Day 10 - December 3

Dear Julie,

Today, you had your newborn photos with Marjorie Stallard in Bluefield! We woke up early, and I packed all the outfits and props I wanted to use in your photos. Your Poppy and Aunt Mindy both headed home this morning, daddy headed to work, and your Nanny drove us to your Aunt Sara's house. Nanny babysat Lilly, and Eliza and Sara went to your photos with us! 

Marjorie was excellent! She took a ton of photos, and got every single photo I asked for! I could not be happier, and can't wait to see the final images. She spent three hours photographing you, then we headed back to Sara's house. Eliza had a doctors appointment, so you, Nanny, and I stayed and played with Lilly. 

You took a nap in Eliza's swing, and I got in some Lilly time. I asked her what she wanted Mimi to get her for Christmas, she said she'd like a shaving kit so she cups be just like daddy. It had to have a mirror and brush too! She also wanted a new tutu. Lilly and I played dress-up from the couch, you kept on napping, and Nanny made us lunch. After we finished eating, Sara and Eliza made it home. We stayed and talked for a little while, then headed home. 

Nanny made dinner when we got home, and she played with you while I took a nap. When I woke up, daddy was home, and it was time for everyone to go to bed. 

Day 9 - December 2

Dear Julie,

Today we stayed home for a lot of the day. We relaxed, played, watched tv, and enjoyed numerous baby snuggles! I don't think I'll ever be able to get enough cuddles! By the afternoon, it was time to head to dance class again. Today, Miss Emily and Miss Kendra held you! They were so excited, and you were content as could be. Our first class only had one student today due to illness, and they sent her home early, so they got extra time to play with you! Then you met the kids in our last class of the day, and, again, we headed home. Today was simple. Perfect. 

Day 8 - December 1

Dear Julie,

Today, you had your first visit with our pediatrician, Dr. Good! The nurse had us undress you to just a diaper, then took your measurements. You weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces, and were 20 1/4 inches long! My how you've grown already! Once the nurse was finished, Dr. Good came to visit. She asked how you were eating, and if we had any concerns. She was thrilled with your weight gain, since you'd dropped down to 7 pounds, 0.5 ounces when we left the hospital on Thursday. You gained eight ounces in five days! Mama must make good milk! She talked to us about adding Vitamin D to your diet since you were breastfed, and sent us home with a months supply. She said you looked great, and were healthy as could be. 

Then came the time we were dreading. Your first vaccine. You only got one shot today, and you were not happy about it. We were able to dress you in your onesie while we waited for the nurse, and you fell asleep while we waited. The nurse came into your room and explained that you may be more sleepy or fussy after the vaccine. Then she shot you. You didn't cry. You yelled. As loud as you could. In baby Italian. I'm not sure what you were saying, but there were a lot of curse words being said! It was adorable! Although, if you'd have cried, I probably would have felt differently. We calmed you down, made a follow up appointment, and headed home. 

Mindy played with you all afternoon, and you did tummy time for the first time today! 

Then we headed to the dance studio so you could meet our oldest students! Today was a quick trip, just long enough to say hello, and see the progress of their solos for our Christmas performance. We headed home, played some more, and went to bed. 

Day 69 - January 31

Dear Julie,

Today, we celebrated my birthday! We woke up, got dressed, and headed to Johnson City! We had to finish your registry from Babies R Us, as our completion coupon ended soon. We drove straight to the store, and started shopping. Soon, your nanny and poppy met us to celebrate! We walked around Babies R Us, then headed to the mall for lunch!

The one thing I asked for to celebrate my birthday was a new bra. I needed a nursing bra that had some support, and had no idea where to even start to determine what size I needed. Before I started fertility freak wants, I wore a size 34B, during treatments I wore a 36C. Now, two months after giving birth, I am officially a 32E!!! How did this happen? They measured me twice at Motherhood Maternity to endure they had the right fit. After trying on multiple styles, I finally found four bras that fit correctly, and we're comfortable. My boobs are back where they used to be, and I can still nurse easily. Buying bras was the best present I could have asked for. I finally am beginning to feel like a woman again, and less like a cow. 

