2 Weeks ~Amelia~

This post is going to be a combo Baptism, Amelia 2 week update, and Autumn 2 week post partum update.

Let me start with our beautiful little one

{Amelia}

Today on Mother's Day we welcomed Amelia through the Sacrament of Baptism.  The weather could have been warmer but the occasion was beautiful.  We were surrounded by family and friends and it was just perfect.  After the service, everyone came over to our house for lunch and cake.

Size:  Amelia weighed 9 lbs 6 oz at a weight check on Tuesday May 7th and just 3 days later at her 2 week appointment she weighed 9 lbs 12 oz (90th percentile)!  She is 21.75" long (95th percentile, 1.75" longer than when she was born) and her head circumference is 36 cm (50th percentile).  She is in size 1 diapers and pretty much all out of her newborn clothes and in 0-3 and 3 month clothing.  Amelia lost her umbilical stump at exactly 1 week but her belly button has continued to ooze and even bled alot on one day last week so our doc has advised we hold off another week on a tub bath so we will continue with sponge baths for now which she doesn't seem to mind.  

Grant 4 months

Mobility:  It seems her hands and arms never stop flailing and reaching even though she doesn't have the hand eye coordination to grasp objects she is constantly moving.  Her neck is also very strong already and she loves holding it high and looking around.  When Amelia locks eyes with you she easily tracks your face and voice side to side. 

Sleep:  Man oh man can this little girl sleep!  I am not complaining but I am still having to wake her for most feedings at 3 hour increments during the day and 4-4 1/2 hour increments at night.  I'll gladly take the night time sleepiness but sometimes it is such a battle keeping her awake at the breast to get a full feeding.  

Amelia 2 Weeks

Feeding:  Amelia feeds like a champ.  She has since day one.  She is very efficient and can nurse in 10-15 minutes and be satisfied and full (obviously because she is growing so well).  The problem we encounter is that she is so sleepy a feeding often takes 45 minutes to an hour because she falls asleep repeatedly.  I change diapers, dress and undress her, tickle feet, lotion her up, and on and on to keep her awake so she isn't just snacking.  Knock on wood, Amelia isn't much of a spitter thus far.  In the first week we had a couple of projectile vomit incidents but very little spit up since.

Personality:  When she is awake, she is very alert and bright eyed.  I love when she stares and locks eyes with us and when we catch glimpses of her sleepy or gassy smiles.  She seems very independent for a newborn already and there are many times when she prefers to be laid down and swaddled and allowed to go to sleep on her own versus being rocked to sleepinees or sleep. 

Loves:  Cuddling, rocking, swaddling, lotion, baths, tummy time

Dislikes:  Carseat (occasionally she will pitch a fit),cuddling, swaddling, tummy time

As you can see it all depends on what kind of mood Amelia is in as to whether she likes swaddling, tummy time, cuddling, etc.  Sometimes she likes it and other times she wants nothing to do with it.

And now for some post partum reflections and adventures of mothering 2 from Autumn...

Yes... I am as tired as I look :)

Recovering from a vaginal birth is much easier than a c-section.  I feel like I am completely back to normal.  I consider myself very lucky that I am only 5 lbs away from pre-pregnancy weight.  I have been in my pre-pregnancy jeans since 5 days post partum.  Now given my mid section is still mushy and squishy and my belly button is still migrating inward but I consider those huge accomplishments seeing as how I haven't been trying to lose the weight AT ALL or even thought about working out.  In fact, I can and do easily eat Matt under the table.  My milk makers are working over time burning up those calories.   

The moment we saw Grant in the hospital when he came to meet Amelia for the first time Matt and I agreed that he had turned into a giant over night.  He just seems so HUGE and sturdy.  We also agree that Grant's energy has quadrupled since Amelia was born... or maybe it is just because we are exhausted.

I have quite the oversupply of milk and a very fast let down.  I had the same with Grant and Amelia does pretty well keeping up but does get choked up and clicks (breaks suction) to try to slow the flow.  I will say, my freezer stash is pretty impressive already though!  I know once my mom leaves and I am having to juggle a toddler on my own all day along with a newborn I won't have as much time to pump so I have taken advantage until now.

I feel torn in two directions on the occasions it has been just me and the two kids (next week will be a rude awakening with my mom gone and Matt at work).  Grant wants to play, cuddle, read, and has the energy of I don't know what and Amelia just needs the basics but still alot of attention.  We will get there slowly but surely.   

Even though Amelia has been so sleepy, I am looking forward to the days when she is a little older and we are more comfortable letting her sleep in longer chunks at night.  It is rough not sleeping for longer than 3-3 1/2 hour stretches for weeks straight.  I forgot what that was like. 

Breastfeeding a newborn is very time-consuming, especially when trying to entertain a toddler.  And I am always sooo thirsty!  I forgot what that was like too.

I have been such a slacker with taking pictures.  Thank goodness my mom has been here and taking them nonstop and I vow to get better.  Usually I am the complete opposite and take them non stop!

Our dirty laundry has increased tremendously.  Even though she isn't much of a spitter it still seems we are going through tons of clothes.

Newborn go through TONS of diapers!

Matt has the magic touch getting both of the kids to sleep and I take advantage of that fact so I can have a break.

Overall, we wouldn't change a thing and we are so incredibly blessed.  Our little family is complete and I love being a mommy.