I guess we're on a weekly update schedule...

The past week has been both busy and not. Here are some updates:

Nate:
On Monday we visited the pediatrician and discovered Nate's weight was 7 pounds 9 ounces. A gain of 3 ounces over his birth weight, which is an excellent sign. The doctor was concerned about Nate's coloring so we were sent to the hospital to have a bilirubin test done. It was at a 16 (20 is nearing danger level). So, we were told to go on Tuesday for another test. And to get Nate in indirect sunlight. So, we went on Tuesday and the test came back at 13.2. So yea! We went back to the pediatrician on Wednesday and she was happy with his color. We were all happy when he weighed in at 7 pounds 15 ounces!! Great weight gain! Besides that stuff, Nate has been an easy baby - sleeping during the day in the the moses basket or the pack & play. At night he's been gassy off and on so I'm trying to burp him for longer after feedings. He is in a Snuggle Nest in the big bed with me and I'm trying to always put him back there rather then letting him sleep right next to me. It's hard to do because he loves to cuddle but I hope that sooner rather than later we can transition him to the crib. We'll see.

James:
James is doing well. I think he's a bit stir crazy though, playing at home with us and my mom every day. I took him to our Friday playgroup (and left Nate here with my mom) and he was SO excited and so happy. I think the hardest part of bringing home a second baby is wondering how this will change our relationship with James - there's a lot of guilt involved. However, I was reading in "Touchpoints" about this and am comforted that this feeling is a common one among bonded/loving parents and child. There isn't a relationship quite like the one you have with your first born. It's important that we spend special one on one time with James. I know it will be easier when Nate is on a set schedule so for now we are all just muddling through. But he does love baby Nate and enjoys giving him kisses. I look forward to the day when the boys are able to play together!

Me:
After a few days of super high euphoria, I found myself feeling very low. Not as low as I did after James's birth, but low enough that I felt anxious and nervous and overwhelmed. The thought and idea and plain old REALITY of being in charge of two young children is pretty scary. So after thinking about it and knowing what I COULD feel like, I decided to go ahead and start my medication. It's now day # 6 and I am feeling better. I had a few days of side effects: headaches, shaky eyes (that doesn't make sense but it's the only way to describe it), upset stomach, etc. but those seem to have gone away. So have the tears. Perhaps it's just knowing the medicine is in my system, or perhaps it's the medicine itself. Either way, I feel slightly more prepared for the days ahead of me.

I'll do what I can to update the blog!