February 14 & 15, 2012

Olivia & I had a roller coaster Valentine's Day. It started out very nicely, by Skyping with Nana. She got to see Olivia's morning calisthenics routine in the pack 'n play. I tried out my pajama-gram onesie from Adam. It is very warm. I couldn't wear it for a long time, but that means it will definitely keep me warm on those really cold nights. The pajamas that came for Olivia are much to big for her right now. When Adam asked me "What size should someone get for Olivia if they wanted to get her something?" I didn't catch that he meant from him and right now. But at the rate that she's growing, it won't be long until they do fit!

Olivia had definitely outgrown her size one diapers. I knew it was going to happen soon. I only bought a small package when we were at the store last time and I'm glad I did. I got in touch with my friend Tiffany, who had her baby Roger ('Dodge') in January, to see if she could use them. Luckily he had just grown into size ones, so we packed the extras up to drop off at her house. Thank goodness so many people gave us diapers, we already have a little stash of size twos.

I put Olivia in a cute Valentine outfit - a Strawberry Shortcake onesie and some sweet red pants with a heart on the leg.  She promptly threw up all over it and me. Poor baby, I don't think she felt well all day. We changed into a onesie with hearts and pink pants with a ruffly butt. Her diaper exploded all over her outfit, down her leg, and all over me - while we were at Tiffany's delivering the diapers. On to outfit number three! Thank goodness I had already restocked our diaper bag with larger diapers and another 'emergency' outfit.

From there we went to the health food store to pick up some Mother's Milk tea. I've been getting a little worried/nervous about my milk supply. Since our new routine puts Olivia to bed by around 10, she really wants to cluster feed between about 7pm and 9pm. I find that I don't have a lot of milk in the evenings. (Or maybe the feeding preceded the new bedtime - the chicken & the egg?) She cries and cries. I don't know if it's just her crying to settle down, or if she's upset because she's not getting the milk she wants. She certainly sleeps well, so she must be getting something but I'm worried anyway. I don't feel as full as usual. I want to give this tea a try. It was recommended by the Maternity Unit nurses and by several others, so we'll see!

Since I was covered in milk, drool, poop & vomit...I decided I deserved a treat and got myself some Wendy's for lunch. Then we went home. I fed my crying baby, and got online. I found some sad news waiting there. A friend's younger brother, who was an Iraqi war veteran, died unexpectedly. It made me so sad for my friend and struck close to home. I didn't feel much like writing after that. Fortunately, Top Hat was on television. There's nothing like a little lighthearted Fred & Ginger to cheer you. Later in the evening, Olivia & I went over to the Abels' house to exchange Valentines. It was very nice.

Olivia & I came home and cuddled and went to bed early. There were amazing Northern Lights outside (and they were out until 5:30am!) to give us sweet dreams, but the best antidote to a heavy heart was to hold Olivia close.

Wednesday was a good day. It had a rocky start - poor Olivia seemed to still be feeling some of whatever had bothered her the day before & I wasn't quite as cheerful - but it soon got better. Olivia seems to be at a point where she wants to be entertained more. It's so wonderful to see her looking around and wanting to interact with her environment. However, it means she wants to be held & carried around and presented with things...which means less opportunities for cleaning. Today I really felt like the house was 'getting away from me' and I'm sure part of that is because Natalie will be arriving on Friday and I want it to be nice for her.

Just as I was starting to feel a little frustrated - and I know that's not fair to Olivia - Jessica Abel came over to bring me Sarah's car seat and some lunch. She helped play with Olivia for a little bit and I got to eat something and the company cheered me up. We gave Olivia a bath and she made such lovely cooing noises and played with her ducky. I tried to dress her in some of her leggings from Nana, but they were too tight! Olivia looked like an overstuffed sausage. Two more pieces for the too-small box.


After Jessica left, Olivia sat in her vibrating chair and looked at the Christmas tree until she fell asleep. I was able to get a lot of chores finished. It was as though Olivia knew exactly what I had been worried about and she obliged me by sleeping. I woke her to eat around 1:30pm and then she napped for about another five hours! I was almost worried. She slept through being put in the car seat, picking up Sarah from daycare, going to the gas station, coming home, Sarah & I playing and then all of us (Jessica too) eating dinner. Such a sleepy baby!

She nursed and then we played a little before going upstairs around 9pm. We were in bed by 10!