One Week + One Day

Bethany is one week and one day old.  It's hard to remember what life was like before her even though I spent a much longer time being pregnant with her than I have as her mommy.  Marcus and I love her so much.  We love looking at her and taking care of her.  We love holding her and taking in her sweet new baby scent.  We love listening to her little noises and cries.  (Of course, we respond to those cries!)  We just love her.  We're so blessed to be her parents.

Bethany is much calmer in her home than she was in the hospital.  In the hospital, diaper changes were a traumatic ordeal, but at home she fusses very little during them.  She also sleeps much better at home.  She has her days and nights mixed up.  She sleeps most of the day and stays away most of the night.  She's been cluster feeding which is a little tiring, but we're getting through it.  (There have a been a few nights where I haven't gotten any sleep at all.)  Although, last night was AMAZING!  She slept for a few stretches, including one glorious three hour stretch.  I feel refreshed!  My friend, Sarah, said she'd pray for me and Bethany and I must say, I appreciate her prayers!  (Sarah has been there.  Her son was also a cluster feeder for awhile.)

Yes, I am breast feeding.  Marcus and I were both breast fed babies, so it made the most sense for us.  I really do love the sweet bond it creates and the calm that I can feel come over her when she's feeding and when she's near me.  I'm glad we haven't struggled with it because it was something I really wanted to be able to do.  I wouldn't have it any other way.  In the hospital we tried to give her a pumped bottle to see how she would respond and she would not take it.  Eventually, however, she will have to take a bottle.  Hopefully, it wont be too much of a battle.

Bethany had her first appointment with the pediatrician the day after she came home.  Everything checked out great!  She had even put back on 2 1/2 oz. in weight which was great news.  I'm hoping that at her two week appointment that she has gained all of her 10 oz. back.  She's loves to eat, so I think she should be fine.

As long as the weather cooperates tomorrow, Bethany will be having her first photo shoot.  The photographer uses natural light, so we're hoping that the rain stays far, far away.  I'm excited for her pictures!