Monday, July 8, 2013
She's got the sniffles :(
I almost cried leaving Lainey at daycare today. I didn't cry the first time I left her, but this time she was all tears with her stuffy nose, I just felt so bad!! She wants her mama! She got stuffy while we were up at the cabin. Not sure if allergies or just baby congestion... She cant blow it out of course, and so the mucus drips back into her throat and so she has a cough too. No temp though! My "Mom's Corner" forum says, "Allergies typically don't happen in babies till around age 2. Normally it takes a season or two them to develop if they get them. Use some saline nose drops first, and then the Nosefrida Snotsucker Nasal Aspirator to suck it all out. Also use a humidifier in her room while she sleeps and kept her head elevated." Tonight I am going to do just that and I hope she gets better REAL soon!!
Sunday, July 7, 2013
First Swim!
Today we went over to Kevin's friend, Nick Diederich's parents house, who have a pool, and Lainey "swam" for her first time!!
She didn't really know what to think of all the water, so she was pretty serious, but she didn't cry, so she must have liked it! Can't wait until she kicks her feet and splashes around :)
She didn't really know what to think of all the water, so she was pretty serious, but she didn't cry, so she must have liked it! Can't wait until she kicks her feet and splashes around :)
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Life as a new Mom
My days no longer consist of blogging, crafting, or cleaning...now its: feeding, burping, changing diapers, soothing, cuddling, reading, pumping, washing bottles and keeping track of how many times she eats, poops & pees in a day. And once I am done with all that..I do it all over again! I am learning to do things one handed (an one eyed) (yes, I am typing this post with one hand, so it's going to be short) and I don't get to shower or eat breakfast until noon. Yet I am still determined to get something checked off my "To Do List" by the end of this maternity leave! Who wants to come babysit so I can clean out my closet!?
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Lainey's Newborn Essentials
Throughout my pregnancy I followed Lucie's List to know what I needed to prepare for a newborn baby. But now here is my list of the things I have found to be the necessities I love:
Onesies - plain white, short sleeve, worn everyday under her sleepers and sometimes under her regular outfits. The Longsleeve ones are great too, to wear to bed under her swaddle at night, and they have the mitt cuffs that keep her hands warm and so she cant scratch her face (because its hard to clip their nails).
Hats - Babies lose heat through their heads. The nurses put a hat on her the second she came out. Now she just wears one at night, since Kev turns the temp down so cold. Her head is so tiny though, so make sure you get the smallest newborn size.
Mittens - Lainey scratches her face every time she cries. I have even filed her nails and she still scratches, so she wears these mitts all day. Plus her little hands are always cold.
Sleepers - Every brand is different in how it fits. Lainey is tiny and doesn't fit into many of the newborn sleepers I have...the generic Babies R Us ones are smaller than their Carter's ones, although Carter's are softer and nicer. Some newborn Baby Gap ones fit too. You really have to wash them up and see how they shrink. I was told the zip ones are best because you don't wanna be button-ing in the middle of the night, however, I am finding the button ones to be better because you can just unbutton the bottom half to change the diaper and leave them warm in the top half...duh!
Halo SleepSack Swaddle - The hospital sent us home with one, and I got a few at my showers. I am not a fan of them, because I hate tying baby down in a straight-jacket, and the velcro is annoying, but I guess she likes it because its like the womb, and then she doesn't startle herself awake.
Boppy - This has been #1 in getting its use! We got the naked one (along with the water resistant cover) and 2 cute jersey cotton covers. I use it to help me hold her to nurse and we prop her in it for naps or just to chill on the couch with us.
Boppy Tummy Play Pad - This is the perfect size boppy for newborn tummy time!!
Fisher-Price My Little Lamb Platinum Edition Cradle 'n Swing - So soft and comfy, 3 ways to rock, 10 sounds (nature & songs), 6 speeds, and a starlight light show...Best swing ever!!
