The Ballad of Samantha Jane, cont'd

Today is Samantha's one week birthday.

We came home on Friday, and did our best to figure out how the dynamics were going to work.  It was great to see and live with Allison again.  She visited us once in the hospital, but didn't want to come back after that.  I don't blame her, it's an uncomfortable environment.  But it was great to see her again.

The first night wasn't too bad, but just difficult.  We were feeding everything three hours.  That doesn't sound so bad, but when you take into account that a feeding would take an hour or more, that's not a whole lot of sleep.  But we made it through OK (my memory is a little foggy, obviously).

The next morning, we were figuring out what we were going to do for the day, and a friend called and offered to take Allison to Balboa Park.  Allison was pumped on that idea, and we thought it was just perfect.  So while Allison was gone, we had a leisurely day of settling in.  Just having that time was a really nice gift that came at the perfect time.

Samantha still was a groggy baby.  She rarely opened her eyes, but was eating regularly.  Without a whole lot to do, we just let her sleep and woke her up every so often to eat.

Diana, though all this, has been a trooper.  She's a better patient than I could ever be.  She's been in a certain amount of discomfort, but has been certainly able to get up and around, take a shower, go to the bathroom, walk around the house.  She's not speedy, but she's healing well.  Aside from her incision, she has a nice rash on her stomach, which we suspect is an allergic reaction to the cleaning solution from the surgery.  She takes her pain medicine as needed, and is really just doing better than I would have hoped.

Allison has been just wonderful through the weekend.  With Diana in the captain's chair for the baby, it really falls on me to keep Allison satisfied.  No complaints here.  We headed to Legoland on Sunday and had a good time cruising around.  In general, though, Allison has really better than I would have expected.  She is used to a certain level of attention, but has been patient and understanding that we can no longer always be at her beck and call.  And when Diana was in pain or feeling a little emotional, she's very compassionate, offering helpful suggestions or just a little snuggling.

Monday was the first day of school after spring break.  We had a quiet morning, but the day goes quickly, and I picked her up, then to the library for homework and books, then to gym class, then home where I got some dinner on the table (Diana had already made it, bless her), bath time, etc.  It's kind of a whirlwind time of the day, as I'm sure it is in any family.

Part of yesterday morning was Samantha's first doctors appointment.  We were very curious to hear how her weight was going.  She weighed in at 7 lbs, 4 oz.  I think we were both hoping for a little more weight gain, but she's on a definite upward trajectory.

Today is one week.  We had some nice family time in the morning, and little Sam actually had an hour of good awake time after feeding.  Eyes open and looking around, and even some tummy time on a beautiful custom quilt from Yaya Carole.  That was really encouraging.  I will feel better when she gets into a little more of a wake/sleep rhythm, instead of sleeping all the time.  Again, remind of this when I'm trying to get her to stop wailing in the middle of the night.

Speaking of the middle of the night, I've pretty much been removed from active service.  Diana doesn't need my help anymore, and I've been sleeping alone in bed while she sleeps on the couch and takes care of the feedings.  I do keep my phone by my bed, though, and she says she'll call me if she needs any help.  I feel a little guilty, but she assures me is doing just fine.

I did hear a little commotion last night.  Samantha was crying, and Allison woke up and was crying because she was awake too.  This was all at around 2:30am.  I was about to get up and see if I could be helpful, but everything quieted down.  But we're going to encourage Allison to sleep with her door closed, I guess.

There also was some carpet cleaner out on the counter this morning.  Apparently there was a true poop fountain as Diana was changing her in the middle of the night.  That sounded pretty exciting.  Glad I wasn't around for that one.

At the moment, Allison is at school, and Diana is nursing.  I really don't think there is a more peaceful, serene, beautiful sight than a mom and a baby all wrapped up and making happy little nursing sounds.  Just wonderful.