travelling with baby

in 4 days we are taking a road trip to Cape May, NJ for a wedding.  we are so excited but I have been consumed with mentally preparing myself for our first road trip with Chloë.  I've been googling "travelling with infant" nonstop and keep stressing out about how many additional "things" we need to take with us, so far this is my over paranoid list, subject to change ALL the time:

* an excessive amount of diapers

* an equally excessive amount of diaper wipes

* again, an excessive amount of clothes for Chloë

* swaddle blankets, burp cloths, towels

* car sear and stroller frame

* moses basket for Chloë to sleep in

* bouncy seat

* breast pump and BP accessories

* bottles 

* freezer bags for breast milk transportation

* Chloë's toiletries

* sleep/music machine

* diaper bag

* car/portable bottle warmer

While I'm sure I'll think of some more things soon enough, I'm already concerned all of that will not fit in the trunk!

PS.  And in December we're going to Brazil for Christmas...

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out of whack

after our day out in georgetown, Chloë's schedule got a little out of whack.  She didn't nap the whole day, so after we got home, she finally started napping at 6:30pm.  I soon realized she wasn't actually napping, but was in fact in a deep, deep sleep.  She ate at 3:30pm, so I gently woke her up at 10pm to eat.  She was half asleep, but hungry..so she ate and immediately fell back asleep.  Usually she eats frequently during the day and has her bedtime feeding at around 7-8pm..so this was a change from her schedule which seriously disrupted her.  During the night she woke up at 2am, 4:30am, 6am, and after eating again at 8am, she finally started to get back on her normal schedule.  By 8:30pm she was fast asleep, and hopefully back on her schedule so that I can sleep until at last 5am tomorrow..

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our day out in georgetown

today Chloë got to hang out with her grandparents who came to visit for the day, and we all decided to go out for lunch. My dad wanted to go to Cafe Milano in Georgetown, and after packing enough diapers, some change of clothes, and getting ourselves ready, we were on our way.

everything was going so well, Chloë was in a good mood, smiling and charming everyone, the food was wonderful, and she even let me finish my food before she got hungry herself. I nursed her, and then let dad burp her. While he was holding her he said.."Hmm I think she's pooped." I was happy to hear it since she hadn't gone in two days..I sniffed around her and it did in fact seem as if she had finally pooped. As I picked her up to take her to the bathroom I realized my job was not going to be so easy..

Chloë pooped so much it had seeped from the sides and back of her diaper onto her clothes, onto Josh's shirt. Not a pretty sight in a restaurant. I managed to wrap her in a burp cloth, took her to the bathroom and got her changed WITHOUT a changing table. Her onesie had to be removed awkwardly to ensure no poop got on her, and after using up ALL of the wipes I had in my bag, she was clean, and very very happy.

Figures she would wait till we got to a nice restaurant to let it all out...

All in all it was a great day though!

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time flies

I cannot believe it's been 3 months since Chloë joined us on the outside.  It's very interesting to think about life before her because while I remember life before her, I don't actually remember how it felt.  All I know now is how it feels to have her around.  It's weird because at times I used to be able to think back to a memory and now how it felt, know how I felt at that exact moment, whether it was 3 months ago, or 3 years ago, or 13 years ago.  Now, I can't quite remember things without putting Chloë in the equation and looking at it differently.  

Hmm..I don't think I'm explaining this correctly...but I wonder if all mothers feel the same way.

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isn't it supposed to get easier?

Today makes a week that I've gone back to work. Eventhough I only have to into the office once a week on Wednesdays, the other days I actually have to get some work done, so my days of lounging about with Chloë all day, every day, with Chloë are pretty much over..unless I have any secret desire to get fired. Which..to be fair, sometimes when I look at her, I think..maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea. Anyway..I thought perhaps it would get easier but today I missed her so, so much. Thankfully there's only two more days until the weekend. I plan on doing nothing and letting Chloë decide our plans. Sounds pretty wonderful to me..

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expanded wardrobe

I wonder if Chloë is as excited as I am that she's getting bigger and can now fit into more clothes--she's even managed to outgrow all of her preemie outfits. I love the variety now!

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first day at work

Words cannot express how much I missed Chloë today. Despite crying in the shower the two days prior to my first day back at work, I actually managed not to cry on my drive to work, and had a pretty good first day. I did not however, last the entire day..I left at 3pm because my heart started tugging, and I needed to come home and see her. As soon as I got home, it was time to nurse her..I don't know which one of us was happier to see the other...

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growing...growing..

 

I feel like eventhough Chloë's only 11 weeks, and still only weighs 9 lbs..she's growing up so fast!

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chloë's new favorite thing

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a great smile

Alison and Matt gave Chloë the cutest dino outfit--she loved it so much she was beaming!!

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no more shots, mommy!

today we went for Chloë's second round of shots. I think I was more nervous than she was..she actually did not even flinch during the first one, not even a whimper..the second one made her cry for a few seconds but even before I picked her up to nurse her she had stopped crying. She was so relaxed she nursed for almost 40 minutes and then fell asleep. She woke up an hour later and nursed for another 30 minutes. And she has gained some more weight (what with all this eating..) and is now two ounces short of 9 lbs.

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an unconventional baby shower

most babies don't come to their own baby showers...however from the very beginning Chloë has stood out in a class of her own..and as such she insisted she be present at her own baby shower.  I think she was scared I wouldn't share the presents..who knows.  In the end, we all had a great time, so thank you ALL who came and helped us welcome Chloë!

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first shot is the deepest

today Chloë got her first shots--her screams were so loud, I didn't know it was possible for someone so small to be that loud. the tears leaped out of her eyes, and she was so sad and red from crying. as soon as they finished, I picked her up and nursed her and it calmed her right down. she was as happy as a clam grasping my boob! she was also pretty excited about her band-aids she even smiled at the doctor twice!!

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pooped on

today after a nice day out, and everything going very well--including a shorter than usual 'fussy time'--chloë exploded while nursing--there was poop everywhere. we had to interrupt her dinner time to give her a second bath to clean her up properly. our pizza arrived just as we were washing her off..great timing.

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chillin'

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