Sat June 4 - slow start and a late night

Today we had a nice relaxing start to the day. Mommy said that Uncle Mike, Auntie Helene and RyRy are going to come over again today. Plus, Grandpopi and Auntie Marie were coming over too for the BBQ but everyone wouldn't be over until the afternoon.

We spent the morning relaxing and I had some tummy time with Daddy. Mommy rested and tried to clean up the house a little.

Around 2 or so, Uncle Mike, Auntie Helene and RyRy showed up. Uncle Mike spent the morning playing tennis with Grandpopi. Poor Auntie Helene must have been so bored watching / waiting for them to be done!!

Uncle Mike and Grandpopi got started on installing my ceiling fan today! Mommy was so excited. She's worried that i'll be too hot when I finally start sleeping in there and didn't want the AC's blowing on me. She's afraid of the allergens that may be in there and then all blowing on me. Uncle Mike and Grandpopi (once he arrived) looked at the fan and made a list of all the tools / supplies that they'll need to install it. Then they were off to Home Depot. Mommy says that this will be a store that I'll be come quite familiar with. I decided to stay home with the ladies and finish eating my lunch.

Auntie Helene made Mommy a yummy fruit smoothie that she drank while I was nursing. It had raspberries, cherries, lemon juice, fruit punch, watermelon in it. Mommy said it was really refreshing.

Auntie Lexa came over too. She drove herself in her new car. She bought a green Prius. I'm happy that she got a hybrid car because it's better for the environment.

Daddy was outside all day working on my garden. It's going to look really nice!

After a little while, Uncle Mike and Grandpopi came back from Home Depot with the supplies. Then they got to work! Uncle Mike ventured up into the attic where it was apparently a million degrees. He wore a mask so he wouldn't breath in the cellulose (Mommy says that's the insulation). Uncle Mike and Grandpopi worked all day on the ceiling fan and wiring. I was busy sleeping, pooping and being held. Lita came over too and she brought a 1 year birthday present for RyRy. He opened it and had lots of fun playing with the bow! Lita got him a drum that lights up and plays music. It looks like fun. He really liked playing with that.

While Daddy was outside, one of Mommy's old work friends, Scott, came over to say hello. He was over at our neighbors house for a BBQ and asked if he could stop by. Daddy said ok because he didn't know that Mommy was breast feeding me!

Around 8:30pm, Mumsie started cooking the hamburgers and steaks. Mommy and Daddy took me to the Sanborn's house (our neighbors) so that Mommy's old work friends could oooh and ahhh over me. I was bundled all tight because it was chilly out and put on my knit bear hat. I looked freaking cute. Daddy carried me over to the Sanborn's house. Everyone was so excited to see me! I definitely got a ton of oooohs and ahhhhhs; they all thought I was soooooo cute! Le duh. apparently these people didn't get the memo and/or haven't been on facebook to see all of my totally cute pictures! sheesh. Daddy played with their dogs while Mommy held me. Mommy's friends were still in awe that she was a Mom now! I don't know why they were in such awe... she's been a Mom as long as I've known her. I guess they don't know her as well as I do! it started to get really cold and windy and the fire pit was blowing smoke everywhere so Mommy and Daddy decided it was time for me to go on home.

When Mommy and Daddy got back home, dinner was ready! Now it was time to get everyone washed up and making their plates. I was still sound asleep so Mommy placed me in my bassinet. After Mommy and Daddy had their dinner, they got up and sat on the couch with me. Daddy was working in the garden all day and he said he needed some Emma time. Mommy was a little people'd out so she just wanted some rest and to snuggle with us.

After everyone left, Mommy fed me and then put me down for the night.

Friday June 3 - More family visitors come a'calling

Today was going to be a big day! I was going to meet my cousin RyRy (Ryan), Uncle Mike and Auntie Helene. RyRy and I have the same birthday! How neat is that.

Mom and Dad wanted to make sure I was spiffy looking so today I got my first real bath since the hospital! (Mom and Dad have been totally slacking on the bath department. But, I'm not really dirty since I'm not out mowing the lawn or anything. Plus they make sure to really wash my tush and my face so I'm not all sticky and gross). Mom had the great idea to heat up some towels for me so I wouldn't be cold as they washed me. I tell ya, this is the life. I had 2 heated towels, Dad's finger in my mouth and warm water on my body. I was one happy girl. I may have even peed a little during my bath, but don't tell Mom. Although, Dad says that if I did pee during my bath, that i'm just like Mommy. Like mother like daughter i guess.. but that's too much info and I doubt she'd like me sharing that.

