For me, going from one child to two was way easier than none to one. Maybe because we knew what to expect and had some practice, or maybe because this baby has less challenges and actually sleeps some. Probably the later. Regardless, I am for sure enjoying this newborn period so much more!
Claire is such a good baby. She doesn’t nurse, but she will happily down any “bo bo” you put in front of her. So, I am pumping four to five times a day. She’s about 50/50 formula and breast milk. Jimmy and I decided before she was born we would “combo feed” her so we could hopefully help keep my mental health in check. She doesn’t have reflux like Bennett did either, so she can actually sleep on her back. Hallelujah!
Team Baby this go around is a little different. Gigi and Grandpa stayed for a couple weeks post birth – but they were here for almost two months total because they got here when I was 37 weeks pregnant. So, Team Baby is Mama, Dada, and Bennett. Bennett is the biggest and best helper! He will constantly say “hold on baby. hold on my baby. Bennett is coming” – I would always say “Hold on baby; mam is coming” when making a bottle or getting a diaper when she was fussing so he picked that up quickly.
Monthly Questionnaire
Age: 1 month
Weight: 9 lbs
Length: 20.5″
Size: newborn
Eyes: blue
Hair: brunette
Sleeping: I think God gave us an angel. She regularly sleeps 2-3 hour stretches and even did a four hour stretch once. Our sleep schedule this go around is 7 pm bedtime. Shift one (99% of the time it’s Ingrid’s shift) is 7 pm to midnight with two feedings and a diaper change in there. Then bringing Claire upstairs to the bassinet where Jimmy is sleeping. Jimmy takes midnight to 6/7 am. Ingrid takes the day. Again, I’m terrible at sleeping next to babies; I am SO thankful for Jimmy!
Eating: combo feeding from bottles. We exclusively breastfed in the hospital like champs, but once we got home, I had a late reaction to anesthesia that led to a formula bottle a bit earlier than I planned which pretty much derailed nursing. So, I pump for two to three hours a day to give her about 50/50 formula breast milk.
Milestones: She easily soared passed her birth weight actually at two weeks
Memorable outings: it’s flu season so we’re going no where. Just the doctor once and a lactation specialist once
Likes: eating, windows, sleeping anywhere and everywhere, baths
Dislikes: burping, having gas <– all the time, being swaddled
Words/sounds: grunts all.the.time when sleeping super loudly because of constant gas
Nicknames: “Claire Bear,” “Sweet Thing,” “Claireaboo” “Baby Sister”
Interesting Facts: she is the gassiest; she’s had more blowout diapers than Bennett had his entire diaper life
Funny moments: Bennett constantly calls her “his baby”
Looking forward to: sleeping more; her first smile; being able to leave the house