I love being a mother, but am struggling with body image for the first time in my life. I've always been small, and have never cared about my appearance. However, I now have stretch marks that won't go away on my stomach and hips, an incision across my lower abdomen, and saggy boobs. Not to mention the stubborn weight that I gained during fertility treatments. I've lost the weight I gained during pregnancy, but still have a long way to go to be happy with myself again. 

After leaving Motherhood Maternity, we headed to Target to do a little more shopping. Your Nanny and Poppy got tired and headed home, and we headed out to dinner. We went to Outback in Bristol. It was the first time we'd eaten at a restaurant since you were born! Daddy and I passed you back and forth across the table while we ate, I nursed you in the booth, you fussed a little, they brought me ice cream for my birthday, we paid, and headed home! We got home just in time for bedtime! 

Day 67 - January 29

Dear Julie,

Today, we had a family adventure! We started our day at the chiropractor, and Dr. Brent and Dr. Lori adjusted you by hanging you upside down again! We'd noticed you were having problems turning your head to the left, and when they flipped you upside down, they saw the same problem. The adjusted your back and neck, and by the time we left, you were moving like normal! 

We headed to Mercer Mall after we left the chiropractor. My wedding rings were being resized, and they called to say they were ready for pick up! 

It's so nice to be wearing my rings again. I haven't been able to get them on my fingers since we started IVF treatments. After we picked up my rings, we shopped a little, then headed to the Tazewell YMCA to take you swimming for the first time!

We'd bought swim diapers, but the smallest size they make is a size three. You're wearing size one diapers right now, so they were pretty funny!

You didn't know what was going on, but just kept smiling and talking! We got you dressed in your swimsuit (which was a challenge with this huge diaper) and headed to the pool. You absolutely loved the water! You splashed and kicked your feet, and were extremely content for almost an hour of pool time. You kept watching the big kids at the pool, and we had to remind them that you were too little to be splashed. 

When you'd had enough of the pool, daddy went to the dressing room to start the shower, and I kept you happy in the pool. As soon as we got to the dressing room, you started screaming. The dressing room was air conditioned, and you did not like being cold. You also didn't care for your first shower, or for having to take off your swimsuit. The shower water wasn't very warm, and you let everyone know you weren't happy. You screamed during the shower, you screamed after the shower, you screamed while I took a shower, and you screamed while we all got dressed. You screamed for half an hour, and nothing could call you down. Finally, we put you in your car seat and rocked you, and you fell asleep quickly. When we left the Y, the ladies working the front desk said, "There's the screaming baby!" We explained you loved the pool and hated the dressing rooms. Then you smiled at everyone, and all was right with the world.

You took an awesome nap when we got home, and when you woke up, you ate like a champ! You took one final nap for the night, and then it was bedtime. You nursed, and were still hungry, so we gave you a 2.5 ounce bottle. We read bedtime stories, and sang bedtime songs, and then, you projectile vomited all over me. It was bad. I had vomit everywhere. You were covered head to toe, and I was soaked through. The floors were soaked, the furniture covered, and we got to take a bubble bath. 

You laughed and played in the bath, and we started our bedtime routine again once we were both cleaned up. We read another story, sang our sleepy songs, and went to bed. It was a long, fun day! 

Day 64 - January 26

Dear Julie,

Today broke my heart. You had your two month check up, which included your first real set of vaccines. You knew something was going on when we got to the doctor's office, and started fussing immediately. When they called us back, we laid you on the table, got you undressed and ready! Dr. Good's regular nurse wasn't working today, and I didn't care for her nurse who was filling in for her. She came in first, and got all your measurements. You're 10 pounds, 7.5 ounces, 22.75 inches long, and your head is 15 inches. Once she was finished, Dr. Good came in. We talked to her about your spit up, and how the Zantac seemed to have stopped working, so she increased your dose. You'll now be taking 0.9ml three times a day, and if it doesn't help, we'll change medications. She also checked your right ear. Like I suspected, there's nothing wrong, you just found your ear this week and have been playing with it. Daddy thought you might have had an ear ache, and with his ear problems, we decided it was best to have her check. Dr. Good said you looked perfect, were gaining weight correctly, and she'd see us again in two months for another round of vaccines. She also said her nurse would be coming back in to give you your two month shots. You got three injections and one oral vaccine. She said it may make you sleepy and fussy for a few days, but that all kids are different and some react better than others.

