On our own...

Matt and I now have the distinction of being parents without the assistance of Gramma Beth. She stuck around a few days longer than planned so that I didn’t have my first day all alone with Erin on one of Matt’s call days. It was much appreciated. With much trepidation, I drove Gramma Beth to the train station on Tuesday night and prepared to face our first night alone in a while. It could have gone smoother. I think that Erin missed sleeping with her Gramma and I just didn’t cut it. Yeah I’m good for the feeding, but apparently I’m a poor bedmate. I’m sure it’s ironic coming from someone who snores as loudly as I do, but man Erin is a noisy sleeper! I don’t think that the arrangement was ideal for either of us and I certainly didn’t get any sleep. So after a meltdown at 5AM (mine, not Erin’s), Matt tried putting her down in her crib and she slept for almost 3 hours alone in the crib.

With 3 hours of decent sleep, I began my first day alone as a parent. I have to say that things went really well. I managed to get several loads of laundry done, straighten up the house, take a shower and get Erin to her clinic appointment. Yea me. I would never have been able to manage this without my sling and it is now right up with my favorite pieces of baby gear (maybe tied with the swaddle blanket, our stroller and the pacifier). Erin loves being squished into a little Erin ball in the sling and will sit in there contently for a long time.

Erin’s check up went well. As Matt and I had guessed by the number of sleepers that Erin is outgrowing and her frequently voluminous poopy diapers, Erin is getting lots of calories and is growing like crazy. Even our very experienced pediatrician was surprised and kept commenting on her “excellent weight gain.” Our little girl is now 9lbs 8oz. If she keeps up this close to a pound weight gain much longer and we can expect a 52lb toddler. At that weight she might give Duncan a run for his money. The doctor confirmed that Erin is the picture of health and Erin and I got kudos for great breastfeeding. We also stuck around and showed Erin off to some of the staff and resident friends. It was funny how a simple outing can be the highlight of a day, but it was fun to get out of the house and talk to people who talk back.

Last night went much better. After realizing at this point I am unable to co sleep with Erin, we decided to give the crib another shot. Erin did great. She had a little trouble settling when we went to bed around 10, but settled herself great after feedings at midnight, 3AM and 6AM. So we are definitely feeding her more frequently with this arrangement, but I was actually able to sleep some between feedings which is an improvement. I hope that her ability to settle herself sticks around because it is fantastic. I can still hear Erin snuffle, snort, sigh, coo and grunt from our room, but I’m hoping that I learn to sleep through her noises once I’m really convinced that she’s not going to need me to help her fall back asleep.

Matt had today off which was terrific. We treated ourselves to a dinner out last night and spent the day on walks, running errands and we both managed to catch a nap. My accomplishment today was managing to take the stroller and both dogs on a walk by myself this AM.

So, things are going well and Matt and I may just make it as parents after all.