New Pics

I just had to share some of the 150+ pics we took of Bella yesterday.

Long busy weekends

Well I finally have the internet back. Friday our modem went out so I've been unable to access the internet. There's not too much to catch up on. Bella is still taking her meds for her infection and her face is looking better. She's not eating every hours so that's good for me. She does still have some mucous issues and snot sucking is not one of her favorite past times. Adam is getting to feeling better, but we are both lacking in the sleep department. Bella has made a game of keeping me up till the wee hours of the morning again. Last night at 2:30 she decided she wanted to talk to me when we were trying to get her to sleep. I ended up putting her in the swing at 3am and got to sleep until 5:15 when Adam's alarm went off. Then I dozed until ten til 8 when I was supposed to be at my lab appointment at 8 this morning. So needless to say I'm still tired and she's still awake. This weekend I went back to my part-time gig for the first time since November. I worked all weekend and my calves are killing me. I can definitely tell I'm lacking in the exercise department since she's been born. Adam was able to go to the Sunday show so Grandmama got to keep Bella for the first time. It was our first time being away from the baby for an extended period of time. She slept great for Grandmama I guess, but didn't want to sleep when she got home. Whatever will we do with her? Grandmama gets to keep her again the 24th as we are going to attend my banquet for work. I'm being honored for my 5 year anniversary. Yay me! Well, I can't think of much else at this time. Hopefully we can get a nap in before I have to take her for her weigh in this afternoon.

Today's Measurements - 11 pounds 5.4 ounces

Showers Rule

After a wonderful blow out we had to give Bella a shower. In my previous posts you've seen pictures of a very unhappy little girl being given a bath, but here is the girl who loves her showers.

There's a virus among us

Today was my six week check up and everything is wonderful. I've healed nicely and don't have to go back to the doctor for a while! I'm excited to not see the doctor.

Bella hasn't been feeling well and after her appointment today we see why. She's beginning to get an ear infection in one ear which was causing her to tug at me while nursing because she was hurting. She also has a viral infection that is causing her breakouts. So now she's on antibiotics for the next 10 days. So hopefully her skin will clear up and she'll start nursing less frequently. It will be fabulous to have a not-so-fussy, not-so-needy baby.

Getting stronger...

Yesterday we had an impromtu photo session and she did great. She loves laying on the Boppy sometimes and I caught her with her head up. She actually holds and turns her head frequently which is great for her age. Tomorrow we have some appointments to catch. I go for my 6 week check up (woohoo me) and after the LC saw her today she thinks Bella may have a virus causing her breakouts. So we called the doctor and he's not there tomorrow but they don't want her to wait until Thursday to be seen so we go in tomorrow. On top of that she's started getting congested and coughing today, just as I have been doing the past week, so I hope its nothing major. Wish us luck!

Today's Measurements - 10 pounds 11.2 ounces

Rub A Dub Dub, Get me out of the tub

We gave Bella a sponge bath prior to her loosing her cord. Since then we've given her showers because she screams during baths. Not just a cry, but the blood curdling scream. However she loves the shower. We've yet to take pictures of her in the shower due to mommy's nudity. So last night we decided to try the bath again so we could get pictures. Again it didn't go well. I love my baby and she loves her shower more than the bath.

Just another Sunday

Well we have received good news on Adam's grandfather. He does have colon cancer but it is treatable. He is however going to Mason City this week to have his liver and lymph nodes looked at. So the outlook is more positive but your prayers are still needed.

We spent the afternoon with my parents after going to church and Bella did great until she decided to overload her diaper. So on her pretty new dress we have poo, but I rinsed it immediately so I think it'll be okay. I finally got her nails trimmed while she was sleeping after she had nursed, but she still scratches the hell out of my chest when she's nursing. So I have been keeping the mitts on her to keep her from hurting me. We are now seeing more smiles from her each day and she's starting to coo at us when we talk to her. It's amazing the changes that take place in such a short amount of time. Before I know it she'll be talking back at us. Well once I get her new outfit washed I'll have to take a picture of her because I just think its a cute little dress. She still has her rash and it definitely gets worse when she's nursing, wrapped up too tight, or lays against someone and starts sweating. I guess we'll have to figure out how to prevent it, if we can. It doesn't seem to matter what we do, she still breaks out.