Avent Bottles - This is just the brand I chose because I was familiar with them from other friends using them. I have (7) 4oz bottles and (7) 9oz bottles. And right now we're using the size 1 - newborn release nipples. Lainey latched on right away!
Bottle Warmer - At first we didn't have one of these, because I wanted to try feeding her cold milk, silly me, well, she will take it chilly, but not cold cold. So we bought one of these cheap ones from Target and it works pretty well. Only 2 minutes to heat up a 2-3oz bottle, rather than trying to heat in a pot on the stove. Not sure if you can heat in microwave... With formula, we just use warm water from faucet.
Bottle Drying Rack - This one sits nice on the counter and slightly tilted for water to drain forward. We use this all day, as we ae going through 8-10 bottle a day. We also have this one cuz its bigger.
Burp Cloths - I like these diaper burp cloths from Babies R Us (or the Target Gerber ones) best because they soak up right away and they are soft on baby's face. You'll need lots as they spit up!
Medela In Style Breastpump - I got this one for free through our insurance (thanks Obama) but it's super easy to use and quick...I pump 4oz in 4 minutes.
Hands Free Breastpump Bra - This is slick for being hands-free when you pump, however, it only takes me 4 minutes to pump, so its not like I can't just hold the bottles in place for that long. But if you pump longer, it is nice to be comfortable and hands-free, and this works great!
Lansinoh Nipple Cream - Yes, you will get sore cracked nipples until they get use to being sucked on. I even cut open vitamin E capsules to help me heal.
Nursing Pads - Lansinoh or Medela, any kind will really work. There's washable ones too.
THERA PEARL Hot or Cold Breast Therapy - This helped me get through engorgement!!!
Arm's Reach Mini Co-Sleeper - This is what we are using for a bassinet because I didn't want a huge pack-n-play in our bedroom, plus this fits better in our room at the cabin. I love how its the same height as our bed, so its easy to reach over and soothe her. She feels right next to me.
Soundspa Lullaby Sound Machine - Rain and ocean sounds helps put Lainey to sleep. And the projector gives her something to look at, like a mobile, and it can be moved to anywhere in the house.
Cloud B Sleep Sheep - This stuffed animal sound machine is great too for on the go.
Hair Brush - Lainey loves her hair washed, because its a nice head massage, and then loves the feeling of this soft brush :)
Aveeno Baby Lotion - Her hands and feet have dry skin (or vernix)...she loves a little massage!
Forehead Thermometer - We love this thermometer, it is so easy as to a quick swipe over her forehead. They say, if its over 100, get a 2nd opinion by doing the butt one too.
Pampers Swaddlers - The yellow stripe down the middle turns blue when you know the diaper is wet! Don't forget to fold the front over until the cord falls off!
Waterproof Changing Pad Liners - We've found these come in handy because sometimes she pees right when we take her diaper off, and it goes all over the changing pad...so unless you want to wash the cover over and over again, I suggest you get some of these.
Diaper Dekor - This works great...locks in the smell but fills up fast, as we go through 10-12 diapers a day (I hear it'll get down to about 8/day but right now she poops again once she gets a new one on!)
3M Avagard D Hand Sanitizer with Moisturizer - My mom picked us up some of this from her hospital and it works great to have next to the changing station...sanitizing with a moisturizer is key!
Onesies - plain white, short sleeve, worn everyday under her sleepers and sometimes under her regular outfits. The Longsleeve ones are great too, to wear to bed under her swaddle at night, and they have the mitt cuffs that keep her hands warm and so she cant scratch her face (because its hard to clip their nails).
Hats - Babies lose heat through their heads. The nurses put a hat on her the second she came out. Now she just wears one at night, since Kev turns the temp down so cold. Her head is so tiny though, so make sure you get the smallest newborn size.
Mittens - Lainey scratches her face every time she cries. I have even filed her nails and she still scratches, so she wears these mitts all day. Plus her little hands are always cold.
