Life at Home

It has been two weeks now since we came home with Kylie from the hospital.  I feel like the days go by slow and yet it is hard to believe that it has been two weeks already.  We go in for Kylie's two week check-up today.  I will admit that the first few nights at home were rough.  It is interesting how much I don't know despite all that I researched before Kylie was born.  Raising our little girl will be the toughest learning process I'll go through yet.  Even tougher than all that I've learned about teaching, which is quite hard as there is so much to learn.  I am grateful that I won't have to go through learning how to be a parent alone and that Scott is right there with me.  It is a comfort that we will be learning together.

Lessons learned so far:

1. No one can prepare you for how hard breastfeeding can be.  I honestly didn't think it would be as much of a struggle as it is.  Even with help from the lactation specialists in the hospital, I didn't feel secure in breastfeeding when we left.  Since being home, I am still struggling with it.  There have been many expressions of frustration and tears with this.  When talking with others, it does help a little in hearing their struggles with breastfeeding.  However, it doesn't fix the problems I have.  I am learning to now just take it day by day.  Things have been improved a little and we'll see how things progress with time.   
2. The worry and stress you feel increases x10.  Things became worrisome when we took Kylie to the doctor two days later (we went to the doctor then because we were seeing someone different than the one we saw in the hospital).  Kylie weighed 7 lbs 13 oz when she was born, but two days later weighed 6 lbs 12 oz.  Yes, babies always lose some weight and then it takes 2-4 weeks for them to get back to their birth weight.  One pound is a lot to lose in just a few days though.  The doctor said that was about as much as we want her to lose before things become concerning.  So, we went home and fed her every 2 hours on the dot.  I even kept a log of every feeding and diaper changes.  At the doctor's the very next day, Kylie now weighed 6 lbs 7 oz.  She lost even more weight!  The doctor suggested supplementing with some formula and to come in on Monday to check her weight again.  After supplementing the weekend, Kylie then weighed 7 lbs 1.5 oz!!  What a relief it was to know that she was actually getting something to eat now.  I'm still supplementing and hopefully as things get easier with breastfeeding, the amount of formula will decrease, but the worry we'll feel for our little girl will not.
3. Sleep really is non-existent.   The first two nights were really bad because Kylie was so hungry, she was unhappy and awake for most of the night.  Once we started supplementing, Kylie became much happier and started sleeping in 3-4 hour stretches at night.  A much better improvement over the 1-2 hour stretches she was doing before.  Right now, it seems that she gets really gassy after feeding, so she's not sleeping as well.  I know that there is information out there about sleep training (books and Kyle's sister knows a lot), so I want to look more into doing that soon once we figure out Kylie's tummy issues.
4.  Family & friends are genuinely willing to help.  We had family and some good friends come and visit in the hospital which was very nice.  It was amazing that dinner every night the week we came home was taken care of.  I had gone shopping the week before to stock up on groceries and we didn't really use anything that I bought because we were so well fed.  It is hard for me to ask for help, but it is reassuring that family and friends are here if we need them.
5. Scott is a natural in his role as husband and father.  I am amazed at how much Scott has been a help through everything--from the pregnancy to delivery to being at home. He has been my rock in staying sane.  I truly appreciate everything he's done and I hope I'll be able to return the favor.
6. Kylie is the cutest baby girl we've seen.  Of course, Scott & I are a little biased, but here's some pictures to prove it. :)

We've all been taking naps when we can.

Getting warm after a bath in the ducky towel.

I love bath time!

I'm ready for my close-up!

I love my pacifier.

Ready to head to another doctor's appointment!

Mommy trying to wake me up to eat, but being unsuccessful.

I like to sit in weird positions.

Sleeping angel.