Week 2 with Cheeks

We've made it through the first two weeks of life with a newborn!!! And I can feel the hibernating cloud lifting just a little. Of course we still need to lay low a little bit, but there is hope we will rejoin the outside world very soon. I even ran errands today...Target of course.

Bree is a complete angel baby. We have made such great progress on breastfeeding, I can now confidently say she's "breastfeeding" and is getting better and better everyday. If you know what we went through trying to get Wade to breastfeed (and ultimately not succeeding) and now having repeat a lot of the same torture, THIS IS SUCH GOOD NEWS, for me and for Bree!!! All breastfeeding moms can relate to the struggles we've been facing every 3 hours. But because I so badly want to get to the easy and convenient part of breastfeeding, I'm so relieved to see that we will get there! We will soon be able to excavate the Boob Cave and return it to a normal bedroom set-up.

After every feeding, we get 15-20 minutes of happy, alert, eyes open, "trying to figure out the world" time. She looks around like she's really trying to soak in where am I?, what in the world is that noise?, who is that?, and why am I here?. I've started to look forward to this time, because it's when I feel I get to know her better. I can't bear to put her down in her swing to look at jungle creatures when she's just learning who we all are. I just want to sit and hold her and stare right back at her.

She continues to sleep like a champ! We just hit our full term 40 week mark this week, so I'm expecting another week or so of sleepy bliss, then I'm she'll be awake and in full effect. But would you believe she went a 5 (almost 6) hour stretch the other night between feedings??? And since she's gaining plenty of weight, I don't have to freak out and wake her every 3 hours. Now please realize that when she is awake to nurse, it still takes a long time and wears us both out. But I'll take it!

We've met a lot more friends and family this week. Nanny, Alison, & Hayes stopped by...

Miss Caroline Polhill was such a good baby holder and cuddled her so perfectly. When I asked if she wanted to take her home, she said, "NO".

Auntie Steph gave her a squeeze...

And even though it looks like Ben and Ashley are holding back a rambunctious Emery, she was a sweet big cousin and was very interested in baby Bree.

Oh sweet Lauren! No one is more excited about Bree than cousin Lauren. She sat so still and held Bree like she was made of glass...

And here's what she did when we tried to remove Bree from her lap. She said, "MY BABY!" Megan was so sweet to come visit all the way from Cumming one evening. I can't wait her Bree to meet her daughter, Milla. They can compare cheeks.

Brotherly Love

Wade loves his sister. The first thing he wants to do when he wakes up in the morning is see "baby Beee".

He gives her the biggest, most slobbery kisses you've ever seen.

He can have very particular ideas of where he wants and does NOT want her to be, and for now we try to accommodate his wishes. He wants her in the swing? She goes in the swing. He wants he in another room? We put her in another room. (Please excuse the dirty face)

But the cutest thing is when he sees me giving her attention, or taking her picture. He suddenly wants to be right in the action getting his picture taken too.

Here he's trying to lay just like Bree was, so I'll give him the same attention. And I did.

Wade, the goof ball big brother.

DISCLAIMER

I have to set the record straight that I am not a complete blogging maniac.

Some of you have mentioned that you can't believe I'm able to post as much as I do with a newborn. Well you have to understand...it's not my choice to spend hours a day blogging while I could be sleeping, cleaning, cuddling with Bree, or playing with Wade. BUT...with the trials and tribulations of breastfeeding comes lots of pumping (for me). So thanks to the "hands free" pumping bra, I use my time wisely and catch up on the computer while I'm literally tied to the wall.

However, you may see fewer posts coming your way because we're making GREAT progress in the nursing department! So that means less time pumping. HALLELUJAH!!!
More on that in the Week 2 update....

Showering Mandy

Our babysitter Mandy is a lifesaver. Wade has so much fun with her and it makes my heart feel so good that he has a buddy that he's comforable with while mommy's out of commison for a little bit. Mandy came to us through Erin (our first regular sitter, remember Wade was her ringbearer?) and we couldn't be more thankful. Good thing Erin has such good friends, because she's kept us well supplied with sitters since she abandoned us for a "real" job.

Mandy is marrying her Prince Charming, Bryce, in August and Bree and I went to shower her with gifts!
Erin, Mandy, Bree, me, & Kelsey (Erin's twin and also babysat for us!)

