David, Lisa, Kayla, Isaac & Annika

To be technical, it's two weeks and two days, but I wanted to wait to post an update after we had her first Dr. apt!! Let me just say how much I love Kayla's pediatrician. He is so down to earth, and just so relaxed and knowledgeable. And, he thinks Kayla is a healthy girl, so that makes me and David quite happy. She is gaining weight well - she weighed 8 lbs and 10.5 oz. The goal by this appointment was to re-gain her birth weight (8 lb 5 oz), so he was well pleased with her progress. That weight puts her in the 75 percentile for weight. She measured 22 inches long, which puts her in the 90 percentile for height, and her head circumference was 14 1/2 inches, which puts her in the 75 percentile for that! There are a few things we will follow up on, but overall her health is great, heart is beating as it should with no murmurs, hip flexors are working nicely, and a few other things he checked for... all normal and good! Praise the Lord! It is definitely an answer to prayer that she is a healthy little girl.

In other news, Kayla is learning so much. She is going to be a smart little girl! And strong! She already can pretty much roll from her back to her belly! And from day one she has had a strong little neck, and she continues to push that neck up during "tummy time". She is starting to interact a little bit, or at least know her surroundings more! On the side of her changing table are some animal wall decorations that we have yet to hang... so they are right next to the changing pad. She rolls on her side and is quite interested in looking at them, and cooing at them! It is really precious! And speaking of cooing, she coos ALL THE TIME! I just love it. It makes me quite endeared to her. She is just a little angel. One of my best friend's husband equates a good baby with a baby that doesn't require frequent diaper changes... and if that were the standards, well, Kayla is not a very good baby!! However, she is nursing like a champ, learning how to latch on better each day (for the most-part!). It is quite satisfying to know that I am able to provide her with her basic needs - food, comfort, love, dry diapers!! I am really enjoying nursing, although it is a lot of hard work.

Also, she is sleeping really well at nights too! Last night I nursed her at 10 for about 30 minutes... and then she slept from then until almost 4am!!!! She is spoiling us! Although I am not getting nearly as much sleep as I was before she was born (well, minus the frequent nighttime bathroom trips courtesy of the 3rd trimester!), I think I am getting a great night of "mom sleep". I really can't complain about much. I am still tired, but it is manageable! She is slowly getting into an eating/sleeping routine, and allowing me to at least attempt to get a few things done. Sometimes I struggle with how often I am nursing, and how long each nursing session takes. It seems as if that is about all I do these days! But slowly I am finding 10 minutes here and there, and can go to the bathroom, eat a meal, or pay a few bills! I am sure this will continue to improve as she falls more into a rhythm. Right now she is cooing in her sling, fast asleep, and has been for about 2 hours!! How wonderful! I have 2 hands again!! I will take these good days, or at least good moments, and store them up for the hard times! But honestly, motherhood is treating me really well, and I am thoroughly enjoying it!!