8 weeks old and you are growing and getting stronger every single day miss Natalie Grace. We are still breastfeeding. You and I are getting the hang of it. Some days are tough on me because you seem to want to eat every hour and Brynn gets frustrated because she needs me too. I know you are going through a growth spurt during these periods and it will pass. You are still waking a couple times during the night to feed. You go back to sleep pretty quickly. I have remained dairy free and we believe it is helping you. It is a sacrifice, but I am happy to do it because these are precious moments I am getting with you.
We ended up in the hospital again this month. I must say that I knew something wasn't right with my incision a couple weeks ago. They placed me on oral antibiotics (2 rounds) to do at home and apparently that didn't do the trick. I woke up one day with my stomach feeling funny and it was red and swollen. I ended up the doctor's office the next morning and they quickly sent me on my way to the hospital to receive IV antibiotics. I wasn't going without you though. The doctors and nurses were really supportive about you staying with me so that we could continue breastfeeding. We had worked so hard at it, I wasn't going to let anything mess it up. I was really sick and it was no fun at all being separated from Brynn. Pop pop,Rae Rae, and Nana all came to help us out during this time. Dada stayed some nights and then others Rae Rae stayed. I was in there almost a week so it got to be hard especially with dada having to still go into work. We made it through it and honestly having you there with me is what pulled me through. You kept me going and kept me busy when I could have easily gotten extremely down. Don't get me wrong, there were certainly moments of frustration and being upset. I missed Brynn dearly and just being at home as a family.
While I was in the hospital, Dada received an opportunity to take a promotion in Greenville SC. I remember a couple days after we came home it officially accepted it. Things started to move quickly and we were set to move up to Greenville, SC October 10th. He started October 13th. With the help of family we took what we needed up here and got settled into an apartment provided by the company. Another adjustment. It has been pretty stressful, but God has always provided and proven that He's got this! God is faithful and has shown us that time and time again. We have truly been given a blessing and we are trying to work things out with the sell of our home in Surfside and finding a home here. You and Brynn are troopers! You adjust pretty well to everything thrown at you.
At 11 weeks, you and Brynn stayed a whole weekend at Nana and Papa Lew's. How about that? Dada and I had to go down to Surfside to take care of a few things. We were so sad to leave both of you, but you did really well. Nana and Papa Lew surely enjoyed having you both there. It gave Dada and I a chance to spend some quality time together and get some rest. After all that we have been dealt the past 2 months, it was much needed. We couldn't wait to get back to see you guys on Sunday.
Some disappointing news this month - I had to accept that you just were not tolerating my breast milk no matter how I changed my diet. Nothing was working and you often pulled away from me and cried a lot. With all the stress going on this month, I just couldn't take one more thing wearing on this mama's heart. With a lot of prayer and acceptance, we switched you to a hypoallergenic dairy free formula called Similac Alimentum. Boy is it expensive, but in our eyes it has been worth every penny to watch you be CONTENT and HAPPY. I hope you know that I tried with all my might to make breastfeeding work. We did it for 12 weeks and it was amazing. Every precious and close moment with you has been something special and I will never forget breastfeeding with you. It brings tears to my eyes knowing that we had to stop. The difference it has made in how you act brings me comfort.
Things you love::
You love your bouncer seat. I think the vibrations make your tummy feel better.
You sometimes enjoy your paci
We discovered you did not like your bassinet to sleep in so we quickly switched to the pack in play and that seems to working out great
You love to lay on your play mat - Brynn sits there with you and moves the toys and presses buttons to make music
You enjoy snuggling
You LOVE bath time! You have loved it from the start (another opposite from Brynn). It is certainly soothing to you. I give Brynn and you a bath at the same time now to save time on our bedtime routines. Brynn loves having you in the tub with her. She loves to pat your tummy, rub your head, and place objects on your head.
You LOVE car rides (unless you are hungry). Riding in the car makes you fall asleep almost instantly.
You do not like::
to be swaddled at first but then you get used to it
being gassy
sitting in a wet or poopy diaper
being hungry
to be left alone to long in your bouncer ( you are certainly enjoying more interaction these days)
to be hit in the head (yes this has happened several times by your big sister Brynn. All accidents of course. She accidentally dropped the ipad on your head this month. You were totally fine after the initial shock. She felt bad I promise and gave you a kiss).
You are generally a happy baby. You have even started to smile with your eyes open this month! I've caught a few of them on camera! That is one of my favorites- watching you smile! I think my favorite times are getting in some snuggle time while Brynn naps. You usually fall asleep in my arms and I love to smell your breath! Weird I know, but there is just something about baby breath. Don't worry, I used to do the same thing to Brynn. I could lay there and watch you sleep forever. Then the best part comes when I know you are in a deep sleep...that beautiful smile or grin.
I love you with all my heart.
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