One Month Old

It is hard to believe that Barrett is already one month old today.  He is growing and starting to be more alert.  He will have staring contests with me, likes tummy time, and is starting to sleep longer at night.  Last night I got 4 consecutive hours of sleep!  Also, to our surprise, his eyes are getting lighter.  That's right, I think they're going to be blue. 

Gold on the Ceiling

That is Audrey's first favorite popular song.  She's moving past the days of children's songs like "Jesus Loves Me" and "Twinkle Little Star."  Now she wants to hear Rock'n'Roll all the time.  Billy and I both like The Black Keys, and most of their music is child appropriate (i.e. no sware words or obvious adult topics).  So, Audrey has heard some of their songs, and their latest single Gold on the Ceiling has become her favorite.  When we are at home, she wants us to play the song on the computer.  When we're in the car, she wants us to play the CD.  She knows a few of the words in the chorus, and mouths them along with the music.  Watching her enjoy the song makes me smile every time.  Here is a link to the you tube video for those of you that aren't familiar with the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yCIDkFI7ew

Lake Fun for Father's Day

For father's day, we headed to Lake of the Ozarks for the first time as a family of four to spend some time with both of our dads.  There were definitely some rough moments (particularly when Barrett wouldn't sleep Friday night because he had a tummy ache) but I think Barrett enjoyed his first weekend at the Lake.  He spent a lot of time at the dock, because it worked out that his pack'n'play fits in the new bar on the dock.  He could nap nearby while the rest of us played. He also got "baptised" in Lake of the Ozarks when his daddy dipped his foot in for the first time. 

I know Audrey enjoyed the weekend.  It was the first time she had seen Logan Dipple in over a year, and the two of them played like they were never apart.  They played in the sand box, swam, and pretended to ride the wave runners together.  It is so nice that she has a friend to play with when we are at the Lake.

Two Weeks Later

Two weeks after bringing Barrett home, we are adjusting to life with a toddler and a newborn.  Sleep is still somewhat elusive, but Barrett and I are starting to get into sort of a daytime routine that allows me to get a few things done around the house aside from caring for him and taking naps to make up for the sleep I am not getting at night. As we figure things out, Audrey continues to learn more about being a big sister too.  Here are a few of the noteworthy moments from the last couple of weeks.

-After worrying about Barrett eating enough to help him get over his jaundice, at his two week checkup today, he weighed 9 pounds 14 ounces.  That made it pretty clear that he is getting enough to eat.  The doctor also said the jaundice is almost gone. 
-I was breastfeeding Barrett a few days ago, and Audrey asked me, "Why are you helping him eat out of there?"  A simple answer that mommy's milk comes out of there and that's how he eats it was all she required.
-Audrey is constantly asking to hold Barrett, but once she has him, is usually done holding him about 2 minutes later. 
-We've had quite a few visitors bringing us dinner, which often includes some dessert.  When Audrey finishes her dinner now, she automatically asks or dessert. 
-Barrett grunts and squirms like crazy when he is having a bowel movement.  Audrey thinks that any time he makes a peep, he is upset.  So, when he is pooping, she runs to him like something is wrong, when really he just needs to be left alone for a few minutes.
-Barrett is starting to like his pacifier.  He is staying awake more between feedings, but often wants to suckle.  His hands sometimes find his mouth too, so we'll see if he ends up being a thumb sucker or a binky baby. 

Bringing Barrett Home

Tuesday morning, we packed up at the hospital and were ready to come home. I had rested up quite a bit and was excited to be leaving the hospital.  They tested Barrett that morning and that he was somewhat jaundiced, but not enough to stop us from taking him home.  He was eating well and filling diapers, which are good signs that he will get past the jaundice soon.  Then, our plan was delayed until mid-afternoon because the pediatrician wanted to do a hip ultrasound to check for hip dysplasia; the test came back normal, so we got to go home.  We were all so excited!

Once home, the normal craziness ensued.  We had to introduce the dogs to the baby, unpack bags, and continue the feeding/sleeping routine.  Billy also had to run to the pharmacy and the store.  By the time I got to lay down that night, all of the resting I'd done at the hospital had worn off...I was exhausted.  That first night his diapers kept leaking, then Audrey had an accident, so we were changing all sorts of sheets in the middle of the night instead of sleeping. 

Since we've gotten home, we went to the pediatrician and had more blood drawn to find that Barrett's jaundice is increasing. That of course is worrisome, even though his levels continue to be low enough that he doesn't need to be treated in a hospital. The fact that he had about 10 wet diapers yesterday is a good indicator that he is getting enough milk (which is the best way to help him overcome the jaundice), but the jaundice doesn't seem to be decreasing yet.  He also wants to eat about every hour.  Last night started out rough, with him wanting to eat every hour, which I guess is called cluster feeding.  Finally, after feeding him at 3:30, he slept from 4 am to 7:30.  I was shocked and overjoyed.  That was the longest I'd slept at one time since he was born.  I think God is giving us a reprieve and telling me to hang in there. 

Today was Billy's last day at home, so I took advantage and slept a lot. Billy cleaned the house and got a whole host of other things done. I also got out the moby wrap, which I think Barrett likes.  He is sleeping in it as I sit here typing.  Bringing Barrett home hasn't been quite what I expected, but we are finding unexpected joys in each day and learning to live as a family of four.