I think all new parents should have a checklist called "The Baby Poop List." This list contains all the different poop occurrences you should expect as a newbie parent of a pooping machine. We got to check two off the list this week.
First one: baby diarrhea. You would think all baby poop is diarrhea while breastfeeding. Well that's not exactly the case. Baby's poop while breastfeeding is like a pudding consistency, (hungry anyone?) but it also has weird texture in it that looks like small seeds-something only baby books will dare tell you. This week Harper had pretty liquidy poop which of course caused me to mildly freak out. I called her pediatrician who told me to buy some over the counter probiatics to put in her bottle. We are only two days in but I think it's helping.
Second one: diaper blowout up the back, almost to the baby's hair. I was taking a nap when Dale called me upstairs to help him with Harper's diaper. I was surprised to see a majority of the poop was not in her diaper, but all up her back and almost in her hair. It was pretty gross and we both knew we weren't going to get out of this one without getting it on ourselves. After a quick discussion on the best strategy to get her clothes off of her, we were able to remove her dress, give her back a wipe with baby wipes and plop her in her bathtub with only a small amount of poop getting on our hands. I'm pretty amazed the distance the poop covered. You would think with gravity, that type of blowout would be impossible. But let me tell you it can happen. I've seen it with my own eyes. Don't worry, I didn't take any pictures of this phenomenon. Now we have a clean baby and a reason to do a load of her laundry for the third time this week.
Here is the complete "The Baby Poop List":
- Diaper blowout on the left side
- Diaper blowout on the right side
- Diaper blowout in the front
- Diaper blowout in the back
- Diaper blowout in the car seat
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Blood in poop
- Pooping while getting diaper changed
- Poop that hits the wall while changing baby
- Poop while getting a bath
I'm pretty sure I've missed a few. Feel free to add some in the comments section. We haven't had the pleasure of experiencing all of these and knock on wood we won't!
PICTURE TIME!
Yesterday was so beautiful that we decided to go to the pumpkin patch so
I could take fall pictures of Harper. I wasn't sure how this photo shoot going to
go since she can't sit up yet.In the patch I found two pumpkins located next to
each other that could hold her up. Dale and I propped her up against
them and I got in position to take her photo. I started to take the
first picture when it happened, Harper took her first fall sideways into
the dirt. And it wasn't just dirt, it was also pumpkin vines with
prickers on them. Your first reaction is, "Oh no, my baby could be hurt,
I need to help her." Your second reaction is guilt after you see the
damage, hear the cry and see the tears...all because you wanted to take a
picture of her by pumpkins. She only suffered a few minor scratches and
probably years of therapy to get over her fear of pumpkins. After five
minutes of her crying and me feeling terrible, we found two pumpkins
closer together that worked perfectly to keep her in place. I think the
pictures turned out good. I posted the best on Facebook. I only really
got the same shot 100 times since I was worried she would fall again. I
figure next year will go better as long as she isn't running away from
me. I also assume there will be many more falls and injuries in her future. I just
hope I'm there for most to make her feel better.
It is amazing the things moms and dads will do to make their child
laugh. If you had a camera set up in our living room, you would be
entertained for hours. Wednesday night my crazy, silly thing was dancing
and I was pulling out all the stops. I was using full out jazz hands,
the one dance move where you have your hands on your knees and as you
push your knees together you cross your hands in front of them, the moon
walk, the running man and just some random movements, all of which were
entertaining Harper. I'll do anything for a laugh and I'm not ashamed to admit it.
I'm trying to prepare Harper's wardrobe for winter. Do babies
not wear coats until they are 12 months? I haven't really found any for a baby smaller than that. That's a lie, I did find a really cute one at babies R us, but it was too fancy to buy. I think babies wear something called a baby bunting. I don't think they are cute at all, but I guess if it keeps your child safe I have nothing against them. I'll have to do more research before I buy one. I'm hoping my winter car seat cover is enough or I find a coat.
Here are some pumpkin patch pictures and Harper cheering on the Packers!
Ok, I know I will be learning things throughout this journey of
motherhood, but I wanted to
share a few things I've learned so far.
Feet are your second hand. Wait...we have two hands so third and fourth
hand I mean. You will be amazed at the acrobats you can do to pick
things off the floor or table with your feet while holding a sleeping
baby.
Old people (and I mean OLD) don't have a filter in public and will tell
you what you are doing wrong. Dale has gotten stopped on two separate
occasions by old ladies. One scolded him for not covering Harper with a
pink blanket so people knew she was a girl and another was shocked that
we would dare take a 5 week old out of the house. "20 years ago you wouldn't take a baby out of the house until they were 6 months old."
Lady, if we still did stuff that was acceptable 20 years ago, babies
wouldn't be in car seats and I'd still be listening to Ace of Base on my Walkman. (Maybe not all too hateful.) I'm so sick of the "is your baby a boy or girl question that I won't leave the house without a barrette in her hair. They even ask when she is wearing purple so the barrette is a must!
