No, parenting hasn't made me fall off the face of the blogging world. But the lack of internet has. Our internet has been down since Saturday, and since it isn't the number one priority with a newborn at home (but man do you quickly realize how much you rely on it), we just called in about it today. We need a new router, so have the computer directly plugged into the cable to work right now until we get to Best Buy to get one. What a pain.
Right now Ashlynn is napping, and I'm supposed to be napping, too. Something I haven't adjusted to just yet. Jeremy gets a bit frustrated with me when I don't nap at all with her during the day because then by evening, I look shot for the night. But I find myself trying to check little thinkgs off my to-do list when she's sleeping...laundry, eating (yes, like many moms I'm sure, I've forgotten to eat lunch a few days and realize it as I'm thinking about dinner), putting things away, etc. With my organizing/neat freak self, I'm going to have to really focus on the sleep/rest thing.
As far as Ashlynn's sleep, she's doing great (knock on wood). Sometimes will have little bursts of just 1 hour between feedings and not really sleep, instead of the desired 3-4 hours. But for the last 3 nights, she's saved the cluster feedings for during the day and given us 2 to 3 good stretches of about 3 hours at night. Each night is different and we know it will be so we take it as it comes, but Jeremy and I make a great team with her. He's so helpful with getting her up and ready for me to feed, or changing her, or getting her swaddled back to sleep.
She's been doing great with breastfeeding, too. Something I was a little worried about, hoping it would work for us. And it definitely does. It's crazy how much I realize she needs me. I mean obviously she needs her parents, but with breastfeeding you feel such an important task and bond. I'm going to start pumping tomorrow...for one, because I have a "spa day" on Saturday. Jeremy surprised me with this...a massage and mani/pedi. Soooo looking forward to it. And to just simply get out of the house. So he'll need to be able to feed her when I'm gone. And for two, because the nurses recommended waiting two weeks to start pumping so Ashlynn gets used to me versus right away to a bottle nipple or pacifier. Hopefully it helps keep our nursing sessions good. And this way, daddy can feed her, too :)
We've had so many wonderful visitors lately, too. First, my mom came down Friday night and stayed with us until Tuesday evening. How awesome it was to have her here! She helped us with meals (okay, who am I kidding...she freaking had all of our meals prepared for us and then some), cleaning, laundry, etc., and of course got some good grandma time in. Jer and I are so thankful she could be here to help us out, and I know Ashlynn loved it, too. We've had other visitors, too...my brother John, Christi/Steve/Caleb/Natalie, Jess, the girls (Rach, Erin, Bibs brought dinner and wine down Monday night and Christy stopped by, too), Heather and Luke, Cherrie and Ritchie, Mom and Dad Wolff and other family and friends. We're overwhelmed with all the love and support we have as parents and that our little girl has, too.
Uncle John
Handing out with Grandma Nan
Girl time (though Ashlynn isn't really showing that she's enjoying herself, I promise she loved every minute with the gang)
Ashlynn seems to be growing/changing every day already. She's doing great with holding her head up, gives us smiles and is already becoming more alert and awake/content when she gets up before a feeding. I'm sure this time will go fast, so we're cherishing every moment. Even the sleepless ones :)
