Katelyn is three weeks old today! Here are a few things I've learned in the three weeks we've been parents:
1. Our teeny tiny baby is super duper LOUD.
2. The hospital should provide all new parents with the book The Happiest Baby on the Block (thank you, Christy and Audra!).
3. The best trick to get a newborn to stop screaming: swaddle her and then turn on the kitchen vent above the stove. Weird? Yes, but we'll be wheeling her bassinet into the kitchen again tonight.
4. Katelyn has NO TOLERANCE for even the slightest wet diaper. Think the Princess and the Pea.
5. Bath time is traumatic for all parties involved, so work quickly.
It's been an interesting three weeks. I'm tired and, at times, really frustrated, but I love seeing our little girl become more alert and aware of her surroundings! Nana (Dave's mom, Ruth Ann) has been a HUGE help all week. She sacrificed her own sleep so we could have ours, cooked us meals, changed diapers, and more. MANY thanks!
Katelyn is now 11 days old! To catch up...
The labor and delivery went really well. A LOT better than I expected. According to my doctor, I had a "perfect epidural," and he's right-- I didn't feel a thing. The epidural did make me nauseous, but it was worth it. During the last part of labor, we were actually having a pretty good time! Dave somehow kept the doctor, nurses, and me laughing between my contractions. One of the many reasons why I love my husband!
I'll never forget the look on Dave's face when Katelyn was born. It was such a sweet moment for us to look at our beautiful daughter together! After a while, family and friends came in to meet Katelyn, and Dad said a prayer. Friends continued to stop by and visit over the next several hours, and I loved every minute of it!
Our first night in the hospital was ROUGH. The hospital's recent remodel was absolutely beautiful and our room was gorgeous. Unfortunately, there was something wrong with the air conditioner and they had to shut it off at midnight for repairs. An empathetic nurse gave us an industrial fan but it was still REALLY hot... and our new bundle of joy screamed the whole night.
We've been home for a week now and are slowly adjusting to late nights of screaming, feedings, and falling in love with Katelyn all over again. My mom has stayed with us a little over a week and has been a tremendous help.
The past 11 days have been exhausting and a bit of a blur, but we wouldn't trade them for anything!
Tomorrow is baby day!! FINALLY, we'll know answers to the questions that have been on our minds for months: What color hair will she have? Will she look like Dave, as she does in the ultrasound picture? What will her arm look like? What will her cry sound like? I can't wait to hold her!!
I haven't been as miserable as some women are during pregnancy, and for that I'm grateful, but I'm ready to be DONE. The last nine months have felt so long and, at times, extremely boring. I'm ready for a new routine and a new chapter in our lives!
