07/28/04

Appointment update: Shara now weighs 9lbs. 3oz. (gained 1lb. 11oz. in 3 weeks!) and is 21.25" long.

Since I have both hands free right now (Shara's sleeping), I'll take advantage and try to catch up a bit. Things are going well. Taking care of an infant isn't something I've ever really wanted to do, and it's not that much fun for me, but it is rewarding. She's beginning to smile a little, and I'm trying to play with her. I'd swear she tried to push the wind chime toy we have, after I showed her how to do it. I'm trying to get her to go to sleep at about the same time each night. Last night and Monday she went down at 7 - 7:30 pm and last night slept till 1:15, then 2 - 4, and is still sleeping now.

My new theory is to feed her a lot during the "fussy" period, and try to avoid it altogether. Then get her to bed on a nice, full stomach. From what people have told me, it's not unusual for babies this age to want to eat every hour in the early evening. So far, it worked 2 days in a row, but tomorrow may be a different story. Today she gets her shots, so I'm sure she'll sleep.
I'm ready to have someone come and baby sit for us soon. We're talking about having Alan's mom or sister come over for a dry run, while we're here, so they can see how we have everything set up and his sister never changed a diaper, and his mom hasn't taken care of a baby in a while, but I'm more than ready to go out to dinner!

Shara & I went to see IRobot yesterday at Randolph. They have movies for mom's and babies. The dim lights stay on and they have a consession stand and changing stations in the theater. It was great! The sound was loud, but she slept through it all. It was also good to hear other babies crying and their mom's not being able to make them stop! I also thought the movie itself was really good. Very cool effects. I never read the book, but will now. Can see that Star Trek Next Gen got all their stuff about Data from it.

07/26/04

Outting for the day - went to Wrentham Outlets to the Carter's outlet to get 70% off clothes for next year.

07/21/04

Today we went for a drive to Hadley, MA and met Mom, Irwin, Jill, and Samantha for lunch. We had fun and it was nice not to feel they were so far away. Shara slept the whole way there, and I got her up to feed her at a "scenic view". She was up the rest of the time and blew up by about 2:00, while in Trader Joe's. We made a fairly quick exit and within 15 minutes of driving, she was back to sleep.

07/20/04

Outting for the day - met Maggie & Hannah at the Farmers Market at Sheep's Pasture and then went for a nice walk.

07/19/04

Outting for the day - went to Lord & Taylor and did some shopping for Shara. She will have some cute outfits for next summer.

07/16/04

Nothing much new to report. Alan went back to work on Wed. Spend much time feeding and holding Shara. She seems to have trouble sleeping during the day. I guess she gets overtired. Last night she slept from about 11:30 - 12:30 (fell asleep w/me holding her on boppy), then again from 1 - 5, and 5:30 - 8:30. She's sleeping now, on the boppy on my lap. Going to take advantage and grab a shower and maybe go to the market. Planning on meeting Maggie this afternoon for a walk. We'll play it by ear!

07/10/04

The past couple of weeks have been the longest 2 weeks, but at the same time have gone by so fast. So Shara's almost 3 weeks old now. Alan will give her a bottle next week. I've been trying to create a stockpile of milk, so I'll be ahead when I go back to work. We're probably going to spend more time burping her than actually feeding her, since keeping proactive on the gas problem will make all our lives much better. Hopefully that is the problem - can't see that it isn't, since had coffee today as well and she slept fine. According to what I've read, her system should be able to handle the gas in a matter of time, once her system has matured.

07/09/04

Today we tried to get her to use her Taggies and she seemed to like the feel, though she's a little young to be able to do it herself. We actually tried anything and everything to get her to calm down today. In the middle of all this, her cord fell off - not all of it, but most. There's still a little bit at the base. The doc said she had a really thick cord.

We finally figured out her trouble was gas and Alan spent over an hour working out all her build-up. She was up all day - not crying all day, but wide-awake! Needless to say, she didn't go down until 12:30, after gas bubbles gone, and made room for more food, and awoke at 1:30 - but fell asleep while getting diapers changed. Then she didn't wake up again until 6:30 am! She was a tired baby.

07/07/04

Today we went to visit SAILS and show Shara off. Jenn & Claudette gave her a Taggies. I think she's going to love it. We then went to the Yabroudy's for Chris and my birthday dinner, but left fairly quickly. Shara was inconsolable and she didn't get to sleep until around 10:30, after me nursing her in bed until she fell asleep.

07/06/04

Shara had her 2 week old doctor's appointment today. She's gained 14 oz. since she was born. She left the hospital at 6 lb. 7 oz., so she really gained 19 oz. I guess she's eating fine.