Wrapping up the Trip to CA

Today is our last day in California for a while. It's been a good trip out here. We've been here for almost 3 weeks, and it has been really good to be home for a while. We've had our ups and downs while here. John's grandfather went to heaven on December 6th at 2:00 am. It has been really hard on his family, but in many ways we can see God's design through it all. He called Grandad home in His timing.

We've really enjoyed showing Lainey off :). She has been a joy for everyone in our families, and she has been really, really good. She travels well :). Hopefully it stays that way, because we're definitely a travelling family! Just this month, we have over 4000 miles of driving planned. We're headed back to Surprise later today (400 miles). Then we're going out to Albuquerque for Grandad's funeral this weekend (400 miles). Then we're headed back to Surprise for a few days (400 miles). Then back out here on the 19th for Christmas (400 miles). Then, right after Christmas, we're driving out to Dallas to be with John's mom's family (1500 miles). Finally, we'll get home to Surprise from Dallas sometime early in January (1100 miles). So, 4200 miles (about 70 hours worth of driving) in the next 3 weeks with a newborn. Yikes. Gotta love the holidays! :) Still, it will be good to be with everyone. We haven't seen that side of John's family in about 3 years, and we really miss them.

Time to get packed!

Lainey's doctor appointment

Lainey had her two week check up today. She is doing great! She's 21 1/2 inches long and 7 lbs. 8 oz. She's growing into her feet! It looks like our care plan from Lori, the lactation consultant is working well! She's gained 10 oz. since Wednesday. The doctor says that she looks great and is doing everything a baby her age should be doing. From here on, she will be growing fast - between 1 and 2 ounces every day. She's working hard at it today, pretty much spending all of her time between sleeping and eating. She is a good little sleeper. She sleeps like a rock - nearly impossible to wake up if she doesn't want to (just like her mommy). I think it was all Daddy's band practice while she was in the womb that is to blame for that.

Lately, we have been really blessed by the members of our church, who have been coming by to bring us dinners this week. It's awesome to know that there are people here who care about us and are sharing in our joy. Many of these same people prayed along side us for years as we were trying to have a baby. So, if you're one of those people, and you're reading this, thank you so much.

Sleep?

Not for me! Lainey is not a bad sleeper... she just chooses to do it at the wrong time of day. Yesterday she slept from 11:30 until I woke her up just before 4:00. Who knows how long she would have slept if I didn't wake her up! I wish that long stretch of sleep was at night! She does seem to be settling into a pattern though. She likes to get up in the morning, eat and then stay awake for about an hour and a half. She'll eat again and then fall asleep for 3-4 hours. I am hoping we can find a routine in there somewhere that will help get her on track to sleep a little longer at night.

That 7 hour sleep we had last week may not have been that great looking back. We went to see a lactation consultant (different than the hospital specialist... this one is Board Certified) on Wednesday because I was still having so much trouble getting Lainey to latch on correctly and without hurting me. The amount I was able to pump was starting to decrease too which had me worried. Milk is made by demand... no demand and the supply goes down. I had a feeling that Lainey wasn't getting much milk even though I was nursing frequently. Her incorrect latch was leading to a lowered milk transfer. The lactation consultant, Lori, weighed Lainey at her office and she was 6lbs. 13oz. While this was on track to being back to birth weight by two weeks of age, Lainey had only gained two ounces in the week and a half since her doctor's appointment. She should have gained at least five. After feeding her in the office, we determined that she was getting about 1 ounce of milk from me and she needs about two per feeding at this point. So Lainey probably slept for so long that night because she was hungry, but didn't have enough energy to wake up. :(

Lori was a huge help. She said that my latching technique was actually pretty good and would work great for 70% of women and their babies. But for us, I need to be pretty close to perfect to get a latch that doesn't hurt and gets Lainey the milk she needs. She helped me see what a good latch really is and while I am still having trouble getting it on my own, it's much better than before. Since my supply is low (she wasn't getting enough, so it told my body that I didn't need to make more), I have to work to get that back up. We still aren't getting great latching all the time, but it's getting much better. We rented a hospital grade pump and that is really helping. It gets about twice the amount of milk that my personal pump was getting which means that we are at least able to supplement with only my milk and not formula anymore. I'm also taking a supplement called Lactaflow which might be the most vile tasting concoction on the planet. But hopefully it will help get my supply up.

