Monday, March 7, 2016

My First Month as a Mom

One month ago my life changed, for the better, forever! At the time I am writing this, 1 month ago my contractions were starting. Now my body is 99% back to normal (healing wise, still gotta get my runner body back!) and I am looking at a perfect little girl fast asleep. I cannot believe how fast this month has gone by!

So what's life like for me with this girl? Awesome. 

For over three weeks I was home on maternity leave with my husband. The two of us had to figure Katura out and started trying to get a rhythm and settled into our new life. For the last few days I've been on my own with her, and I think she and I are getting quite good at the whole mother/daughter thing.

She was born late Sunday night. Tuesday night we went home from the hospital and were back the following morning for a check-up appointment. We learned she had lost 10% of her body weight, so I was asked to come back the next two days to check on her. And my homework for those days was to feed, feed, feed. I was told to feed, pump, sleep, feed, pump, eat and repeat. We did that and managed to have her gain a couple ounces over night. I pretty much was told to stay on that schedule until she had her first appointment with her pediatrician. Two weeks later we were at her doctor, and she was back at birth weight! I was given 2 more weeks to try to keep getting her to gain weight. And thus, this is my life. Feed, pump, sleep, feed pump, eat.... like washing your hair ... lather, rinse, repeat as needed!

I'm pretty much a dairy cow. I know of people that couldn't produce milk to nurse, and some who chose not to breastfeed. Yeah, well, I'm sticking to breastfeeding for now and holy canoli I'm always gushing milk. I would love to go to sleep without a bra on again, but then that means soaking through my night shirt and sheets. Thank goodness for the little soaker upper pads they make to put in your bra!! TMI? Eh, after all I've posted on this blog, this is nothing!

Speaking of my body, my little girl is nicknamed the Boobie Monster and I clearly have the magic boobies. I hardly have to set her on them and she falls fast asleep. It's a gift! She also loves my anchor necklace, so I guess I better get her one for her jewelry box. 

Sleeping for her happens during the day. I go to sleep at night for a couple hours at a time and her dad is such a helper and willing to stay up with her while she's a wide awake nocturnal little girl! I'm working on getting her cycle set to mine. In the womb she and I had the same sleep cycle, so maybe I can do it again.

She's been around town a few times now for shopping and a couple of meals. Once in her car seat she is peacefully sleeping, so that makes for a nice eating experience, versus having a crying baby causing a scene! People are so nice. Just the other day at the store she had 3 people comment on how beautiful she is. That's nice to hear! She IS adorable, and I'm sure it's not my motherly bias. Ha!

My spare time is few and far between. I've been diligently working on thank you cards and have half of them already delivered or in the mail. My goal is to get them all finished in the next day or two. Yesterday she only let me write 3. Her dad tells me I have to not give in to her all the time. I just can't let my baby ever be upset. If she wakes up and wants me, well, she gets me! Today I did manage to give her a bath, do a bunch of thank you cards, vacuum, do laundry, put away clean dishes, brush my teeth and put on deodorant. Maybe I'll work in a shower? Baths ... she LOVES them! I let her float her little body in our huge sink and she instantly relaxes. She loves floating in that warm water!

We have had some friends and family come to visit in this last month. She's awesome with visitors -- sleeps the whole time and masters looking cute! Now that I'm more comfortable I'll probably have her meet more friends soon. This weekend she will finally get to meet her grandpa that she share's part of her name with. He gets daily photos, but it's time for him to come home and finally get to hold her! And with regard to her name, I've heard people are absolutely butchering the pronunciation and adding letters that aren't even there. It is seriously so easy to say. It is just how it looks. Ka-tour-uh. 

So that's the first month. Milk Milk Milk!!! Oh, and a lot of terrible TV. Seriously, at 3 o'clock in the morning there is nothing on other than infomercials. Thank goodness for Netflix! I've also watched an obscene amount of Friends, Ink Masters, Bar Rescue and Cops. Welcome to maternity leave!