A few minutes later, the nurse returned. She had a tray full of shots and bandaids, and explained that she'd give you three injections in your legs, but we'd start with the oral vaccine. You didn't mind the oral mediation. You're used to gas drops and Zantac, so it was no big deal. Then she got the injections ready. When she gave you the first injection, we heard a new cry. Today was the first time you've cried from pain. I was almost in tears by the end of it. You jumped when she gave you the first injection, then as I tried to calm you and comfort you, she gave you the next one. You just kept screaming and looking and me and your daddy, trying to figure out what was going on. Then she gave you the final injection, and I was able to pick you up. I held you as tight as I could, and you screamed with huge tears falling down your cheeks. I sang to you and rocked you, and finally, you calmed down. 

We got you dressed, and loaded in the car seat, made your next appointment, and headed home. I nursed you as soon as we got home, played for a little while, and then you fell asleep. You didn't seem to have any reaction to the vaccines other than screaming at the office. You were yourself again by the time we got home. So, I decided I'd go shopping for a little while during your nap, and daddy was going to stay home with you. I'd been gone for about 45 minutes, when daddy started sending me messages telling me I needed to come home. You woke up out of your nap and were screaming. He said he changed you, tried to give you a bottle, rocked and sang to you, and that you wouldn't calm down. I left the store as soon as I got the message, and called on my way home. Daddy put the phone on speakerphone, so you could hear me. You started to calm down when you heard my voice, and I sang over the phone the entire way home.

Once I got home and you calmed down, we loaded up and headed to the studio for dance class. You love watching the girls dance, and you were back to your normal temperament, so we went to class. You were happy as could be. You talked to the girls, watched them dance, napped off and on, nursed, and had a great afternoon.

We got home right at bedtime. I nursed you and daddy read you a few short stories. You really loved, "Moo, Baa, La La La." You laughed as daddy made all the animal sounds. Also, you loved one of my favorite books, "The Monster at the End of this Book," and really liked daddy's Grover impersonation! You were happy, and smiling, and then it was time for your medicine. We decided to give you some Tylenol before bed. Daddy gave you some when you started screaming earlier, and it eased the pain. We gave you Zantac and gas drops, like normal, and then the Tylenol. You screamed bloody murder. It took about thirty minutes to get you to calm down. You'd have thought I'd have given you another vaccine with how hard you screamed. Finally, after a lot of singing and shushing, you fell asleep. I dread your next visit to the doctor, but until then, I pray you won't have to feel pain again. 

Day 63 - January 25

Dear Julie,

Today, you are nine weeks old! You decided you no longer need to sleep, and that boobies need to be available on demand. You woke up early this morning, starving. You nursed, and took a power nap, then decided it was time to start your day at 7AM. We went with it, and figured you'd be back on schedule soon. Not too much longer, you spit up all over yourself, and me, and you had a huge poop, so you got a bath before daddy went to work. After your bath, I took a shower, and daddy took you back to our room to keep you warm. You fell asleep in his arms and took anither power nap. Ani and Obi came to check on you, and we finally got to take a family photo with everyone! 

You woke up when daddy left for work, and did not want to go back to sleep. When it was time for a nap, you completely refused! Any time I'd put you down you'd either stare at something or scream to be picked up. You nursed every hour on the hour, and by noon, I was exhausted. You were still awake, and were fighting sleep so hard, but were to overtired to sleep. So, I loaded you up, and we drove around town for a while. Finally, you fell asleep, and we went to the Dollar General store to use some coupons. As soon as I pulled into the parking lot you started screaming. I sang, shushed, and talked to you, and you wouldn't calm down. Finally, I took you out of your car seat and rocked you in the front seat of the car until you fell asleep. I then buckled you back into the car seat, shushed you a little more until you were really asleep, and we were ready to shop!

We were out for about two hours, and you napped off and on, but didn't sleep consistently. When we got home, I nursed you again, and I finally got you down for a nap. You slept really well, and were back on schedule by 5PM, and we had a great evening!