Well, Leah and I have survived our first solo week at home. I was a bit apprehensive at first (well, Sunday I was downright weepy about it, but I think much of that had to do with hormones and lack of sleep), but after our first day together, I felt a bit more confident. In fact, I felt confident enough to venture out to Wegman's on Tuesday. (Granted, I timed it after one of her feedings, and strategically planned my grocery list so that I only had to hit the aisles with the necessary groceries, but still, we actually went out.) Then, after my doctor's appointment yesterday, Leah and I headed to Target for a few things. (For those of you wondering why I didn't just ask Scott to go, well, it was easier for me to go to Target, since some of the items were specific to me [ie. hair color]. As for the grocery store, Scott had actually been planning on going that night when he got home; he had no idea that I was going to go.)
All of this time with Leah has taught me a few more things about her (though I know I still have much more to learn).
1. She hates napping. Hates it. In fact, I'm surprised she's been asleep long enough this afternoon for me to check email and actually blog. Most of the time, she'll take forever to fall asleep, and then only nap for about 30 minutes or so before fussing again. (And no, it's not the active sleep fuss; it's the full out, "I'm awake and I want to be held" fuss.) We're trying to figure out how to get her to nap without becoming dependent on any one sleep "crutch".
2. Though she doesn't like to nap, she does sleep at night (for the most part). At one point at night she'll sleep between four and five hours, which is a definite blessing. I wonder if those longer periods of rest, though, make it even harder for me to get up to feed her.
3. She loves being held and cuddled; loves it! I think that's one reason why it's so hard to set her down to nap. It's as if she knows that neither I nor Scott is holding her. (At one point this week, we cuddled up on the couch since she wouldn't nap on her own, and I desperately needed one. That seemed to do the trick, and I was able to rest a bit... which was better than nothing.) Of course, I loved cuddling with her, which is why I have a hard time waking her after she eats. I'd rather just curl up with her.
4. She knows exactly when Scott and I are going to eat dinner. It's as if there's an on/ off switch that's triggered right when we're about to sit down. Thankfully, Scott has mastered holding her on his lap while eating.
5 comments:
Of course she loves to be held, that's all she's known for 9 months! When I think of all the things a baby has to adjust to so quickly, it's a miracle things go as well as they do - everything from "Clothes?? What's this 'clothes' thing of which you speak?" to "What do you mean I can't wake and sleep whenever I darn well please? And, excuse, me but I used to eat literally non-stop and never experienced this thing called 'hunger'." Isn't it amazing how fast they adjust when you really think about it?? Little miracles, I tell you!
She'll get used to it eventually and before you know it she won't stop moving long enough to be held. I'm glad you're enjoying cuddling her! She is certainly very cuddly!
Congrats on making it through your first week - it just gets easier from here!
Congrats on making it through your first week home on your own with Leah. It doesn't surprise me in the slightest that things went so well. Good job Momma!
#1 - Good luck with the napping without a "sleep crutch." I wish you the best. Ha!
#3 - I miss sweet baby cuddles and naps together snuggling on the couch so very much. Enjoy a cuddle for me.
#4 - Isn't it amazing how they just know! It's an uncanny little ability they have and they don't grow out of it. Ha!
Heather, she is sooo beautiful...I loved being with Sydney the first few weeks, but I totally identify with you not getting any sleep. I couldn't stop waking to check on her, even though she was right next to us in the bassinet. Sydney always slept so soundly, I was constantly checking her to see if she was breathing. Later she did that in the swing and scared me to death several times, resulting in me poking her to wake her up and make sure she was okay!
Leah is wonderful...also, I never understood the phrase "I just want to eat her up" when someone referred to their baby...until now! isn't she scrumptious? so much love and the wait was worth it after all wasn't it? it's like she's even that much more precious. We can't wait to see you...Sydney will seem absolutely huge next to Leah. lol!
This is Ginger, BTW! Welcome to motherhood! I remember eating many a meal with Steph on my lap! I'd just give her a little more time to adjust--it's a big adjustment!
Hey Heather ... congratulations! The pics are beautiful, and I'm very happy to hear things are going so well. Thanks for keeping us all updated here!
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