Our first few days alone together

So Monday, August 22nd was our first full day together without daddy and without any friends or family to help out. Jason had returned to work by this point and all of our guests and visitors had gone home. It was now officially just me and Bree. And it turns out, this wasn't as much of an easy transition as I would have hoped. By now, I felt like I had gotten a routine down with Bree, knew approximately when and how often she would wake up at night, and what to expect when she did wake up. Well, we had one little problem in this equation, Bree hit a bit of a hungry streak the night before and finished up all of the breast milk, which I was hoping would last until Tuesday. So we switched her over to Enfamil newborn formula. We started with 2 oz to see how much she would need. She guzzled the 2 oz down and appeared hungry for more, problem was each and every time a gave her a little bit more she fire-hydrant spit-up, then of course appeared hungry again. She would eventually quiet down and fall asleep after I refused to give her more food, but of course this left me with a mess of spit-up to clean. So we did this formula dance for quite awhile. Now, what also changed was Bree's sleeping habits. So in the wee hours of Monday morning, rather than waking up every 3-4 hours (sometimes longer than that), Bree was now waking up every 1-2.5 hours, causing me to get a very restless, sleepless night. Mixed in with the explosive spit-ups and an explosive diaper, you can guess that I was a crying ball of mess that night. At one point, Bree had an explosive diaper which leaked all over her swaddle blanket. I cleaned and changed Bree, put her in her crib, cleaned the swaddle blanket in the bathroom sink, only to realize that now the bathroom sink had baby poo on it and needed to be cleaned as well. Now this is all before Bree was fed, so Bree is in her crib crying and I'm in the bathroom cleaning the sink doing the same thing! We continued this dance all Monday and even into Tuesday. Monday night into Tuesday morning was just as bad, two explosive diapers leaking onto two different swaddle blankets and still waking up every 2 hours. Thankfully, when Jason called home on Tuesday to check in with me and Bree, he heard the frustration, tiredness, and sadness in my voice and offered to do some research while on his lunch break. He is a miracle worker, I swear!! A few hours later I received a wondrous call from Jason saying that he got on some mommy blogs and formula review sites and found a story very similar to ours. The remedy: switching formulas. So after some thought, we decided to switch Bree over to Similac Advanced and what a change!! She is now keeping all her formula down (well minus the times that she refuses to burp for us....sounds like a stubborn child like her daddy!) and is back to sleeping for 3-5 hours again! I can't believe the difference! It's amazing how quickly the negative thoughts about mommyhood will enter one's mind when one is sleep deprived. I had to keep telling myself, "you'll feel better when you get some sleep." And sure enough, I was right. At night, without any sleep, the smallest of problems made me tear up and cry, but during the day after a nap, Bree could be screaming her pretty little head off and it wouldn't cause me to tear up at all. All I've got to say is thank you Jason for finding us an answer to our sleep deprived problem and thank you Similac for making a formula that my precious little baby loves!!!

Oh and P.S. I forgot to mention that on our first day together, Bree also decided to get a plugged tear duct causing her right eye to become goopy and runny. Thankfully, after a quick call to the doctor my nervousness was calmed and in just a day or so her eye returned to normal. 

Bree's first bath

Right before Brianna turned 3 weeks old her umbilical cord completely dried up and fell off. Prior to this, most of the cord had dried and fallen off, but a little stump was left. On Monday, August 22nd, Jason and I decided that it was time for Brianna to receive her first real bath, prior to this we were wiping her down with a warm wash cloth. So being first time parents, we were nervous and excited at the same time. We researched first baths and even found a video on babycenter.com to help us through the process. We picked a time prior to one of Brianna's feedings to give her this experience, and what an experience it was! Jason and I had fun with the bath, Jason bathing her and me documenting each moment of the bath and running to get any last minute supplies that we forgot. Bree, on the other hand, didn't find the experience too fun at all. The poor thing screamed and cried for much of the bath! Her cry even transformed into a sheep-like bahhhhh, which I couldn't help but laugh at. She sounded so pathetic and cute at the same time. She was able to quiet down by the end of the bath and once we wrapped her in her towel, she completely allowed us to wash her hair without any complaints. Now of course, later that night she gave us two explosive spit-ups which completely undid her clean state, but hey at least she was clean for a few hours! Ha. I think we may try again at the end of this week if she'll let us.

 Screaming her pretty little head off!

 What are you doing to me?? And why???