Sleepers - Every brand is different in how it fits. Lainey is tiny and doesn't fit into many of the newborn sleepers I have...the generic Babies R Us ones are smaller than their Carter's ones, although Carter's are softer and nicer. Some newborn Baby Gap ones fit too. You really have to wash them up and see how they shrink. I was told the zip ones are best because you don't wanna be button-ing in the middle of the night, however, I am finding the button ones to be better because you can just unbutton the bottom half to change the diaper and leave them warm in the top half...duh!
Halo SleepSack Swaddle - The hospital sent us home with one, and I got a few at my showers. I am not a fan of them, because I hate tying baby down in a straight-jacket, and the velcro is annoying, but I guess she likes it because its like the womb, and then she doesn't startle herself awake.
Boppy - This has been #1 in getting its use! We got the naked one (along with the water resistant cover) and 2 cute jersey cotton covers. I use it to help me hold her to nurse and we prop her in it for naps or just to chill on the couch with us.
Boppy Tummy Play Pad - This is the perfect size boppy for newborn tummy time!!
Fisher-Price My Little Lamb Platinum Edition Cradle 'n Swing - So soft and comfy, 3 ways to rock, 10 sounds (nature & songs), 6 speeds, and a starlight light show...Best swing ever!!
Avent Bottles - This is just the brand I chose because I was familiar with them from other friends using them. I have (7) 4oz bottles and (7) 9oz bottles. And right now we're using the size 1 - newborn release nipples. Lainey latched on right away!
Bottle Warmer - At first we didn't have one of these, because I wanted to try feeding her cold milk, silly me, well, she will take it chilly, but not cold cold. So we bought one of these cheap ones from Target and it works pretty well. Only 2 minutes to heat up a 2-3oz bottle, rather than trying to heat in a pot on the stove. Not sure if you can heat in microwave... With formula, we just use warm water from faucet.
Bottle Drying Rack - This one sits nice on the counter and slightly tilted for water to drain forward. We use this all day, as we ae going through 8-10 bottle a day. We also have this one cuz its bigger.
Burp Cloths - I like these diaper burp cloths from Babies R Us (or the Target Gerber ones) best because they soak up right away and they are soft on baby's face. You'll need lots as they spit up!
Medela In Style Breastpump - I got this one for free through our insurance (thanks Obama) but it's super easy to use and quick...I pump 4oz in 4 minutes.
Hands Free Breastpump Bra - This is slick for being hands-free when you pump, however, it only takes me 4 minutes to pump, so its not like I can't just hold the bottles in place for that long. But if you pump longer, it is nice to be comfortable and hands-free, and this works great!
Lansinoh Nipple Cream - Yes, you will get sore cracked nipples until they get use to being sucked on. I even cut open vitamin E capsules to help me heal.
Nursing Pads - Lansinoh or Medela, any kind will really work. There's washable ones too.
THERA PEARL Hot or Cold Breast Therapy - This helped me get through engorgement!!!
Arm's Reach Mini Co-Sleeper - This is what we are using for a bassinet because I didn't want a huge pack-n-play in our bedroom, plus this fits better in our room at the cabin. I love how its the same height as our bed, so its easy to reach over and soothe her. She feels right next to me.
Soundspa Lullaby Sound Machine - Rain and ocean sounds helps put Lainey to sleep. And the projector gives her something to look at, like a mobile, and it can be moved to anywhere in the house.
Cloud B Sleep Sheep - This stuffed animal sound machine is great too for on the go.
Hair Brush - Lainey loves her hair washed, because its a nice head massage, and then loves the feeling of this soft brush :)
Aveeno Baby Lotion - Her hands and feet have dry skin (or vernix)...she loves a little massage!
Forehead Thermometer - We love this thermometer, it is so easy as to a quick swipe over her forehead. They say, if its over 100, get a 2nd opinion by doing the butt one too.
Pampers Swaddlers - The yellow stripe down the middle turns blue when you know the diaper is wet! Don't forget to fold the front over until the cord falls off!
