The longest day of the year

Today marks the start of summer and the longest day of the year. Last night it really felt like we were in for the longest night of our lives! Hazel was up and inconsolable for quite a while- but she finally went to sleep around 2 am and slept on and off until 7:30 this morning. The sleep deprivation is a force to be reckoned with- and despite what people say, it is difficult to sleep while she is sleeping during the day. There always seem to be things to get done during the day, and it just feels so strange to lay down for a nap at 10:30 in the morning. We are still figuring things out and making do the best we can.

We have been using a web-based tracking service called trixie tracker that allows us to track feedings, diapers and a bunch of other things, and the data we have gotten from tracking things has actually been very helpful to us in trying to figure out when Hazel tends to sleep for longer periods of time, and when her more wakeful times are. It’s also interesting to see patterns in her input vs. output- there is a definite pattern of nursing to diapers, which is great because we know she is getting enough to eat!

One of the unanticipated challenges of having a new baby has been trying to figure out how to balance our regular home upkeep (cooking, cleaning, making sure we don’t get written up by our crazy homeowner’s association) and the work of taking care of a baby who is completely dependent on us. My mom left this morning for Michigan, and we don’t have any other relatives in the area, so it has been difficult finding time to do things that normally aren’t a big deal. Jered has been wonderful in taking care of me- he goes out and resupplies our fridge, picks up diapers and does all of those types of things that I can’t do because I’m not allowed to drive for two weeks and I’m still less mobile than normal (another unfortunate and unexpected challenge brought to us by the c-section experience!). I can now see why it would be nice to live closer to extended family- not just for help and encouragement with a new baby, but for the support of being close to family. It’s funny how family becomes more important during these transitional times in our lives!

Jered posted a few videos of Hazel last night, and we plan to post more later this weekend as we capture more of her entertaining moments. Thanks for your continued readership- we appreciate the encourgement and support we get from our readers!

Filed under Pregnancy by esther |