4 weeks

Four weeks ago, I held a brand new baby girl in my arms. Since then, life around here has definitely changed. Before I say any more, I must take a minute to recognize what a team my husband and I make. Honestly. I don’t always acknowledge it or even say it out loud, but I’m really lucky that we chose each other fifteen years ago. Having him in my life makes hard times easier, decision-making clearer, sleepless nights shorter, and my attitude better. I’m so glad we’re raising this family together.

As with Bella, nursing has been a bit of  a challenge with Sera. We started out like gangbusters, but her weight gain was not as it should be (did you know newborns are supposed to gain an ounce a day? wth?). So, I made an appointment with a lactation consultant. A week after our meeting, Sera still wasn’t gaining appropriately, so I am now officially a mama cow until we can meet with an OT to see if she has oral-motor issues. Fingers crossed that all of this works itself out. And if not, I’m really okay with that, too. I knew that nursing was not a strong point for me last time, so this time I made relaxing about it a priority. So far, so good.

Aside from the eating “issues” (really, this has been the hardest thing for us), Sera is the easiest baby around. She is content to hang out on the bed while I fold laundry. She puts up with her sister’s prodding and singing and endless hugs and kisses. Her cousins run around her, hollering and carrying on, and she just sleeps. We hit the jackpot! Within the past week, she’s found her “witching” hour — between 8 and 11 PM… which means we have to hold her  a little more, offer her food a little more, and bounce her around a bit more. But the complaining ceases and she falls asleep contentedly. How did I get so lucky?

Since Sereneda’s arrival, we’ve been quite busy away from home, as well. I completed my Ed.S. degree. My nephew premiered his first short film, The Universe II. And we celebrated Thanksgiving with the Georgia extended family. I’m learning how to maneuver getting a preschooler out the door and manage to get myself and Sera ready on days we have doctor’s appointments or other places to be. Z is learning how to survive three women in the house.

As we gear up for Christmas and I gear down from the stresses of graduate school and work, I’m looking forward to doing a lot more reading for pleasure, finally getting into some scrapping again, and making friends with George, the treadmill, again.

The other thing I’m going to try is this. Got the idea from here. And maybe a little of this, too. Regardless, I’m going to enjoy every minute of this holiday season with my family.

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