Sunday, March 11, 2012

We're Home!

Just wanted to pop in for a quick update. I want to post the birth story and lots of pictures, but things are a little crazy right now :) Hopefully soon! We are doing well. We came home from the hospital yesterday. My blood pressure was wonky the whole time I was in the hospital. They would check it, and it would be great, and then the next time they checked, it would be really high. It was so frustrating, and I got stressed out over it after a while, which of course didn't help. I'm just so over these blood pressure issues! My doctor finally decided yesterday to put me on medicine (the same medicine I was on for a few weeks after Jude was born). Obviously, having to be on blood pressure medication isn't ideal, but I was almost relieved to be able to take the medicine and hopefully start returning to normal. I did have to stay at the hospital longer yesterday for more lab work and blood pressure rechecks. I wasn't even sure if I was going to be able to come home, but I was SO happy when we got the all clear. We were ready to get out of there! As of now, the plan is for me to take the medicine and go back to the doctor in 2 weeks. My doctor said I will more than likely be on the medication for at least 6 weeks, because it might take my body that long to get back to normal. I'm just happy to be home! I am supposed to be taking it VERY easy for a week. My doctor didn't exactly put me on bed rest, but she wants me resting more than anything else.

Alaina has been a really sweet baby so far. Of course it's hard to tell anything about her personality this early since she pretty much just eats and sleeps. Our first night home was hard. We discovered that Alaina does NOT like her pack n play. She woke up as soon as we laid her down every time. David and I took shifts with her so that we each could get some sleep. I was up from 1:30-5:30 basically just holding her and feeding her. It's hard to know what to do. I know she is going through a major transition herself, and I'm sure it's a scary time for her. So, I want to hold her as much as possible and make her feel secure and loved. But we're going to need some sleep! ;) I'm hoping that she will adjust quickly and that every night will get easier. My milk came in, so maybe having a full tummy will help her sleep better :) Anyone else have a baby who wouldn't sleep anywhere but your arms?? Any tips? I need some sleep!

Aubrey and Jude are obsessed with their sister. It's so cute. Aubrey constantly wants to kiss Alaina, and Jude says "baby" over and over and pats and kisses her too. They are both working on being gentle ;) It's hitting me how busy I'm going to be with 3 kids. I literally feel like I can't blink when Aubrey and especially Jude are around Alaina. I know they will get used to having her around and they won't want to be on top of her all the time soon. But still! It's going to be crazy. I'm excited about adjusting to our new life with 3, though! David will be home a lot this week to help me, and I'm SOOO thankful he can do that. I would go insane if I didn't have him here the first week.

So, that's what's going on here right now. Thanks for all of your congratulations!!

8 comments:

Whitney said...

So glad you're home and doing well! I'm having a hard time drawing the line between taking it easy and doing what needs to be done. We had the very same first night home! Sam is in a pack-n-play in our room until we move, and he would not sleep in it. We finally put him in the bouncer around 3:30 a.m. and he slept 4 hours. I'm so crazy about routines that I want him in his bed, but we also need sleep. Last night was better, and we've got to start working on naps in it too. For a long time, Avery would only sleep during the day in someone's arms, so I'm hoping this isn't the case this time. Can't wait to see if anyone has any advice to offer. So glad we're both home with our babies and getting into our new normal!

Nathalie said...

The same thing happened on the first night we brought Jessica home. She didn't sleep all night! I really think she was working on my milk supply because she did much better once the milk came in.

Jessica was an easy-to-put-down baby as long as she was swaddled. Emily slept on my nursing pillow most of the time.. until at least 2-3 months old! I wish I had some good advice to give but for now it's probably just survival mode and whatever you feel comfortable doing! All the best!

I hope everything continues to go well. What a busy and exciting time!

Amy said...

so glad y'all are home! i had to take bp meds after laney, but once i had my 6 week post partum check up i was given the all clear to stop and haven't had any bp or heart issues since then!
laney hated the pack n play, too. she wanted nothing to do with sleeping unless she was being held. after a few horrible nights, we finally got her to sleep in the swing. she really like that! then, when she was around 6 wks old and still not sleeping great, i finally flipped her over onto her tummy and ta-da! it was like that was what she was waiting for! she slept great (of course i still didn't b/c i was so worried about her being on her tummy - ha!) but she's 10mos (today!) and still a full time tummy sleeper :)
you'll find what works. like you said, it's a transition for everyone, including alaina, so it might just take a few days of trial and error to figure out what works best for y'all. can't wait to see more pics!! :)

twinkietotmom said...

I had bp issues after both pregnancies, too. With my son they almost discharged him before me because it was so high! I still to this day have high bp if I'm really stressed, isn't it crazy?! Hope you continue to settle into a new routine with your family of five! Congrats!

Anonymous said...

The first night home mine wouldnt have anything to do with being out down either. He slept all night between feelings, just on my chest instead. He had slept in the hospital bassinet and didn't make a peep the two nights/3days we were there, so I don't know why he didn't like the bassinet at home. Randomly the next night I put his boppy newborn lounger down in the bassinet and laid him snuggled on top of it....amazingly it did the trick. I let him sleep like this for 3-4 weeks before I decided to try without the boppy and he was fine then. I think it made him feel more Snuggled up like the womb environment

Jennifer said...

Yeah, glad you are home! I had really good luck with the Fisher Price Rock and Play sleeper. You can get them used on Craig's List or in a consignment store but it's worth the price if you need to order it. I swaddled Henry and put him in there. AHH! I miss that thing. It's approved the the Academy of Pediatrics for sleeping too which made me feel better about using it.

Anonymous said...

Welcome home and congrats again!

Are you comfortable co-sleeping? I'm sure she would sleep well snuggled next to you and you will get significantly more sleep, especially of you can nurse in the side lying position.

Anonymous said...

My first child would not go in the pack n play and someone told to lay them down and then take off your shirt that you are wearing and snuggle them with it because they can still smell you and then they dont feel so lonely! My first ended up sleeping in a toddler bed that was right up against our bed so that I could hold his hand when he was falling asleep and just nurse him whenever he woke up... every hour..