Keira's First Week, Part VI -- First Bath

Sometime on Sunday while we were at Six Flags, Keira's umbilical cord stub fell off. So, on Monday, when she was officially one week old, I gave her her first bath. With Eli I tried the little tub method of cleaning him, and it worked okay. But, one of my favorite Pediatricians at our practice recommended something brilliant -- take him in the bath with us. So, as I did with Eli, I took Keira in the bath with me. She was hungry when we got in the tub, so she happily nursed once we got in the tub. I'm sure that helped to alleviate any possible adverse reaction. The combination of the warm water and the nursing put her in a peaceful, heavenly zone. She was VERY unhappy when I finally handed her off to Scott after her bath to be dried off. I told him, it probably replicated the birth experience. Poor girl, and poor Daddy, I made him take some pictures of her being dried off so we had some record of her first bath.

Keira's First Week, Part V -- Six Flags

For the past two summers, we've had a season pass to Calloway Gardens. We hiked, rode bikes on their trails, and especially enjoyed Robin Lake Beach. We played in the sand and splashed in the water. This year, though, we decided spending endless hours on the beach probably wouldn't be the best idea for baby girl -- too much sand and too much sun.

Instead, this year, we decided to get season passes to Six Flags and Six Flags White Water, their water park. They apparently have some of the lowest ticket prices in years, which has worked out well for us. The initial draw to Six Flags was Thomas Town. We went on Sunday, when Keira was six days old, and Eli just lit up. I don't think I had seen him that excited since meeting his sister. And, the first week was such an emotional roller coaster that it was wonderful to see him having unbridled fun again. We felt that we had made a good decision to get season passes once we saw how much he enjoyed himself. It's something special that we can do for him and with him this summer.

The first attraction at Thomas Town is a big playground. Eli was impressed by how high the bridges and walkways were and they have huge twisty slides -- his favorites.



Eli was quite content to stay on the playground for hours, depite the fact that we hadn't even rode Thomas yet. Finally after Scott and Keira rode by themselves, I peeled Eli away from the playground and we all rode Thomas together.





The final, surprising, attraction in Thomas Town was the train table inside the gift shop. I say surprising because our local book stores all have Thomas train tables, and while Eli will occassionally play with them, they don't usually hold his attention for long. Yet, this train table had all new elements and a new layout. Eli was enthralled. He played for at least an hour, and could've played for several more.

Keira's First Week, Part IV -- Enough Love to Go Around

By far, the hardest part of this adjustment period has been trying to make certain that everyone gets enough attention. I have cried 95% or more of my postpartum tears worrying about our new family dynamic and worrying about the new big brother in our family. I just want everyone to feel loved, and no one to feel shafted. I imagine that it's so jarring to one minute be at the center of our universe, and then all the sudden have to share the spotlight. Eli has been more weepy, more demanding and possibly testing us more, too. I say possibly testing us more because he seems to have hit a new stage when he turned three, even before Keira came into the picture. He was an amazingly compliant, helpful and well-behaved two year old. So, it seems that he's decided to be a more rebellious three instead. But, it's very difficult to untangle exactly why he's behaving in a certain way. Fortunately, we are adjusting more and more each day, but Eli and his new place in the family pulls at my heart strings, even when he seems just fine.

It seems that Kodi is suffering from some jealousy issues as well. She follows us around the house, meowing a wounded meow, she tries to sleep in all the places Keira sleeps, and just like Ani did after Eli was born, she seems like she's putting on some weight. Here's a picture of Kodi trying to absorb some love. The unusual thing about this picture, is that Kodi usually has to be convinced to climb on our laps, but in this picture, and now more increasingly, she doesn't waste any time.



The amazingly good news about our growing family is that Eli continues to be a wonderful big brother. He wants to hold her, love her, sing to her, lay next to her and generally be near her at all times. Thank God!

Keira's First Week, Part III -- Thank God for Grandparents

Scott decided that, despite not wanting to, it was time to go back to work. He survived the cuts this year by the skin of his teeth, and as he has the only income, I knew he had to, too. So, on Saturday, he drove up to the North side of Atlanta and took his Science Olympiad team to the State finals. They kicked butt and came in third! I was a little terrified of my first full day with a 5 day old and an attention deprived toddler, thankfully, my mom agreed to spend the day with us.

We spent the morning playing and reading with Eli and feeding, changing and holding Keira. I even tasted a little success before Grammie arrived. I flew solo for several hours and even got a load of laundry started and did the dishes. Wow! Then, Grammie took us out to IHOP for brunch. We had a great time, but I had another realization of just what a nightmare it can be getting out of the house with two. It took several hours to get me showered and ready, feed Keira, change Keira, get Eli dressed, feed Keira again, change Keira again, etc. Then, right when we about to step out the door, it started pouring. But, I wasn't to be deterred. We were going. So, we ran out in the rain. What a mess. But, we survived. Here are some pictures of Eli and Grammie doing puzzles at IHOP while waiting for our meal. Lately, Eli is a puzzle fiend.