So, I was all bathed when they arrived. Mom was excited to show me off so she didn't get me dressed right away. Uncle Mike stole me from Mommy immediately! Mom held RyRy and he kept trying to touch me. I thought it'd be ok for him to give me a little pat but Mom said that I was too little for RyRy to touch me and that I could get sick if he had any germs on him. I was tired so I didn't press the subject.

After a few minutes, Mom took me to go get dressed. She put me in one of the purple outfits that her friend Melissa gave me. It was really really soft and I looked pretty darn cute in it.

Then Uncle Mike left to go to the chiropractor and Mom and Auntie Helene put me in my pink papallon bed so I could rest a little. Daddy was outside busy making me a garden in the front of the house. He said he's going to call it Emma's Garden and he's going to plant various butterfly plants and other really pretty flowers. I'm excited. He said he's even going to make a sign! this way, everyone will know it's my garden. I'm a lucky girl

Once we came back inside, Mom put me in my bassinet so I could sleep. She even put on Nana's elephant blanket on top of the bassinet so I wouldn't get cold.

Auntie Helene held me a lot and cousin RyRy kept getting nervous if I made any sort of crying sounds. Auntie Helene made Mom a salad and some sausage for lunch. Auntie Helene held me a little bit after lunch and then Mumsie and Uncle Mike came back. They brought some Thai Food back with them.

Grandpopi called and invited Mom, Dad and I to dinner at their house in Briarcliff Manor, NY. Mom and Dad really wanted to go but decided it would be best for us to stay home because I'm still so little and it'd be really hard since I'm not on any sort of schedule yet. Plus, Mom was so tired, she'd probably sleep the entire time anyway! Grandpopi said he understood and Mom invited everyone to come to our house tomorrow for a BBQ. Grandpopi said that sounded like a good idea. It was a date!

Thursday June 2 - I'm 1 week old!!!

We all slept really well last night and at 12:35am Mom wished me a happy one week birthday and even posted it as her status on Facebook. I smiled and then went back to sleep.

Mom had to get up early to go to the dr. to have them check out her swollen feet / legs. She decided to leave me at home with Dad so we could both sleep. She wanted to make sure that it wasn't a blood clot. She met with Dr. Sivak and he said that it was not a blood clot. however, he wanted to have her do some blood tests to check her various levels and to make sure she didn't have eclampsia. She was so glad that she didn't have me come with her because the people in the waiting room for the blood testing were coughing up a storm. ga-ross.

After the drs, Mom came back home and woke me up. Dad was already up and was relaxing a bit.

Mumsie came over and we hung out in bed for a while. It was such a beautiful day that we decided to go outside and do some tummy time. Mom put me on a really thick blanket that she and Mumsie made me. It's really soft and has doggy paw prints and bones on it. Mom put me on the blanket and while tummy time seemed like a good activity at the moment, i wasn't too happy about it.

Mom and Mumsie gave me a little more of the breast milk supplement so I was getting really sleepy. Mumsie carried me back towards the house and then let me have a couple of minutes of sun exposure. I really like the warmth of the sun and the really soft breeze tickled my tummy.

Mom's friend, Melissa, from her old job swung by after work and she brought presents! I love presents. She bought me two really cute light weight outfits; one is a purple jumper with little polka dots and the other is a white jumper (little longer) with an Indian kinda motif with brown and purple designs. Really pretty. Mom and Dad really liked it too.

After a while, Melissa left and Mom and Dad got ready for the rest of the night.

Weds June 1 - Yet another trip to the Drs.

Woke up this morning after a very restful sleep. I only got up once in the middle of the night to eat. Mom and Dad were really happy!

Unfortunately, I also woke up with some crusties around my right eye. Mom thought perhaps i had some dried up milk around my eye so she rinsed it off . Mom fed me and burped me. When she went to feed me on the other side, she noticed that my umbilical cord fell off. She called Dad over and they took some photos of the gross dried up cord. They are SO weird sometimes. Mom was a little sad that I was growing up already. I tried to tell her that I wasn't even 1 week old yet and to calm down. She still felt a little sad. She bucked up and we continued on our day.

