Thoughts on Eight Weeks

The picture’s just from my phone so it’s not that great, but I can see that she’s growing. (And yes, her cowlicks are still there and they are wilder and wilder.)

This has been the strangest eight weeks of my life. I thought I was never going to be a parent. I had put it out of my mind and was very happy with my hobbies, my family, and my friends. I thought I might adopt someday. God and chance decided differently.

I totally fell in love with her when I saw her. I knew I’d love her but I didn’t realize how much. How can I describe it? It wasn’t just that I loved her. Meeting her increased my capacity to love. I love Carlton more, value my friends more, and grew even closer to siblings, my Dad, and my best friend, my mom. I realized Mom’s and Dad’s immense sacrifices that they made for us in a whole new way.

I cried a lot in the beginning and I’m still more prone to tears than a junior high school student. I would honestly do almost anything, sacrifice almost anything, if it helped her. I haven’t given up on nursing despite the repeated difficulties I’ve had. Her weight is still a struggle, but the appointments from Monday seem to be making a difference. I feel a sense of sad joy when she outgrows an outfit: sad because I know I’ll never again see her in that phase again; joyful because she’s gaining weight and I’m excited to see her little personality develop.

The other surprise is that I didn’t lose myself, though. I miss my free time and especially my friends, but what little time I do have, I do like to spend in the same ways. I’ve brewed beer, hosted football parties, and haven’t missed an episode of Heroes yet. I don’t want to curl up with her and shut out the whole world. That suffocates her and stifles me as well.

Ainsley doesn’t define me; she just betters me.

Ainsley Update- Weight Check :(

Well, things had really improved last week, and I was hopeful.  After nine days of zero weight gain, Ainsley gained weight beautifully- eight whole ounces in a week (5-7 is ideal)- and her digestion appeared better.  However, I could tell that her digestive issues were worse this week.  My fears were confirmed when she was weighed today- she’s gained zero ounces since the last visit.

Nerdy Weight Spreadsheet for AEBAuthor’s aside: enjoy that I’ve done what I must do with all data- I made the obligatory nerdy spreadsheet.  Note that she’s sadly behind her ideal weight gain curve, which I have set at the lowest acceptable part of the range.

The visit today was for a feeding study, and it revealed what I’d already suspected: she’s a lazy eater.  Early on, she was having problems with coughing, and that led her to slow down her eating.  Her suck reflex never really developed.

The good news is that we can correct it.  The bad news is that she’s a bit older and it’ll be hard for her to unlearn her bad habit.  The worse news is that this new routine will require even more time and effort on my part.  At least I’m no longer at my wit’s end and feeling like I’m failing, on the verge of tears all the time.

The excellent news is that the nurse commended me on all of my efforts so far (SCWOB diet, nursing techniques, feeding schedules, et cetera) and said that if I hadn’t been doing all of the things I’ve done, Ainsley would almost surely be losing weight.  It really made me feel good to have someone give me a verbal pat on the back.

Oh, and it appears that my diet was not at fault, so I can slowly add new foods.  I added oatmeal- made with water and sugar only- and it was sadly the most delicious taste I’ve had in a long time.  A cool side effect of the blandness: my sense of smell is acutely heightened, and I was already very good at smelling things.  Maybe because I don’t exude garlic odor, I can smell it more?  And the same for other foods?  My sister was drinking wine yesterday and I could identify the grape from a yard away from her glass.  It’s kind of fun…unless someone has garlic breath.  Ew.

The Madcap Adventures of Nick-N-Ainsley

I feel like a sitcom.  Attention: scatology to follow.  Please do not read if it grosses you out like it does me.

Due to Ainsley’s dietary/GI issues, I had to collect a- shall we just say- sample from her diaper.  It had to be tested within one hour.  It’s not like she can tell me when she’s about to make a sample, so I have to hang around and wait.  The lab tech suggested I line her diaper in cellophane.  No thank you.

So I collect the sample (ew), redress and pack up the kid (mad about this upheaval of her usual daily routine), throw on some decent clothes (still nothing that fits but one pair of pants), and rush to the hospital lab.  This is not an easy task!  Then traffic was slow, a road was closed, and I had to navigate through a neighborhood to make it to the hospital where I’ve never been.  There is NO parking nearby so I have to hike, carrying a baby, a long distance.  The sky sends forth some sprinkles of rain just to keep me moving fast enough.  I’m stopped by some very sweet, well-intentioned hospital welcome crew (like Wal-Mart greeters but nuns) who want to touch the baby and make her smile.  Time is ticking by, so I rudely say I have to run (rude to nuns= going a hot place after death??).  I find the lab, hand over the order, give them the sample, and let them know I called the lab and they said they didn’t need much.  I was feeling very accomplished for making it there.