Waterproof Changing Pad Liners - We've found these come in handy because sometimes she pees right when we take her diaper off, and it goes all over the changing pad...so unless you want to wash the cover over and over again, I suggest you get some of these.
Diaper Dekor - This works great...locks in the smell but fills up fast, as we go through 10-12 diapers a day (I hear it'll get down to about 8/day but right now she poops again once she gets a new one on!)
3M Avagard D Hand Sanitizer with Moisturizer - My mom picked us up some of this from her hospital and it works great to have next to the changing station...sanitizing with a moisturizer is key!
Monday, April 29, 2013
Hospital Bag
For those of you pregnant, nearing your last month...the anticipation stinks, and you'll probably get anxiety about when you're gonna go and how your labor story is going to be. As you are trying to pack your hospital bag, you think to yourself what do I bring to make myself feel comfortable? Well, nothing about delivery is comfortable...but I did the typical, goggled Hospital Bag Checklist and thought to myself, I am going to look retarded walking in with 5 bags of crap! Haha! So I then asked around to friends who just recently had babies about what they brought, used or wished they had. I packed a little each week, starting at week 35, and when my water broke at 38 weeks 2 days, I still had time to finish packing. So don't worry about it too much. Here's my list after I experienced it...
Typical stuff already in your purse:
· Wallet, ID & insurance card · Cell phone & charger · Glasses & eye drops · Chapstick · Makeup bag (at least your compact, eyelash curler & mascara - to look alive) · Digital camera & charger · Change for vending machines (when café is closed)
For Momma:
· Sweatpants & zip up (you can wear home the same thing you wore in, if you didn’t dirty it, because you change into hospital gown the second you get there) · Tennis shoes/crocs/slippers/flip flops (whatever is easiest, you really don’t get out of bed much) · Comfy T-shirt or tank top (to wear home) · Shorts/Capris (to get ready in after you bath) · Socks (however, they gave me a grippe pair that I really liked) · Dove bar of soap (because hospital soap is dry) · Shampoo & Conditioner · Toothbrush & Toothpaste · Deodorant · Hair Brush (ahhh its amazing to brush through your hair after labor) · Ponytail holders/headband · Lotion (for after your bath, its real dry in hospitals)
Other:
· Birthing plan (the nurse will ask about your preferences) · Snacks (cheez-its, granola bars, animal crackers, raisinets) · DVD movie (there isn’t anything on daytime TV) · iPod docking station (if you want to play your own music - I didn't) · Pillow & blanket (for husband to sleep with or just bring your own pillow case) · Comfy cloths for husband to sleep in, and or T-shirt, shorts & boxers for husband to change on day 2 (although, Kevin went home quick to shower and came back)
For Baby:
· I brought this stuff in the diaper bag · A couple newborn onesies or T-shirts (careful around belly button) · Mittens (they scratch their face!) · Newborn hat (they’ll put one on right when he/she comes out, but if you want a cuter one) · Receiving blanket (you’ll use theirs but we brought one home for the dog to smell) · Baby blankey (to snuggle up in car seat to go home) · Outfit for baby to wear home (think of what size they'll truly be, and they will be cold no matter what the season is) · Baby book (if you want the nurse to stamp their feets on page) · Notepad & pen (to record labor story and gifts people bring) · Car seat (leave in car until time to go home)
You Don’t Need:
· Robe (they gave me a nice warm soft robe to keep) · Large underwear (you’ll wear the large hospital shorts-undies they provide you with, along with their “diaper” pads and ice packs, and they'll give you some to go home with) · Nursing bra or tank top (you’ll wear the hospital gown the whole time, easier for skin-to-skin) · Shower Towel (I took a bath once right before going home and their towels were fine) · Nipple cream (your nipples won’t be dry & cracked yet) · Maxipads (have medium and light flow ones for when you get home) · Diapers & wipes (they give you all you need and you take home what you don’t use) · A bottle (you’ll only be nursing the first 2 days, or they’ll give you what you need) · Burp cloths (she never really spit up yet) · A pacifier (we brought our own, the soothie ones were too big for her) · Breast pump (if you need to pump in the hospital they will provide one)