Today was my second, yes that's right, my second newborn photo shoot. This time Jay Flemming did the photos. He was the photographer at Mom and Dad's wedding. Mom and Dad got me naked again even though i was all nice and warm and cuddly. Then as Dad was bringing me to the leather ottoman for my first pose, I peed all over him. Mom laughed and laughed and reached for a towel. Just as she brought the towel to my tushy, I unleashed real fury on them. I pooped everywhere. ha ha. Jay said thanks for doing that before the photo. My pleasure Jay. my pleasure.

I was a little cranky from being naked and being jostled about when i was trying to sleep. So Mom and Dad gave me some more breast milk supplement (feeding me through the syringe). I had about 2 syringes full of milk and then was passed out. After that, Mom, Dad and Jay posed me in various positions with baskets, the two tutus again. One of my favorite poses (even though i was sleeping) was when Dad held me with my head in his hands and my body in his arms. He has strong hands and I fit in them nicely.

We did some photos in my bedroom too which were really nice. Mom found some really super soft white blankets and they placed me on them with my tush in the air (folded the blankets up). Then they took some pics with the bear/monkey hat, a huge flower bow and other toys/props. They even did one with the booties that Auntie Marie made me.

It was time for our last few photos. Jay wanted to take some pics with Mom and I. She blew dry her hair and slapped on some makeup real quick. Then she came into the living and sat down on the brown leather ottoman. Jay had her put me on her chest with my head over her shoulder. We took a couple of pics like that and then Mom shifted me up a little. I was so nice and comfy and i didn't mean for what happened next to happen. I pooped all over Mom. Her arm, shirt and pants. Jay took some more photos and Dad was cracking up. Mom thought it was funny too. I'm glad she wasn't mad.

After the shoot, Mom got changed and Dad cleaned me up and put me in a new diaper. (He's so good at that! he's a champ at changing me and swaddling me)

As Dad was changing me, he noticed that my eye was super goopy again. He told Mom and she called the pediatrician's office. We made an appt for 1:20pm and they spent the rest of the time researching what goopy eyes on newborns could mean. Mom really needs to stop doing that because she gets herself all freaked out!

We got to the Drs office and they weighed me again and took my temperature. I don't know if you know this, but Drs like to take your temperature through your butt! how strange is that? Wackadoo doctors... I got my revenge again on them though.. I pooped and peed on the scale. Take that scale! I think that this will be a recurring theme for sure. I weighed 6 lbs 8.09 ounces so Mom and Dad were happy that I was still gaining weight.

The Dr. came in and examined my eye. Mom also had her look at my cordless belly button and at the scabs on my head. The Dr. said that it was ok that my cord fell off but that she would suggest doing some silver nitrate on it to really help dry it out so it wouldn't get infected. Mom said that worked for her. The Dr. also prescribed some eye drops for my goopy eye that they have to put in my eye 4x/day for a week! Mom asked what they should look for for possible infection and to bring me back in. The dr. said if it were red, puffy that I should come back in immediately. The dr. thinks that it's a blocked tear duct vs. an infection, but to be on the safe side since i was a newborn, that drops would be best. Mom was fine with that too.

The Dr. wasn't sure why i have the scabs on the back of my head since there wasn't any trauma at birth (no forceps or vacuum) but that they were fine. If blisters or something popped up, then Mom and Dad would need to bring me back in. I was glad that Mom and Dad were being so thorough at the dr.'s office and finding out everything that they should look out for. The dr. was very patient about it too.

After all the excitement of the day, we headed back home after we picked up my drops at CVS. We relaxed at home for a while and then Mumsie and Lita came over so we could celebrate Lita's birthday. I got her a box of chocolates at CVS. I hope she likes them. I don't know her very well just yet, but i know that for all the other holidays everyone seems to get her chocolate.

Musmie made steaks and Lita made a salad. Mom worked on feeding me. Mumsie fed Mom dinner and Mom fed me dinner. It was probably a very funny thing to watch. My eyes were closed because I was concentrating on eating.

Mumsie got a super yummy looking ice cream cake but I still couldn't have any! I'm still not big enough. boooo

After presents and cards, it was time for everyone to go.

