Saturday, September 21, 2013

The Second Time Around

Overall, bringing home a second baby has been a lot less life changing than the first. I guess we have learned a few things about being parents. That's not to say we haven't had a few crazy days, but my meltdowns have been fewer and farther between so far. I've discovered new ways to do a few things, and new products that make life a little more enjoyable. It turns out a lot has happened in the baby world in three and a half years!

1. No bumper pads in the crib: I read a lot about not using bumper pads, and ultimately came to my own conclusion that either way could probably be fine. I decided to try it without any, since that is recommended now, and see how it goes. So far I like it. It is SO easy to change the sheet and easier to see Rowe from any angle (like laying in the bed beside her crib). Of course, she isn't rolling into the sides yet either. I can always add them later if needed.



2. Muslin swaddle blankets: With a winter baby it was all about keeping him warm, but with little miss August it is more about that secure feeling of being swaddled. I have loved these large blankets for that! They are thin and soft. I use one to swaddle her legs (she wants her arms free and above her head) when she sleeps in her crib. It is large enough that it wraps around my big newborn, and I don't have to worry about her getting it loose and close to her face. I also use these when we are out and about and the AC may be a little chilly. I have a few of the Aden and Anais brand (used by Prince George and Princess Rowe) and I made a solid white one from fabric I found at Hancock. By the way this fabric is called gauze in the U. S., but muslin in other countries.



3. Old Navy gowns: We got several sleeper gowns, and I have loved them all for a summer baby. They seem to be just the right weight for night sleeping, and are so much easier than all those snaps on regular sleepers when it's time for a diaper change. I have really liked a couple that came from Old Navy. They fit so well and are super soft.




4. Abdominal wraps (for Momma): I didn't know about abdominal wrapping when I had Brennan. I heard about the Belly Bandit when he was several months old. I knew that if I had another baby I wanted to try it. The idea is to cinch your belly to help support it after giving birth, and some people feel that it helps it go back to it's pre-pregnancy shape. Other cultures have done this for years. I researched different brands during the last months I was pregnant. The Belly Bandit is well known now, but sort of pricey. Some people need a couple of different sizes as their body changes. They look like they would be terribly uncomfortable. I finally decided to spend the bucks and get one, then I couldn't find one in my size. Then I came across interesting news....you can actually request one in the hospital at no "additional" charge. I'm well aware I paid for it somehow. I started using mine the day after I had Rowe. The one they provided was not as soft as the bamboo Belly bandit, but it turned out to be pretty comfortable. I loved the support it provided. I only needed one size. It started out barely fastening and within three days there was a lot of extra fabric hanging over. I stopped using it after about five days because I still had so much swelling in my legs and feet, and read that wearing tight clothes could cause that. I don't think it's typical for it to cause issues with swelling though. My stomach did shrink more quickly, but it is not flat by any means. I still have some work to do, but overall I am glad I tried it and would use it again.

5. Iced Coffee: My go-go juice! I'm a person that really needs my sleep. I can go on 6 hours for a day or two and then it catches up with me. Some days we can enjoy a napping house, but Brennan doesn't nap everyday. I tried this little treat the second week with a newborn and it has become my happy indulgence. I just have a small glass each morning with breakfast, but after not having any caffeine for several months just a little does a lot. Luckily, I can't tell that it affects Rowe at all and that is all the caffeine I have for the day.


Tuesday, September 17, 2013

One Month Old




  • About 11 lbs.
  • 21 1/2 inches
  • Sleeps 4-6 hours at a time at night
  • Eats every 3-4 hours
  • Size 1 diapers and 3 month clothes



We've known each other for a month Rowe, and you have fit right into our family. Your brother is so proud of you! He doesn't like for you to be upset and often says,"Don't cry my baby!" He has also given you several nicknames, with Daddy's help, including: Rowe Cat, Robot, and Rowe E (with a long e on the end). Overall, you are a pretty easy baby. You love to sleep in your swing, like car rides ok but prefer the car to be moving, have made your own schedule for eating and sleeping during the day, wake easily to loud noises including Brennan and Wells, and like to be awake most when we are ready to go to bed each night. You started sleeping in your crib at about two weeks old because you kept scooting to the side of the bassinet and putting your face up against the fabric side. That's how you were sleeping during your last ultrasound, so I'm sure it was comforting to you....but pretty scary for me. You are holding your head up for longer periods of time and starting to interact with us more each day. You have had lots of visitors in your one month here, and gone lots of places with us. You are also growing and growing. You no longer have to have a supplement bottle, but do still take one or two at night to help you be full. You are sleeping better at night, most nights at least. You usually sleep about four hours, eat, then sleep another four. One night you did sleep six straight hours. You still sleep quite a bit during the day too.

August 19: Came home
August 23: 1st trip out other than doctor
August  30th: lost umbilical cord
August 28th: Debut at church
August 29th: 1st pictures
September 1st: 1st Sunday at church and 1st bath
September 4th: Back to birth weight
September 6th: Date night with Mommy and Daddy
September 9th: First checkup 10 lbs. 6 ozs.   21 1/2 inches
September 14th: Celebrated Daddy's birthday




















Monday, September 16, 2013

Two Weeks.......two weeks late

( I wrote this two weeks ago but never got back to add pictures, so now it's mostly just for my record keeping. )

We've had a second busy week! Rowe rang in her second week by finding her voice and using it from midnight until 5 a.m. Sunday. She had her days and nights mixed up for the first week, but this was her longest span. Thankfully that was also her turning point. Since then she has slept pretty well most nights between feedings every three hours. Her weight was up to 9 lbs. 2 ozs. on Monday and 9 lbs. 6 ozs. today.

I had my follow up appointment on Wednesday for my platelets. They have gone up, and as Dr. Bedoya said there was nothing "scary" in my blood work. He feels sure this was ITP, a pregnancy condition only, and will just keep a check on my numbers. Afterward we ran a few errands and had lunch, and breathed huge sighs of relief that the doctor appointment went so well. Rowe made her church debut Wednesday night as we kicked off our fall classes.

On Thursday, my friend Alyson brought lunch, play pals for Brennan, and her camera. Alyson has Eternal Reflections by Alyson photography, and is a phenomanal wedding photographer. We "just happened" to be dressed in something other than comfy clothes, and she "just happened" to get some great newborn pictures. We also, sort of, enjoyed the kickoff of football season. I was too tired to make it through the best game, and bedtime for both littles took much longer than usual, so I'm thinking I may have to dvr some games to watch during those wee hour feedings this season.

Today was another weight check. Rowe also lost her umbilical cord today. Yay! (I know some people keep those things, but I find them really gross.) We are looking forward to a long weekend of football, and welcoming the unofficial start of fall!