First two doctor's appointments

Brianna had her first doctor's appointment on Monday, August 8th and a follow-up appointment the following Friday the 12th. At the first appointment, Brianna was weighed and was now measuring 6 lbs 4 oz, 2 oz heavier than her hospital discharge weight. She still measured 19 inches and was checked from head to foot. She received a clean bill of health and it was at this appointment where we were told that we had a very strong little girl, as she was able to lift her head when placed on her stomach. Despite the fact that we were ecstatic at the good news, Bree, on the other hand, was not too happy during this appointment and boy did she let us know about it. The poor thing screamed and cried as we undressed her, weighed her, and had the doctor examine her. Bree didn't like the second appointment any more than she liked the first one. This time she not only screamed when she was undressed but also left us an explosive diaper that messed on the car seat and her onesie. She had to be taken home in just a fresh diaper and her swaddle blanket around her. From that day one, we will always carry as change of clothing in her diaper bag! At the second appointment, Brianna weighed in a 6 lbs 6 oz (mommy's prediction). The nurse that attended to her during this appointment predicted that Bree would reach her birth weight by the following week. The doctor doesn't want us giving Brianna a pacifier until she reaches her birth weight so we're watching the scales carefully. Both the doctor and the nurse are pleased with Brianna's increasing weight gain and feel that she's developing beautifully! Yay! I'm sure Bree will not be too happy with the upcoming doctor's appointments as we soon enter the land of vaccinations....my poor baby!  Our 1 month doctor appointment is scheduled for September 7th.

Visitors galore

This post is to give a giant shout-out to friends and family who have come by to visit and support us with caring for Brianna! Since Jason and I have lived all over the country (Maryland, Indiana, California, and now Connecticut) getting the times and flights to line up in order for us to have visitors can be pretty challenging, but nonetheless, those of you who were unable to visit sent us many warm wishes and wonderful gifts for Brianna to cherish...thank you! Both sets of grandparents were able to come up to meet Brianna in the hospital which was a wonderful gift! Brianna's Gigi and Pappy Scholz made the drive from Maryland as soon as they heard that we would be delivering Bree within the day. We had been updating them on her progress all day and when we called around 9pm to let them know that we would be having a little baby within the next 24 hours, they said they were already packed and would be jumping in the car to make the 6 hour drive. Both of them got to see and hold Brianna when she was just a few hours old, getting into Connecticut around 3 am. They must have been so tired, driving through the night, but there they were, ready and anxious to meet their very first grandchild! Gigi and Pappy stayed in Connecticut with us for the next few days, visiting at the hospital and then visiting us for the first two days that we were able to bring Bree home. Pappy went out and bought us a giant platter of spaghetti at a local restaurant for our first meal home. It was amazing and lasted us for the next week! Having them here allowed Jason and I to take our first naps at home. Poor Jason must have been tired, because he slept through dinner and didn't wake up until 9-10 pm. We thought he was going to rival Brianna on who could sleep the longest in one stretch of time! Mom and dad fought over who got to hold Brianna which was cute to see! I know she loved being held by both of them. We're trying to plan a second trip in October which will be nice as Bree will be a bit older and Gigi can help me plan for Bree's very first Halloween costume!

Also visiting us in the hospital were Grandmom and Grandpop Billings! After work, Grandmom and Grandpop Billings left Maryland and made the same 6 hour car trip as Gigi and Pappy. They brought with them flowers for me, a raggedy Ann doll for Bree, and a beautiful family sculpture for Jason and I. Grandmom immediately went to hold and kiss Bree. She is one loved little girl! Grandmom Billings had a lot of fun taking dozens of pictures and videos of Brianna, capturing all of Brianna's first few hours of life! Thanks to them we will always have a bunch of photos to remember the event! Unfortunately, Grandmom and Grandpop Billings had to return home the next day, but Grandmom was able to come back up to visit for a week from August 16-21st. The trip was originally planned so that both Grandmom and Grandpop Billings would be able to visit, but unfortunately, Grandpop had some work commitments that kept him away. We're hoping that he'll be able to visit again real soon. Brianna and Grandmom had many grandmother, granddaughter bonding moments during this trip. Everything from feedings, to explosive spit-ups (see previous blog), to holdings, and diaper changes. Having Grandmom here definitely helped the transition as Jason had to return to work this week. It was nice to not be alone just yet, especially since Bree and I are still learning about each other. Having her here also allowed me to run some much needed errands while Jason was working!

In between my parents and Jason's parent's visits was a visit from my childhood best friend, Brianna's auntie Kirsten! I was nervous that Bree would come late which would delay this visit as Kirsten is a school teacher and needed to be mindful of the start of the school year, but Bree took all that into consideration when she planned her birth date! Thank you, baby Bree! Kirsten and I have been best friends since the 1st grade and have shared in all of each other's major milestones, so it was amazing to have her up to visit! Kirsten brought with her a pink puppy and an adorable "I <3 my auntie" onesie for Bree, along with a package of clothes from her parents. Kirsten and Bree also experienced a number of bonding opportunities from explosive diapers to explosive spit-ups and pees (see previous modeling blog), to learning the lumpin' dance. With Kirsten's help, I was able to make a memory board for Brianna's room, captured Brianna's first hand and footprints (minus the footprints they took at the hospital), and read some of Brianna's first books to her! It was a great visit and great fun! Brianna can't wait to visit her auntie Kirsten again real soon!

