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We have a weight check for Morella this morning. On Wednesday, after her second lacatation consultation and 1 week check up — where it was determined that she is AT her birth weight (she has two weeks to do this). We decided to agree to have access to the hospital scale to make sure that our breastfeeding regime with nipple shield and finger feeding would work out.

As it turns out, Morella now only eats from the boob (but only with nipple shield) and has turned up nose at the bottle and most attempts to finger feed. I guess I can take this as a compliment. Her wet/poopy diaper output has finally increased too. In fact we are going to now have to buy some more newborn size diapers to bridge the gap for all the size 1 diapers that we received from the baby shower. At that point I’ll put in the order for cloth diaper service.

I am feeling better. Now that she is eating without *constant* stimulation and is catching on to latching (not all are successful though — ouch!) We have been able to get some sleep at night by: leaving a night light on (pitch darkness wakes her up), humidifier on high (she has our constantly stuffy nose ) and bringing the boppy, lanolin cream, shields, hand towels (I got a bunch of these blue hand towels at a garage sale this past summer and they are hands down the most absorbent, easy to use burp clothes ever!), — uh as I was saying. Now I can actually get some sleep at night by getting into this schedule. Tim hasn’t had to get up and help for two nights in a row though. Though I really count on him for the morning though because he changes her diaper, gets her undressed and gives me a few moments to get set up for a real breast feeding session complete with pumping – which I really really need after a night of not pumping.

Also not running around yesterday, and taking a boring warm bath with no soap products have helped the sore issues. The only bad is that I had a rotten headache yesterday afternoon that didn’t go away until 2 or 3 in the morning. Maybe that is why I am feeling great this morning — no pain!

It snowed out a little last night. The outside world is dusted with white.

I need to get cracking on getting the hospital photos of Morella ordered and then ordering pictures for a birth announcement.

The other day Hilary stopped by with a bonanza of goodies — a storage bin full of clothes that included some newborn items, a bottle of lanolin cream, The Happiest Baby on the block book, an adorable little sleeper outfit that I put on her last night and a great card. The Bit has also gotten some congrats cards from Coral, Oliver, St. Mary’s labor and delivery staff — etc. She’s such a lucky girl!

Tonight, Tim’s parents are coming to help. They are coming later this evening so I am not sure how much helping is going to get done — but I am thinking that if today goes hectic then I might be taking a nap! They are also bringing pie! I decided yesterday that we needed to have a Morella food toll. You wanna see a baby? You bring us food.

Ha ha ha. Just kidding.

Kinda.

Hey everyone, just a quick note to let you know that we are adjusting to life with baby. It was particularly hard because Morella would not latch on and it took a couple of days, several doctor appointments and lots of frustration to finally get to a nipple shield, finger feeding, milk FINALLY came in, lots of pumping solution that we are going to try for the next few days.

I am just so glad that we get to stay home tomorrow and don’t have to be anywhere.

I also can’t believe how fast it’s going already. My little baby is starting to grow! WE have a baby. I have a little girl. A daughter. She so sweet and I just love her to bits.

I struggle with emotional breakouts — I have taken to warning Tim when I feel one coming on. I am also still pretty sore because of the 2nd degree tearing that happened when she finally came out. It feels like it almost got worse the last two days but that could be because of all the moving around and getting in and out cars and sitting and blah blah blah. I am still also running on hormones which means I can get by with less sleep than Tim — but I think my days are numbered.

I think I will be able to write more tomorrow when we are at home and in more of a schedule — or at least figuring each other out.

Having Tim home has been great and I really wish it was for more than week. He’s been so good with Morella and helping around the house and dealing with his lack of sleep.

I’ll leave with you some photos of the Bit.Morella swimming in her going home outfit. Her first real outfit – all the 0-3 mo clothes just swim on her…we have limited newborn stuff and had to buy some more — thankfully from the good will of Kate and Eric and their gift card. It was too late to by booze from Target though — though we also got a boppy (invaluable in feeding the Bit), and some jammies for me (same reasoning).

SO freaking CUTE!

A pretty common Morella look. It’s related to her Pirate look (also known as Popeye)

Also.

Since there were NO winners in the guess the birth day for Morella, we are going to the next category which was guessing weight and height. For that, the closest guess (only off and ounce and inch) goes to Carla!! Congratulations Carla, your prize is almost in the mail. Thank you to everyone participated.

Also, THANK you to everyone who wished us well and for your congratulations. We really appreciate it.

DH here again. It was quite a long day/night, as you can imagine. The DW will gladly receive visitors and phone calls after 1 pm on Friday, November 23. On behalf of the DW, I would like to thank everyone for their prayers and good thoughts during pregnancy and labor. We are truly blessed by wonderful friends and family, and we dearly cherish your support and love.

ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz……

Bacon Bit’s Secret Identity Revealed!!!

After 2 hours of pushing, Morella Adelaide entered the world at 2:43 am on Friday, November 23. For those of you betting at home, she was a little critter at 6 pounds 14 ounces, and 18.5 inches long. DW blames my side of the family for being little. She’s doing really well. Her apgar scores were 8 and 9. The delay in posting was because the DW’s placenta was being stubborn and wouldn’t come out. DW needed a little help from the docs to get it out, which left me on baby duty for a bit. She has the cutest dimple on her left cheek, and she’s got a crazy amount of light-colored hair.

I think this will end my guest blogging, but I’ll leave you with a teaser photo:

The doctor has uttered some sort of magic words about the cervix being complete. They gave DW the option to start pushing now, but she declined, choosing to ‘labor down’ a little longer. Her plan is to start pushing in about 30 minutes, but, if I may be frank, I do believe I heard her attempt to bargain with the doctor and nurse, suggesting that perhaps Bacon Bit could kick her way out. The DW still entertains a small hope that it will be just like Morticia Addams in Addams Family Values, and that she will experience only the mildest of discomfort accompanied by a dainty exclamation. May it be so!

Another rotating of the guard is about to occur. A nurse change is coming up, and we will be bidding a fond farewell to our third nurse during our stay. Contractions are strong, but irregular. Baby is really coming down. The current nurse, the resident-on-duty, and this faithful scribe all agree that it looks like Bacon Bit will be born on the 23rd. While it remains within the realm of possibility that she will show up on the 22nd, she seems to be taking her time. I’m sensing a theme, and already dread the implication that waking her up to go to school will be an Herculean task.

It’s time for another cup of coffee for me. Alas, the DW is limited to ice chips, the price of an epidural.

Ahhh, sweet relief!!!!

The anesthesiologist just finished placing the epidural, and the DW is now relaxing comfortably with some classical music playing in the background. The lights have been dimmed, and she is attempting to take a nap.

The latest medical jargon thrown my way is that dilation remains at 5 cm, but that the cervix has moved all the way forward and baby is in Station Zero (Copy, Red Two! Check your six!).

The DW is currently ‘relaxing’ in the tub, and having pretty frequent contractions. She’s told me to shut up at least twice while she breathed through one. The baby monitor can be a hassle, and the DW is finding it difficult to get a comfortable position while trying to balance all the cords and whatnot. She asked me if she could get an epidural so she could take a nap. I said that I didn’t think those things were intended to be used recreationally. A anonymous source related to me, the humble DH, would bet, if they were the betting sort, that Bacon Bit will arrive within the next two hours. So far, the Bit has been bucked all predictions, so I remain skeptical. In related news, a friend of ours has graciously gone to feed our pets. We are extremely grateful, and indebted to this kindness.