Crib changes and diaper changes

Now that we're in the crib (and loving it) there are some new obstacles for mom and dad.  I have almost learned to ignore the blaring red light from God that is our baby monitor.  In fact, Spence had to wake me up last night because he heard her crying and I slept through it!  I really thought the day would never come that I would miss the siren call of my daughter and the red flashing lights.  

Miss Elliott has now learned that she can wiggle herself out of her diaper in the middle of the night.  This results in several crib changes a night as well.  Whoever invented the sleeper nightgowns with elastic on the bottom instead of leggies needs to be shot.  My daughter and wiggle enough to remove her soiled diaper and soak through to the mattress pad.  And this isn't operator error on the diaperer's part.  This is pure baby mechanics and gymnastics.  And the fortunate one (which is mom right now since only I can nurse her) who discovers said soiled crib gets to try to hold baby Elliott (who is screaming to be fed) in one arm and try to change the world's most impossible bed to change.  Seriously, those of you who are mothers and have had to change cribs in the middle of the night can sympathize.

After the second messed crib last night I finally called Spencer for backup.  I'm looking forward to when we introduce her to the bottle some so daddy can do some night feedings as well.  

Today was our first day just the two of us.  Oh, and the five animals that also live in our zoo of a house.  I think she and I did very well.  Except for when she peed when I was trying to change her diaper and she got everything (including mom) wet.  I think she waits to pee for when we are changing her because it presents more of a challenge for the diaper changer.  I think that Spencer and I have our hands full with this one.

Finally in the crib

 Literally I had slept on the couch for a week now and it was time to migrate back to my own bed.  So Miss Elliott made her debut in her crib for the first time last night.  Granted, it was another sleepless night but a good night.  Our super-fancy baby monitors were finally able to come to life and boy did they.  Let's just say whenever the baby makes the tiniest "cooing" noise, the monitor lights up like the Vegas strip with the most intense red light you've ever been blinded by.  These monitors aren't messing around.  So if you happen to sleep through any sort of noise at all, the red light will illuminate your room enough to navigate ships into port.  Now if I could only do something about Spencer's snoring....

Sunday, April 20th

Elliott is one week old today.  Hard to believe that this time last week we were in the middle of induced labor, anxiously awaiting our daughter's arrival.  After admission to Roanoke Memorial Hospital at 7:00 am, Courtney was induced at 8:00 am and received an magical epidural. She began pushing at 4:45 pm and after three and a half hours effort, she underwent a Caesarean section.   Elliott Marion Wiegard arrived into the world at 8:35 pm on Sunday April 13, 2008.  She has stolen our hearts (and our normal sleep patterns) and we love her more and more everyday.   

We were a little (okay a lot) upset to find that Elliott had lost 15% of her birth weight at our first pediatrician appointment on Friday.  She was born a whopping 7 pounds and 9.4 ounces and 20.5 inches in length.  However, she had dropped a significant amount since leaving the hospital.  Apparently breast feeding isn't as easy as we thought and she wasn't getting enough nutrition.  Two hours with a lactation consultant later (Vickie is a genius and an angel) we are back on the nursing track and well into the "Elliott Marion Feeding Marathon of 2008."  Never fear, our little girl is back over 7 pounds and counting!  

As far as infants go, Elliott is  a looker.  We thought she looked a lot like her Mom when she was born, but she looks a little more like her Daddy everyday.  She is expressive, energetic yet well behaved.  The dogs have welcomed her into our home.  McKinley is a great guard dog, standing watch at the nursery door. Milla is also very protective her and Monti just wants to give her lots of kisses.  He sits on Courtney's lap while she nurses.