one week old...

karys is one week old today! it been a challenging week but it's also been filled with many highs. here's the list:

challenges:

• lack of sleep: i usually do okay with little sleep but having a baby redefines little sleep. she's eating every 2-3 hours with one "long" stretch where she sleeps for 4-5 hours. but the "long" stretch has been from 6am to 10am. so that means waking up 2-3 time during the night. last night was better, she did her long stretch from 3am til 7am. hopefully she'll do that again tonight...
• recovering from the c-section: the recovery is going well for the most part, but there are times when the incisions is painful. i don't like taking medicine (especially since i'm nursing) but after carrying her for long periods of time my body really hurts and i give in...
• not knowing what she wants: i'm not always sure what karys wants when she cries. sometimes it's obvious (like when she hungry or she needs to be changed) but other times i have no idea what she wants. is it gas? does she want to get out of the swing? does she not like her outfit? oprah had a show on awhile ago titled "the secret language of babies" where a woman claimed that she's unlocked the secret language of babies. at the time i thought i was interesting but now i'm even more interested...
  

highs:

• nursing: i was a little anxious that karys wouldn't breastfeed. the first feeding neither of us knew what we were doing. however, by the second feeding she (soon after i) figured it out. now she nurses like a champ! i love the moments when i'm nursing her and she's looking at me (but i must admit it's more fun in the daytime than at 3am)...
• singing to her: i know i'm NOT a talented singer. but karys doesn't seem to mind. i sing all kinds of songs to her. i've even made up a few originals. her favorite song seems to be "you are my sunshine"...
  
• introducing her to family members: i know my parents have been waiting for a grandchild for awhile, so it was nice to introduce her to them. i look forward to introducing her to more of our family and friends...
  
• when i finally "get" what she wants/likes: as i said, there are times when i have no idea what she wants/likes. but when i finally "get it" it feels great. she doesn't like baths but she does like getting her hair washed. she also (seems to like) her swing, music, taking walks, and eating...
• watching her sleep: i love watching her sleep. she looks so peaceful...
  
• knowing she's ours: it's wonderful to have karys in our life and knowing she's ours to keep...

“Before you were conceived I wanted you
Before you were born I loved you
Before you were here an hour I would give my life for you
This is the miracle of life.”
~Maureen Hawkins

-ty