At this point (8 weeks later) the early weeks are a bit of a blur, but finally being home with Reese, Ty and Logan was fun and definitely a learning experience. Reese slept a lot the first week which was great..we thought. We had such a hard time waking her to eat that we fed her every 4 hours. At her one week Dr. appt, though, she had lost a little more weight, down to 6 lb 15 oz, so we have to increase the feedings to every 3 hours at least. She was still so sleepy all the time and loved to be swaddled, but when we did that she started gaining at a decent pace. We probably went back to St. E 3-4 times more for their free weight checks and the nurses were probably starting to wonder why we were there so often. We just wanted to make sure she didnt loose anymore. All was good from there on out.
My parents and Auntie Jen Jen were over A LOT to help us out. Jen came for 14 days straight, I think, to see her niece and relieve us. My mom even spent a couple nights over here to take some feedings in the middle of the night so we'd both get some sleep. For the first week or 2, Reese slept in the family room in her yellow rock n play sleeper and Ty and I would alternate being on the couch, so the other could sleep in our bed. After 2 weeks we both slept in our room, but would take turns going out to the family room for feedings. She was never in our room because she made so many noises in her sleep that none of us would've slept well with her right there. That worked best for us.
We also video chatted with Ty's family a lot for those first weeks until they could come visit.
Also, many good friends and neighbors brought food and dinners each night for over nearly 10 days. That was SO helpful, since making dinner was the last thing on our minds. We spent most of our time (when we weren't feeding or changing her) just looking at her and kissing her little lips and round cheeks. We also changed her outfits a lot as well has her headbands. A couple times we washed her hair in the sink and she loved it as long as her body was wrapped up and warm. So fun!
Here's a recap of some of the happenings....
DAY 7 - 1 week after Reese was born, her cousin was born in Pennsylvania - Tristan Isaiah Brown. He was due 5 days before her, but came 7 after. We can't wait to meet him this summer when his parents (Ty's brother and wife) and their 3 other children come to KY!!
DAY 8 - Reese's 1 week Dr. visit and was mentioned above. It was our first trip out of the house and took about an hour in all though the office is 2 min. down the road. Luckily we are a little more efficient at packing up and going out now. Her 1 week stats:
Weight: 6.93 (18 percentile)
Height: 20.5" (67%)
Head Circum: 13.58" (26%)
BMI: 11.58
DAYS 9 (and 13) - Amber Pugh (Photos by Amber) came over to shoot Reese's newborn photos. It was fun dressing her up and I think we shot for about 3 hrs over both days. We came out with some great photos of our little babe! In one shot when Ty and I were holding her in our hands and she was bare bottomed, she pooped all over my hands and clothes, it shot straight out on me once the diaper was off, of course...ha. It was funny. Glad it happened to me and not Ty, he would've died.
DAY 10- Her cord fell off, yay! She did give a little yell and we wondered what had happened, then we saw it just laying on her belly.
DAY 17- Super Bowl party at the Gastenvelds - this was Reese's first party experience and we were there nearly 4 hours! I think she slept the whole time in people's arms.
DAY 23- Joe's grandma's wedding - this was the first time that both Ty and I left her at the same time. We had run errands and done things here and there by ourselves, but we both went to this mass and reception together on a Saturday afternoon. Since my whole family was also attending the wedding, Melissa watched Reese for 3+ hours. All went well.
Now for some pics:
My parents and Auntie Jen Jen were over A LOT to help us out. Jen came for 14 days straight, I think, to see her niece and relieve us. My mom even spent a couple nights over here to take some feedings in the middle of the night so we'd both get some sleep. For the first week or 2, Reese slept in the family room in her yellow rock n play sleeper and Ty and I would alternate being on the couch, so the other could sleep in our bed. After 2 weeks we both slept in our room, but would take turns going out to the family room for feedings. She was never in our room because she made so many noises in her sleep that none of us would've slept well with her right there. That worked best for us.
We also video chatted with Ty's family a lot for those first weeks until they could come visit.
Also, many good friends and neighbors brought food and dinners each night for over nearly 10 days. That was SO helpful, since making dinner was the last thing on our minds. We spent most of our time (when we weren't feeding or changing her) just looking at her and kissing her little lips and round cheeks. We also changed her outfits a lot as well has her headbands. A couple times we washed her hair in the sink and she loved it as long as her body was wrapped up and warm. So fun!
Here's a recap of some of the happenings....
DAY 7 - 1 week after Reese was born, her cousin was born in Pennsylvania - Tristan Isaiah Brown. He was due 5 days before her, but came 7 after. We can't wait to meet him this summer when his parents (Ty's brother and wife) and their 3 other children come to KY!!
DAY 8 - Reese's 1 week Dr. visit and was mentioned above. It was our first trip out of the house and took about an hour in all though the office is 2 min. down the road. Luckily we are a little more efficient at packing up and going out now. Her 1 week stats:
Weight: 6.93 (18 percentile)
Height: 20.5" (67%)
Head Circum: 13.58" (26%)
BMI: 11.58
DAYS 9 (and 13) - Amber Pugh (Photos by Amber) came over to shoot Reese's newborn photos. It was fun dressing her up and I think we shot for about 3 hrs over both days. We came out with some great photos of our little babe! In one shot when Ty and I were holding her in our hands and she was bare bottomed, she pooped all over my hands and clothes, it shot straight out on me once the diaper was off, of course...ha. It was funny. Glad it happened to me and not Ty, he would've died.
DAY 10- Her cord fell off, yay! She did give a little yell and we wondered what had happened, then we saw it just laying on her belly.
DAY 17- Super Bowl party at the Gastenvelds - this was Reese's first party experience and we were there nearly 4 hours! I think she slept the whole time in people's arms.
DAY 23- Joe's grandma's wedding - this was the first time that both Ty and I left her at the same time. We had run errands and done things here and there by ourselves, but we both went to this mass and reception together on a Saturday afternoon. Since my whole family was also attending the wedding, Melissa watched Reese for 3+ hours. All went well.
Now for some pics:
Reese was constantly swaddled...we love our little GLOW WORM. :)
awwww - she's the cutest! love the stories! miss you and can't wait to see the whole family soon!
ReplyDeleteYou will be so glad you wrote all this down! The 1st weeks may be a blur now, but soon you will say the 1st year was a blur!! Keep enjoying that sweetheart! She's such a cutie pie. :)
ReplyDeletePs I was cracking up at the friend pic... Lucy's dopey face and Reese's scrunched face! So stinkin cute though. I think we need an updated pic!