I have a lot to say tonight, but I have to start it off with my evening conversation with Dane. Me: “Dane you have to finish your dinner if you want a snack tonight.” Dane: (sits down in front of his plate, takes a bite and says) “This is ridiculous!” I about died laughing. I don’t really use the word “ridiculous” but Matt does once in awhile - guess he picked it up. Too funny! I was impressed he used it in the correct manner. He’s going to be like Christian maybe with a big vocabulary.
Anyway… we are continuing to enjoy Annika’s sweetness. I can just hold her in my arms for hours and soak her in. The smell, the softness, the little coos. AWWWW….. She is just priceless.
My soreness is getting closer to being gone - still there at times, but much better. I can go without Ibuprofen most days now. The emotional stuff still catches up with me periodically, but I am finding myself feeling “normal” more often each day it seems, so that is good! Things just catch me by surprise - all of the sudden I am sad that she is going to grow up so quickly, or a fear that something might happen to Matt and I would have these 4 kids etc. which leads to a big crying episode. Of course these are all things I can’t control and need to just turn over to God. I don’t remember having the emotional side of things so much with the boys, but I’m hoping that this too will pass - they say to give it 6 weeks, so we’ll see! We went to the Dr. Thursday and she asked how are you both doing and Matt responded “They cry a lot - both of them!” LOL
Speaking of the Doctor - Annika checked out good. She weighed in at 7lb 15oz, so she has lost a bit, but the Dr. didn’t seem too concerned as she was alert and happy and she said she wouldn’t be like that if she was starving. She did give me a prescription for Reglan, which is actually a gastro-intestinal drug, but it has the added side effect of helping people produce more breastmilk. You take it for about 2 weeks in hopes that it will help your body get a jump start and then take over by itself in the milk production department. We’ll see how it goes. We have been supplementing with about 3-4 oz. of formula a day, but the goal is to not have to supplement at all. We had asked with the boys everytime if there was a drug to help with milk production and the midwives always said no - just herbs - which we tried to no avail, so we were shocked (and grateful) to hear that there is actually something available to try. We love this Dr.! Annika goes back on the 5th for another check-up.
I still sleep on the couch with her most nights, but one night she did make it all night in our bed. She slept in 3 hour shifts, ate and went back to sleep - that was awesome! The last few nights she has slept even longer like 4-5 hour shifts, but on top of me in the couch. She does seem to be getting less gassy at night, so that is good. The Dr. said often times they will get over that in a couple weeks - YEA! I’m hoping that is the case. She is also starting to have more awake time - staying awake for about an hour a couple times a day - that is fun!
I took her to pick up the boys from school for the first time today. Matt was out doing errands, so I didn’t have a choice. It went fine though, she slept through the whole thing and all my friends at school were so excited to see her!
We pulled out the Halloween costumes after school - the boys were so excited! We have Trunk-O-Treat at church on Sunday evening, so we had to make sure we had everything ready to go. I got a cute little caterpillar costume for Annika, which I’m guessing she’ll wear for about 1/2 an hour and then I’ll have to bring her in. It is supposed to be cold and windy, and then we will have a bonfire and I don’t want her out there breathing in all that smoke. But it is always a fun time for everyone who comes!
We had a big thunderstorm here tonight. The poor farmers have had too much rain the last couple days. They are trying to harvest, so that hasn’t been the best for them.
Ryan had an all-day field trip to a state park today. It sounds like he had a great time - the hiked, went to a conservatory etc. He also was able to take care of a boy-scout badge by asking questions to the conservationist.
My good friend, Holly, has set-up meals for us from Mom’s Bible Study / School friends for 2 1/2 weeks - M, W, F - so that has been awesome! So far we have had Chicken Enchilladas, Green Bean Tator Tot Casserole, and tonight - Chicken Pot Pie, Homemade Applesauce, French Bread, and Choc. Chip/PB Muffins - YUM!
C-