My second weigh in - Tuesday May 31

Today was the moment of truth. Mom and Dad were both really nervous about my making weight because I had a hard time feeding every two hours. Mom thought about weighing my diaper down with quarters but luckily she remembered that they strip me down naked... I don't even want to think how she'd weight me down with quarters without the diaper. (shudder) :-D (just kidding Mom, i know you wouldn't ever do that)

Anyway, I digress. Mom dressed me in a really cute green outfit; pants and a top. It was nice and light weight so I wasn't too sweaty wearing it. I was strapped back into my car seat and we headed off to the doctor for the second day in a row. I'm starting to get this whole riding in the car thing down. I get dressed super cute, get put into the car seat, get carried to the car, strapped in and then promptly fall asleep. This is the life i tell ya.

We arrived at the Dr. office and the lactation consultant, BJ, brought us back in to the lactation / baby room for the moment of truth. Mom undressed me and got me all good and nakey. Then they placed me back on that cold scale. I had gained 1.5oz! YAY FOR PROGRESS! Mom and Dad were both totally relieved.

After that we rushed back home at a turtle's pace to get ready for my newborn photo shoot with Kelli Dease. Mom fed me a little before Kelli arrived and got me nakey (down to my diaper). Kelli brought lots of interesting props and Mom had bought me some awesome tutu's and a monkey/bear knit hat! I was such a great learner and slept throughout the 2 hour shoot. Both Kelli and Mom were amazed that I slept so well, especially since i was being moved about a lot and had various costume changes.

After Kelli packed up, she said that we should see some proofs in about 2 weeks. I know I can't wait to see how i look! (although i already know i'm stinking cute)

The rest of the day we spent just kinda hanging out. Mom and I took a little nap together, I was fed a lot and changed even more.

Once it got a bit cooler outside, I decided to take Mom and Dad for a little walk. Mom dressed me in a cute pink tank top and pink/white gingham boxer shorts. the shorts were way to big, but we left them on bc i needed something lightweight.

We walked down to the Harbor Shores Beach / Boat area. I heard a bunch of dogs running around, but that was about it. We then walked around the block and back home. After that Dad made Mom sit down and he brought her over some left over dinner and a nice cold Dos Equis Beer (thanks Brad and Nina) Mom and Dad put me in my little pink chair and draped Auntie Marie's sheep quilt that she made for me on top. It's really pretty! I am so lucky to have so many crafty people in my family

today is Lita's birthday! we are going to celebrate it tomorrow though.

After everyone had been fed / watered, it was time for bed again.

Memorial day / Gavin's Birthday

Today it was my first trip to the pediatrician's office! Mom had a breast feeding consultation and of course i was needed!

Mom dressed me in a green and pink onesie with a sunglass wearing hippo on it. I thought i looked rather cute even though i can't really see colors yet. Mom and Dad said I was super cute, but they're totally biased. I got loaded up into my car seat and back in the car for my second car trip ever.

Dad drove slower than slow to the Dr.'s office and yelled at everyone who got to close to the car or who was going too fast near us. Mom didn't notice because she was busy holding my head up. I kept trying to lay it down to the right, but she thought that might hurt me. I was tired so I let it go.

We got to the Dr's office in one piece and we were ushered to the new baby check in. A few minutes later we were in the lactation room. Next thing I know, Mom is taking my clothes off so that i can be weighed. This was NOT part of the deal and I was not happy about it. Soon I would have my revenge. I was put on the weigh scale and I unleashed my fury... well, i peed on the scale. But still, at least now they knew I was ticked off.

My weight came in at 6 lb 6 oz. I had lost 10% of my birth weight so Mom is going to need to pump after I eat so that I can be fed with the extra milk after I eat. The consultant said that I would also need to eat every 2 hours instead of every 3. I know Mom was thinking "ouch"

After Mom and Dad were told this lovely news, it was time for mom and I to get our first real one-on-one lesson together. Mom sat in the gliding chair and strapped on one of those feeding pillows. I'll spare the rest of the details, but after wards my tummy was full! I was weighted again, then fed on the other side. Mom was given some good pointers and I just hope that the two of us can remember them all.

after our lesson, we went home to get ready to go to Nana's house. We were going to celebrate my cousin Gavin's birthday but first i had to be fed and changed.

