Thanksgiving and My 27th

This year was definitely different than any year before.  Having a baby completely changes your paradigm.  This was the first year that I didn't have a countdown for Thanksgiving and my birthday.  All the days blend together and I barely think of myself anymore. (my poor husband...I never get ready anymore) It's hard to be excited for big events because worrying about a baby makes everything more stressful and less enjoyable.  But she of course is worth it :) 

This year I was lucky enough to have my family come to me (and my parents) for Thanksgiving and my birthday! All my sisters and their families made the drive the whole way to MI. They all descended upon my house on Thanksgiving morning and we went crazy cooking and getting everything ready! I made rolls and sweet potatoes and the turkey.  My mom made basically everything else.  It was crazy trying to get the baby fed and get ready on top of all the extra tasks I had that day.  But so fun.  I love the chaos of having my family around.  Brody compares the experience to herding cats because we are all unable to stick to one plan and are constantly changing (it was extra chaotic this year because we didn't really have a central location) We ate dinner at the church while the children ran wild.  Everyone doted on baby M and she was spoiled by all her aunts and uncles who wanted to hold her.  The cousins all took a few turns as well.  Dinner was delicious. I missed my family's Thanksgiving food.  Of course I forgot to take any pictures.  It was too crazy to do anything like that.  

My family all stayed in a hotel nearby and spent tons of time swimming and socializing. We went over for a bit and hung out on Thanksgiving night.  

The next day was my birthday.  I really wanted to do some black Friday shopping.  But again it is too hard to do anything with a baby so I decided to not worry about it this year.  On Friday (my birthday) I did go to JC Pennys and Target.  We also walked around the mall a bit.  For my birthday Brody surprised me with dinner and a movie (Twilight)  it must be a tradition for us.  We saw a one other Twilight on my 24th birthday.  My sister Susan stayed with the baby.  It was fun to go out and spend time alone together. But my baby did well without me.  I wanted to take more pictures but for some reason my new, expensive camera decided to malfunction just as we were walking out the door. So this is all we have. 

Brody did a great job picking out a present for me.  He got me my jewelry for having a baby.  A rhinestone bracelet and earrings.  He got them from Swarovski.  I loved them! 

Overall this year was completely different but still a great birthday and even more special because it was so different than my normal routine these days. 

1 Month

Wow! I can't believe we've made it a month.  I've had my baby girl for one whole month now and I can't really find the words to describe the past four weeks.  

terrifying - anxiety filled - joyous - hard work - sleep deprived - not taking care of myself - gratitude filled- overwhelming

Those are just a few words I could use to tell the story of my recent life.  Madeleine is a sweet, beautiful baby.  She gets fussy from gas and loves to be held, but overall is a good baby.  She is starting sleep more at night, in fact, last night she slept from 9:30 p.m. until 4:00 a.m.!! I couldn't believe it.  

I've had a lot of help in the past month.  First my mom and dad stayed with me for the first week while Brody was in NYC.  I really would have died if it wasn't for her help.  The first week was by far the very hardest.  I was so exhausted and overwhelmed and emotional.  My mom helped me keep my sanity and helped me have a happier and healthier baby.  

Taking Madeleine home from the hospital

Madeleine had some issues with losing weight too quickly after we got home from the hospital. I don't know if I didn't have enough colostrum or what, but she was constantly hungry and I couldn't satisfy her.  I felt horrible. The doctor made me come in like 3 different times her first week to monitor her weight.  I was told to pump after each feeding and supplement with formula and not go more than 2 hours without feeding.  You can imagine how much time that all took.  It was hard, but my mom was so helpful and fed M her bottles and burped her, got up at night with her and took care of me as well.  I'll say it again...I really couldn't have done it without her.  M is doing great now. She eats a lot and she is putting on weight quickly.


Brody came home from NYC that weekend and then his mom came to town. We loved having Julie. She doted on the baby and held and changed her all day!  When she was here I made my first excursions out and started to feel more human. We also attempted some baby photo shoots- she wasn't all too cooperative, but we managed to get a few good shots. 

2 weeks and 1 day

 
A couple of days after Julie left Brenda came.  Brenda was also extremely helpful.  I was also so nice to have the company too.  I was starting to feel the pains of staying home all day strapped to a couch and breastfeeding.  I was definitely feeling lonely since my husband has been pretty MIA due to his recruiting demands.  He went to NYC again the day Brenda got here so it was extra helpful to have her stay with me.  Brenda and I went out every day and I really started to feel more confident about life with a baby.  

My first night leaving the house- M was dressed as a black cat for a Halloween party- she doesn't have her hat in this picture (9 days old)

Now we are alone until Thanksgiving.  Brody even went to Chicago last weekend and I spent my first night alone with the baby.  We didn't do too bad.  

4 weeks old!

I love this picture of her.  It is her classic face-glaring at her mom!

Now on to her first month stats.  M didn't go to the doctor in her 4th week, but instead when she was 3.5 weeks so she may have grown since then.  But most recently she is: