Updates and Pictures

We are doing well here at the Howie house! Adjusting to a new baby is not without stress, but I would say things are going smoothly so far. Jude has been a laid-back, sweet baby, so that helps tremendously. I'm praying he stays that way! Last night was rough. He wanted to eat every hour or two, which I guess is to be expected at this point, but it makes for very little sleep for me by the time I feed him, change him, burp him, swaddle him, and put him back down. I'm hoping he is just really trying to pack on the pounds now that my milk is in, and that he will be a great sleeper once he is back up to his birth weight. We took him to the hospital for his outpatient checkup yesterday. They said everything looked great. He weighed 7lbs, 2oz (down from 7lbs, 12oz at birth). They said that was ok, and hopefully he will be back up to his birth weight by his 2 week checkup.

Aubrey seems to be adjusting well. Thankfully, David has been home this week. She has been spending most of her time with him, and I think she is becoming a Daddy's girl. It makes me kind of sad that I'm not getting to spend as much time with her. I miss her. I feel like that has been the hardest part for me emotionally. I absolutely love just sitting and holding Jude and getting to know him, but I miss my little routine I had with just Aubrey. I know in a couple of weeks, when things settle down, we will have a new routine that includes Jude, and I will love it too, but for now, I just feel like we're in limbo. I am trying to spend one on one time with Aubrey when Jude isn't eating, but I can't lift her right now, so that makes it tough. I'm so glad that she has had David here to take her outside and play with her. I want to cry when I think about him going back to work. I have tons of people at my beck and call just waiting to help, but it's not the same as having David here :(

As for me, I'm pretty good. I feel like I'm recovering nicely. I feel a little better physically everyday. I do feel a bit hormonal, which is never fun. Nothing severe by any means, but I just find myself wanting to cry over nothing at the most random times. Mostly, I want to cry because I feel so happy and blessed, but part of it is also just not feeling like our life is "normal" right now. Like I said, we don't have a routine yet, and I guess I just feel a little out of sorts because of that. Everyone says, "This is your new normal." I don't feel like we've even gotten to that point yet. It will come soon enough. I have to remind myself that we aren't even a week into this yet. Time kind of stands still after having a baby.

Now, finally, some pictures! Here are a few pictures of my precious little family. I am so incredibly blessed!!