Two Week Update

Happy two week birthday, Annalynn!

(photo credit Jaylin Photography)

I know I said this in my last post, but how the heck do new moms keep up with any sense of a regular blogging schedule?  I’m currently typing one handed via my phone while baby girl eats at 4am. I guess new moms just have to be resourceful?

It’s been two weeks since Annalynn’s birth and I’m happy to report baby girl is growing like a weed! She’s already surpassed her original birth weight  (she’s up to 7 pounds!) and grown a full inch! Baby girl is long (71st percentile) and lean (17th percentile). Yes, I’m officially one of those moms who can spit out height and weight numbers and percentiles at the drop of a hat.

Derek and I actually gave each other a high five leaving her two week appointment on Wednesday. We did it! We survived the first two weeks and baby girl is thriving! It felt like our first parenting victory.

Of all the challenges that come with new parenthood, breastfeeding is definitely at the top of the list as one of the hardest and most rewarding. Once we’re a little further in (everyday is still a new adventure when it comes to breastfeeding), I’d love to dedicate a post to our experience thus far. Let’s just say that during week one I ended up in a lactation consultant’s office in tears assuming I had done everything wrong (Google is a scary place for a new mom). Making that appointment was one of the best decisions I’ve made since Annalynn arrived. The lactation consultant was warm, welcoming, and assured me I was not doing everything wrong. Baby girl is learning how to breastfeed, just like me, and that takes time. She also invited me to join a couple of her new mom groups. I attended my first on Tuesday and it was amazing. It was a complete no judgement zone of about a dozen moms (most of which were openly breastfeeding throughout the session) discussing all the challenges (and victories) that come with new motherhood. There were a lot of tears shared, as well as the invaluable knowledge that you’re not the only one going through the same emotions.

Sisters also make great resources. Kelly stayed with us over the weekend and answered my million+ questions. We also talk everyday via Facetime or phone. Annalynn and I are really thankful to have her in our lives.

My recovery is still going smoothly. I’ve been enjoying daily walks with my new family of four (including Maddie) and can now walk around the two blocks that make up our neighborhood, a huge improvement from barely being able to walk to the back of Walgreens to pick up my prescription the day I came home from the hospital.

In total, I gained 50 lbs while pregnant and have lost 30+ of that number thus far. A lot of my swelling has gone down and I can finally fit in my normal shoes again (it’s the little things) and my face feels like it’s back to being mine. I still have a long way to go, but I’m in no hurry to get there just yet. Feeding my baby girl and soaking up new motherhood is my number one priority.

Derek went back to work yesterday and we were sad to see him go. We had originally debated whether he should take the full two weeks of his paternity week at the beginning or save one for when I go back to work (keep in mind he’ll still receive an additional two weeks when I go back, so “saving” one of the weeks would give him three weeks when I go back). I’m so grateful that we decided he should stay the full two weeks with us up front. It was amazing having him home, especially since I was recovering from my csection and couldn’t lift anything heavy or move really fast. Derek has really stepped up into the role of fatherhood and there’s nothing that makes me happier than seeing the two of them together. Annalynn already has her daddy wrapped around her little finger and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Now the real fun begins as Annalynn and I navigate the next 10 weeks as a duo (at least from 9-5 during the week). Let the adventures begin!