After a few minutes, they come back with two more biohazard collection cups.  Apparently this test has to be run in triplicate (have they not heard of the Barr Decision?).  I have to do this little madcap stunt two more times this week.  Arg.

Meanwhile, her issues are not improving, despite my sadly bland diet and my nursing technique changes.  I’m exhausted even though I’m sleeping at night and I can’t stop worrying.  She was gaining weight OK then suddenly didn’t gain any weight last week, a very bad sign that things are worse.  I know, I know, worrying helps no one.  But I’m new at this and I would cut off my left arm (I write and draw left-handed) if it only meant she would be healthy.

Well, tonight is Heroes.  I’m going to hang out with some friends and try to remember that Ainsley’s going to be OK.

Rainy Days and Mondays Never Get Me Down…32 to Go!

Unrelated to the rest of the post: I love this weather. It’s dark, dreary and drizzly. The occasional thunderstorm is fun to watch too. My living room has a big window and Ainsley and I sit by it to read books and watch storms blow toward us.

If you read my last post, you know that my diet has become a big struggle for me. Ainsley is still having an allergic reaction to something I eat, including potential minor bleeding. So I had to go on a totally bland diet of:

  • brown rice
  • chicken
  • olive oil
  • salt
  • water

That’s it. That’s all I can consume until we figure out her issue. It seems easier to just give up and feed her formula, but formula has its own issues. It can make her digestion problems worse. It can exacerbate the bleeding. The medical professionals with whom I’m consulting all say she’s better off nursing than switching to formula, so I’m staying the course. Meanwhile, I still think chicken is gross. If you don’t care about humane slaughter, then surely you care that current slaughter techniques may increase pathogenic contamination. Reading articles like this just makes it worse; now we’re studying them to see how much blood makes them look better in the grocery?

Boo!However, there is no alternate source of protein for me. She may have a soy allergy, a wheat allergy, or who knows what. I can’t have wine, dessert, oatmeal. Zip. It’s annoying. I don’t feel like cooking anything for Carlton because I hate looking at stuff I can’t eat or even taste. But totally 100% worth every bland bite (see photo at right!).

Oh, and shame on me- almost no walking. But I’m still dropping pounds. I would like to be not just thin, but also be fit, so hopefully my c-section recovery book will arrive soon.

News Flash!

For those who have noted my recent lack of posting/emailing them/calling, I regret to inform you that I have learned a new lesson the hard way.

Psst….

Being a parent is hard! I won’t bore you with the whining that any parent can tell you (so tired, no time for anything else). The last few days have been the hardest- I’m second-guessing myself at every turn. Some sources say to feed her 8-12 times daily; others say as few as six. Some say to let her cry; others say never. Pacifier? No pacifier? Will this blanket accidentally smother her? Are the carseat straps tight enough but without hurting her? It’s an information overload and everything I do is considered right by at least one source…and dead wrong by at least one more. But the big issue is that Ainsley’s allergic to something I’m eating and I have to slowly eliminate everything to figure out the cause. First was dairy; I’d been limiting my dairy intake from the day of her birth, so it was just one more step to completely stop (goodbye, delicious butter and cream, I shall miss you). Now it’s soy, too, and if that doesn’t work, all citrus.

Dairy had been a major protein source throughout my pregnancy; losing soy meant losing my new main protein source. I was depressed. I’d been so proud of my healthful low-to-no meat diet, and I simply couldn’t be sure Ainsley had enough of the right nutrients with no dairy or soy. I called a friend who’s been vegetarian for 19 years and vegan for five. I begged for advice on what to eat. He gave me some great ideas, but also helped me feel comfortable with the fact I might have to just eat some meat and get over myself already.

img_0082_resize.JPGSeriously, I am fine with eating some meat if it means that we can fix this food allergy problem and if it means Ainsley and I have enough protein. I was just so proud of my dietary changes and it felt like backsliding at first. Being a total vegetarian is not something I thought I’d ever accomplish, but I was proud of how far I’d come, from meat-centric fatty dinners to healthful fruits, grains, and vegetables at the core of most meals. But nothing trumps doing the right thing for Ainsley so I will have a little animal protein more often. I was only eating fish, but I can’t eat too much due to mercury, …it’s all tiring and easy to overthink.

