you must have been a beautiful baby...

I am a mom. In the last month, I have been puked, peed, and pooped on. I have gone without (much) sleep or a shower for days. My boobs ache and I smell like sour milk. But I wouldn't trade a minute of it for anything. I am a mom.

Happy 1 Month Birthday, Vivian!

Perfection

Thank you for your suggestions and support regarding Vivian's sleep schedule (or lack thereof). In general, things are getting better. She's getting hungrier, which may have been why she kept waking up -- we just weren't feeding her enough. So we've increased how much we're feeding her, and she's sleeping better. Although last night, she fussed and cried from 2 a.m. - 5:00 a.m. -- awesome!

But today, we took a bath, and I just looked at her big blue eyes, and realized that she is everything I've ever wanted. She's perfect. So what if she's a bit fussy?

She knits!

A non-baby related post:

Before Vivian was born, I finished my version of the Carie Cropped Flared-sleeve Cardigan, from Stefanie Japel's "Fitted Knits." After I got out of the hospital, but before Vivian came home, Jenny & I hit Suss Knits, which is having a moving sale (50% off!). I picked up some gorgeous handpainted cotton that reminds me of ballet: black (leotard), flesh (tights) & light pink (shoes), 7 skeins (190 yards each) at less than $3 a piece. I also picked up a beautiful wooden toggle that I decided to use for the closure for the Carie.

As I had posted earlier, I decided to substitute the called for Cascade Magnum for three separate yarns: Debbie Bliss Merino Chunky, Karabella Margritte (sp?) and a discontinued merino wool that I got from the Yarn Lady sale. And here is the result:

What do you think?

Now, I'm working on the Cloud Bolero, which I first saw on Annika's blog. I needed something that held my interest while being easy enough that I could put down mid-row when Vivian starts screaming. I'm using more Yarn Lady sale yarn, which I am proud of. It's Bouton d'Or Otello, a fluffy 50% wool, 50% mohair blend in black, light pink and dark pink. Pictures will come, but probably not before I decide to post more cute baby photos. What can I say?

Notes on sleep and a baby

Viv is everything I could ever want, but taking care of a preemie is more work than I could have been prepared for. The last few days, Vivian has decided that the 3-4 hour stretches of sleep were entirely too long, and has instead preferred to wake up every 1 1/2 hours between 12 a.m. & 8 a.m. to be fed and changed. Awesome!

So here is our average 4 a.m. wake up schedule: wake up, pick Viv up. Take her into the nursery to change her diaper. Ask Richard to go warm a bottle. Take Viv back to bed, try to find the nipple shield, put it on, try to breastfeed Viv (lasts 5-10 minutes). Take Viv off boob (and try not to get covered in milk at the same time), and hand her to Richard to be bottle fed. Set up the breast pump and get milked like a cow for 15-20 minutes. Richard tries to burp Vivian. After I pump, I hand Richard the bottles/bags full of milk and he hands me the baby. I lay Viv down and try to swaddle her as best as my sleep deprived mind will allow while Richard puts the milk containers in the fridge/freezer. Repeat as often as necessary.

It's a good thing she's so cute, because she's a lot of work.

Surprise! Here, have a baby

Long time no post, but I swear I have a good excuse. No, really.

Please meet Vivian Bliss, who made her appearance a few weeks early on Friday, June 29 at 10:43 a.m. At only 34 weeks, she was already 6 lbs, 2 oz.

After 9 days in the NICU, Vivian is finally home, and she's doing great. Her parents are a little worse for wear, but she's worth it. She is everything we have ever wanted. We'll always keep her big sister Eliza in our hearts, but now we can hold Vivian with our arms. And that's pretty wonderful.