We hopped back into the car and drove to Nana's house. I was excited to meet my Auntie Wendy, Uncle Ken, Derick and my three cousins; Lliahnnon, Gavin and Ryan. Once we arrived, Dad carried me to where everyone was sitting and my Auntie Wendy wanted to hold me immediately. It was nice to finally meet them all. Of course, they thought i was super cute too.

Auntie Wendy made me a beautiful quilt! It was hand cross stitched and it's super girly! It has a princess, a castle, a frog and a butterfly on it. It is so beautiful! She even signed my name in the back! so cool.

After a little while, Mom had to take me to the car to be fed and to pump. I could tell Mom wasn't feeling very well because she had to hold onto Dad in order to go down the little hill to the car. I wasn't very hungry seeing as how I had just eaten not that long ago at home. Mom was starting to stress out because the doctor told her i had to eat every 2 hours. Mom and Dad tried to wake me but i was sound asleep. After a little while, they decided to try to feed me again in half an hour. We headed back to join the party. Dad had some lunch and some watermelon ice cream. Mom wasn't feeling very well so she wasn't hungry. I had a sneaky suspicion that she hadn't taken her pain meds all day. After hanging out with Auntie Wendy again for a little while, i had to be changed. Mom and Dad took me back to the car so Auntie Wendy could change me. Once I was changed, we all sat in the front of the car with the AC on so that I could cool off and wake up. Mom started to feel really bad and started crying. I think she was really stressed out that I would eat (hey, it's hard to eat if you're full and sleepy!) and she was in a lot of pain. Dad took me to go say bye to everyone and Mom stayed in the car. I was sad to leave everyone but it was time to get Mom home to take care of her!

Once we got home, Dad made Mom take her pain meds and we sat her down to try and relax. It was then time to feed me again. I tried to not suck so hard because I know it's still painful for her.

Dad tried to put both of us girls to bed early so we could rest.

Sunday May 29 - Picnic Day

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We survived the first night home alone! I was cluster feeding again so none of us really got any rest. Mom and Dad tried to use the sound machine, swaddling and every other trick in the book. I finally fell asleep in Mom's arms after eating from about 10pm - 4am. While it was another busy night of cluster feeding, I know that it's the right thing to do.

Today was going to be an exciting day because my Grandpopi, Auntie Marie, and my two cousins, Olivia and Lexa were coming over for an Emma Picnic! I heard someone say something about Memorial Day weekend, but let's be honest. it's all about me!

It was a beautiful day for a picnic. Grandpopi, Auntie Marie and the girls brought in tons of food and had created this really nice spread while Mom was taking a shower. Grandpopi also brought in an ice cream cake but it was top secret and we couldn't peack at it.

Dad heard the crowd show up and mom quickly dried me. Then Grandpopi came in to see if it were ok for the girls to come in and watch me get changed / dressed. Mom said that she didn't care and so the girls came on in. They cooed over me and said that i was so small. I was squirming around because I just wanted to be held. i was tired of laying down. Mom finished changing me and then Mom put me in a pretty white little dress and my pink pearl bracelet from Mumsie (aka my bling)

Grandpopi made burgers and hot dogs. Mom had a hamburger, some salad and a much needed / wanted red glass of wine. Grandpopi had brought a nice bottle of red and Mom really enjoyed it. I was happy that she was relaxing a little. She has been really tired lately for some reason and still in some pain. I think Dad had like 3 hamburgers... and he calls me a big eater! ha

Grandpopi brought Mom an ice cream cake. It looked really yummy but I couldn't have any because apparently "i'm too little still". blah. It looked really good. i can't wait until i'm big enough to have some! Maybe next week i'll be big enough.

Mumsie came over too and mowed Mom and Dad's front lawn. Then she mowed half of the backyard. She couldn't do the other half because that's where everyone was eating.

I went inside after a little while because the bugs thought I was too sweet. I took a little nap and then Mom fed me again. After i was done eating, dad held me near some fans because it was so hot! It was nice to cuddle with him and the cool air. ahhhh!

Too soon it was time for everyone to go. I'd say it was a pretty successful party!

Later on, Mom and Dad took me on a little walk to see Brad and Nina. Dad carried me over to Nina and Brad's and Mom kinda shuffled along. I took a nice long nap at Brad and Nina's house and a little while later we went back home and got into bed. It's time for another night of cluster feeding.

G'night!