Three pounds
At birth, Zoey was a fiesty 1.5 pound baby.
At seven weeks, she is 3 lbs. and growing.
Full term babies look gigantic to me!
Yesterday I went to the store to find a Halloween costume for her, but the preemie outfits are too big; even small bibs cover her body. My friend pointed to the pet costumes and I said, "Her dad would never forgive me; I just can't dress my baby in pet-wear!"
I looked at doll clothes (OK, I admit, clothes for teddy-bears too) and read: "for 18" dolls." I stood there and stared, "OMG, those dolls are bigger than Zoey!" I was caught between laughing and crying at that moment. I'm getting used to her petite size and it's adorable. On the other hand, instances like this make me confront the fact that my child - my only child - is very fragile and in the hospital. Granted, she's got the best baby-sitters in the world, but not being able to take care of her myself is terrifying.
The weight of responsibility can be crushing for new parents - well, for any parent - and I'm starting to understand that more. I've only been a kid; never a parent before, and it's a strange shift. Feeling helpless is part of that. You just start realizing you have no idea what you're doing and another life is depending on your choices.
Fortunately, I'm surrounded by people who are very supportive and I feel in good spirits most of the time. The NICU nurses do a great job of framing things as "helpful"...e.g. it is helpful to let Zoey sleep a lot, it is helpful to get rest and take care of ourselves; it is helpful to get our home ready for her.
Tiny person, big impact.
At seven weeks, she is 3 lbs. and growing.
Full term babies look gigantic to me!
Yesterday I went to the store to find a Halloween costume for her, but the preemie outfits are too big; even small bibs cover her body. My friend pointed to the pet costumes and I said, "Her dad would never forgive me; I just can't dress my baby in pet-wear!"
I looked at doll clothes (OK, I admit, clothes for teddy-bears too) and read: "for 18" dolls." I stood there and stared, "OMG, those dolls are bigger than Zoey!" I was caught between laughing and crying at that moment. I'm getting used to her petite size and it's adorable. On the other hand, instances like this make me confront the fact that my child - my only child - is very fragile and in the hospital. Granted, she's got the best baby-sitters in the world, but not being able to take care of her myself is terrifying.
The weight of responsibility can be crushing for new parents - well, for any parent - and I'm starting to understand that more. I've only been a kid; never a parent before, and it's a strange shift. Feeling helpless is part of that. You just start realizing you have no idea what you're doing and another life is depending on your choices.
Fortunately, I'm surrounded by people who are very supportive and I feel in good spirits most of the time. The NICU nurses do a great job of framing things as "helpful"...e.g. it is helpful to let Zoey sleep a lot, it is helpful to get rest and take care of ourselves; it is helpful to get our home ready for her.
Tiny person, big impact.