Never Say Never

Below are a few things I thought I would never do when I had a baby. As anyone who is a parent can tell you, I was an idiot.


Then: I will not let the baby sleep in our bed.
I'd read all the material suggesting the link between SIDS and cosleeping. Plus, I thought having the baby in our bed would be a romance killer.
Now: At 4 A.M., I can wholeheartedly say that romance is the last thing on my mind. If having Isabel in our bed two hours a night is the only way she (and I) will sleep, then by all means she can sleep with us. Plus, it just feels like the natural thing to do.

Then: I will limit use of a pacifier, and maybe I won't use one at all.
I didn't want to be the parent of a ten year old who still used a pacifier, and figured the best way to break a habit was not to start it at all.
Now: Yeah, that resolution lasted about 10 minutes.

Then: I will not let myself go.
I've seen all those makeover shows where the bedraggled stay-at-home mom who's been living in sweatpants and tshirts is transformed into a fashionable, attractive woman again. I thought there was no need to wear crappy clothes and no makeup; why can't moms be hot too?
Now: My uniform these days consists of a tshirt and pajama pants. Brushing my hair has become a minor victory, and my makeup is gathering dust in a drawer. Isabel could care less what I look like, and I'd rather use the time to sleep, work out, or eat. That'll have to change once I go back to work though... I wonder where I'll find the time!

Happy 75th Birthday Grandmama!!!

Isabel gave you some smiles for your birthday!

Happy St Patrick's Day

Here's a shot of Isabel a little worse for wear after too much Guiness (courtesy of Dad and Pam). She thoroughly enjoyed the sights and sounds of the Old Bag of Nails pub, and I enjoyed my first meal out with her. It was much easier than I had feared it would be. She slept almost the whole time, lulled by the sounds of drunks, Irish tunes, and the NCAA tournament on tv.

Baby on the go

Today we used the stroller for the first time on a mile-long trip around the neighborhood. Isabel had to get all bundled up for the journey. She seemed to love her warm coat, even if it's still a bit too big for her.

First Suitor

Let the record show that Isabel had her first gentleman caller at the ripe old age of seven weeks. In this picture, they're attempting to hold hands. So close, yet so far away!

Reunion

Yesterday we went to our Lamaze class reunion. It was really nice to get out of the house; this was the first time we've taken Isabel somewhere besides the doctor's office! It was really helpful for us to hear everyone's labor stories (I felt so lucky after hearing about one woman's 40 hour ordeal!) and compare notes on the trials and tribulations of parenthood. We also pigged out on the potluck food, and then took this adorable group shot. Isabel is second from the left, mugging for the camera.

Kyle and I had a lot of fun and we think at least part of that was due to the fact that it got us out of this routine we've been in. We've resolved to get out of the house more often so we don't get cabin fever.

Shots

Isabel went to the doctor yesterday for her six week checkup. The good news: she's gaining weight just fine, weighing in at 9 lbs 8 oz (a 50% increase from her birth weight!). Her other measurements (length, head circumference) were also normal.

The bad news: she got four shots, two in each leg. It was horrible. The nurse did a great job and gave Isabel the injections as fast as humanly possible, but there is no way to lessen those stings. As soon as Isabel started crying, I did too. I felt like an idiot, but the nurse comforted me by saying it's always harder for the moms than the babies.

That afternoon, she was pretty fussy and I had to carry her around for an hour and a half. If I tried to sit or set her down she started screaming. But after a dose of infant Tylenol and a couple of feedings, she had one of her best nights ever.

Ruthie's Visit

My wonderful friend Ruthie came from California to visit us for the last few days. I felt bad because I couldn't take her out to visit the sights (such as they are) of Columbus, but it was great having an adult to talk to during the day for a change! Like me, Ruthie was a baby novice, but I put her to work changing diapers and giving Isabel a bath. No one stays at Casa de Keeper rent-free! She was also kind enough to accompany Isabel and I to my doctor's appointment. Apparently, shortly after I went in to see the doctor, Isabel started crying and Ruthie was forced to endure the stares of the waiting room occupants, one of whom snatched her reading material while her hands were occupied. She handled it with a smile, however, even though I had neglected to inform her how to remove Isabel from the carseat!

Now it's just Isabel and I again. We miss you, Ruthie, come back!!!

All Hail the Miracle Blanket!

I feel like a new woman! The combination of starting Isabel on formula and putting her in the miracle blanket, shown here, has resulted in my getting a decent amount of sleep at night!!! Formula doesn't get digested as quickly as breastmilk, so she doesn't feel hungry as quickly.

As for the miracle blanket... well, when I first got it I was underwhelmed. It was... just a blanket, albeit with some extra flaps. Inside the blanket there are two flaps which are used to keep her arms close to her body, and there's a little pouch for her feet. But somehow this simple system must duplicate the feeling of being in the womb, or maybe it's laced with crack cocaine. Who cares! We went from sleeping 45 minutes - 1 hour at a time to up to 5 hours at once overnight! If you or someone you know has a fussy newborn, I highly recommend getting this blanket. I ordered mine from Atlantis Natural. The shipment arrived quickly and they had a money back guarantee.