Sunday, August 17, 2014

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.

25 comments:

  1. Sorry about the sickness - always comes at the most inconvenient times!! But glad that isn't stopping baby girl from growing like a champ. Why haven't you reported in about her nighttime sleep habits yet?!?

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  2. I'm so sorry you're sick :( I agree, video baby monitors are the most amazing thing ever! I'd love to read your list since I've been out of the baby game for a while. I can't believe how much bottles have changed in 5 years. Bottles. Seriously, how much can they change?! Hope you feel better soon and get back to snuggling that sweet baby! :)

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  3. I want a blooming thingy for me! That looks amazing!!!!
    So sorry you're not feeling well. As hard as it seems keeping Millie healthy is priority #1 because if she runs a fever and you bring her to the doctor they will do a full "work up" on her. I'll spare you the deets...trust me...I'm a peds RN! It's brutal!
    Feel better so, my friend. xoxo

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  4. Love it! Love it! Love it! Love it all! Feel better! Counting down the hours with you!

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  5. I hope you feel better soon and can start your make up cuddling time ASAP!!! :)

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  6. I do not understand how that baby is real. She is a) SO PRETTY and b) looks so much like you! I don't know how it happened, but it's just perfect. I can't express how much I have loved reading your blog the last two weeks. This is what redemption looks like :)

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  8. Some folks save the stump for the ol' baby book. Just saying. ;) Hope you are feeling better and can resume your regularly scheduled cuddling soon! She is such a sweetheart!

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  9. Boo for y'all both being sick! Hope you feel like new soon - so glad your parents can come to help!!! can't wait for your fave baby things post :) Please include that spa item on the list!!!

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  10. That tub looks awesome! Craig asked me if I wanted to keep Gracie's umbilical thing. Eww no.

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  11. Um yeah, being a baby is the best... you get spa days AND people applaud you for gaining lots of weight.

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  12. Lol to Amanda J's comment. My favorite parts of this whole post were when you said "our infant" and "my baby". I'm so unbelievably happy for your family! Eeek

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  13. She is so adorable!! It is making me feel like I need another tiny, squishy newborn. :) Hope you get to feeling better asap!

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  14. Girl that bath flower thingy looks SOOO comfy?! What baby (or adult) wouldn't want to nestle in one of those every day? I hope you get to feeling better and I can't wait to see your list!

    waitingforbabybird.com

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  15. I think the best thing about being a newborn is being rocked to sleep while someone holds you and kisses you. Does it get better? Eating your favorite food on demand without having to go to the grocery store? Amazing! It's like if you had a Mexican chef for breakfast, lunch and dinner and about 5 other snacks in between.
    C is so beautiful and smooshy. I love these updates. Keep them coming. Also, you're rocking the blogging while parenting thing! I am very interested to see your list of must-haves.

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  16. We loved the blooming bath! seriously, I kept JB in that thing until his poor legs were dangling over the edge of the sink. :) Glad that girlfriend likes it too (and how could you not). Hope y'all are feeling better SOON!!

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  17. Have been following your blog for a year or so now, and am SO elated for you and Matt!!!! Congrats on baby Millie; I can't wait to continue reading your updates you as you offer that expert Mama advice! Hugs!

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  18. Goodness sakes...can she get any cuter?? Look at her all relaxed in that flower spa. Hope you're all feeling better SOON!

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  19. Awww feel better! I love the pics of her in the bathtub! Simply adorable!

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  20. Aw man I hope you're better soon so you can make up for your lost cuddle time! Also, I NEED that blooming bath thinggy.... I've never seen it before!

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  21. LOVE! She's the cutest and YOU are the cutest Mama! Feel better soon so you can get your cuddle fix from that sweetie.

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  22. She will definitely go far in life if you teach her about Mexican food and the spa. What else matters? Feel better!

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  23. Sorry you're not feeling well. Boo! Hooray for grandparents, though! Woohoo! So glad Millie is thriving. :-)

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  24. The umbilical cord stump was so gross. And our kids' hung on forever and they started to smell. I'm so glad you've all passed that "precious" milestone!

    I love the pictures of Millie in her bath. She looks so chill. I obviously need one of those STAT!

    And I hope you're feeling better by now. I can't wait to read you list of Essential Baby Products. After all you now have the most recent, inside scoop.

    Also, I love the euphoria over Millie and joy that comes through in every post. Thank you for continuing to let all of us share this journey with you.

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  25. She is so precious! Hope you're feeling better and getting back to that cuddle time!

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I love comments almost as much as I love Mexican food. Seriously.