We also had some extended family come to visit Brianna both in the hospital and when we got home. My Uncle Jeff and Aunt Kris visited us in the hospital and my grandmother Sweeney (Grammy) and cousins, Desiree, Stella, and Ellie came to visit us at home. At each of these visits, Bree received more and more adorable clothes! It was fun introducing Bree to Stella as they are only separated by 10 months. DezDez. Oh the hours of fun they will have creating dances and plays for us to watch! We are hoping to introduce Brianna to more of her family and friends in the upcoming months!

Things we're learning about baby Bree

So here's a little list of the things we know about baby Bree:

Name: Brianna Kirsten Billings (her middle name is named after my childhood best friend)
Birth date: Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at 2:47am
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Metal Rabbit
Birth weight: 6 lbs 12 oz
Birth length: 19 inches
Hospital discharge weight: 6 lbs 2 oz (by Friday August 12, Bree weighed in at 6 lbs 6 oz)
Eye color: Blue (her eyes are now turning a lighter shade of blue)
Hair: Born with blonde hair, very blonde eyebrows, and long, blonde eyelashes
Personality: She is very alert and observant. In the delivery room, she gave us two quick cries before becoming quiet and then stared at her surroundings for the rest of the time. She seems to be very alert the first time she meets new people. Her cries are quick, so long as you respond and take care of whatever she is not happy with.
Dislikes: Sucking on the breast (only got that to work one time), diaper changes, clothing changes, laying on her back in her crib or pack and play, and baths
Likes: Observing, swaddling, walks, sucking on bottles, fingers, and her hand, "lumpin" (see video in previous blog), the moby wrap, and her swing
Accomplishments: Bree is very agile and strong. She was able to roll to her side as soon as the hospital nurse placed her on the scale in the delivery room. Bree can lift her head and shoulders and even rolled over from her back to her stomach and once from her stomach to her back within the first week of life. We predict she'll be crawling, walking, and causing mommy and daddy to chase after her early! She has also mastered explosive diapers...aren't mommy and daddy lucky?! Ha :)

As her personality emerges, I'll update this list of things we are learning about our little one! We do know that we love her very much and can't wait to share our lives with her!!

Our little model

Jason and I couldn't help but to have some newborn photo shoots taken of our precious little Brianna. On her second day of life, the hospital photographer came by to see if any of us wanted a newborn shoot, to which we of course agreed, how could we resist?! Bree did amazing! The photographer was in awe as Bree remained fuss-free and alert for the shoot. She loves observing and staring at anything or anyone new. The photographer kept cooing and saying how much she wanted to take Bree to all the other newborns to show them how it's done...ha :) Jason and I decided to split a photo package with Jason's parents, Bree's grandmom and grandpop (Grandmom loves photos and jumped at the chance to have some of baby Bree). A major thanks to them as the pictures turned out amazing!

 Loving our little monkey!

Then several days later, we invited Laurie into our home for a pre-scheduled newborn photo shoot. Laurie was our maternity shot photographer. Prior to Bree's birth, we had decided that we would get the combo package, maternity and newborn photo shoots. Bree was a bit more stubborn at this photo shoot, as Laurie typically gets a lot of pictures of the newborns sleeping. Apparently a sleeping newborn is easier to mold and shoot than an alert and active newborn. Bree fed beautifully for us and was placed under a warm air blower, but no sleep. She wanted to be awake and observe. This worked for several pictures as we were able to get some adorable shots of her with her gorgeous blue eyes; however there were several shots that we wanted where we would need her to be asleep. So after a second feeding and a lot of coaxing, Bree managed to shut her eyes for just a few minutes. She refused to have her little hands spread as she preferred for them to stay in a fist (not want Laurie wanted). Bree also decided that she was going to get a bit fussy during one of the shots that daddy really wanted (a picture of Bree with the Harry Potter books as he has read all of them to me during my pregnancy). Who would have guessed that a stubborn daddy and stubborn mommy would create a beautiful baby with a stubborn side?! ha :) The highlight of the shoot came when Bree was taking a picture with her Auntie Kirsten. Now you need to know two things to enjoy this moment. Number one, while Auntie Kirsten was down visiting, Bree took every opportunity to deliver major spit-ups and poops whenever Kirsten was holding her, and number two, many of the photos in this shoot, including this one, were done with Bree being naked. I handed Brianna over to Kirsten and joked that Bree had not had a bowel movement in awhile and to be careful. Sure enough, one shot in, Bree decided to pee all over Kirsten's white sweater. So here's Kirsten, cradling a naked Brianna, and looking up, exclaiming "there's something warm dripping down my shirt!" We all knew it was just a matter of time!

http://www.freshlifephotography.com/photocart/
Available to look at and buy until August 27th
Click on the Billings portfolio and type in the password brianna

Finally, Jason, Grandmom, and I did our own homemade photo shoot to try to recreate the Harry Potter shot that Jason was hoping for. It might not be as good as the professional shots, but I know Jason is happy with it. I also took the liberty of getting a shot or two with Bree in a flower pot. Tell us what you think.