Notes from Away

Bridget already understands the importance of sleeping in on Saturdays. After I fed her at seven this morning, Ted took her to burp. I walked out to take care of a few things and returned to this…

They looked so cozy that I had to jump back into bed. Bridget then used Ted as her bed.

She seemed relaxed and stayed asleep until we decided we needed to get moving at nine.  

Now we are off to apply for her passport and then go to Ohio for one of Ted’s VW gatherings.

Bridget turns one month old this weekend. Time has flown and stood still. There are days when she cries and cries and I can’t see to calm her when I feel like the worst mom in the world. Some of her cries have taken on a painful sound but I can’t figure out what is hurting her. My suspicion is gas - she is difficult burper and it can take quite an effort to burp(though when she does, she would make sailor blush).  

I also am struggling with weight. I didn’t anticipate my c-section and the restrictions it would bring, so although I am walking with Bridget every day, I haven’t lost a pound in almost two weeks. It is stressful since I am returning to work in two weeks. At least my upper body is close enough, I can use existing clothes, but I will need to buy some new work pants. Grr. 

Tonight is Bridget’s first time fully away from me. Ted took her with him to a car thing so I have an hour to shower and do some thing for me. Tomorrow she will go to a friend’s house, while we go to a concert. That should be interesting.

It appears Bridget may be in a growth spurt as she has been fussy, which is unusual and feeding quite often. My in-laws are also in town so she has been overstimulated with the visit. Her schedule is completely out of whack so we are working hard to get her back on it today. She needs that consistency even when visiting. 

On our morning walk, we did come across the local Memorial Day parade. It was a short parade but as usual, Bridget wasn’t phased by the noise of the band or vehicles.

Before Bridget was born, it was obvious she was a mouth soother as every ultrasound had her sucking her thumb/hand. Ted and I were okay with that as we aren’t big fans of pacifiers. 

During Bridget’s first week, she would cluster feed frequently and even at the hospital often seemed hungry post-feeding. I could feed her for 40 minutes and she would still con the nurses into a supplement. By the time we got home, it seemed like Bridget was feeding all the time. 

While my mother was visiting, she observed this behavior and pattern, commenting on how exhausted I was. We started Bridget on one bottle of breastmilk a day to give me a chance to sleep a little more at night. That helped a little, but one night my mother said “I really don’t think she is hungry.”  I agreed but Bridget couldn’t keep her hand in her mouth very long, so Ted went across the street and got a pacifier. 

Bridget now uses a pacifier post-feeding and during the evening fussy hours. Although we were against it, she is much happier and so are we. A surprising twist is she is a much better feeder now - latching on quickly and feeding much quicker. Cluster feeds are a distant memory as she now goes 2-4 hours between feedings.  A friend pointed out it will be easier to take away Bridget’s pacifier than her hand when it is time to give up a soother.

Mom - 0/ Pacifier-1 (although Mom is sleeping better so did I really lose?)

Next week we will start upping the number of bottles during the day to prepare her for my return to work in mid-June.

It is well-known that neither Ted or I are very affectionate people. We aren’t known for PDA or cuddling, which is why I think we have a cuddlebug. Bridget’s favorite thing to do is cuddle up on your chest and sleep.  She loves having her head in the crook of your neck so if she isn’t high enough, she will try to climb you to get there. At night after a feeding, she may not be quite ready to go back to sleep, so if you lay with her on your chest, she just chills out. Eventually she falls asleep but there are no tears or squirms. I think she likes listening to a heart beat and the weight of the covers. 

Ted and I will probably still not cuddle each other but we both enjoy cuddling with our beautiful and funny daughter.

All dressed up for Mollika and Jay’s wedding, but not interested in any photos.

I am working on getting some videos loaded. Bridget is quite entertaining when she sleeping and waking up. Her drunken sailor impression post food is also classic.

Bridget has fallen asleep in her swing so I am enjoying some quiet me time. It isn’t often during the day that she isn’t attached to me, so I see this swing time as a good move forward. 

Yesterday, Bridget was weighed and measured at the doctor’s. She is still the same height but has put weight on. She is now a few ounces heavier than when she was born. She also aced the rest of her check including her heartbeat. Doc says it sounds like the hole is closing so her murmur may be history soon. 

Tomorrow Grandparents Smith arrive for the weekend. Both Ted and I are looking forward to sharing Bridget and getting some things done around the house. Plus it will be nice for Bridget to be spoiled just like all first grandkids should be (that and she is a welcome addition as Ted’s parents joke they never expected a son to get married, let alone to have a grandkid).

Over the weekend, Bridget attended her first two car shows. One was the regular Saturday morning gathering on Woodward but the other was her first VW show. Most people were surprised we had our 16 day old baby out but the weather was very nice. She got some needed fresh air and sunshine and Daddy got to go to the show. 

It helps that Bridget is a very good baby. She sleeps very well and rarely cries. We even have her cries mostly figured out. She does however enjoy peeing and pooping on the changing table. So far this week she’s done it twice. You go girl..

Maybe we are just getting played by Bridget but we have a very good sleeper. She isn’t technically sleeping through the night but she sleeps in three to five hour blocks. This allows Ted a decent night sleep before going to work in the morning. We do get up with Ted when he is getting ready for work but then return to sleep until mid-morning. 

Our days are quiet and a bit dull. When it isn’t too windy we do get out for a walk but often we wait for Ted to come home so he can join us. I am still recovering from the c-section so I have a comfort level with another person being there for the walks. 

Today Bridget’s stump fell off so she is now officially cordless. She wasn’t too happy about the process and we had a grumpy morning, but now that it is gone, she is much calmer. 

Tomorrow we go on a big adventure to our friend, Mollika’s civil ceremony. In the fall, we’ll get all dressed up for the Hindu/Christian ceremonies but this one is a small, quiet affair. Bridget even has a cute jumper to wear.

Today is Bridget and my first day alone. No daddy, Memere or nurses to help Mommy, which means that Bridget decided to blow her diaper and spit up on herself. She even nailed me with the diaper blow-out. Now she is contentedly sleeping on my chest. 

We had a wonderful surprise visit with Memere this weekend. Thank goodness Toolbox knew I was being stubborn and worked out a surprise visit. My mom made a lot of food for the freezer so I am stocked. She also was more than willing to hold someone so Toolbox and I could nap. I know Bridget enjoyed spending time with her Memere and she looks forward to future visits.

Grandparents Toolbox are coming in two weeks for a couple days and then after that Grampy comes for the first few weeks of my return to work. After a vacation in Maine, Memere comes back for the entire month of July. Bridget is being spoiled and not going to daycare till August/September.