Got milk? Got sleep?

Our first 24 hours with the baby, while we were still in the hospital, were exhausting. Yes, we were excited and relieved and joyful. We had little idea what to expect. I recall most people saying that just newborns tended toward the sleepy side just out into the world. Anna, although she didn't have that name just yet, was wired like an off-duty Starbucks barista with an employee discount card. After what Lisa went through physically and I went through emotionally, we could have used a quieter night. Unfortunately, as good as the nursing care had been up to that point, we were disappointed with the nurse who was on overnight. She seemed to be in a hurry to come into and get out of the room.

We didn't know a lot about newborns, but it turns out this one has been very interested in getting about10-14 square meals a day in the first few days. That hasn't left much time for Mom to do much else. Plus, some parts need, shall we say, 'seasoning' to move beyond the sharp pain phase of breast feeding. More news to me was that breast milk doesn't immediately follow colostrum, the anti-body rich stuff that shows up right away. I think it was news to Anna, too, since she tried and tried to maintain her girlish figure of 8 lbs 7 oz, but there wasn't enough to allow for that.

Our second night in the hospital was far better since the nurse took Anna to the nursery for a couple of tasty hours of sleep. Once back home, however, we had to tag team holding Anna, since she refused to sleep while lying alone in her bassinet, Moses basket, or any other infant device short of loving arms.

Friday we visited with her new doctor, Stan Livingston (he must get sick of the 'Dr. Livingston, I presume' jokes), and he was concerned that she wasn't getting enough calories. We'd already started giving her a bit of formula to supplement till the rich breast milk arrived. Fortunately, on Friday night, Saturday and again on Sunday, we had family and friends come help us care for this rather needy young lady and to help with Lisa's recovery. Nevertheless, we were still a little anxious until breast milk arrived on Sunday. Two joyful deliveries inside of one week! Woo hoo!

After David and Gretchen's visit on Sunday, at which they agreed to be Anna's Godparents, Lisa laid Anna down and she slept for four hours. In a row! We both had to tickle her feet to make sure she was still breathing. To make matters better (you almost never hear 'better' at the end of that phrase), she only needed ONE night feeding.

So now she's cute and she's willing to do some extended sleeping. New blessing arrive every day.

(In the photo is Godfather Dave)