One Week Old
Ansel is gaining weight fast! He only lost 2 ounces before he started gaining again (newborns can lose up up to 10% of their birth weight in the early days). He is a voracious eater and he's got a latch of steel. Ouch. I'm making a ton of milk and it's been a little frustrating to leak all over everything all the time. I've been nervous about going out into the world because I leak right through the nursing pads I have and I just keep thinking I'll be walking around with huge wet spots on my shirt. It's supposed to regulate at some point...I hope it does soon.
We have gone out twice to take him for his doctor visits and to sign his birth certificate paperwork, and also I did walk him outside for a short distance when some family arrived and they needed the parking pass so we strolled out to the parking lot.
He had a touch of jaundice, but it had lessened considerably at the recheck yesterday.
The doctor is amazed at how little baby acne he has had. I could be totally wrong, but I have to wonder if my vegan diet has anything to do with that.
He passed his hearing test today.
He's been extremely fussy ever since yesterday afternoon. It sounded like he just had a tummy full of air, but it was so upsetting for him and it took us a long time to get to sleep last night. It's been a big adjustment for me to be up many times in the night to feed and walk him around. I find it somewhat difficult to nurse him while in bed, so sometimes I have to get up and find a chair. The futon in the livingroom is a nice place to nurse, but it's really hard to get up out of.
We have a cosleeper bed and he has slept a bit in that, but he doesn't like to be on his back, so it looks like we have a side-sleeping little guy. Every time I've swaddled him he finds a way to kick out of the blanket and then disturbs himself with his flailing arms. We had some extremely hot days this past week and it was too hot for him to be swaddled anyhow. He sleeps so very peacefully draped over my tummy that we've been doing a lot of that. He sleeps almost as well snuggled in my armpit.
The first several days I didn't really do any daytime napping, so now I'm making myself integrate some naps into the day.
My mom didn't stay as long as she said she would. She got into town the night before he was born, and left yesterday. She helped us a lot. I know that she had good reason to go home, but it makes a little sad that she couldn't stay longer.
I'm happy, but my hormones are definitely in charge and just about everything makes me want to cry. I know it's normal so I'm not concerned about it, but I'm not used to emoting that much over so little.
My wedding rings don't fit any more. I miss them.
It's wonderful to eat food and feel no nausea. It's amazing. I love it. I love food.
Most of all, I love him.
