Our Busy Day

Anyone who has spent some time with a newborn recently knows that every day is a busy day, but today was especially busy. Clint was working and Kelly and I had to be out of the house by 10am to get to her checkup at the birth center. It's a challenge to get out the door on time when you have to allow plenty of time for nursing and then diaper changing and then maybe more nursing, but we did it! Eleanor was as happy as a clam. It's at least 1/2 hour ride over there and she was awake and alert the whole time. Not a bit of crying. She loves her car seat. Since she was staring at the gray seat back, I hung her burp cloth with little lambs up so she'd have something more interesting to look at. When we got there Eleanor wanted to nurse again and she got the chance before Kelly saw the midwife. Everyone there loved her. She is so delicious, it's no wonder!!

We had an appointment at the pediatrician at 1:30 so we had some time in between and had lunch at a place I'd always wanted to try - Urban Flats. We split the loaded potato dip and each had a flatbread. It was so good. And, well-fed Eleanor was again perfect and let us totally enjoy our meal, even though another newborn who was "dining" there was pretty darn noisy.

Next stop the pediatrician, Dr. Rich, at Sunshine Pediatrics. We thought we had adequately packed the diaper bag but we fell short when Kelly undressed her, laid her on her soft blanket on the exam table and she promptly peed all over everything. It's so easy to forget how many changes a newborn may need over the course of a few hours. Eleanor's weight is down to 8 lbs 13 oz, which is normal. I have no doubt that by her two-week checkup she'll be right back up to her birth weight, since nursing is going better for mom and baby each day.

So, it was time to head home with positive reports for both mom and baby. As we started to head in, Rob from across the street was outside and Kelly told him that Eleanor is here and is now three days old. He carried her car seat across the street and we went in to show her off to his wife, Kim. Even though Eleanor was getting hungry she behaved herself very well.

There was no nap for Kelly today, and even with sleepless nights she is starting to look like her old self again, and it's only been three days!

It wasn't long before Clint was home from work. He couldn't wait to see his sweet little girl! (Kelly had emailed him a picture of Eleanor in her Swedish kitty outfit while he was at work so he could see just how cute she looked.) He didn't get quite as much chance to hold her this evening as I know he wanted because she was basically going from one breast to the other. I know everyone is hoping that means she'll sleep at least a little better tonight!