Wallingford Family: April 2007

every day in every way

She's growing up, right before our eyes! That neck just keeps getting stronger, those legs and feet more directed, those cute little eyes more intent. And, in terms of more important things, her sleeping. We've been trying to get her used to both sleeping a bit at night and... Sleeping without being attached to either of us... Yes, in the basket! The doctor on Friday suggested less coffee for Caitlin so we've done that and it actually seems to have improved the nights alot. Though she prefers to sleep on her mom or while I'm bouncing her, we can now get her to sleep for a couple of hours in her little bed, which eases things for us immeasurably.

And just now? She'd been unresponsive to her swinging seat, but now she spent 15-20 minutes in her swing with no complaints at all!

Her are some little close-ups!

Myth Debunked

First off, the old "be sure to sleep when they sleep". Yes, I've heard that from everyone now and read it in everything but... How is it supposed to work when you need to keep moving (say, bouncing on the exercise ball) to keep the little darling asleep? I guess I have not had enough practice with the ball yet (no matter what time of the morning it is or how many hours I have spent bouncing) to be able to sleep at the same time. Finally though, just 10 minutes ago I stumbled on something brilliant!

See, this morning not only do I need to keep bouncing but she seems to get unhappy when I turn the light off. 4 o'clock AM sitting in the living room with the lights on bouncing gets a little boring. Sure, about half of the time I can spend gazing at her perfect little face, but the rest of the time I am itching for something to do with my hands aside from hold the baby.

Well, heck, I thought. I bet I can bounce on the ball with the baby in a sling! That way, I can write a blogpost while doing it!

So yes, here I am, writing a post about Elinor's third Friday while bouncing her asleep. Oh and, this night is maybe about in her top three for easy nights (in my perspective)... No loud crying yet and Mom has actually managed to get a couple of hours of private sleep. And then my sling idea? Yes, a good night all around! Though hopefully Elinor will get in a mood to really sleep soon.

So today, well, yesterday, was a big adventure day for both the wife and child. I was gone all morning so they got explore the bus system alone! Not the first time for Baby on the bus, Wednesday we bussed downtown to Powell's to show her around a little. Today though, they went off to their first New Mom's Group meeting. It sounds like a success. 20 other new Mom's and little Elinor the smallest one of all. Then, speaking of smallest, off they went to her 2nd Doctor's appointment. Of course, the Doctor was thrilled with our little dear and her wonderful health! In fact, he said that she has gained nearly a pound in the last week! Such a good little eater! She'll probably pass 9 pounds this weekend!

Here's a little picture of her in the Moby, a device that I don't think I'll ever get around to figuring out.

Birth Story, Part One!

I have posted the first part of our birth story over at The Gauge! Please come on over and read it: Birth Story, Part One.

Fun is in the air!

Yes, today brings us to Elinor's one week anniversary! It's been a fun week, too. Some fun company and wonderful dinners brought to us by wonderful friends and Caitlin's wonderful mother has been here for the last few days. So yes, all is going well! Elinor started off with some feeding issues, but those are all taken care of so everyone's getting some periods of sleep and she's a happy little girl and we're happy little parents (and grandmother's)!

And while today she gets her first doctor's appointment, even more exciting is that thanks to Grandma Mickey we have her little moses basket to sleep and and we have started dressing her up and even took her to Fabric Depot and her first restaurant!

Here are some fresher pictures!

Mother and Daughter

Under watchful eyes

Our own little Moses

Home again, home again

Yes, the day has come!

Today, after 3 1/2 days in the hospital, we returned home with our little peach, Elinor! It has all been exciting, painful, moving, scary, crazy, sweet... Well, a little bit of every thing. But mainly wonderful, confusing, painful, moving and crazy! Now that we are home, it is all of that (except for the crazy part, and less of the painful part) and more. Though we moved here with Baby in mind and we have all of the baby accouterments, being 6 hours into her at home is an odd experience. It seems so unreal that after all these years of chatting about her and referring to her that she is actually among us! We still have a few things to learn about all of this, but it is going to remain a wonderful experience! Now that we're out of the hospital, we really get to see what this is like, to have a little one in the family, and to have a real family. I think it will feel quite natural very soon! Though good old Lottie seems a bit unsure about what to do now...

I think I will save it for Caitlin to start the story of the time in the hospital... I can safely say that these things really don't turn out how you have planned, but it all comes down to safely getting that wonderful little person and then getting everyone home, which we have successfully done. It was so full of pain and wonder and stress and touching moments and I was particularly bothered by the recent loss of my father. Anyway, maybe I'll just cut it short here and just leave this as an announcement... And include a picture... Oh, and to answer the big questions... April 12th 2007 (Thursday's child...), 7lbs 15oz, 19" long...

No, not yet...

Well, I've finally given up in my attempts to get the wife to post, since, lord knows, she certainly has a lot to say! Sadly, she is ti-ti-tired... I can't say that I'm surprised. No, no baby yet... though on Sun-Mon I was sure that she was on her way, trying to get all of the last minute things left to do on our list! Suzie surprised us with bags that cover lots of the little necessities that we hadn't got yet or thought of. And this week I finally installed the car seat, which we will get checked, and just today the tiddee didee man dropped off our first load of diapers!

But back to the good stuff... A midwife guessed that the girl is about 8 lbs, Caitlin was having some good contractions on Sunday and Monday, the official due date is only 5 days away and Caitlin is re-re-ready! Boy is she! Tired and eager to meet the little lady. We do have some things to keep us occupied until she arrives... We got cable today (preparing for the beginning of the end of The Sopranos on Sunday) and tomorrow there is some kind of a Marlboro reunion... After that though, we will be free clear and ready!

But back to the baby. The pregnancy (aside from Caitlin's tiredness and, recently, inability to sleep) has been very smooth with no physical side effects or odd behavior! I am anticipating the same for the next stage. Which hopefully will come soon!.