Bree wasn't much of a party guest. She slept the entire time, but she did look pretty stinkin' cute in her tutu dress. Outfits like this should be illegal they're so cute.

The shower was at Erin's beautiful new home, so I was able to see that too! It was one of my first excursions since Bree and it felt great to get out of the house. But I was pooped for the rest of the day. Hopefully I will be back up to speed soon :)

So Fresh and So CLEAN CLEAN

Bree was getting pretty stinky (remember the rolls?), so we gave her her first bath! She still has her umbilical cord, so we can't dunk her, but we gave her a good scrubbing.

We also tested her lungs and discovered this girl can SCREAM!!!

ALL BETTER!

Happy Father's Day!

Beau is an awesome dad.
He gets just as excited to come home and see Wade as Wade gets to see him.
He works so hard everyday so we can have a wonderful life.
He goes above and beyond to make sure Wade (and Bree) know that he loves them.
And that just makes me love him more.

Happy Father's Day Beau!

I hope you liked your gift this year. A daughter.
I can't promise I'll ever top it :)

Beau showing Wade how to use the remote (2008)

Passing on the same skills to Bree (2010)

Dog Tired

Here's what Cali and Orwell think about what's going on at our house these days......

Bree's First Week

We're home, we're settling in, we're TRYING (key word: trying) to get this girl breastfeeding, we're constantly playing Wade defense (he's sweet, just a 2 year old boy), protecting nap time and taking phones off the hook for everyone in the house, and soaking up every newborn moment we can. We know it doesn't last long so even though it feels like we'll never have a full night's sleep again, she'll be walking and talking before we know it.

I've had so much help on every level that I'm going to be spoiled rotten when it's time to manage these 2 on my own. Wade has been thoroughly entertained, fed and cared for while I've been stuck in the BOOB CAVE (my bedroom) making baby steps towards real breastfeeding. My lactation consultant mother is once again by my side stumped at why HER grandchildren, of all babies, can't seem to figure it out. Unfortunately, Bree has started out with Wade's same pitiful breastfeeding ambitions and would much rather be lazy and get it from a bottle. I'm having the worst case of deja vu.

But this girl is H-U-N-G-R-Y! She was already 2 oz from her birth weight at her 4 day doctor's appointment. Her cheeks are still in full effect and she has more rolls than a sumo wrestler (probably because of her Asian ancestry). I LOVE each and every one. When people see her for the first time, their response is usually something like, "she's not nearly as big as she looks in pictures". And it's true.

Bree is an awesome sleeper. I could not ask for a better sleeper. I have always heard you either get a good sleeper or a good eater. And I clearly have the sleeper. I think she gets so worn out with our extensive breastfeeding attempts, that when she finally gets a full belly she passes out. We might get a few peaceful minutes where we see her eyes, but then she's out. I have to keep in mind that she's not even full term yet, so she'll be waking up soon.

We've had all kinds of family and friends over to meet her this week. Most of Beau's family was in town from Ohio and were able to be with us through many "firsts". Below she is being held by Great-Grandpa Ernie, I would love to know what they are looking at in this picture! Great Aunt Debbie

the Mosko-Pisko clan... they've all taken turns with Wade at the pool, rides to and from camp, and lots of meals.

Nonna's been juggling work, helping me, and finishing training for a triathlon this week. Phew!

Wade is really enjoying my indifference to what (or how much) he is wearing. His preference is usually to be naked, and with frequent trips to and from pools, that works for me! Here he is showing off his baby sister (and his tan).

Before Bree was born, I took the advice given to me and gave him his own doll to practice on. Now he likes to put it in the bouncer and play with the waterfall.

"Look Baby, WATER!"

Our neighbors, Jim, Kyra, & Lyall Williamson, came to see the bundle. Somehow "Wade's baby" made it in the picture too. Aunt Sheesha spent the day with us playing, feeding, and spoiling Cheeks

My high school girls got together with our girls. Kim & Millie Kate, Valerie & Madeline, and me & Bree.

Notice Millie Kate holding "Wade's baby"... It's been a great week, with it's fair share of frustrations, but we're doing well. I know she will get a handle on the breastfeeding, so we just have to stick with it and make it work. Thanks to everyone that has helped us in this huge transition!!! Love, The Benichs