My tiny baby girl is 5 months old! And she is weighing in under the 9lb mark. There are a ton of babies who start where we are and yet Sofia has worked so hard to get to this point and I’m immensely proud of her. At 7weeks the social smiles are I’m full affect and she’s mastering the art of flirting which includes the side glance with full smile! She’s got me hooked for sure. As for Daddy? Oh, you better believe he’s wrapped around that teensy finger.
Aside from the smiles it seems this week her tummy has been giving her some problems. It’s been about 7 days since she been able have a dirty diaper, which being on breast milk isn’t a concern, and seems to be getting increasingly uncomfortable. That’s were the concern comes into play. At times during the day she’s been woken out of sleep with her tummy pains and only seems comfortable, I use that term loosely, while being held. It’s so difficult to see her squirm in discomfort and literally whimper and whine during the gas and tummy pains. My normally content baby spent the majority of yesterday crying, complete with real baby tears! It’s heartbreaking. We go in to the pediatrician for a weight check tomorrow hopefully, I can get some info to help her.

On another note, Sofia has been putting herself to bed at 9pm for about a week and half. She always stirs to eat no matter when the last bottle was. This week we’ve added reading a book to her bedtime routine. She been consistently sleeping a 5-6hr stretch for about 3 weeks for the first half of her night, that was extended to a glorious 7hrs last night…the night I went to bed late…sigh! I should have know this would happen, doesn’t everyone sleep better after a reading of Goodnight Moon?

My tiny baby girl is 5 months old! And she is weighing in under the 9lb mark. There are a ton of babies who start where we are and yet Sofia has worked so hard to get to this point and I’m immensely proud of her. At 7weeks the social smiles are I’m full affect and she’s mastering the art of flirting which includes the side glance with full smile! She’s got me hooked for sure. As for Daddy? Oh, you better believe he’s wrapped around that teensy finger.
Aside from the smiles it seems this week her tummy has been giving her some problems. It’s been about 7 days since she been able have a dirty diaper, which being on breast milk isn’t a concern, and seems to be getting increasingly uncomfortable. That’s were the concern comes into play. At times during the day she’s been woken out of sleep with her tummy pains and only seems comfortable, I use that term loosely, while being held. It’s so difficult to see her squirm in discomfort and literally whimper and whine during the gas and tummy pains. My normally content baby spent the majority of yesterday crying, complete with real baby tears! It’s heartbreaking. We go in to the pediatrician for a weight check tomorrow hopefully, I can get some info to help her.

On another note, Sofia has been putting herself to bed at 9pm for about a week and half. She always stirs to eat no matter when the last bottle was. This week we’ve added reading a book to her bedtime routine. She been consistently sleeping a 5-6hr stretch for about 3 weeks for the first half of her night, that was extended to a glorious 7hrs last night…the night I went to bed late…sigh! I should have know this would happen, doesn’t everyone sleep better after a reading of Goodnight Moon?

02/22/2012
Here we sit again at the dreaded eye appointment the up side is I get plenty of snuggle time and a chance to not be distracted by cleaning bottles or sorting baby garb. Sofia is 21 weeks on Friday and turned 6 weeks adjusted this past Monday.

The 6 week mark has definitely been fun. On Monday, right on cue, we got a social smile for the first time. Every day when we wake up, I can coax them out more regularly. It makes my whole day to see her little crooked smile spread across those chubby cheeks and watch her little arms and legs wave around like the morning is the most fun thing she’s ever experienced. I feel the same way these days. To watch the world through her eyes is the most rewarding experience I’ve ever had the privilege of being a part of.

Since we were given the okay to start adding a breastfeeding session each day we have had our ups and downs. We’ve struggled with latch issue but thanks to my very special support group (The Bumps J12 group) I’ve received tips that have led us to a better place…my boobs are eternally grateful for the latch corrections!

I’m so thankful for each day I’ve been able to stay home with her and yet sad that it is coming to an end so quickly. My returning to work date is looming and I’m feeling even mote conflicted than ever. How will I balance work life and the demands I have with her Dr’s appointments? How will I feel going from caring for her 24/7 to only getting 5-6hrs a day with her awake? I know every working Mom goes through their separation for the first time with mixed feeling…it’s all part of the process, I guess and only time will tell how it will end up!

This appointment showed some improvement in the right eye but still no change in the left…back in 3 weeks!

02/22/2012
Here we sit again at the dreaded eye appointment the up side is I get plenty of snuggle time and a chance to not be distracted by cleaning bottles or sorting baby garb. Sofia is 21 weeks on Friday and turned 6 weeks adjusted this past Monday.

