A Christmas Update on the Girls
I must say, breastfeeding is a heck of a lot easier the second time around. By this point last time, I was ready to give up on the whole thing, but this time, Sydney and I are in a total groove. She is a much more efficient eater than Sally, which is a nice blessing. Sydney tops out at about 15 minutes, whereas Sally could eat for 45 minutes every 2 hours! No wonder I felt like I was always feeding her.
Tomorrow we have Sydney's first well-baby dr appt (2 week checkup). I'm sure she's gained weight and at least returned to her birth weight, if not a few ounces over that. She's filling out, and doesn't look nearly as scrawny as she did her first few days of life. And her hands and feet are no longer purple, which I must say was a little disturbing initially! (it's the altitude)
I have not yet given Sydney a bath (other than a sponge bath to clean her bottom and face/hands) although I think one is coming soon. Maybe tomorrow afternoon while big sister is napping. Her umbilical stump came off on Friday (perhaps because Sally tugged on it once?) and was still bleeding a tad until today, so I was in no hurry to put her in water. But I think we'll be ready to bathe her (a "real" bath) tomorrow. In the hospital, they only bathed her the day she was born, so she hasn't had a proper bath in 2 weeks! But they said at this altitude, it's best not to bathe her more than once every 5-7 days anyway.
It just occurred to me that I didn't post anything about Nana's visit!
We had a very nice visit,and she was a huge help to me -- she cooked Andy's and my favorite comfort foods (pea soup for him and stuffed artichokes for me) as well as veggie soup (enough to put some away in the freezer), a roast, potato salad and more. She also managed to do every stitch of laundry I had, the amount of which amazed me since I had washed nearly everything prior to going into the hospital.
On Thursday, Susu flew in so we could maintain our annual tradition of Christmas Lunch/Tea with the girls. Next year, we'll have holiday tea at the Molly Brown Mansion in Denver (reservations must be made by October) but this year, we settled for the Crepe Cafe in Castle Rock. Sydney slept the entire time, and Sally played with the toys that were there at the cafe. The food and service were excellent (I swear that place is Castle Rock's best-kept secret!) and I just love that little place. Then we went home for a bit so I could feel Sydney and Sally went down for a nap while Daddy worked, and Susu checked into her hotel. Then she came back adn Susu, Nana, Sydney and I all went shopping at Park Meadows Mall. Nana had bought Sydney a baby's first Christmas outfit that was 1 size too large (silly Nana) and we were on a mission to return it. Who would have guessed taht they would be nearly sold out so early in the month?? But we found something suitable, after hitting 3 stores and completely wearing me out.
But apparently that wasn't enough shopping, becaue then we came back to Castle Rock adn shopped at Kohl's (HUGE selection of Christmas stuff for baby!). By the time we got home, (between the 3 of us) Sydney had a whole new wardrobe. Susu visited for a bit (not too long -- cat allergies!) and then bugged out to her hotel. We didn't see her in the AM because she left around 7am to catch her flight.
Sally had a craft day at school on Thursday and this Thursday is hte Christmas performance. Sally has been practicing "Jingle Bells," "Santa Claus is Comin to Town" and "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." It appears as though there are hand motions to Twinkle, can't wait to see the live performance. And oh my goodness you should see little Sally take a bow! Just divine. Of course, if she finishes singing and we don't clap, she says "You clap your hands now!" Precious.
So I think the adjustment is going well -- it's hard to tell what's going on in Sally's head. For sure there are more meltdowns than there were a month ago (mine and Sally's) but then she has days when she is a perfect angel. I am making an extra effort to give her additional attention adn do things with just her -- it's tough wiht everything else that's going on.
Thank goodness THIS year we can use the old "Santa Claus is watching, you know" schpiel.
Sally's school is out for 2 weeks for Christmas break (next week and hte following) which I am NOT looking forward to. It seems like if she goes more than 3 days without school, she turns into a terror. Not sure if it's the structure, the routine, or hte social interaction. But one of her teachers is offering child care 6 of the 10 weekdays that school is out. We're planning to participate in at least a few of those days!
And what is Sydney getting for Christmas? A "baby's first Christmas" Hallmark ornament. Well, what else would I get her? Santa's enjoying the break while he can, and focusing on just Sally this year. Something tells me the rest of the family will make sure Sydney is all set this Christmas. :-)
Sally, on the other hand....well, let's just say it's hard for ME not to delve into her stocking stuffers this year!
