He's home!
We couldn't be more ecstatic about finally having our little guy home to cuddle and play with. But...having your baby in the NICU for the first two weeks is such a trick! I kept thinking to myself that we were getting to ease our way into parenthood but it totally did nothing to prepare us! I had been waking up in the middle of the night to pump which I thought would help with getting up for feedings but this whole breastfeeding thing is a whole new challenge. I think that his time in the NICU getting bottle feedings has set me up for some trouble, he really likes getting a bottle and a pacifier. The second that I get him latched on to me (which he does really well!) he falls asleep. Last night was the first night where he actually fed for a good amount of time on the one side, but by the time I got him to the right side he was out like a light. Then, as soon as I think "hmm, he's out, time to go back to bed" he wakes up and wants the rest in a bottle.
The pediatrician wants us to continue supplementing with some formula, but mainly breastfeeding. So, what we decided is that at night he gets formula, that way we can just make a quick bottle and it takes him longer to digest. In the morning I try to breastfeed right away that way he can get it from me when I have the most. Throughout the day we try to breastfeed to get my milk to let down and then we switch to a bottle if he's just not having the nipple.
Our second night, when we had actually devised a plan, went way better. Last night, our third night, went best! I had talked to my mom about all of this and she suggested that while I am staying at home and Vic is working that I should be the one getting up for now and then when we are both back at work we share the late night feedings. You know what? It helps! No late night frustrations or arguing because we are half awake. Then this morning, Vic got up to get ready for work and he took the baby while I get an extra hour of sleep. It was lovely! The pups crawled up in bed and we all got some cuddle time in while Vic and the baby had their time. I was pretty stoked with how easy last night was, I think Ryker and I are starting to get into a rhythm. (It took me a million tries to spell that damn word.)
Getting to see your big, strong husband cuddle with your tiny baby is the sweetest thing, by the way. Watching those two cuddle on the couch, or when Vic just lays him on his chest and the two catch a little cat nap is the cutest thing in the world. I feel bad for Vic because I've probably been much less than fun lately and he's been so awesome, helpful and supportive. Last night the power went out because of a thunderstorm, so he and I went to Ruby Tuesday's. We started talking about the breastfeeding stuff and I randomly started crying over my sliders and salad. Awesome right? This whole breastfeeding thing plus raging hormones has really been getting to me, which is pretty silly. I'm just one of those people that wants to try and follow through with all of my plans and not being successful at this is pretty frustrating. But Vic has been so great with telling me that no matter what we end up doing is perfect for us, we did decide that as long as I'm home from work I'm going to give the pumping/nursing thing a shot.
Ok, enough on breastfeeding! I wish I had more to update everyone on right now but my little stinker just sleeps all day so I don't have any fun stories as of yet! He has started the funny little smiles when he farts or poops, which crack me up. He's really funny with his arms and legs too when he wakes up and realizes they are there. He waves them all over the place like "Ahhh! Limbs!" He loves being swaddled though. The zip up swaddles are amazing. We have the Summer SwaddlePods are our favorites. We can just unzip him from the bottom to change him and he stays pretty chill, if you have to totally undo him to change him he loses his mind.
Our friends Lauren and Devin had their baby last night! And earlier this week my friend Adriana had her twin girls! So many babies for two weeks, right? Adriana's girls are preemie's like Ryker, Lauren's little boy is the only one to stick out the whole way :) It's so crazy to me to think that I'm officially at the point in my life where more of my friends have babies (and I have a baby) and we aren't planning night's out on Fridays, we'd rather just rent a movie and cook a healthy, tasty meal. Crazy how life changes!
Speaking of healthy, tasty meals...I made a pretty good one this week. The eMeals subscription is still awesome, but sometimes I have to adjust their recipes a tad. I think we've given up on pork and quite frankly, I suck at cooking steak so either we switch it to chicken or I'm going to have to have Vic be in charge of the steak from now on. Look at how yummy this salad looks:
The salad has grilled chicken, which I marinaded with Lawry's Herb and Garlic marinade, grilled plums, grilled red onions all on spinach tossed with Balsamic Vinaigrette. Oh, and who doesn't love the biscuits from Red Lobster? When Vic and I saw them being sold at Sam's Club we snatched those up! So delicious, probably horrible for you, but so worth it!
I apologize if this post was over the place, that's just how my brain is these days! Time to unhook my pump and make some breakfast. I've noticed that not eating really does affect my supply and remembering to eat really is harder with a baby! Time for my oatmeal with flaxseed...I've never had flaxseed before so we'll see how that goes...
Happy Friday guys!
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