Well, you see the point. Oh, and enjoy the latest baby picture.

Still…41 to Go?!?

OK, I’m eating healthfully, I’m drinking lots of water, and I’m walking 1-2K daily. But my weight won’t budge. In fact, it’s gone the wrong direction!

Before you start composing a cheery and encouraging comment to post, I’m totally fine with my lack of progress. Sure, I barely fit into my “skinny” maternity pants (just the term makes me laugh), but the fact that I’m doing everything right and also taking care of the nutritional needs of an entire other person…well, that’s enough for me.

AEB Three WeeksYesterday was week number three for the little girl. Here’s a picture; I think the blanket makes her look like a peapod. I look at pics to remind me of what the ultimate goals really is- healthy me, healthy baby!

I’m off to walk- hopefully the rain will stay at bay. I’ll take an umbrella just in case.

Baby Hair Cowlicks Plus Bedhead!

aeb_bedhead.jpgFirst of all, the word cowlick is kind of gross. I think the spelling should be changed to callic to remove the animal spit reference.

Second, Ainsley’s entire head is covered in cowlicks. One of them is exactly like Carlton’s; the rest just add together to make her hair look like a tempest. Mix in a nap and you have a big kewpie swirl on her head! This picture doesn’t do it justice.

Good Day, Bad Day: Still 40 to Go

Well, it’s like the title says.  Yesterday was a little of both. It started well; my sister made a nice healthful breakfast of eggs and toast for me.  I had cereal with dried berries and soymilk for lunch.  The baby’s feeding and sleeping schedule was relatively stable, which always helps.   But late in the day, with my helpers gone and my husband not feeling well, I crumbled.  I was tired, had no caffeine, and wasn’t sure I could make it upstairs to cook anything.  So I caved.

Carlton’s mom had brought us chicken salad and ham salad.  I was so happy that she brought food, especially for Carlton, since I am not cooking lately.  Sure, I’m not eating much meat at all, but the salads would make good sandwiches for Carlton.  That’s the theory, anyway.  I was so hungry and there was so nothing in the fridge that I caved and ate several enormous spoonsful of ham salad.  I really needed some protein and I was tired and my willpower was low.

(PS- I thought it was “spoonsful.” That’s what they taught me in school, anyway.)

The New Rig!I decided that I simply couldn’t be mad at myself for eating the most unhealthful thing I could find.  I drank lots of water to counteract the salt and realized that I couldn’t skip the evening walk!  I’m proud to say that I walked a whole mile instead of the usual half.  This was also my first outing with Ainsley and Sunny together.  Sunny did very well; I forewent her usual footwear because I thought the stroller was enough confusion for her without adding shoes.

Today, I’m totally without any baby help for the first time.  I am still having trouble with stairs so I’m limiting my trips.  Lunch was organic pasta with soyburger (OK, from a can, but still low fat and nutritious).  Ainsley’s napping and I’m feeling half well rested.  I’m feeling pretty good about things now.

Who Knew?

Two Days OldIt’s been a loosely guarded secret, but the so-called cat is out of the bag: I had a little girl last week!

As many of my readers know, becoming a parent was not my number one goal in life. But now that I’ve met her…let’s just say everything changes. Five hours of sleep is the new 12 and somehow that’s OK with me. Nursing is difficult- sometimes shockingly painful- but worth every minute. Seeing her look at me is a just reward for every physical or emotional thing I’ve been through this week.

First Day HomeI never thought I’d be this way. Sure, I thought I could do it, but I didn’t think I’d be this…overjoyed. I know that I sound like every other new parent. But it’s true!

Her name is Ainsley Elaine; she weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces and was 19.5 inches long at birth. No, there are no current plans for her to have her own blog (but that might change). The pets are adjusting pretty well; Mr. Kitty is a little afraid of her, Mini is cautiously curious, and Silo is nonplussed. Sunny is still at my parents’ house and I cannot wait to see her reaction to the new kid in town.

In some ways I feel totally different; in others, completely the same. I’m completely in love with someone I only met ten days ago; on the other hand, I’m looking forward to resuming my wine tasting hobby!