Hollywood Debut

Lucy is in her third week of life and she continues to be an absolute gem. Last weekend Maggie Gallagher, who did our maternity photos, came to our house to do a newborn session with Miss McGooster (poor child already has about 30 nicknames). We had a great time and Maggie was wonderful, although both Lucy and I were exhausted for the rest of the afternoon. Here is a sneak peak of some of the photos.

We were also lucky enough to have a few visitors in the past couple of weeks. Aunt Joan came to see us and gave Lucy a pediatrician once over. She even gave her a score of 10/10 on Jim's "chill baby" scale. And that is from an expert. Danielle and Kusal also came for a visit to meet Lucy (and brought wine...yay, I am still a real grown-up)! There are so many wonderful people who have already surrounded our little one with love. We are grateful to have these special folks in our lives to share in our joy.

Tummy Time with Daddy Bear.

The past week has continued to bring us more learning. Jim is back to work full time and this can make for lonely afternoons for me. If the weather is decent, Lucy and I try to get out of the house, even it is a brief walk in one of our baby wearing devices up to the mailbox or to take out the trash. Admittedly, I have not been making napping a priority and this translates a grumpy mommy around 11:00 when Lucy often needs the most attention. I have been restful and content wasting away the days talking, singing, playing and snuggling with Lucy, but not actually falling asleep. This weekend it became clear that my eyes need to shut for at least 20 minutes once a day, AT LEAST. The hardest part about that is that she is a great night sleeper. She is usually down for the count by midnight and wakes for feedings and diapers between 2:00-3:00 a.m. and then again between 6:00-7:00 a.m. We usually go back to sleep until about 9:30/10:00 a.m. and that really does feel like a good amount of sleep for me, until I crash and burn at night. Nursing in a side-lying position in the bed and co-sleeping with the little angel continues to prove to be a way for everyone to get more sleep, but I didn't finally make napping a priority today. Hopefully this evening goes a bit less grumpy :-).

First visit to Lindseth so Mommy could walk. 

My body is healing every day and I have made that a priority. If I am feeling well, the rest of the family tends to be happy. We went on our third three mile walk today and it took just under an hour. My body definitely appreciates the gentle activity and I am grateful to have a partner and baby that enjoy this time with me. Lucy really likes being in the front carrier and Jim likes to do that with her which means I can walk without extra back or ab stress. I also started body weight squats (60) and planks (3 @ 1 minute each) yesterday. I could tell this morning that I had used in my body in a way I hadn't in almost three weeks, but it felt really good. Jim and I are working through a plan that allows the three of us to spend time together in the evenings, allows him to get a movement break at lunch from his desk, allows me to go to the gym or get some exercise daily (the gym can't happen for at least two more weeks per the doctor) and gets him to the climbing gym a few nights a week. We are hopeful that next weekend Lucy and I will be able to go along to the Syracuse rock climbing gym for some VERY light climbing on non-overhanging walls, but we are letting her steer the ship and will see how she is doing then.

The only real issue that we have had is a clogged milk duct. Being frantic at the thought of antibiotics for mastitis, Jim did the research while I tried every remedy he threw at me. I pumped, hot showered, vigorously massaged, heated, nursed her on that side, nursed her on my hands and knees and asked gravity to be on our side and massaged some more. Luckily all of this seemed to work and the swelling is going down. The unfortunate part is that this seemed to be a product of Lucy sleeping for SEVEN STRAIGHT HOURS a few nights ago. While this felt like an enormous gift, it can't happen again, for both of our sakes.

Head and sponge bath followed by a massage. 

Jim and I have also decided that reading little kids books to Lucy at this point is probably not as important as reading in general and using language with and around her often. I have decided to read Little Women to her while I nurse, well, during many nursings. Of course, at night the goal is to change, eat and then sleep quickly before overtired sets in for anyone. Jim is still reading poetry and rhymes to her, as the rhythm used for that kind of reading does not occur in day to day language. I love singing to her and lately we have both enjoyed making up versus to Shortenin' Bread concerning whatever is happening at the moment. She seems to enjoy dancing and being sung to and really it is fun to do this with her.

And, finally, Lucy's belly button has fallen off and almost completely healed! Hooray! This was not my favorite part of newborndom. Sadly, it looks like she is going to have her daddy's belly button. Sorry darling :-).