I'm so thankful that God gave her to me a week earlier than I expected, which in my mind was almost three weeks early since I was convinced I would be late. It is funny to look back on this time last week and remember how awful I felt and know my feelings afterward far outweigh anything else I have experienced. Pictures are worth a thousand words...
She and I have found our groove with breastfeeding and it has changed both our lives. I was talked into giving her formula for around two days while we were waiting for my milk to come in. It was awful for us. She was gassy and irritable and could not be consoled those nights. It was a totally different world when I finally got her back on. Not to say formula feeding is bad but in this house it was not good. She is a much happier woman with breast milk than formula and as long as I can help it we will keep it that way.
The bonding benefit has also been wonderful. We continue to get closer every day and I am so appreciative of the time we have. My What to Expect book safely reminds new moms not to look at all the hours of feeding as work because at no other time in life will I be able to be this close to Abney. Plus, my little angel looks so drunk afterwards it is hard to resist keeping her happy.
Yesterday Uncle Sid met her for the first time and helped us to confirm that she has the patented Abney big toe. I'm so sorry baby girl but at least so far it looks like you have avoided the Abney knee. If you are going to carry down the family name it is only fitting to stomp around with those toes. LOL If I do say so myself, she has the cutest set I have ever seen and I hate feet. :) We've had so much fun taking pictures and sharing her. I need to figure out how to get them uploaded to a photo album on here so everyone not on facebook can see. We are definitely even worse with her than we are with taking pictures of the dogs...
I posted my week 1 postpartum bump just for sheer amazement of how it really goes back to where I was almost twenty weeks ago. Doctor says no exercise for six weeks but I have been walking around the neighborhood to try to keep my muscles moving and start the healing process. I walk slower than a 90 year old woman but at least we are moving. Charlie joins me and has been such a good boy about sticking with my pace. I also think he realized just how needy his Mommy is as he has pretty much stuck by my side since I've been home. He always loved me but if Daddy was doing something he needed to be there.
And these days Daddy has been doing a lot! He has been completing project after project. It must be his need to nest now that she is here. I haven't read anywhere about men needing to fluff the nest but it certainly makes sense. He has been every bit as excited about having her here as I imagined. He surprised me though with how tentative he is with her. I think my nights in the hospital alone and baptism by fire that is mother's instinct has helped me be more confident that even when I have no idea what I am doing that if I just trust my gut I will probably get it right. It is so cute to watch my big, strong husband with his tiny little angel and how fragile he treats her as if he may break her. He is seriously the best Daddy any little girl could ask for, except that he will probably scare every boy away when she turns sixteen.
Today is her first appointment with the Pediatrician. Unfortunately Ben cannot go with us because he has to work. Unlike normal careers where the father can take paternity leave or use vacation time, it is still soccer season for at least one more week so Ben has to go to the office and get ready for the weekend. It was a bit of a battle last weekend however as the Head Coach was pushing Ben to go to Rochester, New York for the game. Of course we wanted Daddy home to bring his first born child and wife home for the first time. It was a struggle we had not anticipated as when he accepted the job we were told how much family came first and what a great support the program would be. So it has been a bit difficult but we know for our family no matter who asks we are putting each other first. With the 1 year anniversary of losing my Grandma 3 months after Dad being just a few days away, we know all too well how fleeting life is and how important it is to cherish each other every day that we can.
Okay so I am watching "HOOK" on television right now with Abney and Peter just remembered his happy thought so he can fly. It's that he got to be a Daddy. Yep, crying and hugging her. She is definitely my happy thought.
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