am only trying to do what we think is best. It may not always seem that way, but one day you will thank me. One day you will wish you had listened. I know I feel that way about my parents. Just remember, I will always love you and you will always be my princess and my baby girl.....even when you are 50.

The joys of daddy changing diapers!

So far, the little one has been pretty amazing. She wakes up once at night for a feeding and then dozes back off for a few more hours. On average, we are getting about 7 hours of sleep a night! Not only is she great during the day, but she is usually really easy to care for during the day. I mean, she eats, falls asleep, and wakes up sucking when its time to eat again. Rarely does she cry and I love it! My favorite thing is how much she smiles in her sleep. This girl is just all-around perfect!

However, today we had a "newborn moment". She woke up and ate, but couldn't go back to sleep. No matter what I did she was either screaming or trying to sleep and couldn't. She wouldn't eat, a car ride did nothing, and even daddy couldn't calm her down. We had no idea what was wrong and then it dawned on us....she hadn't pooped in a while. Not days, but about 15 hours. So, I made an appointment with her doctor (it was a huge concern since she wasn't eating for quite some time). Shortly after, she pooped. Then, she ate like crazy and fell asleep. We cancelled her appointment and asked if there was anything we could do if this happened again. His response? Feed her more. DUH! The entire reason I called was because she wasn't eating!

Anyways, later on she had a REALLY wet diaper and my husband volunteered to change her. He took her diaper off and as soon as he did, she started pooping. I couldn't stop laughing at him! He put a wipe under her butt and decided to wait a second before putting on a clean diaper. Its a good thing he did! She let it all out! He was freaking out about how it was getting everywhere and there was so much. He kept saying it was gonna get all over him. It didn't....at first. She was "done" and he lifted her butt to clean her and SHE SHOT POOP AT HIM! I was laughing so hard by this time I was crying and couldn't see so that I could walk out of the room. Eventually, I had to leave because laughing so hard was causing my incision area to throb. From the other room all I hear is "OH MY GOD!!! ITS ON MY FINGER!!" When I finally venture back into the room, he pointed out  the wet spot on the couch (from him cleaning it) "LOOK AT THAT! SHE SHOT POOP HALF A CUSHION LENGTH!" I thought it was so funny I called her Nana and Papa to tell them (I knew my parents would find this hilarious). My mom was laughing and then scolded me for leaving the room....and not taking a video!
It may have been a rough start to the day, but she sure made it worth it!

THE QUEEN HAS ARRIVED!!!

A few days ago I hit my 40 week mark, but was showing no signs of labor so we decided to wait on induction. The next day I went in for a non-stress test to make sure that the baby was moving enough and her heart was reacting correctly. Instead, we found out I was having contractions every 6 minutes. Because of the contractions the doctor decided to check me. I was dilated and ready for labor. Since we live an hour from the hospital I was delivering at the doctor sent me in for induction. At about 7 they gave me a medicine that is used to soften the cervix. By midnight, I was having contractions that were less than 2 minutes apart, but only lasting 30 seconds. Every time I had one of these minor contractions, her heart rate dropped. They did what they could to even it out, but by 7 a.m. they had not been able to even out her heart rate enough. They knew that no matter what they did, she would not handle real labor and I would end up having a c-section anyways. So, instead of waiting for the inevitable, they got me ready for surgery. I don't remember much besides crying because I was upset by this. However, now that it is over, my only regret is the drugs. I don't remember much of her delivery and I don't like that. At some point, they brought her to me and I kissed her cheeks and forehead, but I don't remember any of that. I remember her first cry and I remember her being held over the curtain. So, at least I remember the important stuff I guess. Anyways, at 7:23 a.m. we welcomed a 7 pound 11 ounce, 20 inch long little girl. After delivery, I was told there was no way I could have delivered her naturally because of how wide her head was. So, it was best to have the c-section when I did rather than waiting until it was time to push and finding out I needed one anyways.

She is an amazing baby. She sleeps most of the night, usually waking once for a feeding and then going back to sleep. She isn't fussy (yet) and she is very active when she can be. She loves to hold her head up and scratch it on daddy's chin. She loves me for food. I swear, that kid does nothing but eat. She has done really well with breastfeeding. She latched on from the moment they gave her to me. The nurse didn't even have a chance to help! The only frustration I have faced with it is that she wants more than I have. I can't give her enough! I know it isn't a big deal, but the past few days everything makes me cry. Hell, I am crying right now.

Mostly, I just get really sad that she will grow up. I know that it happens and it is a fact of life, but when I think about her not being my little girl anymore it absolutely devastates me. Just thinking of her growing up, not being able to sleep on my chest, not needing me anymore.....I just can't handle it. I really can't stand the thought of her being anything but this little baby that needs me for everything. This little girl that curls up on daddy's chest and scratches her head on his beard will one day be graduating high school. I don't know how parents do it. I just can't imagine it. I know she has to grow up, but that doesn't mean I have to face it just yet. After all, she isn't even a week old.