**A friend of mine that delivered at the same hospital a month before me said, "You really don't need to bring anything. They have it all there for you!" Which I was like, "Yeah right, I need my own stuff." But really, they do have everything. They took care of me very well :)
Typical stuff already in your purse:
· Wallet, ID & insurance card · Cell phone & charger · Glasses & eye drops · Chapstick · Makeup bag (at least your compact, eyelash curler & mascara - to look alive) · Digital camera & charger · Change for vending machines (when café is closed)
For Momma:
· Sweatpants & zip up (you can wear home the same thing you wore in, if you didn’t dirty it, because you change into hospital gown the second you get there) · Tennis shoes/crocs/slippers/flip flops (whatever is easiest, you really don’t get out of bed much) · Comfy T-shirt or tank top (to wear home) · Shorts/Capris (to get ready in after you bath) · Socks (however, they gave me a grippe pair that I really liked) · Dove bar of soap (because hospital soap is dry) · Shampoo & Conditioner · Toothbrush & Toothpaste · Deodorant · Hair Brush (ahhh its amazing to brush through your hair after labor) · Ponytail holders/headband · Lotion (for after your bath, its real dry in hospitals)
Other:
· Birthing plan (the nurse will ask about your preferences) · Snacks (cheez-its, granola bars, animal crackers, raisinets) · DVD movie (there isn’t anything on daytime TV) · iPod docking station (if you want to play your own music - I didn't) · Pillow & blanket (for husband to sleep with or just bring your own pillow case) · Comfy cloths for husband to sleep in, and or T-shirt, shorts & boxers for husband to change on day 2 (although, Kevin went home quick to shower and came back)
For Baby:
· I brought this stuff in the diaper bag · A couple newborn onesies or T-shirts (careful around belly button) · Mittens (they scratch their face!) · Newborn hat (they’ll put one on right when he/she comes out, but if you want a cuter one) · Receiving blanket (you’ll use theirs but we brought one home for the dog to smell) · Baby blankey (to snuggle up in car seat to go home) · Outfit for baby to wear home (think of what size they'll truly be, and they will be cold no matter what the season is) · Baby book (if you want the nurse to stamp their feets on page) · Notepad & pen (to record labor story and gifts people bring) · Car seat (leave in car until time to go home)
You Don’t Need:
· Robe (they gave me a nice warm soft robe to keep) · Large underwear (you’ll wear the large hospital shorts-undies they provide you with, along with their “diaper” pads and ice packs, and they'll give you some to go home with) · Nursing bra or tank top (you’ll wear the hospital gown the whole time, easier for skin-to-skin) · Shower Towel (I took a bath once right before going home and their towels were fine) · Nipple cream (your nipples won’t be dry & cracked yet) · Maxipads (have medium and light flow ones for when you get home) · Diapers & wipes (they give you all you need and you take home what you don’t use) · A bottle (you’ll only be nursing the first 2 days, or they’ll give you what you need) · Burp cloths (she never really spit up yet) · A pacifier (we brought our own, the soothie ones were too big for her) · Breast pump (if you need to pump in the hospital they will provide one)
**A friend of mine that delivered at the same hospital a month before me said, "You really don't need to bring anything. They have it all there for you!" Which I was like, "Yeah right, I need my own stuff." But really, they do have everything. They took care of me very well :)
Sunday, April 28, 2013
1st week as new parents...
We checked out of the hospital after we got our 24 hour clearance. We didn't want to sleep in the hospital another night and were super excited to bring Lainey home to meet Colbie! However, from the picture below, she wasn't happy about the car seat, but once we started moving she was sound asleep :)
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Our first night home was the hardest. Lainey hated her diaper changed and didn't like any ounce of her skin exposed to air, she screamed bloody murder...being in the womb for so long, babies have a rough time adjusting to the outside temperature. And she didn't want to be put down to sleep in her bassinet. I was exhausted, and needed sleep badly...I took the first shift, and Kevin the second. He took her out to the living room and got her to sleep in her swing around 3am, while he slept on the couch. We finally got about 3 hours of shut eye.