Praying for a better day

Let's start with yesterday's happenings. I have acquired a lovely head cold and feel like poo. With nursing I'm not sure what if anything I can take to help. So I'm currently just suffering through. During our early am feeding Bella grabbed her first fist full of hair. I was half asleep and forgot to pull it back, so it was fun trying to pry my hair from her death grip. The only thing that made the day worth while was my first real smiles from Arabella. It was amazing. I was talking to her in that high pitched goofy mommy voice, telling her that she is such a pretty girl and she smiled half a dozen times. It was the best feeling ever. Now if she'll do it so I can take pictures I will be even more happy.

On another note, Saturday we received some rather grim news regarding Adam's grandfather. The doctors believe he has cancer. They are going to do further tests to find out how far it has spread and if there is anything that can be done. Wednesday Adam's mom left for Iowa as the doctor wanted to talk to all of the kids so they all have the same info. She should be home tomorrow so we should know more then. In the mean time the only thing we can do is pray. Please pray for his entire family. I suppose we will have to plan a trip to Iowa so his grandparents can meet Arabella soon.

As for Ms. Bella she has been breaking out terribly for the past week on her face, around her neck and her chest. I asked the Lactation Consultant if there is possibly something I had eaten that she could be allergic too and she said by the look, no. Also if it were food related she wouldn't want to nurse. She thought perhaps it was a heat rash or bad baby acne. Well it seems to come and go but lately it is looking a lot worse. I'm scared that maybe she's sick and I'm hoping that whatever I have she doesn't end up with. I'm on the verge of making a doctors appointment but would feel really stupid if its only acne. I don't think it is because it fades too easy. She also has scratched her face again. I'm scared to cut her nails because I don't want to cut her cuticles, but if I don't do it soon who knows what she'll scratch next. On my mama website a thread was started, which was rather clever, to compare mama to baby as infants. Below is a comparison of Arabella and myself.

My Moby & Me

Well after the success we had last night during the baby wearing class I went and bought a Moby today. Mind you I had to drive 45 minutes to the store to get it because we only have one "local" supplier, but that's fine by me. I didn't have to pay for shipping. When we finally got home I got situated and then thought I'd put Bella in the wrap. However she would not have it. I couldn't figure out what the problem was. So after screaming and trying to stand up to get out of it I gave up after a few minutes. The little terd wanted fed. So we ate and ate and ate and ate. Then we screamed and screamed and screamed. So I thought I'd try the wrap again. After a few minutes in it, with some walking around the house, she was out. YES!!! Finally something that works and here I am typing two-handed. This is awesome. So I can't wait to actually wear her outstide of the house. But for now I'll settle for being able to do house chores.

Happy Wrapped Baby

Bella in the Snugli, which she hates now after being in the wrap

So for the past two weeks we've had a difficult time with Bella and screaming for no reason at all. Today was my breastfeeding support group meeting and the "Sling Lady" made her monthly trip to the meeting. It was awesome, not only did we learn why baby wearing is so great, but we were also able to try a variety of ways to wear the babies from slings to wraps. We determined that because of prior back problems that a sling probably wasn't the way to go for us, but a wrap is perfect because it distributes the weight evenly and I couldn't even tell I had her on. I cannot wait to get a wrap so we can take care of Bella properly. Luckily she was throwing a tantrum so I was able to prove my theory that she is a needy baby who wants to be held upright. Not even 60 seconds after we got her in it she was quiet and nodding off. It will be such a life and back saver!!! I further proved my point when we removed her, she began screaming again.

Side Note - I learned that a Snugli is not the way to go! Reason - it can cause hip problems and keep their hips from developing properly. The Snugli should not be used until the baby is able to pull themselves up to sit unassisted.

Today's Measurements - 10 pounds 2.5 ounces