I am off to get ready for church while Lainey is still sleeping. I had time to update the blog this morning because there wasn't enough time to go back to sleep after feeding time. Thank goodness for Sunday afternoon naps!

Many firsts

As a newborn, just about everything is a first for LaineyBug. We had our first bath, our first time at church, and our first walk in the stroller this week! The bath was not so fun according to Lainey. But today I put her in the bath with me and it was by far more enjoyable. I'm sure Lainey felt very insecure in that bathtub all by herself. We also went on our first outdoor stroller ride today. It was a really nice day here in Arizona. Sunny, a little breezy, and just the right temperature. Freddy sure was happy to join us on our first walk as a family. He's been a little bored these last few weeks. Lainey really seemed to enjoy our walk too. It's the Daily Lainey video for today. She did get a little bit overwhelmed toward the end and needed some Mommy cuddles to help her drift off to sleep.

Another first this week was going to church. That was an interesting endeavor... trying to time feedings and getting ready and getting to church on time. We made it though! Lainey's eyes got big when the music started, but she just looked at me and listened to the band. I think she's pretty used to hearing a rocking electric guitar and drums, although it was probably a little more muffled the last time she heard them. She fell asleep when the sermon started (sorry Jonathan... I thought your sermon this week was awesome!).

The most exciting first this week is that Lainey slept for seven hours last night! Who knows if we'll get a repeat of that any time soon, but it was nice to sleep. I was a little worried when I woke up by myself and it was light outside. Lainey still hadn't stirred much, but was starting the stretching and yawning phase of waking up. She's only been catnapping today, so I think we may have another long stretch of sleep tonight. However, she may have started without us. She fell asleep around 6:00 tonight and isn't showing signs of waking up yet. And forget trying to wake her up. She can sleep through anything. Once she decides she's sleeping, that's that. And with that, I am off to grab whatever Zzzz's I can before she does decide to join the waking world. Until next time!

Happy Birthday Lainey!

Lainey is one week old! It's been a wonderful first week with this little one. She lost her umbilical cord today. I wonder if she'll have an innie or an outie?? She says it's time to eat again, so off I go!

First night out!

We made a small excursion tonight for some dinner and to pick up some things from Costco. Lainey waited in the car with Mimi and Auntie Schmi (Michelle) while John and I ran into Costco. Then we all went out for some great Italian food at Cucina Tagliani! Lainey is a champion sleeper. She slept through the whole meal despite the loud noises and conversation. She even went back to sleep in the car after I changed her diaper. :) She really is such a good baby.

We went to see a lactation consultant today to help us with our breastfeeding struggles. I think we have some good tips now that will hopefully bring me some relief while getting Lainey what she needs. I never knew it could be painful to start. Pictures of breastfeeding moms always look so peaceful and sweet. We will get there though!

Mimi Janiece and Auntie Schmi will be heading back to California tomorrow. It was so nice to have them here to help with meals, housekeeping, and laundry. And of course to spoil little Lainey. She's going to get so used to being held I don't know what she'll do when we can't hold her 24/7! We will miss having our family around. We've had someone here for nearly three weeks! But the good news is that we will be in California for Thanksgiving, likely staying through Christmas. (I need to make sure she won't need any doctor's appointments in between or arrange to see someone in CA.) And then we are going to Albuquerque and Dallas to see John's side of the family. I really hope that we can make a trip to Ohio and Pennsylvania soon to see my Dad's side. We really miss you guys!!

I still can't get over how precious this little girl is. She's so sweet and cuddly. I love just holding her and watching her sleep. After she burps she snuggles into my neck and I just can't put her down! Here's a picture of us yesterday. My snuggly Lainey-Bug!

Lainey has her own website!

I will still be posting to this blog, but now all her pictures and videos are on her very own website! Check it out!

http://www.laineyhudgins.com

Enjoy!