Later that day, Babo came over to hang the letters for Keira's name in her room. I love the way they came out, and Eli enjoyed helping Babo put them up.




We also got some of the best pictures of Keira, her eyes wide open, on Babo's lap.



Thankfully, both Grammie and Dendi came to help out for my first solo week with two. They helped immeasurably, and made my first week without Scott a lot less scary and a lot more sane.

Keira's First Week, Part II -- First Outing

On Friday morning, Keira had her first doctor's appointment. With our breastfeeding drama at the hospital, I was a little leary. Keira was born weighing 8 lb., but by the time we left the hospital she was down to 6 lb. 11 oz. I was worried that if she hadn't gained back enough weight, our pediatrician may say that she was failing to thrive and suggest supplementing as well. But, no worries, she'd actually gained back more than a pound in about a day and a half. At her doctor's appointment, she weighed 7lb. 12 oz. -- yay! I was so relieved! Everything else checked out wonderfully as well. Our pediatrician said keep up the good work.

Since we were out and about, we decided to make a day of it, sort of by accident. We went to the Chick Fil-A next to the doctor's office for lunch. After eating and letting Eli play in the play place, we packed our two babies back in the car, and they promptly fell asleep. So, we drove the long way to Newnan, to allow for their nap. Then stopped at Babies R Us for some essentials and later Barnes and Noble -- one of Eli's favorite destinations. They have a train table and loads of books -- heaven. All in all, we survived our first outing. Although, Scott and I forgot almost everything except for the babies and a few essentials. We forgot our hospital paper work, the sling and the stroller that Keira's car seat clips into. It really is quite an accomplishment getting out of the house with two kids.

Here are some pictures Scott took at Chick Fil-A of our sleepy girl, and excited boy.

Keira's First Week, Part I -- Her First Walk

We got home from the hospital on Wednesday afternoon. On Thursday, we took Eli and Keira for their maiden voyage in the double stroller. We'd actually tried it out several times before, with just Eli. But, this was the first time we filled both seats.




This picture is also from our first walk. I cut off some sweat pants, to make some comfy sweat shorts to accomodate my less than stellar post-baby body. To be silly, I put a bit of the left over material on Eli's head for a new hat. He loved it, and wore his "inside hat" under his hat that actually provides sun protection on our walk. When he pulled it down off his head, and it hung from his neck, he said it was his sling. He said Keira could ride in it if she wanted.

Our Hospital Adventure

I suffered through a month or contractions leading up to Keira's birth. Finally, on the night of Mother's Day, they were right on top of each other and getting more intense, so we headed to the hospital. When we got there we were a little worried they'd send us home, we'd had our share of false alarms. But right away they started talking epidural. When I asked, they told me they kept us because I was having regular contractions -- 3-5 minutes apart and I was five days past my due date. Thank God! When first the nurse asked me, I told her I didn't want an epidural, Scott said, "Are you kidding??? Do you remember last time?" I guess I didn't. I told him that mothers don't remember, we can't, if we did we'd never have two.

Finally, I did decide to have an epidural, mainly because I was so tired of having contractions -- a month was plenty. I was so glad that I did! Once the epidural took effect, I felt the pain fog lift, and I realized just how badly I'd been feeling. I told my Mom later that night, that I felt better than I had in a long time. I didn't have to pee (I had a catheter) and for those of you who've been pregnant you know what a relief that is at this stage. I wasn't having contractions. Furthermore, I wasn't worried about Eli -- Dendi was at our house. My Mom, Scott and I stayed in the delivery room all night, trying to rest. They told me that since my doctors weren't on call, they'd wait until morning to think about kick starting me with pitossin. I wasn't fussed, as I said I was more comfortable than I'd been in recent memory. Finally, at about seven o'clock the next morning, they put me on pitossin. They slowly increased it until about eight o'clock.

At about nine o'clock I was feeling increasing pressure, I mentioned it to the nurse, she checked me and said, "Whoa, hang on, let me get Heather." My midwife, Heather, came in and exclaimed as well. She said, "Now that's how you have a baby!" She'd only been on duty for about two hours. They prepped me and the room as quickly as they could and then on my next contraction told me to start pushing. On my second push, they told told me to slow down. Huh? Slow down? This was only my second push. But, sure enough, that's all it took. Two pushes, and I had a new baby girl. Surprisingly, she had a head full of what appeared to be black hair! Interestingly, depending on where you look, the name Keira means "black" or "black hair". Later I told my Mom that labor was an enjoyable way to spend an evening. I'd had a restful evening, then after two pushes the next morning I had a baby. Epidurals are pretty amazing. I also realized after feeling the effects of a successful epidural, that mine never really took with Eli. I had suspected as much, but having a good one confirmed it.

