Busy Life

Having Ryker in our life has been such a wonderful blessing! He is so cute and fun, and he just started smiling and making cute little baby noises. He still goes through a lot of diapers a day and sleeps pretty frequently. However, at night it never seems like enough sleep. He is now almost 10 lbs, and over 22 inches. He still has red hair and beautiful blue eyes.

It was so sad having to move his newborn clothes from the dresser to the box of clothes he's grown out of. But I know I'll have to do it even more as the days go by. Ryker loves to be outside! Sometimes the best way to calm him down is to step out the back door with Sadie and sit on the back porch. Ryker knows when his belly is empty, and he lets us know right away that he wants something in it.

Breastfeeding is going really well! Some days we struggle with latching, but for the most part, it is nearly painless now. I have a great support group through the WIC program, at church, family, and the La Leche League. It helps me to know that we weren't the only ones that struggled at first!

My incision sight has healed very well. It looks like a little pink pencil line. The doctor has cleared me for all normal physical activity and light exercise until my muscles start to build back up. I do have a little bubble of scar tissue that has formed over a suture knot, so I can't do sit ups or crunches for 4 more weeks. I've already lost all of the pregnancy weight, I just wish I could lose the extra skin! I joke all the time about looking like a deflated albino zebra.

Having a newborn is super busy! Between your naps, their naps, diaper changes, and feedings, it is very difficult to find the time to get the housework done. I'm so glad that I have an understanding husband.

Weeks Three and Four

Ryker is doing amazing! he has njow gained about nine ounces since leaving the hospital. We are using the help of a lactation consultant to get breastfeeding down. We are both struggling with the latch, but we are learning together! He has grown out mof his first outfit. the very first outfit he ever wore. He has started cooing a little more and responding better when we talk to him.

Today he gets to meet his Grandma Lori! He likes to wake up and look around early in the morning. We are working on establishing a routine.

Weeks One & Two

Here's a quick update on my sweet little family!

Week one was mostly spent in the hospital. After a Cesarean, they like to keep you in the hospital for as long as the insurance will pay. I was there from Monday until Friday. It was a wonderful stay in the hospital. All of the nurses and staff were very helpful in teaching me proper hygiene for my wounds, and in correct breastfeeding techniques. It was great to be waited on hand and foot!

Ryker was on an IV Antibiotic for the first two days of life as a precaution. He got to come into my room with me on Thursday, May 3. I still had to ask the nursery to watch him due to lack of rest and healing. Plus... Ryker loves to be held! Just like any newborn, he likes constant mommy contact, so I would send him to the nursery to catch some sleep.

Upon coming home, the house was cleaned wonderfully! Denise, my step-mom, did a wonderful job taking care of the house while I was in the hospital. Sadie and Suki were very well fed and exercised while my dad was here. My dad made a beautiful Cedar cradle for Ryker to sleep in. Hopefully it will be something that all of us kids can use for our various children. Sadie has been very gentle with me, it's like she knows that I am still hurt and can't quite give her the amount of time I was able to before.

We went to the Pediatrician's when Ryker was 8 days old. The doc said he is healthy, and doing great! I do not have to supplement or anything like that. He even decided to skip the two week visits and jump to one month visits. We also went to sign Ryker up for WIC and discovered that I am already 6 lbs below my pre-pregnancy weight.

We are still hanging out in the house and discovering a schedule. It is taking some time to get my milk supply established, but that is a common side effect of a C-section. It took 3 days for my milk to come in and it is slowly building to a supply large enough to handle our constantly growing little one. He is definitely vocal in what he wants and needs! Today, I took away the pacifier the nursery gave us. I felt like it was slowing down his hunger patterns. So... We are now learning how to calm a baby without the use of a pacifier.

Ryker did have his umbilical cord fall off this morning! My little man has a belly button! He is so cute and white and red-headed, I look forward to seeing his little personality.