Now I've rambled on long enough. More to come...
Tomorrow we have Sydney's first well-baby dr appt (2 week checkup). I'm sure she's gained weight and at least returned to her birth weight, if not a few ounces over that. She's filling out, and doesn't look nearly as scrawny as she did her first few days of life. And her hands and feet are no longer purple, which I must say was a little disturbing initially! (it's the altitude)
I have not yet given Sydney a bath (other than a sponge bath to clean her bottom and face/hands) although I think one is coming soon. Maybe tomorrow afternoon while big sister is napping. Her umbilical stump came off on Friday (perhaps because Sally tugged on it once?) and was still bleeding a tad until today, so I was in no hurry to put her in water. But I think we'll be ready to bathe her (a "real" bath) tomorrow. In the hospital, they only bathed her the day she was born, so she hasn't had a proper bath in 2 weeks! But they said at this altitude, it's best not to bathe her more than once every 5-7 days anyway.
It just occurred to me that I didn't post anything about Nana's visit!
We had a very nice visit,and she was a huge help to me -- she cooked Andy's and my favorite comfort foods (pea soup for him and stuffed artichokes for me) as well as veggie soup (enough to put some away in the freezer), a roast, potato salad and more. She also managed to do every stitch of laundry I had, the amount of which amazed me since I had washed nearly everything prior to going into the hospital.
On Thursday, Susu flew in so we could maintain our annual tradition of Christmas Lunch/Tea with the girls. Next year, we'll have holiday tea at the Molly Brown Mansion in Denver (reservations must be made by October) but this year, we settled for the Crepe Cafe in Castle Rock. Sydney slept the entire time, and Sally played with the toys that were there at the cafe. The food and service were excellent (I swear that place is Castle Rock's best-kept secret!) and I just love that little place. Then we went home for a bit so I could feel Sydney and Sally went down for a nap while Daddy worked, and Susu checked into her hotel. Then she came back adn Susu, Nana, Sydney and I all went shopping at Park Meadows Mall. Nana had bought Sydney a baby's first Christmas outfit that was 1 size too large (silly Nana) and we were on a mission to return it. Who would have guessed taht they would be nearly sold out so early in the month?? But we found something suitable, after hitting 3 stores and completely wearing me out.
But apparently that wasn't enough shopping, becaue then we came back to Castle Rock adn shopped at Kohl's (HUGE selection of Christmas stuff for baby!). By the time we got home, (between the 3 of us) Sydney had a whole new wardrobe. Susu visited for a bit (not too long -- cat allergies!) and then bugged out to her hotel. We didn't see her in the AM because she left around 7am to catch her flight.
Sally had a craft day at school on Thursday and this Thursday is hte Christmas performance. Sally has been practicing "Jingle Bells," "Santa Claus is Comin to Town" and "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." It appears as though there are hand motions to Twinkle, can't wait to see the live performance. And oh my goodness you should see little Sally take a bow! Just divine. Of course, if she finishes singing and we don't clap, she says "You clap your hands now!" Precious.
So I think the adjustment is going well -- it's hard to tell what's going on in Sally's head. For sure there are more meltdowns than there were a month ago (mine and Sally's) but then she has days when she is a perfect angel. I am making an extra effort to give her additional attention adn do things with just her -- it's tough wiht everything else that's going on.
Thank goodness THIS year we can use the old "Santa Claus is watching, you know" schpiel.
Sally's school is out for 2 weeks for Christmas break (next week and hte following) which I am NOT looking forward to. It seems like if she goes more than 3 days without school, she turns into a terror. Not sure if it's the structure, the routine, or hte social interaction. But one of her teachers is offering child care 6 of the 10 weekdays that school is out. We're planning to participate in at least a few of those days!
And what is Sydney getting for Christmas? A "baby's first Christmas" Hallmark ornament. Well, what else would I get her? Santa's enjoying the break while he can, and focusing on just Sally this year. Something tells me the rest of the family will make sure Sydney is all set this Christmas. :-)
Sally, on the other hand....well, let's just say it's hard for ME not to delve into her stocking stuffers this year!
Now I've rambled on long enough. More to come...
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home