spa days and sick days

Camilla had another check-up at the pediatrician's office on Friday, at the ripe old age of 10 days old. Friday was a pretty big day- her disgusting freaky vomitrocious dried umbilical stump fell off that morning! She was feeling pretty great about life and the prospect of Real Baths in her future, so she brought her A Game to the doctor's office.

They weigh her. Please let the record show that she was born at 8 lb. 5 oz, she was up to 8 lb 7 oz at her 4 day check-up (6 days prior to the appointment at hand), and homegirl eats with a passion and enthusiasm that'll bring tears to your eyes each and every time. So I had no concerns about her weight.

Doctor: So...wow, 9 pounds 1.5 ounces!!...that's a gain of, umm...12 ounces...in 6 days.

Me and Matt: [beaming proudly, high fiving]

Doctor:...and...we're really looking for her to be gaining about an ounce a day at this point, so....6 ounces...so...she pretty much doubled that.

Me: Sooo...what you're saying is, our baby is an overachiever??

Doctor: Right.

I just feel good knowing she's already learned about the importance of loving food. And she's been out for Mexican three times already and seemed to be enthralled as we explained the menu and items to her, so I really think she's going to go far in life. 

But I don't want you to think that all we do is feed her. We also teach her about the importance of slowing down, self-care (or, well, mom-and-dad-provided-care), and relaxation. Once that blasted stump came off, it was time for a spa day!!

It's safe to say she enjoyed herself. No screaming babies in the sink here! She was all about the warm water, the warm washcloth serving as a blanket, the gentle massaging of the body wash...this was definitely her jam. And all adults present agreed that we wish Blooming Baths came in adult sizes. Babies have it so great.

Less talking and pictures, Mom, more pouring warm water! Chop chop, woman!

Sadly, that Friday night bath has pretty much been the high point of my weekend. Matt had a virus (of the sore throat, congestion, headache variety) last week. He was better by Thursday night, but only because he seemed to have passed it off to me. I started feeling cruddy Friday night. Booooooo. I don't really care about being sick, but I REALLY care about a) potentially passing it on to our infant, and b) having to stay away from her in order to avoid that. It suuuuuuuuucks. Thankfully, my parents arrived Friday evening to stay for the weekend, so Millie has had plenty of doting adults to cuddle and care for her while I'm on my sick bed. And there are even enough adults left over to dote on me and bring me tea, too. (Matt didn't get that luxury during the week. He was down for the count, I was on solo baby-and-bottle cleaning-and-house duty, and if he wanted a cup of tea or some Mucinex...he was flying solo. Poor guy.)

It makes me super sad to not be able to cuddle my baby, but I try to remind myself that if we can keep her from getting our funky virus, it will be worth it. And I will just be verrrrry diligent to make up for Lost Cuddle Time as soon as I'm well. 

I feel like there was more I was going to say, but since I've now nodded off twice as I stare at the blinking cursor, I guess I'm done. Time for more tea. And staring at my sweet baby from afar. Oooh which reminds me about how video monitors are THE MOST FREAKING AMAZING THING EVER. Actually I already have like 20 things that are THE MOST AMAZING BABY THINGS EVER...maybe I will make a list soon! The Most Essential Baby Products by Erika B., a parenting expert after 12 days. Boom.