Beautiful Abigail

Over the past week, two of my friends have come over to take pictures of Abigail.  I can NEVER have too many pictures of my babies.  Thank you, Julie and Holli!!

Cutie Pie

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

So, Olivia sleeps with her door shut. Currently, Abigail is sleeping in her Graco lite crib in our room. Because we don't want the cats in our room, we have to keep our door shut. I was afraid I wouldn't hear Olivia if she needed me, so we put the baby monitor in her room (which is a security camera that we can view on our phone or iPad. I highly recommend it instead of a baby monitor and its half the cost.) Olivia noticed the camera and learned she could converse with mama through it at all hours of the night. LOL! She is still having trouble adjusting to not sleeping with me. Here is Olivia talking to me around 1am. I didn't get much sleep last night. And here is also a picture of Abigail in her adorable little crib/bassinet. Love it!

13.8

I finally heard back about Abigail's bilirubin level and it was 13.8, so they are not concerned. Because I'm breastfeeding, it will take a little longer to get out of her system. So, she'll be a bit yellow but nothing concerning. Thank goodness.

Jaundice

While I was pregnant, I armed myself with a million reasons as to why I probably wouldn’t breastfeed.  I needed to get back on my diabetes medication, my migraine medication, my supplements. . .all of which aren’t safe to take while breastfeeding.  I pumped and bottle fed Olivia for over 6 months and I swore I would not do that again.  Every few hours, I warmed up a bottle, fed her (and had her throw half of it back up) cleaned up the vomit, kept her upright for 30 minutes and then pumped for 15 minutes.  It was exhausting.  I thought I would “try” with Abigail but if it was too difficult, I would go the formula route.  She started bottle feeding in the hospital, like Olivia, and I just knew it wouldn’t work again.  But, Abigail completely surprised me and when she got home, she started nursing like a pro.  And I completely love it!  It totally takes the stress out of feeding your child.  I’m able to feed her, cuddle her and soothe her all at the same time.  It’s so much simpler than having to search for the perfect type of bottle and nipple flow and use a bottle warmer.  Now I can’t imagine NOT breastfeeding.  And I was even happier to hear that on Friday, Abigail was 6 lbs 3 oz and today she was 6 lbs 11 oz!  She is growing and thriving!

However, I noticed today that she was looking very yellow.  Even the whites of her eyes were yellow.  So, I called her doctor and they wanted to see her.  She was a little jaundice in the hospital, but her level was only 9.7 at 3 days old.  I was told that they normally don’t do the bili lights until the level is 20 or so.  Anyway, they did a bilirubin level on her today and should call tonight with the results.  They mentioned that it could be related to breastfeeding and I may have to stop for a bit and see if it improves.  Does anyone have any experience with this?  I can’t imagine not nursing her and I hate pumping with a passion.  So, any advice would be appreciated.  I’ll update you with what the doctor says tonight. 

Maternity Pics and More

I finally got the CD with all of my maternity pictures that we had taken (yes, I was entirely too lazy to get them before.)  I just thought I’d share a few more of the ones I really liked.  I still can’t believe that my baby girl was in my tummy then.  We’ve had her for 3 weeks and I can’t imagine life without her.  She is such a good baby!  As long as she has a full tummy, she is super happy.  She eats and eats and eats.  I don’t know how I’m keeping up with her. 

And tonight Olivia just HAD to wear footy pajamas like Abigail.  Luckily, she still had some that fit her.  LOL!  Love my girls!

Please also pray for my husband who is returning to work tomorrow.  It will be a transition for all of us and I know he’ll really miss his girls. 

Monday, December 10, 2012

Happy Homecoming

On December 10, 2007, Olivia came home from the hospital when she was 105 days old.  It’s been five years and she has not spent another night in the hospital since.  She amazes me everyday by just being who she is.  Those of us who know Olivia realize there is no one quite like her.   She is blessing to everyone in her life and I love her to pieces!  I’m so proud to be her mom!