Hayden and Mommy

Wow, so hard to believe that Hayden is almost 2 months old already! It's a little late, but he had a great 2-week checkup (on 12/8). He was 21 5/8" long (75%) and 9 lbs 8 oz (75%) -- only two ounces shy of birth weight! The doctor was very pleased and didn't need to do the jaundice check.

Hayden adjusted quite well to life outside the womb. He was immediately sleeping 4-5 hour stretches at night and has been breastfeeding wonderfully (although he recently started what I call "fussy nursing", so let's hope we can get that figured out soon). He has now started sleeping anywhere from 5-7.5 hours at night, then waking to eat and sleeping for another 2-3 hours. Just this week I've noticed more of a pattern, with him sleeping a large chunk of the morning and then again late afternoon. Let's hope it continues! He's also started having more breaks in between his nursing. He used to nurse every 30-45 minutes after taking a long nap -- and would nurse a good 4-6 times before sleeping again. Let me tell you... that was not easy on me! I still nurse him on demand, but am going to start getting him on a schedule very soon (and he seems to be helping me!). I'm also working on getting him to go to sleep a little sooner at night (it's currently around 12:30am), and going to sleep on his own more. He has done it a few times, I just want to make it that way permanently!

Hayden has been such a blessing and wonderful addition to our family. He is such a happy little guy, and is already talking, cooing, laughing, and grinning like crazy! The adjustment to three kids hasn't been as tough as I imagined, but that's not to say it isn't hard. Just getting out the door -- or rather getting READY to leave the house -- is the hardest thing. Now that Hayden isn't so newborn, it is easier for me to get things done. One of the toughest things for me is not having everything picked up or having to put things off for a bit. But, I'll take spending time with my new little guy. :)

As for me, I had my six-week postpartum check two weeks ago. Everything is back to normal and I was cleared by the doctor for all activity. He told me I had this having-baby-thing down! :) Now I just need to start back into my yoga and running. I also need to start better watching what I eat. With nursing I get SOOO hungry that it's hard to eat great every single time. We do eat mostly at home (I'm starting to stock up on freezer meals and am meal-planning better) and the kids and I try to snack healthy most the time. But it's tough when 2-3 hours after eating dinner I'm ready for another whole meal! I only gained 25 pounds this pregnancy, and have another 8 to lose for pre-prego weight. Of course, I was in the process of losing weight when I got pregnant, so there's really much more to go! At least I'm wearing a smaller size jeans now than I was last year! Great motivation to keep losing. :)

Hopefully I can keep updating about Hayden. It's not often I get to sit, think, and write! :)

Adjusting to the Changes

We've been home from the hospital since Wednesday afternoon and everyone seems to be adjusting really well. Hayden, especially! He's nursing great, sleeping fairly well at night, and overall comfy in his new environment. I find it amazing how noises don't disturb him (and his hearing is just fine). I know they say that babies get used to sounds in the womb, but this is just astonishing! Lauren can scream loudly, the dog can bark, Carter can bang on toys -- Hayden doesn't even flinch! But trust me... if I talk he looks for me. When Matt talks while holding him, he turns his gaze to Matt's face. He hears just fine. :)

When we left the hospital, Hayden was 8 lbs 15 oz -- losing weight is normal, esp since my milk isn't in yet (it did come in the day we left the hospital). I took him to the doctor Saturday morning for the usual first checkup and he was already back up to 9 lbs 2 oz. The goal is for him to be at birth weight by the 2-week checkup -- I think he'll make it. Especially the way he eats! :)

I am finding it easy to transition from two to three kids. Of course, I've only been home alone with all three for a couple hours so far! But overall I'm less stressed about having a new baby and I think that comes with experience. Either that, or I just don't have the time to be! :P Lauren seems so big to me now. She's communicating so much better and sleeping in a toddler bed -- it just seems like she's so much older than 18 months! I just hope that having them close together won't make me lose those little "baby" moments with her. She has stepped into the role of big sister -- looking after baby, giving him plenty of pats and kisses, and watching him while he sleeps. And she loves being Mommy's little helper.

Carter has also stepped up his role as big brother. He's fascinated with Hayden and is always asking if he can hold him. He eagerly awaits for Hayden's eyes to be open so he can talk to him, and Hayden just watches Carter when he's around. Carter not only helps with the baby, but helps a lot more with Lauren -- especially when I'm nursing!

I've got a wonderful family and feel truly blessed. I'm looking forward to all the new moments that await us, and how our lives will change with each one.

Adjustments & Understanding

Since Emmy passed, it's been quite different around here. Although I didn't want her to relieve me of this burden, I haven't had to sweep the floors nearly as often (though we'll have Emmy hair around for quite some time!). We have only lived in this house for only two months without her, so it's very strange not having her here anymore. Carter has also asked everyday this week where Emmy is. He got treats out yesterday and after giving Orion one, he searched the entire house for Emmy. I've tried explaining it to him in many different ways, but I think he finally gets it. He thought he was just at her doctor for a while. Yesterday I swore I heard her panting, and I still expect to see her lying in her usual spots in the house. When I get up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night I still look so I don't step on her (Matt does too). Her dishes have been cleaned and moved to the laundry room, but I still can't bring myself to put her bed away. And it's a little sad when I do sweep or vacuum the little bits of Emmy-hair still lying around, or that find their way out from hiding. It's just going to take a while...

Orion still seems very lost. He always waited for Emmy to go outside, so now I have to escort him out there. He's not eating regularly, and just seems to pout and mope about. I give him even more attention than he got before (and trust me, he was never neglected!), but it doesn't seem to help any. I feel bad when we leave the house because now he really is alone. He's never been alone...

Thank you to everyone for all the cards and thoughts. Thank you to Christan and Todd, who made a donation to the Monroe County Humane Association in memory of Emmy. She is truly missed, but her memory lives on.