Well, I wanted to sum up some of what has gone on in the last 7 weeks, but I'll just jump in and blog a bit.
Thursday was one of the best days ever in terms of sleep! Cordelia put herself down for a nap in her bassinet all by herself! I put her down when I was brushing my teeth and when I came back she was drifting off. I turned on the baby monitor (the click almost woke her!) and tip toed away! She slept for hours! This was also the first time she slept in bed for a long time without a swaddle. Actually, she did wake a few times with her stirring and moving, but was able to go back to sleep. I took a nap on the couch so as not to wake her.
That night, with us both quite well rested, we went to Alt. Dance in the city and saw our swing dancing friends. They were so excited to see Cordelia and many wanted to hold her. She was on her best behavior and charmed them all. It was really fun getting to dance with Jason again-- I'd forgotten how much I love to dance with my husband! It is such a wonderful feeling.
And honestly, going to Alt. Dance for the first time since birth and the first time in a long time since I was pregnant.... I was honestly feeling as if I had more energy now than when I was pregnant. Lately, I have been realizing how draining being pregnant really was. I mean, I knew I was tired, but I was still focusing on charging forth, working 6 days a week. But now, even on days when I don't get much sleep, I am still able to power through. Everyone says it's a fantasy that your maternity leave will be a "vacation" from work, but honestly, I haven't gotten to spend this much time at home in years and it does have a lot of nice elements.
But not all the time!
Friday, she screamed much of the day and wouldn't even really take a nap without me holding her. I tried many times to put her down in her bassinet, but she would immediately wake up. I gave in around 4 oclock and napped holding her on the couch. I've been trying not to do that too much, since I know it isn't the "safest" form of sleep.
We didn't have the best night either, so I waffled on plans to go to the State Fair with Jason's family. It has become an annual tradition to go to the State Fair and I really wanted to go. But I canceled, knowing I needed more rest. I was able to get some more rest in the early morning, and afternoon we ultimately decided to go and join the family. When we made it out to Sacramento, it was almost 4. It was still very hot, but in the 90s, compared to the previous week of 100s. We met up with the Katayanagis in one of the Cal Expo areas, and they had an exhibit of Science Fiction and Super Hero movie stuff. R2D2 was there, along with Batman and a huge Iron Man sculpture. They even had a fake Tardis, which we took pictures with!
After that, we had dinner-- I got a veggie panini and a steamed artichoke. Then I had to nurse Cordelia. It was evening, but still very hot and using the breastfeeding cover was an uncomfortable tent...we were both sweaty and not having a great feeding session, even in the shade. But we made it through and then Cordelia got to have happy times hanging out at the table. Pop Pop commented on how impressed he was that she could already lock her legs!
We stayed through nightfall, taking cousin Penny to the petting zoo and walking around some of the shopping areas. Then it was time to change a diaper and look for a place to nurse. We had some fun times changing a poopy diaper of a crying, hungry baby and realizing we were down to just 2 wipes. (some family members had used some of ours with the kids at dinner). I improvised and grabbed a burp cloth instead! Then I fed Cordelia at one of the kitchen ware demonstration stations--- the lady was all done for the night and didn't mind me asking to use on of her folding chairs. It was much much better to be inside with the air conditioning! Then, of course, Cordelia pooped again! I sent Jason off to get wipes from Auntie Donica!
After that, Cordelia was very happy and snuggly. I held her while we had some snacks and a fireworks show started! Penny loved the fireworks, but they startled Cordelia. I held her close and danced around enough that the booms of the fireworks no longer disturbed her. It was really wonderful.
Cordelia got a lot more sleep being out and about and she was also very good for the long car rides. I am lucky she is a good traveler, some babies scream the moment they are in a car.
Now on to another day... Sunday was a repeat of Friday. Cordelia refused to sleep when she was not held. I tried many times to put her down and immediately she would cry. Without any afternoon naps at all, she was overtired and fussy. It was an exhausting day and I've decided that if I keep having failures like that, I will just hold her for her nap and maybe sneak a few z's with her. That is what I did on Monday and it went much better. The only downside is it is nearly impossible to do anything when you hold your baby all day, like... go to the bathroom.
Sunday did have one redeeming moment, making it all worth it though. Cordelia and I were playing in her bassinet, as she wouldn't sleep in it!, and she laughed for the first time. Some real giggles. It's a little bit early for laughs, but she did it--- I got it on video! Jason wasn't home and I wanted to capture it for him and I did!!! I have replayed it like 1000 times, savoring the cuteness and love of my happy baby.
Tuesday we went to the Farmers Market, and she slept a long time in her carseat upon returning home! Today I aimed for a similar situation and put her to sleep in her vibrating chair! Hopefully she will get another solid nap while I enjoy this both hands-free moment and type. And with luck, she'll stay asleep after I post this so I can get a nap too!
No comments:
Post a Comment