Mia's First Month--the ramblings

Wow! Has it really been a month already?! I think I'm onto something here--just pack your schedule absolutely full with big-brother-commitments and out-of-town houseguests during the newborn phase; time will fly by and you'll forget how sleep-deprived you actually are. It's been a good month. Mia is maintaining her easy-going personality--she's a great eater, she sleeps during the night (minus a couple of feedings, of course) and is tolerant of her over-zealous brother. We're working on his boundary issues (see photo below of Nate trying to help Mia "play" in her swing).

She's developing a bit of a schedule:

• 7:00 wake-up & feed
• about 1 hour "awake time"
• 3 hour morning nap
• noon feed
• diaper change and 15-minutes or so of mental/physical stimulation
• 2-3 hour afternoon nap
• 2:30 or so, snack
• another nap
• afternoon awake period (starts anywhere from 4-6:00)
• dinner time
• 8:00-ish another feeding
• between 9-10:00, bedtime
• first night feeding between midnight and 1:00 am

She had her one month well-check today (an extra checkup due to a hint of jaundice at 2 weeks). Doctor Grant said she is doing very well--alert, taking in her surroundings, strong neck, etc. I had a list of questions that he answered.

1. When she feeds, she often pulls away and chokes, gags, gasps for air. Is this normal?
*Yes, especially at times when it's been awhile since she's fed and there's an "ample" milk supply.

2. Yesterday, I thought I saw some cradle cap, today it's not as obvious. Does it look like she has cradle cap and do you have any remedies?
*It's perfectly normal for babies to cycle in and out of what is called seborrhoeic dermatitis. I received a sample of medicated shampoo to use if it gets worse before it gets better. He said it was very mild and he's not concerned right now.

3. There is a small rash developing on her chest. Should I treat it somehow or just let it work its course?
*He thought the rash was tied to the seborrhoeic dermatitis (see above). If we control the patches on the head, it should in turn take care of the rash on her chest. He said to continue to monitor and rub with Eucerin as needed. If it starts to bother her (i.e., scratching), we can treat with 1% hydrocortisone ointment.

4. She has a bit of congestion. Is it enough to be concerned about?
*He thought her lungs sounded great. What we're hearing is dried mucous in her nose that's causing a "rattling" sound.

5. Her toenails seem to grow into her big toes. Is this something that needs intervention or will it work itself out? Right now the toenails are super thin, almost like paper. As she gets older, the toenails will get stronger and work themselves onto the outside of the toe.

And, after peeing on the nurse at the weight station, we did get her stats:

• Length = 22 in (75th percentile on my doctor's chart)
• Weight= 10 pounds 13 oz (90%)
• Head cir = 15 in

Now onto the rambling...this parenting gig never turns out like you imagine it will during the nine (10) months of pregnancy. In one of my pregnancy books, it talks about how there are few situations where your life changes so drastically practically overnight than the rite of parenthood. You walk into the hospital with one life and leave with an entirely different set of perspectives, concerns, and responsibilities.

Immediately after birth pregnancy slips into the past and the mother becomes immersed in a whole new set of experiences, sensations, and concerns. Particularly with a first baby, birth is not only an event but a rite of passage in which the mother, father and baby pass from one set of roles, with its privileges and requirements, to another with new rewards and demands. In fact, there is probably no greater life transformation in modern Western culture that takes place within such a relatively short period of time. One day the expectant parents are a couple filled with anticipation; the next they are a family with a new knowledge of the world, embarked on one of life's most demanding and creative endeavors.

"The New Well Pregnancy Book"

This certainly rang true with Baby #1. I thought it would be less of an issue with Baby #2. It's not. Our lives are forever changed (again). I suppose the three of us had developed our own rhythm, our family routine over the past three years. Now we have to find our new groove. I also thought I would get frustrated with the baby for interfering with my Nate time. In reality it's the other way around. With Amelia, I long for the intense bonding experience I had with Nate--hours with just the two of us, marathon nursing sessions, reading my parenting books & articles with him asleep in my lap on the boppy, long stroller walks along the seawall, playing developmental games whenever his eyes were open, etc. I know this time around will be different. I know there will be pros and cons to our routine with Amelia, too. I've already learned how to help her sleep better at night (thanks to trial and error with Nate). So, as with the rest of the parenting roller coaster, I must remember to sit back and enjoy the ride!