The first two months....

I can say we feel blessed to have such a good baby....actually blessed to have had two good babies.    We are more confident, wiser, and probably more relaxed (if you can use that word for Ben and I) than we were the first time.  I think that is to be expected.  We are enjoying every moment with Emma and really trying to just take it all in.  I was so obsessed with getting it all right with Cash and now I am not lost in the details but lost in her.  I regret that I couldn't be that way with Cash but I guess that is just the nature of the "first".

When we brought Emma home she became very jaundice.  Cash was also jaundice but not as bad as she was.  Although looking at her I couldn't tell at all.  Her pediatrician, Dr. Brandy McCray wanted to see her just for the initial routine newborn check up and she was immediately concerned about her color.  So because my milk had not yet come in I had to supplement with formula which I was not happy about.  I already felt defeated at breastfeeding and I hadn't even started.  None the less Emma's health was more important than my "want" to nurse her exclusively.  I started to supplement with Enfamil and we quickly realized she was not keeping any of it down...which also scared me.  Dr. McCray advised we try Nutramogen (lactose free) formula.  That seemed to agree with her.  My milk came in on day 4 though my body was doing what it was suppose to do I still felt like I wasn't going to be able to just breastfeed.  I think I felt that way because I wasn't successful at it with Cash.

So I am now exclusively breastfeeding which I have to say was the most complicated process for me to understand!!  Thank God for Megan Brown.  I told her the other day that she is like a walking/talking "what to expect in the first year".:)  She really has been my rock through what I consider a huge commitment!  The when, and how do you know how much they are getting, and for how long and what time, etc. etc. etc.   Its all so much to comprehend and manage but I am proud to say I am doing it and I think doing it well finally.  Its funny because every time Ben calls me I am either pumping or nursing.  It really does seem like that but I wouldn't have it any other way.  I wish I could have been successful at breastfeeding Cash but I had no idea what I was doing then.  I can remember the lactation nurse coming in when I had Cash and I practically dismissed her like I had it all figured out....uh no..I did not!  Lesson learned!

Emma is now sleeping from 11-5 each night.  She is more alert during the day and starting to coo.  We love seeing all of her facial expressions and getting her to smile at us.  Ben is always asking me if I am still infatuated with her and I am.....I SO am!  Having a son is a certain kind of proud...the kind of proud that makes you want him to grow up to be a strong, outgoing, grounded, and well rounded man.  Having a daughter is very different for me.   So much pride but a feeling of never wanting her to date, leave the house..at least until she is 30...and even Cash said he and his daddy will have to take out any man that would want to marry her and make sure they are nice to her.  I couldn't agree more!

Every day is a gift with our sweet girl and we are absolutely loving every minute!