Naomi Turns Two Months

My grandma made this quilt for Naomi.  Every great grandchild has received one.  

I cannot believe I gave birth TWO months ago already.  Even though Josh keeps saying Naomi is only five days old...  The silver lining of having a (very healthy) premie, is that I haven't been pregnant for the last two months.  I was never worried about Naomi.  She was always doing so well.  It was all about getting her to grow in the beginning.  A lot has happened in the last month...

 Naomi finally came home from the NICU on April 12.  It was a good day!!  I had been bugging the NICU staff to just let her try to eat on her own and give her a chance, instead of waiting for the right moment.  Persistence is one of my strengths, Josh would probably argue and say it's an annoyance haha, but it worked.  Soon as I convinced the doctors and nurses, Naomi ate like a champ for 48 hours and we got to go home.  It was like, HELLO???  I was so glad my mom was in town for this.  She really helped with the transition at home. Luckily, she was willing to take the night shift until she left.  That was the hardest part of transitioning.  Charlotte is old enough where she can do for herself (and likes to), so we haven't really had too many issues of juggling the kids.

Coming home from the hospital

First time Charlotte met Naomi

Naomi is a very noisy baby.  Honestly, Charlotte was not.  I don't remember her even waking up during the night.  I mean, I'm sure she did, but I don't remember.  We were told that because Naomi is a premie, she is extra noisy.  It's the loudest at night.  We have her in a bassinet next to our bed, but she keeps us up at all hours.  Although, I have learned that if we swaddle her (which she hates) and burp her, the noises are less.  

Just this past week, she has gone like a four hour stretch at night in between feedings.  I am still pumping due to Naomi having thrush, and we have learned how to be a little more prepared at night with the bottles.  I feel like I have a middle-of-the-night routine down pretty well by now.  

During the day, Naomi is a trooper.  Always having to get in and out of the carseat to take or pickup Charlotte from preschool and various activities.  Naomi loves being outside.  The other night I had to run somewhere and Josh was out pulling weeds, so we just put her in the rock-n-play outside and she loved it.  We have been going to the pool and Carowinds (no, I don't do the rides, just sit around) and she loves just being in her stroller.  The bassinet attaches to the stroller frame and it sure has come in handy.  She does stay awake a good amount of time during the day, but of course, sleeps a lot of it as well.

We have had a home health nurse come to the house every Wednesday since she was released from the NICU.  This Wednesday will be the last time.  She weighs her and just makes sure we are keeping her alive (I guess?).  Last Wednesday, May 2, was her actual due date.  She weighed in at 7 pounds and 6 ounces, the same weight Charlotte was at birth.  It really was a fun little moment.  I was really hoping that would be the case, just for kicks, and sure enough, it just happened that way!  Her two month appointment is this Friday, May 11.  Naomi also loves taking a bath.  It totally soothes her.  Like mother, like daughter. ;)

Speaking of Charlotte, she still is in love!  She wants to hold Naomi all the time, but also gets bored easily.  Charlotte gets a little frustrated when she cries and doesn't really know how to help.  But we are working on that.  I know they will have a special bond forever.  Charlotte has wanted a sibling for the last couple years and all of her dreams have finally come true.  I look forward to when Naomi will interact with Charlotte more.  That will really make Charlotte happy!

As for being two months postpartum, all I can say is "UGH!"  I know my body was never perfect, but I am still in that stage of wondering if my body will ever be back to normal.  Literally no clothes fit, it's too depressing to go shopping and my doctor has told me to not exercise right now due to my heart.  So am I just going to get fatter?  Please still love me!! haha.  All I can hold on to right now is that it shouldn't be too long until I receive my new valve and can be a normal person again!  I will be meeting with my cardiologist in Atlanta in July to discuss and plan the surgery.  I really do just want to get it over with at this point.  I am still having lightheaded/dizzy spells and that makes me a little nervous.  So I don't really go anywhere, aside from my daily errands, without Josh.  I wait for him on the weekends to do any big things (mainly for the house).  I have been able to really lay low and take it easy.  Our ward has been so nice in watching Charlotte and bringing meals and just stopping in to see how things are going.  We really can't thank them enough!

To everyone else that has reached out, thank you!  I know I haven't got my thank you cards out, but I do think about your kindness all the time and wonder what I did to deserve so many caring people in my life.