The First Week at Home

Thomas and I survived the first week at home with a newborn!  We had a lot of help to make it all possible - my parents were both in town all week and served as cooks, housekeepers, and baby holders (so I could take the occasional shower or two).  Thomas's mother came and served as our "night nurse" on Monday and Tuesday nights.  We also had some fabulous meals courtesy of her kitchen.  We couldn't have done it alone!  Here are some photos of the proud grandparents - Mi-Ma (Elise), Papa (David), Poppy (Peter), and Grammy (Susan).

Virginia (who is now affectionately known as "Little Squirmer," "Squirmy McWormy," and "Baby V") has been a pretty darn good baby so far.  She has her bouts of fussiness, but they don't seem to last for long.  I'm starting to figure out the differences in her cries so we can address her needs and shorten the crying spells.

Virginia is also showing signs of some pretty bizarre but promising eating and sleeping patterns . . . she slept on Friday night for a more than 4 hour stretch after a 2 hour marathon eating session.  Apparently, a lot of newborns "cluster feed" like this, and it seems to have the effect of putting her to sleep for long periods.  I'm really hoping that this means she will sleep through the night early.  She is finally getting the hang of breast feeding and we are pretty sure she is going to have gained all her weight back by her pediatrician's appointment on Monday.