One month ago today you literally punched your way into this world. That little hand of yours…the one you held so close to your face while you were in the womb, somehow managed to squeeze through before the rest of you. I have the stitches to prove it. Mary saw it coming and grabbed a hold of it, but you were just too quick. I’m sure that’s a sign of what’s to come as you grow – your energy, your love for life, your desire to just get out and do what you’re here to do…whatever that may be.

One of the best things about delivering you at the ABC was that I held and fed you immediately. What a strange and amazing feeling that was. Something I will never forget. The pain (contractions for 20 hours and an hour and a half of pushing) I had just gone through completely subsided and all of my attention was on you, our baby girl. You were perfect and you allowed me to have the exact birth I had planned and hoped for. Per our birth plan, we chose to have you room in with us. We held you so close and couldn’t believe that you were finally here. A true blessing.

Your Aunt Katie and Aunt Elisabeth came to visit you the next day while we were still at the hospital. Grandma and Grandpa were here a few days later, followed by Nana and Uncle Erik. Papa was sick and had to hold off on meeting you for another week or so. Since then, family and friends continue to make the drive to visit you…everyone just loves you!

Life is certainly different with you in it. Good. Blessed. Joyful. And different. Especially for me, your mama – your very task- and routine-oriented mama, who isn’t always patient with the process, but revels in attaining success in whatever she’s attempting to do. And, although there are tasks at hand, they are completely new and uncharted. Along with the sweet moments I’ve had with you sleeping in my arms, I’ve had my share of high strung, nervous and anxious moments over the past four weeks as your daddy and I adapt to our new life with a daughter.

We ran into a testy lactation consultant at the hospital who completely stressed me out about breast feeding and making sure you were getting what you needed from me to be a healthy baby. Note to anyone who works in a hospital: the term “bad news” is unsettling and should not be used at all especially when dealing with first time new moms and dads. From there, we sought advice from another lactation consultant and an osteopathic doctor (both recommended by our awesome midwife, Mary) who worked on moving the plates in your precious little head into the proper place to encourage a proper latch. Perhaps those appointments weren’t completely necessary, but looking back over the past four weeks, we’ve made some good progress, Baby Girl!

We haven’t decided who you look like more at this point, but we’ve definitely noticed changes since you were born. Your features are becoming more distinct…you really are a pretty girl. Your daddy and I just adore you. The first three weeks were spent holding you as much as we could. You’d sleep on us and suck our pinky fingers to your sweet little heart’s content. We couldn’t help but give you anything we thought you wanted…as we should.

Then I had a few days alone with you and I realized that I was going to have to have my pinky back eventually. As much as I loved cuddling you constantly, I needed a break here and there…like…to eat and go to the bathroom.

So, now we’re working on a sleeping routine of sorts – for you…and for me. Thankfully (seriously, we can’t be thankful enough) you are sleeping so incredibly well at night right now. Your daddy and I have a little bit of down time in the evening before we go to bed and then you’re up around 3 a.m. for a feeding. Then, our day starts around 7 a.m. with eating, awake time and sleeping on a 3 hour (give or take) routine. We’re still working on you falling asleep on your own during nap time, but that will take some time. Predictability and having a goal in mind is helpful enough right now. And when one the soothing techniques I’ve read about works to put you to sleep at nap time…I have little party with myself because I know you’re getting the sleep you need to be the healthy and smart girl you are.

As part of your nighttime routine, your daddy has been giving you a bath before you go to bed. The cool air gets you a little frazzled , but once you’re in the water, you are just so relaxed and chill.

We can’t wait to see what the next month holds.

Love, Mama

This is what I spend most of my day trying to accomplish. Even at four weeks, Analiese is learning to sleep in her crib at nap time.

This is from the same photo shoot as Heather’s last post. As you can see, Parker is slowly getting used to the new family member. Like the rest of us, Analiese seems to make him a little more tired than usual.

Our little one is three weeks old today! She’s definitely growing, too. Looking back at some of our earlier posts and pictures of her, it’s crazy to see how much she’s already changed. She’s begun to fill out her face a little, but it’s still hard for us to decide who she looks like. We see a little of each of us…makes sense, right?

There are so many things we love about Analiese. From day one, she’s had what we’ve called an “active tongue”. The girl loves to suck on our pinky fingers and is constantly making different facial expressions. She’s begun to “coo” here and there – it’s fun to hear her make sounds and imagine what her voice will sound like. She has the most beautiful blue eyes – we love to look at them and try to figure out what she sees at this point. She has super long fingers and toes – a future piano player? I hope so!

