The Daily Ada Ruth Lorraine 2008.11.14 - second to last visit with the midwife

Well, today we had our second to last visit with our midwife. Not surprisingly it went very well. Ada Ruth is the picture of health. The big question mark remains food but it's not an especially worrisome issue.

I hope all are doing well and you will forgive me if I keep this short. The lack of sleep is catching up with me...

John

PS: new vid - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLWtnVIhSRA


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The Daily Ada Ruth Lorraine 2008.11.12.01 - Sleep, etc

Things with the kiddo are going swimmingly. She seems to have figured out breastfeeding, which was out largest concern for awhile. The next worry has been her, ah, excretory productivity, so to speak. With her (dramatically) increased intake we were expecting a similarly increased output. Additionally during our preparatory courses we were given a sheet, a checklist actually, with which we were to record the number of feedings and poopings and wet diapers, etc. It even goes so far as to list a recommended number of movements and by that list poor Ada was behind. I'm sure you will all be relieved to hear that yesterday she caught up. Yay.

Last night was an excellent night for sleep. She devoured well over three ounces of milk just before midnight and as such we had to wake her up at four to feed her again. This child shall not go hungry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ntu6RGVf9ec

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The Daily Ara Ruth Lorraine 2008.11.11.01 - Changing gears

Well, we have changed gears and it's probably a good sign. Up until last night we had the luxury of scheduling Ada Ruth's feedings. I suspect that was because she was still a bit weak from the delivery and not strong enough to signal her need. That weakness has passed. Now Ada is quite capable of telling us exactly how hungry she is, which is usually 'very'. It's nice knowing (for certain) that she is hungry for a couple reasons. First of all, we know she's progressing. But secondly and perhaps nicest, last night she didn't want food as often as we'd been feeding her, so we got a nice, long 3 and a half hour sleep at one point. Of course the downside is that she has found her voice and uses it relentlessly until she gets food.

Today, in addition to a handful of pix, I am including links to a handful of videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT4vV77RtLA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GjrcqSS4gs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq3eiHG-6pw

Love,
John

PS: For 'old' pictures, look here:

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PPS: Is anyone interested in creating a banner picture for the "Daily Adda Ruth Lorraine"? "D.A.R.L.ing"? I would but I have other things going on....

About A Dog(s)

Day 3 part two.

The "Lactation Consultant" has assured us that we are doing the right things. The critical tip she imparted which has made a great deal of difference, and perhaps it will sound obvious to all y'all, is making sure that Ada's lower lip is 'flanged out' and her tongue lays over her lower gums. Since learning this technique, Ada has decided that all she wants to do is breastfeed and so I have spent the morning puttering around, doing dishes, laundry and cooking (and writing more emails than I typically write in a month) while my girls play cafeteria upstairs.

In other news, not only are the dogs adjusting to Ada's presence, their behavior is changing as well. Normally when I am home they are where-ever I am. Now it would seem that their loyalties are divided. When Kimberly, Ada and I are in the bedroom, they are right at the edge of the bed. When I head downstairs, they follow about halfway, then they park themselves at the top of the stairs. I can get them to come down for food, but that's about it.

The Daily Ada Ruth Lorraine, 2008.11.10.01

Life on Mountain View continues to be interesting. Yesterday it seemed as though our final hurdle, breastfeeding, was conquered. Kimberly and Ada enjoyed a couple of very promising sessions. But then last night Ada resumed her fussy ways and we returned to the syringes. We have a "Lactation Consultant" coming over to the house in an hour and a half and are optimistic that we'll soon be able to do away with the wretched things.

That said, in the wake of a great checkup yesterday afternoon Ada Ruth remains our healthy little delight. Her crying is infrequent and almost invariably caused by one of us (she doesn't like the changing table, or changing positions, or any type of change apparently). Fortunately her life is relatively uncomplicated. She is fed and changed every three hours and sleeps the rest of the time. For the time being we have been 'napping' with her between us on the bed. It's a comfort to be able to reach over to feel her at any time. I confess that I'm doing so several times an hour, hopefully to the detriment of my sleep alone.

As you might imagine, Kimberly is quite cheerful and undeterred by Ada Ruth's breastfeeding antics. The dogs are also doing well, I think. Tycho's interest comes and goes, but when it's there he licks Ada's feet and ears ever so gently. Ella is far more intent, particularly when Ada cries or has the hiccups. In the case of the former, Ada sounds a bit like Cartman when he whines to his mom (South Park reference, sorry). In the case of the latter Ada sounds a lot like a broken squeaky toy. In either case, Ella is absolutely determined to find out what is making that noise.

Daily Ada Ruth Lorraine #2, part 2.

Kimberly and I have finally managed to get a few shots of Ada Ruth wide awake, squirming on the bed. These are the picks of the pack plus a few more.

News: we were in for our 48 hour check this afternoon and Ada Ruth checked out just fine. Most babies lose about 10% of the weight after two days, which would have put Ada at 7 pounds. But she was at 7 pounds 8 ounces. Ahead of the curve!

Also, while we were there I asked for some surgical tubing to help with feeding. They actually had something which was designed specifically for the task at hand and thus armed we were able to cut her feeding time by over three quarters. She not only stays interested, the tube allows her to suckle at her own speed ... which is quite a bit faster than I'd originally estimated.

More reports to follow... distribute these pictures as you see fit...

Daily Ada Ruth Lorraine, day 2

We got through the night without mishap and with one nice 4 hour block of sleep, bookended by a pair of one hour naps. Ada Ruth continues to get more active and stronger. Her crying can be heard the length of the house and she's eating a lot more. As you may or may not know, we haven't been able to get her to latch on with any real success, so we have been supplementing with a syringe. The only nice thing about it is knowing precisely how much she is eating, which is increasing dramatically.

Another change in the last 24 came shortly after we started her on formula. She had a short period of more or less complete alertness, eyes open and craning her head to look around (a little). She's had a couple more of these periods but I haven't had a hand free with the camera. I'll work on it, I promise.

Kimberly's milk continues to come in and hopefully we will be off the syringe soon.