Battle of the Bottle

Ok, ok, I know all lactation experts say NOT to introduce a bottle before 4 weeks, but since Addison never had any problems latching on, she started taking a bottle of breast milk occasionally at 2 or 3 wks and she did just fine - didn't mind the bottle and didn't seem to notice any difference. See referenced picture....Well...as of 6 wks old, Addison HATED the bottle. I mean she would start screaming as soon as we started to put a bib on her, like she knew what was coming. I'm sure I read every article possible on the internet and in all the books I have how to give your nursing child a bottle. Poor Brian was at his wits end. Addison would scream, choke, turn her head...she wanted nothing to do with it at all. I could see me having to quit my job (this brought on tears of happiness), just so my child would eat. I didn't want to have the child who wouldn't take a bottle and screamed at the babysitter's all day. So, we've been working on taking a bottle for almost a week now. We've bought new nipples, a different type of bottle, and tried all different positions for her to take a bottle.

I am happy to report that as of yesterday, at exactly 7 wks old, Miss Crabby Addie took 2 bottles, each without screaming or complaining until you took the bottle away to burp her. Rounds 1-10 may have gone to Addison, but Mom-mom and Da-da won the battle! For that day....
Now we'll see how well she does this weekend at Nana and Pop's house. One of them can try giving her the bottle... Keep your fingers crossed!

Oh, did I mention she hates any type of pacifier, aka binky, now too? Only if she's extremely tired will she even take one...and that lasts for maybe 2 minutes!

As you can see, she didn't have any problem with taking one before, same as the bottle. This child is a piece of work...(kind of like her mother)!

Makes waking up worth it!

Week 5 has brought me the best present yet! Addison likes to wake up around 8ish in the morning. This morning was no different, except for when I told her "Hi" and "Good Morning" I was greeted not with a stinky diaper, but a huge grin! And not just one, she did it multiple times because I kept saying "Hi!" :) What a wonderful thing to wake up to in the morning!!

One Month Down; Many More To Go!

Addison had her one month checkup and is doing splendidly! She has gained 2 pounds since birth, weighing in at 10lbs, 11oz! She has also grown 1/4 of an inch to stand a tall 22 1/4 in long! It's hard to believe it's already been one month (well, 5 weeks as of Wednesday, Oct. 15). Many late night feedings and many a howls from Addison have added up to one month.
She is starting to sleep a little longer through the night. As of Sunday, she slept 7 hours and Monday she slept a 5 hour stretch. She's beginning to hold her head up high for longer than a few seconds and she makes the funniest faces. Brian and I are still waiting for that real "genuine" smile, which from what I have read, should be coming fairly soon. She loves to smile in her sleep (who knows what's she's thinking about) and you can even make out a small dimple when she smiles really big. She's beginning to coo and talk to herself, although her favorite place to do this is when she's on her changing table. Maybe she's pep talking herself into making that one great poo.... She still loves to sleep on daddy's chest which I don't see changing anytime soon! :)

We can't wait to see what week 5 will bring!

Just a few pictures recently taken of Addison. She's a natural in front of the camera! (If you click on the picture, it will enlarge in another window).

Addison's first road trip

This past weekend, Addison got to go on her first road trip to Madison. She did really well, including the short stop at Edinburgh, at the outlet stores. Nana sat in the back with her the entire time to keep her company. This is after Nana spent all of last week with me, while Brian had to go back to work. I don't think Addison or myself would have made it through last week without Nana! She made mom get some sleep while she stayed up with Crabby Addie a couple of nights and even helped with Addison's first bath in her tub! What a Godsend Nana was to Mommy Megan's sanity!!!
While in Madison, Addison got to meet her Aunt Suzi, Uncle Andy, and Cousin Kylee, and Great-Grandma Granny. She definitely has a place in Great Granny's heart, because Great Granny couldn't stop looking at her and kept making special trips over to the bassinet before she left! She even made a special trip on Sunday to see her before we left, which is a lot for Great Gran!
Miss Addison liked Madison so much, we're going back this Thursday to see everyone again and maybe even meet a few more!

1 week of parenthood

So, we've had Miss Addison for a full week now! Where does the time go? She is already starting to pick her head up and when laying on Daddy's chest, tends to turn it from left to right and then crash it down. She's a HUGE sleeper! Which is good at night, but I have already developed the habit of waking up every hour or so to make sure she's still breathing! This is definitely the hardest thing I have ever taken on, but it is so worth her silly smiles after eating (she's probably just passing gas) and seeing those big blue/gray eyes everyday.

We had our first check up today and she has gained 9 oz since we came home from the hospital! She may sleep hard like her Daddy, but she got her weight gaining gene from Mommy! Good news for Mommy is that I don't have to constantly try to wake her up every 2-3 hours to eat! She can go 4-5 now and wake up hungry instead of falling asleep while trying to eat. Good news if we can get her to be sleeping those 4-5 hours when it's nice and dark outside!

This first week also brought her first bath. I was scared she would hate it, but she actually didn't seem to mind. It went by pretty uneventful, but Daddy got some awesome pictures from it.

FYI to all breastfeeding moms out there: Don't believe what you read about babies going through 6-10 diapers a day! I think Addison is averaging 13-15!!! She has a habit of filling one right after we snap the last button on her onesie! It happens to Daddy most of the time, but it has occured with me more than once. You just have to laugh...I mean, what else can you do?

She's Here!!!

Well....as I predicted, Addison decided to come when SHE was ready, although she did her best to hold out until Sept. 11th, she didn't quite make it. Things started bright and early Tuesday morning and ended Wednesday night at 10:35 p.m. with Addison arriving in dramatic style. She was 8lbs 10oz, 22 in. long. How she was folded up in there, I will never know! I was thinking all along she wouldn't have much hair, if any at all, and she came out with lots of dark brown hair! She is thriving and healthy and already has Daddy wrapped around her finger. ;)

I've added pictures for your viewing (and my bragging) pleasure.

You can check out more pictures @: http://picasaweb.google.com/Timm.Megan/AddisonLane#