I never understood how people, moms especially, could get so upset the
first time or week they had to drop their baby off at daycare or the
first night away from their child. Well the daycare first week was not
fun. It was hard to trust well essentially a stranger to take care of my
baby for the next 8 hours. Sure, she's been doing this for 30+ years
but does she know what to do when my baby cries? Is she prepared to rock
her to sleep every time she's ready to go down for a nap? Is she going
to have enough of my breast milk to keep Harper satisfied? These
questions and many more were all I could think of the whole first day
back at work, plus I missed the crap out of her. When you spend 2+
months with someone you grow attached and don't want to lose them. This
feeling of protection and love (different from the love I have for my
husband since I know he can take care of himself) was new to me. I'm not
sure I will ever be 100% ok with dropping Harper off at daycare but for
now, this mommy is managing. Now for the first night away from her..we
will have to handle that hurdle when it comes.
Showers are a luxury. I'm pretty sure I've become that stinky lady that
doesn't realize she smells. When I'm at home with Harper for the day I'm
lucky if I can squeeze in a shower. you have to prioritize items to do
while the baby sleeps and shower often doesn't make my list. Don't worry
coworkers, now that I'm back in the office full time my daily routine includes a shower. For awhile I was content with every other day or
the occasional longer, yuck. Good thing Dale can't smell and Harper has
no choice.
A trip to Target to pick up a prescription turns into a cart full of
clothes/toys for Harper. I'll admit, I could never leave Target with
just a prescription in the past. That purchase would normally include a
new shirt or running shorts for myself. But now, it's all about stuff for
Harper. Today's visit was no exception. I ended up leaving with three
toys, four pairs of baby socks, a tiny skirt, three pairs of little
tights and a 2T shirt. Yes, a 2T shirt that my daughter can't wear for 2
years. My rationalization...It's sooo cute and on clearance. This
opportunity won't happen again. Fingers crossed I still like it in two
years.
Dale is an amazing father. I always knew he would be, but I think there
is that fear in the back of every pregnant woman's mind of "will the
father feel the bond/connection to the baby right away?" Dale was
instantly in love. He had tears in his eyes the moment Harper arrived.
(I'm sure he loves me telling people that.) He has been a huge help to
me by constantly getting me things while I'm feeding Harper. He has no
problems with getting spit up on or changing her diaper. Let's face it,
wiping up someone else's poop is true love. He also enjoys having her
fall asleep on his chest most nights. Every night we have the same
routine: we put her in her crib, Dale leans over and gives her a kiss
and I say, "Goodnight, Peanut Butter. We love you." I know it's a corny
ritual but it's just us being us. I think it kills Dale to go to work
each morning. I know he would much rather stay at home with his baby
girl. Something that did shock me was he started posting pictures of
Harper and changing his status message on Facebook. Both of which were
unheard of. Not to mention that I had to show him how to update his
status. (Once again I'm sure he loves that I'm sharing that.) One thing
is for sure, Harper is going to have her daddy wrapped around her little
finger.
Babies have the strangest ability to gather tons and tons of lint between their fingers and toes. It is crazy how often I am cleaning them out. Where does all this fuzz come from and why doesn't that happen to adults?
I love coming home and smelling Harper. Very strange...I know, but she has this baby smell that I can't get enough of, especially if I've been gone all day.
Most importantly I've learned that being a mom is awesome and I wouldn't
trade it for the world. Now if you ask me again when she is a teen, I
might have different answer. Ok, probably not. :)
Cute pic time!
I have officially decided to join the blogging world (I'm only 10 years
behind). I have tried blogging in the past and have failed multiple
times. I've decided to give it one more try for several reasons that I'm
about to force you to read.
1) Everyone is doing it. (Yes I would jump off the bridge too.)
2) I don't think I really had anything to talk about until now. I'm
excited to share my random new mom thoughts, stories and adorable
pictures with anyone that will subject themselves to my blog.
3) Blogging gives me an additional outlet to keep my family and friends
updated on our lives that are happening thousands of miles away.
Living in Baltimore really kills me. I miss my family and friends all day, everyday. Harper hasn't met half her family yet and she is over two months old. It is really hard to only see your family 1-2 times a year. I hope this blog helps my family and friends stay up-to-date on what is happening in our lives and especially Harper's life.
4) And finally, I can only post so many pictures of my adorable baby
girl to Facebook before people start blocking me. I love Harper and want
to share her with the world but I understand people are at different
stages in their lives and may not want their newsfeed cluttered with pictures of my
daughter sleeping in five different positions on my chest or in the
latest new outfit I bought her.
So if you have some free time and want to read the ramblings of a new
mom, please follow my blog. I promise not to hold back on the cute pics!
Here is my disclaimer...I have been known to divulge too much
information. So if things like poop, mucus plugs or toe nails falling of
gross you out, this isn't the blog for you and you should stop reading
now. You probably should have stopped before that sentence... If you have never had a baby you are probably looking mucus plug up
right now. It's one of those wonderful pregnancy things no one talks
about...but I will!
I can't end a blog post without a cute picture of Harper. Love her!
