Turning 2 Weeks Old and Having Tummy Time!

Reese turned 2 weeks old yesterday and it was a busy day for both of us! She had her second pediatrician appointment plus newborn bloodwork, and I had my 2 week follow up with Dr. Leeds-Richter. Pat is spending the afternoons with us this week, and she was a huge help yesterday. Reese had a great doctor visit and she now weighs 7 lbs 3 oz (Yay, she gained weight...the breastfeeding is successful!) and she grew another 1/2 inch and is 21 inches long. She is in the 50 percentile for weight and 90 percentile for length. Dr. Miller said I must continue feeding her 8 times a day even if we stretch it out 4-5 hours during the night for at least the next 6-8 weeks. I am so exhausted that this news stressed me out a little.

I called in reinforcement. I thought to myself what did all of my friends do? How did they survive only getting 2 hour increments of sleep for 2 months? I called Wendy, and she said she did not wake Karsyn to eat during the night (I was waking Reese up at 1:00 and 4:00 a.m.), but if she woke up she fed her. Then Wendy called Holly (who has 3 month old Lillie) and Holly said that I should wake her up but to stretch the nighttime feedings out to 4 hours in between instead of 3 hours. This made great sense to me; in my tired state I couldn't have thought of it myself!

So, we are now trying the following schedule: 10:30 pm, 2:30 am, 6:30 am, 9:00 am, 11:30 am, 2:00 pm, 4:30 pm, 7:30 pm. During the day I'll feed her every 2.5 hours and then stretch the evening and nighttime feedings out to 3 or 4 hours. Last night went well. I fed Reese at 3:00 a.m. and then again at 6:30 a.m. Today she has done well with the 2.5 hour feedings. Hopefully this evening and tonight will go as well.

I digressed...back to the appointment...Reese was scheduled for her second newborn screening (bloodwork) and we realized that this had to be done at The Woman's Hospital of Texas next door. It was already 3:00 p.m., so Pat took Reese over via the shuttle, and I went to see Dr. Leeds-Richter. The goal was to get Reese back in time for me to feed her at 4:00. I was so tired (I know I keep saying this), so I am glad Pat took Reese for the bloodwork; I don't think I would have handled it too well. When Pat got there, the staff was not going to see Reese since her mother was not there and Pat didn't have written authorization from me. Luckily, they called me at my Doctor's office and I gave my approval to 2 ladies.

My appointment was short and sweet, since it was 4:15 when I was called in and Reese was ready to eat. The doctor said my incinsion looked great and she'd see my in 4 more weeks. She said the night sweats were normal, the weight loss was due to breastfeeding and keep taking my iron until I finish it.

It's amazing how tiring the trip was! Reese and I were both worn out.

This morning Reese had her first tummy time after I fed her at 9:00 and dressed her. She did great! I let her stay on her tummy for about 10 minutes and she turned her head twice.

Today we rested and Pat feed Reese at 2:00, so I could take a nap. I ended up only sleeping for about an hour and a half, but it was nice. It's crazy I wake up thinking I must have slept a long time, and I look at the clock and it's only been an hour or so. It's hard to relax and sleep during the day. Everyone says, "Sleep when she sleeps", but it's easier said then done. My goal is to try and get a nap each day from 1-4 and let Pat or Grandma Ruth feed Reese at 2:00.

Reese is funny...I wanted to note some of her Reeseisms. I've stopped changing her before I feed her because she tends to start pooping right when I start to change her or when she starts to eat. I was waiting for her to catch me off guard and poop on her sheet or bumper pad. Yesterday, she did this! I knew it would happen eventually. The lactation consultant taught me to change her before feeding her for two reasons, 1. it would wake her up and 2. she would be more comfortable eating. Well since she poops most of the time during the feeding I decided to just change her afterwards. Sometimes she waits to poop after I have put her down and you can hear her toot from the other room. Mom and I just laugh! Oh, Reese will be so embarrased to read this one day. I'm sure she'll say very sarcastically, "Thanks a lot Mom!"

Also, when she eats she makes these grunting, snorting noises. At first Matt and I thought she was having a hard time breathing, but it's just what she does when she eats. I call her my little piglet. Such a cutie!