4 weeks!

At almost a month old, Norah is getting so big! Some things we have noticed:
- Her legs are getting longer and longer
- She enjoys sucking on the knuckle of her pointer finger
- When you kiss her on the cheek, she smiles (this is a new thing!)
- Laughing out loud in her sleep is still happening
- She is sleeping through the night usually (although I often times wake her)
- She is definitely a side sleeper, so she side sleeps with me (continuing to mostly co-sleep)

Norah is one happy baby. She only gets fussy when she is hungry (but, don't we all?) ... It is such a joy to be her mom.

I talked to some breastfeeding experts yesterday, Sherry and a lady from our pediatrician's office. Can I just say that I LOVE Sherry Oldfield. She has been such an amazing nurse-midwife and now is my certified lactation consultant. Her ankle is still healing, but she and I are getting together today so we can tweak some nursing issues. YAY! Sherry was so helpful and encouraging on the phone. She says it all gets better from here. I am doing the right thing for Norah. If I am still exclusively breastfeeding, I'm doing so much better than MANY moms who quit because it's hard... And trust me, it IS hard. It may take 4-6 more weeks for Norah and I to mesh perfectly (and growth to happen), and after talking with her, I'm ok with that! Nursing will not kill me.

Sherry had an interesting point.
Some babies don't come out loving the boob. They think they want something, but it may not be exactly what they had in mind for some reason or another. So, your 7 year old would rather have McDonald's than broccoli all the time, do you take them to McDonald's? No! If eating means having broccoli time and time again, she will learn to LOVE broccoli. That's parenting... And that's what we are doing right now. If Norah wants to eat, we have 2 options, the boob or go hungry. No formula, no bottles. She will learn and everything will work out eventually. :)

Video of Norah's Birth

I finished editing it - and we finally have internet again, so I uploaded it this morning.

~~~ Please be aware that this is an edited video of real natural labor and childbirth (you actually can't see stuff from the clips in the video). If you are weird about birth, breastfeeding, boobs, babies, or similar things, please don't watch it. However, if you would like to see the most beautiful moment of our lives, and see what a calm, natural, home birth looks like... we'd love to share it with you!

Here it is on youtube (make sure and watch it on the highest quality for better viewing): 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnpKBIJuPHM

Week 3

I love our daughter. As frustrating as being a new mom is (and not knowing what the heck to do at times), I really do mostly love the process. :)

She is 3 weeks old as of 2 days ago. We are slowly sneaking up on her 1 month birthday, SO CRAZY! I am just thankful that we are all alive and hanging in there, and when things get tough I try and remember that she will quickly grow up... And I'll want this back. I'll want the LATE (or non-existent) nights, the tiny child screaming bloody murder for no apparent reason, the diapers, and probably even the breastfeeding back. Why?! Because of her sweet coo's, ooh's, and ah's, her preciousness when she first wakes up, THOSE EYES, her super long toes that I am completely addicted to, the way she ALWAYS has a hand on her face, and because of a thousand other reasons why she is totally amazing. I love her. She makes me ball my eyes out with joy when I stare at her for too long. She also makes me ball my eyes out with frustration when I just can't take it anymore (at which point I stare at her and the balling continues... Lol!)

I am honestly pretty emotional, for many many reasons. I don't think I am experiencing postpartum depression, but I do know that I haven't been outside enough, and breastfeeding challenges make me feel like a sucky mom at times. Hmph. Life is very different with miss Norah! It is messy and incredible. It's my new normal... and as hard as it is, I absolutely wouldn't have it any other way. :)

Week 2

We saw Anna yesterday for our 2 week checkup. NORAH WEIGHS 9lb 5oz NOW! gaining weight like a champ. She has way surpassed the whole "back to birth weight at 2 weeks" thing... By a whopping 8oz. Think about this: she has gained a POUND since we saw our pediatrician on Friday, which was just 5 days earlier. I am proud. We work hard to get those calories in her! :)

Along those lines, I have managed to get rid of 25 pounds since her birth. Now I am somewhere around 167. Halfway there!

Some pics of the latest:

First week

Wow. So Norah will be two weeks old in just two days. I'll admit... I cried last night. She is so much bigger. Her hair is WAY lighter, like a sandy blonde color. She is losing that newborn look. :( to be honest, a part of me still can't believe that she is here! I need to wake up and pay attention. Time is flying by. Before we know it, she'll be in high school.

Just some updates on how things have been going:
Norah lost her umbilical cord stump the morning of her 1 week birthday! Thank goodness. That thing was getting pretty stanky and icky.
Meconium was gone by day 5, and yes, we have cloth diapered since the first minute. It did not stain one little bit. What was I so worried about?! We love love love our diapers. More on this later.
We had a weight check with Kim Bookout at 1 week and 1 day, just to see where she was, and to all of our surprise, she was already BACK AT BIRTH WEIGHT exactly! 8lb13oz! Crazy fast weight gain, considering babes have 2 weeks to get back there! Sometimes I call her my hungry hungry hippo. ;) it was a proud day for me.
We have made several fun outings together, such as to target, a girl's social for our church home group, a baby shower, and shopping at kohl's. I'm still taking it easy, but have still been able to get out of the house a little bit. :)
Johnny went back to work as of yesterday. I think he misses his ladies while he's away (as he should... we are pretty great!) ;)

I am recovering well, I think. Everything feels beat up, but I'm making it.
Here is 1 week postpartum (exposed tummy shot will need to come later -- we've got a little ways to go!):

5 days old

The love we have for this kid is insane. Although it has been a rough few days trying to keep everyone alive, we are making it through! :)

Breast is best, yes I know... But that does NOT mean babies come out pros at this thing they've never done before. We are all learning so much every day... It has not been easy. It's just a phase and we are doing what we can to make this process more enjoyable. Our sleep has been ok. I nap with her at night. Johnny naps during the day sometimes and usually sleeps through the night. ;) lucky! He really has been very helpful, though. He's my meal, water, baby and boppy bringer mostly.

Sweet friends and family have signed up to bring us meals at least 3x a week for 3 weeks. What a huge blessing!!!! Love you all so much.

Anna came to check up with us on our 3rd day. I have been recovering really well, so it was mostly a checkup for Norah. She did a newborn exam and will be back at the 2 week mark.

We were able to go to the pediatrician, a family friend Kim Bookout, Monday (yesterday). Norah got another newborn scan as well as the PKU heal prick. We decided to postpone the hearing test until it would actually be beneficial to receive it. Norah is measuring nice and large, she is definitely not a teeny thing (as cute and "small" as she is!)

Her measurements today and percentile for her age:
~Head circumference, 13.7" (50%)
~Weight, 8lb 5oz (75%) - she has lost 8oz since birth, which we are slowly gaining back
~Height, 21" (97%!!!) - such a tall girl!

Because I have gotten a bit behind on posting updates and pictures, I'm going to just put a whole bunch on here for your viewing pleasure. Smiling at her cuteness is mandatory. These were taken from my phone. My dad and other family have much more pics of her and us as a new family.