Here's a picture of Keira immediately after birth, showing off her head of dark hair. In this picture, her face reminds me of Eli's upset expression.


Here's a shot of Scott and I bonding with our baby girl after she got cleaned up, weighed and measured.


Very quickly after Keira was born, Dendi and Eli arrived so that he could meet his new baby sister. He's proved to be an amazing big brother, and he still loves to cuddle, hold, and "love" her. He says, "I love my baby."



Unfortunately, Keira was born with a fever of 101, so we had to stay in the hospital for 48 hours while they did a culture of her blood. All of her tests came back fine, but it was a little bit of a bummer to have to stay for an extra night. It was especially hard because I missed Eli. He actually spent both nights with us, which helped to alleviate my guilt a bit. He spent his days with his Grandmas who were wonderful to take him, and allow us a little much needed rest. The upside of staying in the hospital for so long was there was plenty of time for visits from the family. Here are some pictures of Keira with Eli, his two Grandmas, Bapa, and Aunt Seana. Uncle Jason, Auntie Andrea, and Babo came to meet Keira at the hospital too, but unfortunately I didn't have my camera for their visits.







The only other drama in the hospital centered around breastfeeding. Keira was very hungry. The first day she nursed well, but by the second day she went on a feeding strike and was actually getting mad when I tried to feed her. I remember the same thing happened with Eli. I'm not sure if I produce less colostrum than other women, or if this is normal. Two nurses continued suggesting supplementing, which made me angry. I know from reading up on the subject and talking to friends who supplemented that this is a slippery slope. The more you supplement, the less milk you make, and before you know it you aren't nursing anymore. I just couldn't believe that the nurses were pushing me so hard, if I knew about breastfeeding and supplementing, didn't they? Finally, the lactation specialist spent some quality time with me, and we got over our hump. Despite the fact that she had returned to nursing normally, one of those nurses wouldn't let me go home without formula. I never used it, and my milk came in that night. I'm still a little peeved. I guess I'm militant about my breastfeeding opinions. Thankfully, now that my milk has come in we aren't having any problems with supply. Keira often coughs while nursing, and Scott chuckled saying something about standing at the bottom of Niagara Falls trying to get a glass of water. Fortunately, our nursing future looks bright.

In closing, here's one of the funniest pictures snapped of Keira in the hospital. Dendi caught her mid-yawn. When she yawns, it's as if her face is being possessed by the yawn, she's completely taken over by it.

Keira Jeannette Moore has arrived!

Keira was born on May 11, 2009 at 9:19 a.m. She weighed 8 lbs. and measured 21 1/2 inches. We just got home from the hospital and spent our first evening at home as a family of four. We are all happy, frazzled, exhausted, overwhelmed and excited. Here are a few pics. Full story and more pics to come.

The Due Date That Came and Went

My due date was May 5, Cinco de Mayo. Unfortunately, it came and went, without labor. Mom took Eli, Scott and I out for dinner to celebrate my due date. She let me pick the restaurant since it may be a while before we go anywhere more exciting than Chick-Fil-A. I chose the Thai restaurant at the Avenue -- I've been fiending Thai food for at least a month now. It was delicious. While we were out, I had some significant contractions, but what's new? I've been having contractions daily. I have them every day, all day long. They pick up in intensity and frequency in the afternoons and peak late at night. I haven't been sleeping well, I wake up to contractions several times each night. I'm ready. But, honestly, besides the contactions I feel fine. If it weren't for the contractions I wouldn't be in a rush. Of course, I'm excited to meet her, but I wouldn't mind that she's taking her sweet time if these contractions would just stop.



While we were at the Avenue we went to Shenanigans, the toy store, to spend Eli's birthday money. For about a year now, every time we visit the toy store he plays with and loves the parking garage. Scott and I have talked about buying it, but it's expensive, so we've held off. When I told Eli that we would be going to the toy store to spend his birthday money, I asked him if there was anything that he wanted. He said, "You know that parking garage that I love, maybe we could get that. Let's get that!" He never waivered. So, we finally got him his beloved parking garage. He loves it! Thanks so much Grandpa Jan, Grandma Karen, Aunt Sally and Aunt Lucy. Scott set it up that night, along with his wooden train from Ikea. Together they make a great playset. Eli has logged several hours of play time already even though we've only had it for a few days. While he plays, he dictates a running commentary of what he's doing. It's definitely a hit, I'm so glad we got it.