Newborn/Post Partum Weeks 3-5

Aside from being sleep deprived and having a crazy/unpredictable schedule now with the baby, my laptop totally crashed.  So, this took way longer than I was hoping to update

Me-Physically

Things are so much better for me physically.  It seemed almost like magic when after exactly 4 weeks breastfeeding stopped hurting completely.  I'm not sure what changed or if my nipples are just used to the sensation, but the feedings are so much more enjoyable now;  Less about trying to avoid pain, and more about bonding with baby.  The swelling in my feet has stayed away.  I still have the line, stretch marks, and a lack of firmness in my poor belly.  My knees are pretty messed up from the pregnancy too.  Any time I have to kneel or walk up the stairs with the baby or a laundry basket etc. it kills.  I'm still heavier than I was before getting pregnant too (and wearing pants with stretchy waists until I can fit back into my old size) , but that's expected.  Besides all that I'm pretty much back to my prepregnancy self physically.

Baby Sleep

There is a period from around 9 pm to 2 am where the baby gives me a break some nights and has a long sleep.  That didn't happen last night though.  I tried one of those getting baby to sleep my x number of weeks programs, but it only lasted for a couple of days because I couldn't stand to let her cry herself to sleep for more than 10 or 15 minutes.  Ever since then she gets upset pretty quickly when I'm not there right when she wakes up in her basinnette.  She has this loud frantic cry reserved just for that that breaks my heart.  The program said never to rock or feed your baby to sleep and to never sleep with your baby.  I was like "Great!"  I was doing all three.  We have moved upstairs so I can sleep in my own bed.  So, I don't sleep with her on the couch anymore, but sometimes the only way I can get the baby to go to sleep is to sit on the couch and let her lay on my chest. 

It'll seem like we've got a steady schedule going on feeding/sleeping-wise.  Then, it changes.  Baby will decide to skip a nap or two or for shorter periods and everything is off.  So, I'm learning to be flexible and just go with the flow. 

New Baby Developements

I bought the baby a Baby Einstein playmat for tummy time and she really seems to like it.  She smiles more often now when I'm playing with or talking  to her.  She has been lifting her head and pushing herself up really strongly since birth.  Lately though, she seems to be able to keep her head up longer and more steadily.  The baby is also taking interest in some toys.  She likes the flashing musical star, rattle and mirror that came with her playmat.  She is also starting tmake noises in response to some things.  It's so fun to watch her grow and interact more with me and her surroundings.

Other Stuff

I'm really glad we went with cloth diapers!  I still need to see how it has affected our electric bill, but our water bill has only gone up $3/month and it's so nice not to have to run out for diapers.  We do use disposables for her for pediatrician visits.  She has to have on a clean diaper for weigh-ins and she always seems to mess a diaper between leaving the house and being seen.  I bought a package of Seventh Generation bleach-free disposables.  People ask me what they are because of the natural coloring.  We're just starting to use the BumGenius and Happy Heiny's I bought her.  They're so easy!  I love them.  As many changes as she goes through in one day, it is definitely more practical to do the Kissaluvs with a cover most of the time (money-wise). 

Overall, I'm loving being a mom.  Even walking around smelling like baby barf is great.  It's wonderful to love and feel so loved day in and day out.  Mommy-life isn't easy at all yet, but I look forward to each new day with my daughter.