Our Little Peanut

When we had our first ultrasound at 7 weeks, Ellie looked like a tiny little peanut.  Today, we had her two week check-up, and she's still a little peanut.  She has passed her birth weight, weighing in at 6lbs, 11oz (she was 6lbs, 10 oz at birth), and is a little bit longer at 19.5".  She's in the 10th percentile for weight, and the 25th percentile for length. 

We already knew that Ellie was a little tongue tied (meaning that the frenulum is short and close to the front of her mouth) , but were hoping that it wouldn't cause any problems.  Unfortunately, since she's still struggling with nursing and latching correctly, the doctor thought cutting it might help.  So, she cut it a little, and now Ellie can stick her tongue out more.  Hopefully, this will help with nursing.  In case you're wondering, Ellie didn't even cry until after it was done!  Not until the doctor started wiping up the small amount of blood in Ellie's mouth did she start to cry.  So, I don't think it hurt her too much.

Ellie also has a small cyst on her left wrist.  The doctor said it's just a fatty deposit; They usually appear in the first couple of weeks.  The cyst might get a little bigger in the next few weeks, but then should begin to disappear in the next few months. Other than that, it was a good visit and Ellie is doing well. 

Week Two

It's hard to believe that Ellie is only two weeks old today.  It seems like she's always been with us, and I cannot imagine her not being here.  This week was pretty uneventful.  We're still working on nursing, and trying to find a way to switch Ellie's internal clock -- she likes to sleep all day and party all night -- so Jeff and I can function.  Ellie's two week checkup is on Tuesday.  I suspect she's gained a good amount of weight; She certainly looks bigger to me. 

The dogs have decided that they are responsible for keeping Ellie safe.  Mauja likes to check on her from time to time.  And Presley (who normally spends most of her time hiding under Jeff's desk) will not leave my side when I'm nursing, watches Ellie sleep, and this morning while my nurse was here to change my wound dressings (my c-section incision is draining) cuddled up close to Jeff and Ellie.  Jeff said every time they heard the nurse's voice she got closer to them.  She takes her job as protector of the baby very seriously!

Nana and Papa (my parents) left yesterday.  We are so fortunate to have had the opportunity to have Ellie's grandparents here with us for so long.  I grateful to my parents for helping out so much.  My freezer is packed with food for the next few weeks, and all of the laundry is done.  I'm glad my parents had the chance to spend so much time with Ellie, too.  Today, Ellie's Bubbe and Zayde (Jeff's dad and step-mom) will come to visit.  Ellie is looking forward to meeting all of her family members!  We've got a pretty full schedule of visitors until the end of August.

Here are some pictures from the past week:

Trying out Tummy Time!

Presley, just checking things out

Taking a nap with Daddy

 Meeting Auntie Em for the first time (and dreaming of future mac & cheese and learning to play rummy dates with her)

 Me and Ellie

Presley is just keeping things safe and secure for the baby!

Mauja, just passing by...

Ellie and her Papa

Nursing Woes

It would be an understatement to say that I did not have the birthing experience that I planned.  I wanted an all natural birth with very little medical intervention.  What I got was an induction, and epidural, and finally a c-section.

I thought I would at least be able to nurse the way that I wanted since nothing else had gone my way (besides the actual birth of my beautiful daughter, of course!).  Unfortunately, that didn't happen either.

Ellie was born at 37 weeks gestation, and we were told nursing would probably be difficult because babies don't develop the rooting and sucking instinct until 38-39 weeks.  I was prepared for the challenge, but feel like we were never really given the chance.  When Ellie was less than twelve hours old we were told we had to supplement with formula.  The neonatologists were worried about weight loss and jaundice.  All babies get a little jaundice, but because she was born with several bruises on her head and face (she really tried to engage -- for days! -- but just wouldn't fit, and she had the battle wounds to prove it) the doctors were worried that her jaundice would be worse than normal. 

