This photo summarize the last few days.
I have spent WAY more time snugged up nursing this baby than any other activity.
She loves, loves, loves to snuggle up with mom.
Unfortunately, despite aaaaaalllllll the time she has spent nursing, she is not gaining weight very quickly. She likes to snuggle more than drink. So, I am now picking on her while she is nursing, trying to keep her more alert and focused. I am not overly concerned as she is certainly alert, rather than lethargic; she is satisfied and serene after eating, and she wakes herself to eat often - but I am also very aware that this little peanut needs to eat, eat, eat!
Mataya is sleeping really great at night.
She is asleep by 11 and wakes once to nurse over night before waking for the day at 5:30.
Then she spends most of the next 3 hours nursing, cluster feeding to make up for her big sleep.
She also nurses for about 3 hours straight before she goes to bed.
During the day she eats at least every 2 hours.
I have not sat this much in many, many years! And I have never watched this much TV!
Thankfully, I am enjoying it. Once in a while I get antsy, but I quickly remind myself that very,very soon this phase will be over. I best enjoy the quiet serene moments while they last.
.
The only responsibility I have right now - other than caring for baby and regular family/household things - is the book work I do for Chad's business. I am thankful that I can office from home easily.
We continue to be very spoiled - most errands have been taken care of by Daddy, Grandma and Grandpa, or Krissy. Last week I enlisted Sharlene to find a couple of pairs of socks that would stay on Mataya's teeny-tiny feet. Sharlene, in typical Sharlene-fashion, purchased about 30 pairs of baby socks. So, baby girl is now a sock diva. I am so very thankful for my friends and family.
We have also been shocked, awed, and very surprised by many thoughtful baby gifts.
Meals have been delivered. Flowers and fruit bouquets have caught us by surprise. And sweet thoughtful baby gifts continue to arrive. It is all much more than we ever would expect.
We have ventured out a couple of times - once to the shop to retrieve mail and once to go through the bank drive-up - but home is our favorite! Mataya is NOT a fan of her car seat! And as often as she eats, leaving is tricky anyway.
Miss Mataya does best when held. . . but she does take a quick nap in her bouncy chair while I shower each morning.
So routines are slowly developing.
I have this thing about knowing my kids. Though I carried her under my heart for 40 weeks, I needed time to know Mataya. This last week of discovering her has been such a blessing. While she changes daily, I am starting to know her cries and cues. I am starting to be able to anticipate her needs. That makes my heart sigh. It also makes me feel more capable as her momma!
Mataya is a funny combo of demanding and serene.
She demands to eat with her little "birdy mouth" rooting like crazy all the time.
She demands to be held a lot - waking soon after being laid down during the day.
(Neither of these things stress me out - I "wore" her for 49 weeks. It does not surprise me or upset me that she still feels safest when snuggled near my heart. I also know that like it or not, constant feedings are part of being less than a month old.)
She is serene in that even when upset, she quiets quickly. We have yet to hear her "red line." She complains, but does not totally lose it.
She loves to have her hair washed.
She hates the hiccups.
She loves to be warm - she is often double swaddled.
She does not like to have her chest and tummy rubbed.
She loves to have her scalp, feet, and hands massaged.
She loves white noise like the dryer and vacuum.
My favorite baby story from last week came from Joshua.
On Sunday, I let him have his neighbor-buddy over to play. When the boys came into the house I heard Joshua ask his friend, "You want to see something really cute?"
His buddy asked if we got a new puppy or kitty?
Joshua responded, "Nope! I got something WAY cuter than that! I got a baby sister!"
Sigh.
I have rarely been more content than I am right now.
I know moments like this are fleeting,
so I am focusing on savoring this time.
Thank you Jesus for moments like these.
