My baby is a month old today! She's already growing way too fast. Here's a summary of what's been going on in the Bradley household upon welcoming our little Ella Rose. Upon bringing her home, Brent's family was there to greet us. Her cousin, Jenna, got to hold her for the first time. It was so cute as Jenna kept telling us that Ella was saying she wanted to play. :)
My dad came to visit us at the end of the week and brought my grandmother to meet her great granddaughter. Ella was happy to see her PawPaw again. :)
Brent was able to stay home with us for a few extra days and I was so grateful. After he went back to work, Brent's mom stayed a couple more days to check in with us during the day and help with things around the house. (So that I could ease into being a full time stay at home mommy.)
At the hospital, Ella had a little trouble latching on as she wasn't opening her mouth wide enough. Since we weren't allowed to hold Ella when her jaundice peaked, I wasn't able to breastfeed for a couple of days. I found this so upsetting because I thought this could possibly hinder our plan to nurse. We rented a pump at the hospital, and I had to pump around the clock if I wanted my milk to still come in. Our first day having her home, we were told to try to breastfeed, but supplement with formula to make sure she was staying hydrated. On the second day, I tried to exclusively breastfeed. Ella would eat for ten minutes and then fell asleep. I was worried she wasn't getting enough food, so I would try to wake her and make her eat for a little while longer. This process made it seem as though all I was doing was nursing. (which is mostly true). At our first doctor's appt., we found out she'd exceeded her birth weight. This meant she was eating well and I didn't have to try to keep her awake as I had been.
Nursing has been such a learning experience for both of us. It's been quite the painful experience as well. I had cracked nipples and an inflamed breast in the beginning. Ella also seemed lazy at times when she was going to latch on, making for time consuming nursing sessions. (she didn't want to do the work, she just wanted the milk-haha). Just as we were getting into our groove, excruciating pain hit. Many nursing sessions were full of tears streaming down my face, screaming upon initial contact, and frustration as the pain would return just when I thought we were past the rough patch.
Brent has played an active role in helping me nurse. He'd help me keep her awake, help me get Ella properly latched on, and rub my back as I sat there wincing in pain. There have been a few obstacles along the way, but Ella's getting the nourishment she needs. Nursing has been such a rewarding experience for me and I praise the Lord that we've been able to continue breastfeeding. I look forward to the day I nurse without pain, but I will continue to push through until then. :)
It's been wonderful as we get to know our daughter and adjust to this new way of life. There have definitely been ups and downs. The exhaustion and new lifestyle make for frustrations and mood swings, but all of it is so worth it. Here are a few things learned in the first weeks as her parents.
Ella's Dislikes: Sponge baths, having her diaper changed, having clothes put on or taken off, being cold, and waiting to eat.
Ella's Likes: Regular baths, having her hair brushed, getting her temple gently rubbed, eating, laying on her right side, snuggling and cuddles, looking at the ceiling fan, the blanket on the back of our couch, getting read to or sung to, having Mommy or Daddy talk to her, being swaddled snug as a bug (Daddy's specialty), and listening to her Daddy play piano.
Mommy's Likes: Ella makes this squeaking noise sometimes while she sleeps that I LOVE, holding my baby girl in my arms, seeing Brent love on his daughter, her grins, her coos, how cute it is when she gets the hiccups after getting upset (usually as a result of a diaper change), having Brent kiss both of his ladies before leaving for work in the morning, her little ears, cute button nose, beautiful lips, bright eyes, I could go on forever.... I just love everything about her.
My dad came to visit us at the end of the week and brought my grandmother to meet her great granddaughter. Ella was happy to see her PawPaw again. :)
Brent was able to stay home with us for a few extra days and I was so grateful. After he went back to work, Brent's mom stayed a couple more days to check in with us during the day and help with things around the house. (So that I could ease into being a full time stay at home mommy.)
At the hospital, Ella had a little trouble latching on as she wasn't opening her mouth wide enough. Since we weren't allowed to hold Ella when her jaundice peaked, I wasn't able to breastfeed for a couple of days. I found this so upsetting because I thought this could possibly hinder our plan to nurse. We rented a pump at the hospital, and I had to pump around the clock if I wanted my milk to still come in. Our first day having her home, we were told to try to breastfeed, but supplement with formula to make sure she was staying hydrated. On the second day, I tried to exclusively breastfeed. Ella would eat for ten minutes and then fell asleep. I was worried she wasn't getting enough food, so I would try to wake her and make her eat for a little while longer. This process made it seem as though all I was doing was nursing. (which is mostly true). At our first doctor's appt., we found out she'd exceeded her birth weight. This meant she was eating well and I didn't have to try to keep her awake as I had been.
Nursing has been such a learning experience for both of us. It's been quite the painful experience as well. I had cracked nipples and an inflamed breast in the beginning. Ella also seemed lazy at times when she was going to latch on, making for time consuming nursing sessions. (she didn't want to do the work, she just wanted the milk-haha). Just as we were getting into our groove, excruciating pain hit. Many nursing sessions were full of tears streaming down my face, screaming upon initial contact, and frustration as the pain would return just when I thought we were past the rough patch.
Brent has played an active role in helping me nurse. He'd help me keep her awake, help me get Ella properly latched on, and rub my back as I sat there wincing in pain. There have been a few obstacles along the way, but Ella's getting the nourishment she needs. Nursing has been such a rewarding experience for me and I praise the Lord that we've been able to continue breastfeeding. I look forward to the day I nurse without pain, but I will continue to push through until then. :)
It's been wonderful as we get to know our daughter and adjust to this new way of life. There have definitely been ups and downs. The exhaustion and new lifestyle make for frustrations and mood swings, but all of it is so worth it. Here are a few things learned in the first weeks as her parents.
Ella's Dislikes: Sponge baths, having her diaper changed, having clothes put on or taken off, being cold, and waiting to eat.
Ella's Likes: Regular baths, having her hair brushed, getting her temple gently rubbed, eating, laying on her right side, snuggling and cuddles, looking at the ceiling fan, the blanket on the back of our couch, getting read to or sung to, having Mommy or Daddy talk to her, being swaddled snug as a bug (Daddy's specialty), and listening to her Daddy play piano.
Mommy's Likes: Ella makes this squeaking noise sometimes while she sleeps that I LOVE, holding my baby girl in my arms, seeing Brent love on his daughter, her grins, her coos, how cute it is when she gets the hiccups after getting upset (usually as a result of a diaper change), having Brent kiss both of his ladies before leaving for work in the morning, her little ears, cute button nose, beautiful lips, bright eyes, I could go on forever.... I just love everything about her.
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