Reluctantly, I agreed to supplement with formula, as long as we didn't have to use a bottle.  So, we learned how to use a feeding tube, and we established a very regimented schedule.  Every 2 hours I would nurse on both sides, pump, and then feed up to 10 ml of formula with the feeding tube, but at the breast so Ellie would associate food with my breasts.  I was really OK with this, until we were told on day 2 that she should be eating 30-60 ml of formula at every feeding.  It was hard enough to get her to eat the 10 ml; She obviously was not hungry enough to eat 30 ml!  I got really frustrated with this turn of events, but we were being threatened with bottle feedings and a return to the NICU if she lost any more weight or her jaundice got worse.  I certainly didn't want that, so again, we agreed.  Only, we changed from every 2 hours for feedings to every 3 hours.  I figured if she had more time to get hungry, then maybe she would eat more.

On day 3 they changed our routine once again.  We had to supplement with formula at the breast (for at least 30 ml of formula) and then pump for 15 minutes.  Whatever was collected with pumping would start the next feeding.  This meant that I no longer was able to nurse without any supplements at all.  I was not particularly pleased with this turn of events, but again agreed in order to keep her out of the NICU. 

We were discharged on day 4, under direct orders not to miss our pediatrician appointment that afternoon because of her jaundice (still not bad enough to require light therapy -- just slightly in the danger zone, but already going in the right direction).  When we made it to the pediatrician she asked me how breastfeeding was going I just burst into tears.  I told her I felt like I was force-feeding her and she never had an opportunity to get hungry so it was just frustrating to her.  I didn't want to be on a schedule, I wanted to feed her when she was hungry.  The doctor gave me a hug, told me it would be OK, and we started a new plan.  We would stop the formula feedings (yea!), and we would start feeding on-demand.  This meant that I didn't have to watch the clock anymore, instead I could watch my daughter and let her tell me when she was hungry.

We started that day, and it was an immediate change.  I know babies get more active and alert as they get older, but it was uncanny how her level of alertness increased with the induction of this new plan.  That afternoon I saw her eyes open more than I ever had, she was much more aggressive with feedings, seeking out my breast, not just waiting for me to give it to her.  Maybe it was just me, but she also seemed happier and less stressed or frustrated with the entire act of eating. 

The one good thing about having to formula feed was that Jeffrey was able to be a part of the feedings in a way he otherwise would not have been.  Finger feeding allowed him an opportunity to feel her latch and that was really exciting for him.  He is eagerly anticipating the start of bottle feeding in a couple of weeks so he can be more involved again. 

One Week

Ellie turned one week old yesterday.  It's hard to believe that a week has gone by.  She is such a beautiful, sweet baby.  We're so lucky to have her in our lives.

The dogs have made the adjustment to having her at home fairly well.  Mauja isn't bothered by much, as you can see here where she's enjoying some time with her own stuffed "baby" (we call dog toys babies in our house) while Ellie tries out tummy time. 

Both Presley and Mauja like to check on Ellie from time to time.  Especially if she cries.  They both like to hang out with me while nursing her.  Presley is a little more camera shy than Mauja, so I don't yet have pictures of her with Ellie.  This morning I went to the bathroom while Ellie slept in her napper.  When I came back Presley was standing guard in front of her, and wouldn't even move for me at first.  I think she and Ellie are going to be the best of friends and Presley will not want to leave her side pretty soon.  If you've ever met Presley, you know how timid she is and how she shies away from anyone that she doesn't know (basically everyone but me and Jeff).  Even though Ellie is new, she definitely knows that Ellie is a part of this family and she takes her job as protector of the family seriously. As soon as I can get some pictures of Presley with the baby I'll post those.

PS -- We don't normally have plywood floors.  Ellie wasn't due until July 31, so we were trying to get some much needed work done on the house before she arrived.  We ended up in the hospital while the contractor finished up at the house.  We're putting hardwood in soon, I promise it won't be exposed plywood forever!

Ellie

Eleanor Marie (Ellie) was born on Saturday, July 14, 2012.  She came home to join her parents, Amanda and Jeffrey, and her dogs, Mauja (a 10 year old Mini American Eskimo) and Presley (a 1 year old hound, boxer, and pit mix).