Thursday (4/25) we were zombies! We went in to see the pediatrician, since we left the hospital so quick (24 hours) they wanted us to follow-up to check her weight and check her risk of jaundice. Her weight was now 5lbs 8oz (typical loss of 5% birth weight) and her jaundice level came back real low, so there was no concern. I hated watching her get her little foot pricked. Her thyroid level came back good too!
Lainey did well latching on to breastfeed right from the start in the hospital, however, as days went on, as she would drink, she'd stop & start, fall asleep or startle herself, and wouldn't re-open wide enough to latch back on correctly, she just wanted to keep sucking, which hurt very badly! By Friday (day 4) my milk came in and by Saturday I was extremely engorged. Holy cow engorgement is painful!! As Kevin would say, I went from a "B" to a "D" over night. It feels like rocks inside! It hurt so bad I was sick to my stomach! Kevin went to Target and got me a cheap manual pump (since an electronic pump isn't covered under our insurance until June 1). The manual pump worked very well actually. Took me only about 8 minutes to drain out both sides...a workout for my forearms :)
Lainey took my breast milk in a bottle right away - Avent bottles. Since then, I have been strictly pumping and bottle feeding. This has helped me get through engorgement, and easier for us to switch off feedings, and during the days, we have been having so many visitors, its been nice that I don't have to step away to nurse. It has also allowed me to heal. I knew these first couple of days as a new mom were going to be hard taking care of a newborn baby... sleepless nights, crying, pooping, peeing, soothing, bathing, feeding...but I didn't realize how much healing I have to do for myself as well. I am not use to using my abs again yet, and sitting on my tailbone hurts, my "birthing area" is still healing. So needless to say, its hard to move about, but each day gets better and better. Warm baths are awesome - if you can find time! Kevin goes back to work tomorrow...
Thursday (4/25) we were zombies! We went in to see the pediatrician, since we left the hospital so quick (24 hours) they wanted us to follow-up to check her weight and check her risk of jaundice. Her weight was now 5lbs 8oz (typical loss of 5% birth weight) and her jaundice level came back real low, so there was no concern. I hated watching her get her little foot pricked. Her thyroid level came back good too!
Lainey did well latching on to breastfeed right from the start in the hospital, however, as days went on, as she would drink, she'd stop & start, fall asleep or startle herself, and wouldn't re-open wide enough to latch back on correctly, she just wanted to keep sucking, which hurt very badly! By Friday (day 4) my milk came in and by Saturday I was extremely engorged. Holy cow engorgement is painful!! As Kevin would say, I went from a "B" to a "D" over night. It feels like rocks inside! It hurt so bad I was sick to my stomach! Kevin went to Target and got me a cheap manual pump (since an electronic pump isn't covered under our insurance until June 1). The manual pump worked very well actually. Took me only about 8 minutes to drain out both sides...a workout for my forearms :)
Lainey took my breast milk in a bottle right away - Avent bottles. Since then, I have been strictly pumping and bottle feeding. This has helped me get through engorgement, and easier for us to switch off feedings, and during the days, we have been having so many visitors, its been nice that I don't have to step away to nurse. It has also allowed me to heal. I knew these first couple of days as a new mom were going to be hard taking care of a newborn baby... sleepless nights, crying, pooping, peeing, soothing, bathing, feeding...but I didn't realize how much healing I have to do for myself as well. I am not use to using my abs again yet, and sitting on my tailbone hurts, my "birthing area" is still healing. So needless to say, its hard to move about, but each day gets better and better. Warm baths are awesome - if you can find time! Kevin goes back to work tomorrow...
Friday, April 26, 2013
Bath Time
She doesn't like being cold, wet & naked, but she loves the head massage of getting her hair washed!
Look at all my fluffy hair!!! Just like Daddy :)
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