The 6 week mark has definitely been fun. On Monday, right on cue, we got a social smile for the first time. Every day when we wake up, I can coax them out more regularly. It makes my whole day to see her little crooked smile spread across those chubby cheeks and watch her little arms and legs wave around like the morning is the most fun thing she’s ever experienced. I feel the same way these days. To watch the world through her eyes is the most rewarding experience I’ve ever had the privilege of being a part of.

Since we were given the okay to start adding a breastfeeding session each day we have had our ups and downs. We’ve struggled with latch issue but thanks to my very special support group (The Bumps J12 group) I’ve received tips that have led us to a better place…my boobs are eternally grateful for the latch corrections!

I’m so thankful for each day I’ve been able to stay home with her and yet sad that it is coming to an end so quickly. My returning to work date is looming and I’m feeling even mote conflicted than ever. How will I balance work life and the demands I have with her Dr’s appointments? How will I feel going from caring for her 24/7 to only getting 5-6hrs a day with her awake? I know every working Mom goes through their separation for the first time with mixed feeling…it’s all part of the process, I guess and only time will tell how it will end up!

This appointment showed some improvement in the right eye but still no change in the left…back in 3 weeks!

02/22/2012
Here we sit again at the dreaded eye appointment the up side is I get plenty of snuggle time and a chance to not be distracted by cleaning bottles or sorting baby garb. Sofia is 21 weeks on Friday and turned 6 weeks adjusted this past Monday.

The 6 week mark has definitely been fun. On Monday, right on cue, we got a social smile for the first time. Every day when we wake up, I can coax them out more regularly. It makes my whole day to see her little crooked smile spread across those chubby cheeks and watch her little arms and legs wave around like the morning is the most fun thing she’s ever experienced. I feel the same way these days. To watch the world through her eyes is the most rewarding experience I’ve ever had the privilege of being a part of.

Since we were given the okay to start adding a breastfeeding session each day we have had our ups and downs. We’ve struggled with latch issue but thanks to my very special support group (The Bumps J12 group) I’ve received tips that have led us to a better place…my boobs are eternally grateful for the latch corrections!

I’m so thankful for each day I’ve been able to stay home with her and yet sad that it is coming to an end so quickly. My returning to work date is looming and I’m feeling even mote conflicted than ever. How will I balance work life and the demands I have with her Dr’s appointments? How will I feel going from caring for her 24/7 to only getting 5-6hrs a day with her awake? I know every working Mom goes through their separation for the first time with mixed feeling…it’s all part of the process, I guess and only time will tell how it will end up!

This appointment showed some improvement in the right eye but still no change in the left…back in 3 weeks!

I’m currently sitting in the eye exam office waiting to have Sofia checked for the Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) she developed and was diagnosed about a week before discharge. You can here a little kid down the hall crying during his exam and a set of people trying their best to calm and distract the little one. They are explaining how well he or she is doing and that it’s almost done.

Sofia is fast asleep in her carrier completely unaware of what’s about to happen and my stomach is in knots over the fact that she will most likely be upset and in pain. No words will calm her, no explanation will soothe her. Honestly, I’m not even sure what will happen. Her eyes will be dilated and that never fun but I’m not sure how the actual exam is administered. I guess this is what being a Mom is all about…nervous for things they have no awareness of. Guess we’ll wait and see how it goes and wait and keep our fingers crossed that her ROP is improving.

I’m currently sitting in the eye exam office waiting to have Sofia checked for the Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) she developed and was diagnosed about a week before discharge. You can here a little kid down the hall crying during his exam and a set of people trying their best to calm and distract the little one. They are explaining how well he or she is doing and that it’s almost done.

Sofia is fast asleep in her carrier completely unaware of what’s about to happen and my stomach is in knots over the fact that she will most likely be upset and in pain. No words will calm her, no explanation will soothe her. Honestly, I’m not even sure what will happen. Her eyes will be dilated and that never fun but I’m not sure how the actual exam is administered. I guess this is what being a Mom is all about…nervous for things they have no awareness of. Guess we’ll wait and see how it goes and wait and keep our fingers crossed that her ROP is improving.

I’m currently sitting in the eye exam office waiting to have Sofia checked for the Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) she developed and was diagnosed about a week before discharge. You can here a little kid down the hall crying during his exam and a set of people trying their best to calm and distract the little one. They are explaining how well he or she is doing and that it’s almost done.

Sofia is fast asleep in her carrier completely unaware of what’s about to happen and my stomach is in knots over the fact that she will most likely be upset and in pain. No words will calm her, no explanation will soothe her. Honestly, I’m not even sure what will happen. Her eyes will be dilated and that never fun but I’m not sure how the actual exam is administered. I guess this is what being a Mom is all about…nervous for things they have no awareness of. Guess we’ll wait and see how it goes and wait and keep our fingers crossed that her ROP is improving.

