A steep learning curve

I think I am just going to kind of combine the first 3 months into the blog since I am a little late starting.  It makes me smile to think about Harper reading these someday. 

So, I always watch that show "Bringing Home Baby" on TLC and its pretty right on.  Those first few days and even weeks are just a combination of a new parents growing love for their baby, exhaustion, and amazement. 

Harper was a pretty easy newborn in terms of how difficult things could be.  I never had to worry about waking her to eat or anything.  She pretty much wanted to nurse about every two hours.  Scott had a few days off with us and then had to go back to work for about a week and a half before his vacation kicked over for the new fiscal year.  Then he got an entire week off!  I wish I could say that it was such a lovely time of bonding and mushy stuff you see on lifetime movies but I cant remember a thing about that week!  I hate to even admit that. 

So, the ever controversial sleeping arrangements. From day 1, Harper hated her cradle.  It was set up so cute and I was very excited to use it but she was not interested.  She would not sleep for more than 25 minutes in it.  We tried her in the bouncy seat and she slept so much better.  So, for the first 4-5 weeks of her life, she slept in the bouncy seat right next to our bed.  I think she liked the incline.  At 5 weeks, I decided to try her in her crib.  That night she slept 11-4.  And cue the singing angels!  I couldnt believe that.  From that night on, we started bathing her, nursing, swaddling her and laying her in her crib and she would go right to sleep and slept through the night at 5 weeks.  We didnt let her cry or anything, she just seemed comfortable in her own space.  Swaddling has been a must for Harper.  Anytime her arms escape, she wakes herself up.  I used to be vehemently against co-sleeping but now, I dont think its such a bad idea.  I think whatever works for your family is what you should do.  If everyone sleeps better with baby in a bouncy seat, so be it. 

Maternity leave-  As you know, I started a new job when I was about 4 months pregnant.  I told my new employers that I would take 6 weeks off.  I am telling you that was the fastest 6 weeks off I have ever witnessed.  The first 3 weeks were full of newness and fumbling around but as the days went on, Harper and I got into a routine.  I loved every minute of it.  When I came back to work, the first day went really well.  I remember feeling very proud of myself.  The second day, not so much.  I cried most of the day.  I knew I would miss her but I had no idea how to prepare myself for this really strange detachment, depressed, emotional feeling.  I couldnt believe I was at work.  I had to repeat to myself how lucky I was to have my mom and Scott caring for Harper while I was at work.  Definitely the hardest thing I have ever had to do.  (and still is).  My mom watches Harper Monday afternoons and Thursday and Friday from about 8 until 4.  Scott watches her Monday mornings and Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. 

Breastfeeding- If this grosses you out, look away and dont read further.  I decided that I wanted to breastfeed Harper for as long as possible.  Everything went well with a few minor hiccups until the dreaded THRUSH!  If you havent experienced thrush, count yourself lucky.  Most of the time, people notice their baby has white patches on the inside of the mouth.  When you are breastfeeding, it can be passed back and forth,  from mom to baby.  We battled this painful stuff for what seems like forever.  We treated it with Gentian Violet which is a natural remedy that you paint on the inside of the babies mouth (and if you are nursing on momma too).  We sterilized EVERYTHING from bottle parts, pump parts, pacis, bras, etc.  I washed everything in vinegar, boiled everything, and nearly set everthing on fire.  We finally got rid of it!  That stuff is no fun. 

It is seriously amazing how much a baby changes and develops in the first 3 months.  Harper went from a tiny little baby sleeping and eating to a super sweet baby that smiles constantly.

Some of my favorite moments from the first 3 months... looking in her crib and seeing her look up and smile at me as if she is thinking "hey, there you are!", snuggling her on the couch and trying to soak up every moment of her being a baby, watching her pee on Scott's leg as he tries to get her in the the bath, watching her pee on me and smile like it is hilarious, watching my mom with her (seriously she is a great mom and grandma), that first night she slept all night, and so many more.  I may just post random moments as I think of them.

Speaking of Scott, he is such a wonderful daddy.  I was a little worried at first about leaving Harper and Scott alone for 4 hours at a time but they have done great.  After about 2 weeks, they have found their own little rhythm.  It seems to work for them.  He loves being in charge of bath time and always give her bubbles and plays with her.  I think it will be really cute when she can sit up and play  in the bathtub since she loves the water so much.  Scott loves to snuggle her and kiss her on the bridge of her nose and all over her face.  She is starting to give in and just let him get it over with rather than cry at him to stop. 

What a wonderful rollercoaster!  I cant even believe how much things have changed.  I really couldnt be happier (well, unless someone gave me a billion dollars and Scott, Harper and I could just travel the world.)