Eleanor's first trip to the mall!

Okay, okay...I've missed a few days, but this "Mommy Gig" is tough work! I can't guarantee a picture everyday, but I will try! On Saturday evening Michael and I took Eleanor to the mall. Her first trip of many! Since it was Labor Day weekend and well over 100 degrees, the mall was crowded to say the least! It was a good experience to practice getting the stroller in and out of the car though. The carry seat is still too heavy for me to lift (with my incision), so I watched while Michael slaved in the heat!I'm hoping it will get easier, but those car seats are just so heavy!

We've had a great weekend and don't want Michael to go back to school :( Boohoo! I have my post-op appointment tomorrow and Aunt Alexa will be here to help. We may run a few errands or even take a walk (depending on the heat). Happy Labor Day!

We miss you Mom & Dad!

Day #3 & #4

Oops...missed a day! Sorry Grandma & Grandpa!! We had too much fun on our big day out yesterday with Daddy!

Michael has Fridays off from school so the three of us spent the whole day together. Eleanor had her 1 month doctor appointment in the morning and is doing really well. She gained almost 2 lbs. this month and now weighs 8 lbs. 5 oz. What a big girl! After the doctor appointment we got sandwiches at one of our favorite places and relaxed at my parents house (even though they weren't there). Then we stopped by Uncle Bob and Aunt Amber's to say hello and they ended up making us dinner :) It was a great day and Eleanor loved being on the go!

Eleanor at the doctor













Relaxing at Grandma & Grandpa's














First bath in tub...she LOVED it!!

Day #2 Pics

I said I would post a picture of Eleanor for every day my parents were gone, so here she is!!
"I hate a swaddle!!"
















Milk Comma

We miss you Grandma & Grandpa!!

My Mom and Dad left for their annual vacation to the east coast for two weeks and Eleanor misses them already! I told my Mom that I would post a picture on the blog for everyday she was gone, just so she could see what the little missy was up to.

Today, Dad helped me take a bath before he left for school and this afternoon I am swinging! Mom just made lunch and she may settle in for an afternoon nap!

It's official...I've entered motherhood!

Today was one of my first days alone with Eleanor. Michael was at school and my Mom was playing in a golf tournament. This morning went great! Morning feeding and nap...check! Shower for me & bath for Eleanor...check! I started to feel like a pro as a I picked out my finest "daytime PJ's". We then ventured downstairs for lunch but Eleanor seemed unsettled. What was I to do?! How was I to proceed?! I put her down in the pack n' play and quickly made a grilled cheese sandwich in hopes she would fall asleep long enough for me to eat. That was not the case. After a go around, I discovered a poopy diaper and a hungry tummy. But, she had just been fed and changed less than an hour ago! So, there I sat eating a cold grilled cheese while nursing my little girl. At that moment it became clear...I'm a Mom!

Back to School

Boo! Michael started back to Law School yesterday and we miss him! He was exhausted after his first day and it is going to be a bit more challenging then anticipated. He needs his rest to stay awake for class, studying, and even the commute! So last night, I decided to nurse and change Eleanor in her nursery to give Michael a break and well deserved sleep. It seemed to work out for all. I was more alert, the baby was better able to fall back asleep, and Michael got rest! I will try it again tonight and see how it goes.

The first two weeks have been very interesting to say the least! We love our sweet little girl SO MUCH!! It is quite the wake up call though after being on bedrest for 5 months. Michael and I also had so much time together this summer and now it seems we can barely ask each other about one another's day! We miss each other too! No more daily matinees, I guess...for now :(

My Mom has been helping so much the last couple days as I try to figure out a routine and schedule for the little miss. I struggle with the whole "demand feeding" vs. "parent directed feeding". Parent directed feeding makes sense to get her on a schedule, but it just seems wrong to wake her from a deep sleep to nurse. I guess as she gets older, she will be better able to regulate her feedings more independently.

The nursing situation is still going...I think my body is starting to slow down the milk production, but it still HURTS, let me tell you! Eleanor is such a trooper though and continues to nurse while drowning in milk! I hope things will self-regulate within a few days.

Anyway, today we had a bath and look forward to a visit from Grandma Bubby's friend! That's a day in the life of a newborn!

"Again, I said, no photos!"

Boobs and Milk!

We have been in the land of BOOBS and MILK for the past week and Eleanor is doing such a great job nursing.

Yesterday was Eleanor's first trip to Grandma Bubby's house because my Mom's friend (who is a lactation consultant) made a house call to assist in breastfeeding tips and questions. Since my milk came in, Eleanor has struggled to keep up with the level of the flow. She has done such an amazing job with the latch and keeps at it, but seems to get drowned while nursing. Poor little miss...she thinks she's gone on a trip to Niagara Falls! So, the lactation consultant confirmed our suspicion of increased milk supply and tailored a plan to give Eleanor some relief while nursing. I will have to pump an once or so before nursing, then nurse on one side for two times. Also, her nursing times will most likely be much shorter because she is getting the same supply at a faster rate. The supply and demand should regulate itself in about a month and once Eleanor gets a little bigger, she should be better able to handle the flow. So, a BIG thank you to Barb Hanson!

Daddy and Eleanor sleeping...so cute :)













At Grandma's House