…when your home with baby! So, yesterday (Jan 9th) was Sofia’s unbirthday, aka her due date and she had a really great day but a not so great sleep night. I’m sure every new Mom who is just home from the hospital has gone through what we’ve experienced the last few weeks. One night she’ll do great and have her regular 3-4 hour sleep stretches, which depend on how much she ate and the next night she’s up every hour and half and just doesn’t want to sleep at night. This turns into sleeping all day and the vicious cycle continues. I’d like to say I’ve figured out some holy grail solution that can keep this little one asleep for “appropriate” amounts of time that won’t have me one flew over the cuckoo’s nest by the end of the week, but alas I only have the knowledge other new Moms have…caffeine is a new Mom’s best friend. Oh, and of course I’m completely guilty of letting her sleep on my chest at night just to get a few comfortable hours of sleep.

We celebrated her Unbirthday by having her wear her very first (non preemie) party dress and getting weigh in…6lbs3oz!

A few days ago Sofia started having longer awake times where she is much more alert and engaged. The first morning we realized she’s associating sounds with direction and gaining some awareness of her surrounding was Saturday Jan 7th. She laid in bed after a bottle with Daddy and I walked in to tell him something and she turned her head to look at me. It was amazing to see such a small developmental milestone for the first time!

She has spent the last 2 weeks being showered with love from all our friends and family little bits at a time and we are so grateful to finally be near everyone. She spent the holidays with Aunts and Uncles, she’s been snuggles by the Grandma’s and fawned over by the Grandpa’s and even met her big cousin Mia! I can’t imagine having to go through these first few weeks alone after such a crazy NICU journey. Jonathan is about to be back on the traveling circuit for work and leaves at the end of this week for Alabama after having had an entire week home with us last week. I wish I could say that we had a productive week of getting our “Honey Do” list done but it was even better…we did virtual nothing besides indulge in this little angel, including sleeping-in with her as she napped between morning feeds.

We are truly in the baby honeymoon phase. I keep in mind though, that we still have friends that are braving the long NICU road and we constantly have them in our thoughts and prayers. Three others were also due in January, we all met on birth month boards on The Bump, and some of their due dates have come and passed. We send tons of prayers that their babymoon period is just around the corner!

My first party dress! Mom I need a bow, pretty please.

Naptime in the co-sleeper…She’s always missing at least one sock.  🙂

…when your home with baby! So, yesterday (Jan 9th) was Sofia’s unbirthday, aka her due date and she had a really great day but a not so great sleep night. I’m sure every new Mom who is just home from the hospital has gone through what we’ve experienced the last few weeks. One night she’ll do great and have her regular 3-4 hour sleep stretches, which depend on how much she ate and the next night she’s up every hour and half and just doesn’t want to sleep at night. This turns into sleeping all day and the vicious cycle continues. I’d like to say I’ve figured out some holy grail solution that can keep this little one asleep for “appropriate” amounts of time that won’t have me one flew over the cuckoo’s nest by the end of the week, but alas I only have the knowledge other new Moms have…caffeine is a new Mom’s best friend. Oh, and of course I’m completely guilty of letting her sleep on my chest at night just to get a few comfortable hours of sleep.

We celebrated her Unbirthday by having her wear her very first (non preemie) party dress and getting weigh in…6lbs3oz!

A few days ago Sofia started having longer awake times where she is much more alert and engaged. The first morning we realized she’s associating sounds with direction and gaining some awareness of her surrounding was Saturday Jan 7th. She laid in bed after a bottle with Daddy and I walked in to tell him something and she turned her head to look at me. It was amazing to see such a small developmental milestone for the first time!

She has spent the last 2 weeks being showered with love from all our friends and family little bits at a time and we are so grateful to finally be near everyone. She spent the holidays with Aunts and Uncles, she’s been snuggles by the Grandma’s and fawned over by the Grandpa’s and even met her big cousin Mia! I can’t imagine having to go through these first few weeks alone after such a crazy NICU journey. Jonathan is about to be back on the traveling circuit for work and leaves at the end of this week for Alabama after having had an entire week home with us last week. I wish I could say that we had a productive week of getting our “Honey Do” list done but it was even better…we did virtual nothing besides indulge in this little angel, including sleeping-in with her as she napped between morning feeds.

We are truly in the baby honeymoon phase. I keep in mind though, that we still have friends that are braving the long NICU road and we constantly have them in our thoughts and prayers. Three others were also due in January, we all met on birth month boards on The Bump, and some of their due dates have come and passed. We send tons of prayers that their babymoon period is just around the corner!

My first party dress! Mom I need a bow, pretty please.

Naptime in the co-sleeper…She’s always missing at least one sock.  🙂