So we are officially 6 weeks old. In week 7 of life. It's funny - you count weeks of pregnancy in the same manner, and you just can't wait (or at least I couldn't) to stop thinking in terms of weeks, and then here we go again! LOL. Well, simply said, the first 6 weeks of pregnancy are a breeze....you don't even know you are pregnant! The first 6 weeks of a baby are a whole other story.
Addison has been doing really well. We have come across some "developmental" or "growth" issues that you read about. Cluster feeding, growth spurts, baby acne, day and night reversal, just to name a few. It's a fun business, let me tell you.
Addison and I have really become much more active. I was getting SO antsy and to be totally honest - depressed at being SUCH a homebody. Well getting out of the house took some transition - getting comfortable with it, building confidence, and so on and so forth. But you'd see us now and you'd think we've been doing this stuff for years! It has made me so much more content :)
So, I've been doing well, despite the cold I caught from Derek last week. Luckily, it seems that Addison managed to escape being sick, except for minor congestion. Last night was my first night alone with her and I now realize in retrospect that was the main source of my anxiety last week. See, it's not that I don't get up with her during the night. Derek usually feeds her a bottle (twice) and puts her to bed so that I can run to sleep around 9 or 1o and catch a few hours of sleep before she gets up around 2 for her night feedings (and I do mean that as plural). Once the night feedings start, it's all me. Makes sense - I've got the boobs, right? And I'm not working now, so I don't expect Derek to fuss over her all night. But I think it's just the security of knowing your husband is there...that you are not alone, that makes the difference. Anyway, I was SO worried about how she was going to be last night. All of a sudden I start doubting my ability to soothe her or be able to handle the situation. I know it will get easier as I get more practice, but we're still at the start line.
Anyhow, they say that at the newborn stage, sleep begets sleep. The more little ones sleep during the day, the more they sleep at night. Seems counter-intuitive for us adults, but for wee ones, that's the way it is. So as soon as Derek left yesterday morning, I took a deep breath, and said it was my mission to get this little one to nap really well. Just sleeeeep away! And that she did! The girl was out like a light. She would wake up to eat, and then go back down.
Last night, she went down around 10:45. I took deep belly breaths, hoping it would lure me into a sleep. Eventually it did. Little Addison decided to get up at 1am. Oh great I thought - here we go. I nursed her and she was out in a minute. Then she was up again at 2:00. Ack! Nursed her again (for longer), and changed her, and put her back down. She was out right away. Didn't get up again until 5:30 am. Score! Fed her again, changed her, and she went back to sleep until 8am! I was so, so relieved and happy. Granted, I was still groggy, but I brought her into bed with me and we snuggled a bit before heading downstairs.
Now, Addison is chillin' in her swing, daddy is in Pittsburgh at sweet Felicity's baptism, and my plan for today is just enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