Along with the many joys of our sweet little blessing, there are definitely challenges. I’m not one to make it seem like everything is perfect when it’s not. I tend to wear my heart and emotions on my sleeve and most people can tell when something is wrong. I don’t keep things bottled up inside and in most cases, seek advice of others and wisdom from God. I’ve taken the same approach with being a new mom. I feel like I have such a great village of resources and appreciate all of the honesty and truth others have shared with me. We’re still learning and will be for a long time. (For instance, I’ve learned that Analiese takes a few minutes to stretch when she wakes up…and THEN poops. Therefore, it’s usually not the best idea to change her diaper immediately after she wakes up. Otherwise, I may find myself cleaning up the poop she shot across her dresser while she had no diaper on…)

On to week four!

Parker looking out the dining room window, and some yummy peach cake sitting on the table.

Two weeks old! In some ways, time seems to be flying by. For the most part, though, all of us are definitely still adjusting to our new life. Analiese is really a good baby, though – we’re truly blessed.

A friend of mine, who also recently became a mom, shared with me her nursing experience over the first few weeks and months. It was comforting to know that hers had been much like mine is now – challenging. Others have told me the same thing, but for some reason it was different coming from someone who was just there and is now, three and a half months later, feeling more comfortable nursing. As much as I love the bonding time I get to have with my daughter so many hours during the day (and night!), it does feel like a burden right now. I keep reminding myself that this is what I’m supposed to be doing right now.

Grandma (Ross’s mom) was here for a few days earlier in the week. It was really nice to have company as Ross returned to work and I settled into being at home with Analiese. Thanks, Bev!

Nana (my mom) is visiting for a few days and had the opportunity to accompany us to a “nursing cafe” in Ann Arbor this morning. I really enjoyed being around other nursing mamas and having the opportunity to ask questions and hear about others’ experiences with their own babies. Analiese ate really well while we were there, and then slept for a few hours. So, we took advantage of the opportunity of her just being fed and went to the mall for a bit. It felt nice to get out, but I was a little anxious the whole time. Analiese didn’t have a care in the world! She did great.

Both her weight and jaundice seem to be improving. As we walked around in the natural light, I noticed that her face is really losing the yellow color and it’s really just left in the whites of her eyes slightly. She also seems to be getting enough food from me, despite her imperfect latch. She’s still so young…she’ll learn, as will I, what works for both of us.

I think the nicest part of today was that we were able to have some quiet time together, reading our Bibles and praying together. The craziness of being new parents this past week hasn’t really allowed us to slow down and do that at all. It was a welcomed change and something that I know we will try to work in more regularly.

Without further ado, the newest member of our family is here to say Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you!

In case you can’t tell, her bib (given to her by a sweet friend of the Chaseys…thanks Cheryl!) says “My 1st Valentine’s Day”. I, for one, am especially happy that we were able to put this bib to use and that Analiese came in time to wear it! As much as I loved being pregnant, I can’t imagine still being there…I’d so much rather have our sweet Analiese right here with us.

This one is from awhile back. Nevertheless, Heather caught Parker sleepy and snuggly one morning.

Then, a day or so later, Heather captured Analiese waking up. I guess after being smushed in the womb for 9 months, waking up takes extra stretching. This is the main feature for this post, so it’s a bit longer. Try to hang in there and you may catch another yawn, and you’ll find out whether or not she wakes up.

Anyway, Analiese has been keeping us quite busy: nurse, sleep, stare at in awe, repeat. The nights have been rough, but she’s allowed us to get enough sleep to function the next day and do it all over again. The response from most people is to “get through” this part. And although I am definitely one who loves my sleep and a routine, this is the only time Analiese will ever be this small, this dependent. We just want to make sure she’s healthy, comfortable and happy.

I’m not sure if you can tell from the pictures, but she’s a little jaundiced, so we’ve been paying close attention to that. Ross has been “sun bathing” with her in her room each day. The jaundice could also be due to her eating habits, which have been a challenge. I do not want to supplement with formula, so making sure she’s getting the nutrients she needs from her mama is important. We’ve been recommended by Mary, our midwife (who I just love!), to a few different specialists (who fully support my decision to breast feed only) to help both of us through the learning process of breast feeding. It’s meant taking a lot of trips this past week, but I feel like we have so many great resources at our fingertips – from having our pediatricians cell phone number to sending messages back and forth over Facebook with Mary to, of course, the love and support of our families and friends.

Ross returns to work on Monday, so that will take some time to get used to. It’s been so great to have him home this first week of our new lives, but alas, we both can’t stay home forever…bummer. Thankfully, reinforcements are coming to visit.

And so, I leave you with photos from last night – dancing with Daddy – it got a little crazy. Yes, there’s one with a dip (a gentle dip with head fully supported)…and a slow dance…too precious.