Two Weeks Under Our Belts as a Family of Four

It's been two weeks since Ollie was born. Here's how the family is doing:















Ollie
Our little Oliver is a snuggly, sweet-smelling bundle!! I could just eat him up!! He's awake a little bit more during the days and waking about twice a night to eat. He's figuring out how to latch on well every time. He's still a sleepy nurser, but we continue to work on that (and now that I'm not taking codeine anymore, we expect that to improve even more). He's eating very well; lots of swallowing, plenty of wet diapers, and at least three poopie diapers a day...all good signs. His umbilical cord fell off two days ago and it looks like he'll have an "innie." We have to keep socks on his hands so he doesn't scratch his face. He is a content little guy, only really crying when he's hungry or wet and quickly consolable.














Merrit
Merrit seems to be very balanced about all the transition going on here at home. He's neither infatuated with the baby, nor does he totally ignore him. Sometimes he wants to hug and kiss Ollie, or hold him. Other times, he's just as happy to go do a puzzle or color in a coloring book. I think having extra attention from Nanny, Papa, and Gramma B over the last two weeks has been helpful. Also, he's still going to preschool five mornings a week--which he loves!--and it's been good for his routine to be consistent, I think. Merrit has such a special relationship with his Dad and I think that that has been a huge reason that there doesn't seem to be any jealousy...if Merrit were more "clingy" to me, I could see that my time spent with Roo would come across as more threatening and that Merrit might be more prone to envy. Once again, Dad saves the day!!














Mom
As I mentioned, I'm not taking codeine anymore. With just regular-strength Tylenol alternated with 600mg Motrin, I'm able to manage my c-section pain. On Wednesday, the doc said my incision looks good. My flexibility and mobility (bending over, getting in and out of bed, etc.) are getting better every day. I think that first of next week, I'm going to start back with light walking and light yoga. As of today, I can drive and take the stairs again. I'm still not supposed to lift anything heavier than the baby. I've lost 16 pounds, which feels great! Breastfeeding is going very well...there have been a few tough moments but they're quickly resolved by the thought that "Anything Is Easier Than Pumping!" (which I did for 13 months for Merrit). I'm loving the baby sling (Ollie likes it too). So many friends have called, emailed, and come by to say congratulations and to offer help. I feel so incredibly blessed!!


















Dad
Mike has been out of work for two weeks now. That means that he has two more weeks of being completely off, followed by five weeks of three-day work weeks. We are so blessed by his company's paternity leave program. It's been great to have him around the house so much. He's been spending a lot of time with Merrit, playing guitar, kicking back with some video games, doing dishes and changing diapers (whatta guy!), and being supportive for me (bringing me a glass of water when I'm nursing, making sure I'm taking my medicine, stuff like that). We're both sleeping a little better now than we were two weeks ago, which is a good thing.

I think, all in all, we're adjusting pretty well to being a family of four.