The beginning

They say you can't spoil a newborn, so at a mere 6 weeks, Caroline is getting her own blog. We hope that our family and friends will visit often to keep up with what Caroline is up to.

Caroline Layne Curtis was born on August 28, 2007 at 1:19 am. She weighed in at 7 lbs 10 oz. and measured 20 inches. She is 6 weeks old today and it is hard to believe that she has been here this long already. We feel like we just brought her home from the hospital. Here is a little summary of the past 5 weeks so that everyone can catch up with where she is. Bear with me, it's a little long, but a lot has happened in 6 weeks. ( FYI the date of Oct 2 on this post is when I started writing, not the actual day I posted, so her age and the date of the post do not match up)

Week 1: Chris was home from work all week and through Labor Day. We had an amazing week with just the three of us together, getting to know each other. We turned the ringer off on our home phone and didn't take cell phone calls so that we could focus all of our attention on Caroline (and maybe get some rest too). Caroline quickly demonstrated her preference for where she wants to sleep-- on Chris or I. Of course, we could look at her and watch her sleep all day, but it gets to be a bit troublesome when you want to go to the bathroom or eat. And, she cries and fusses when we try to put her in the bassinet at night. I was too afraid to put her in the bed with me, so I mostly slept with her in a chair. Caroline spent her first Saturday watching football and NASCAR while sleeping on dad. We were amazed at Caroline's neck strength and head control. Even in the hospital, she could lift her head to about 45 degrees and turn it from side to side if she was laying on our chest. We took her to the pediatrician at 3 days old. She weighed 7 lbs 1 oz and still had a bit of jaundice so we were instructed to let her sleep in front of a window during the day so that the sunlight would help to clear it up. We took her for her first walk in the stroller on Labor Day. Just around the neighborhood block. She cried a little bit but, hey, it's a big world out there (and hot, too)!

Week 2: This was mom's first week home alone with Caroline. Chris managed to come home for lunch often or cut the day short to spend time with her and give me a break. We were able to get her to sleep for naps in the Pack n' Play (more often) and the bassinet (less often). Caroline is definitely an active little girl. She is constantly moving and wiggling and when she gets really fired up, her legs kick like she's running. Hmmm-- wonder where she gets that from?? Caroline started sleeping in the bed with me, mostly on my chest. I make a wall on both sides of me with thick, long pillows so that I can't move and she can't fall over to the side. It works well for us-- I am a pretty light sleeper and I stay very still, so I'm not afraid of rolling over on her. I manage to get 4-5 hours of broken sleep this way. I know-- call the Baby Police on me!!! We had some visitors this week. My Aunt Linda and her husband Fred were here at the beginning of the week and my dad (aka Pop) was here. Pop works in Orlando right now. Also, Chris's sister Betsy and Tara came from New York to visit on Saturday afternoon for a few hours. It was a nice visit and Aunt Betsy got to hold Caroline.

Week 3: Caroline had her 2 week check-up. Weight: 8 lbs 8 oz Length: 21 inches. That definitely put my fears that she wasn't getting enough to eat to rest. Jaundice all clear. She's one healthy baby! Caroline developed her evening fussy period this week, usually starting somewhere between 7 and 9 o'clock and lasting an hour or two. This is a difficult period of the day, as she is pretty much inconsolable and there is no apparent reason for her crying. Chris took his first overnight trip this week. I was a little nervous at first, but everything went fine. My friend brought us a DVD called The Happiest Baby on the Block. This video is incredible. It was made by a pediatrician who shows his methods for how to soothe a fussy baby. We tried some of the techniques out and they worked much to our amazement!! Caroline slept in the bassinet all night that night (except for feedings). Our first thought: "They should require you to watch this video before you come home from the hospital". I took Caroline to the park down the street for the first time and met up with some other moms and their babes that live close by. It was fun and nice to socialize a little!

Week 4: Much to our dismay, the sleeping in the bassinet did not last more than 2 nights. So, she is now back in bed with me. Oh well, I figure I will just enjoy this time with her while she is so little and needs lots of cuddling--and I do love it. Caroline smiled at me for the first time. Not one of the smiles in her sleep like she has been doing all along. But an eyes open, looking at me, whole face smile . WOW!!!! What a wonderful feeling. It was right after she finished nursing and she has done it a few more times since. But I still can't get Chris to see it (she's usually fussy when he gets home). Friday, my mom (aka Nana) was over helping out. Caroline decided she did not want to sleep today and was a bit fussy. Finally, around 5 pm, Nana put her up over her shoulder and ZONK-- she fell right asleep. So, Nana suggested we try putting her down on her tummy. I said OK but was a little hesitant with the whole SIDS issue and the Back to Sleep recommendation. FYI, Nana was not suggesting that we let Caroline sleep on her tummy, it was just an experiment. Well, it worked and she slept (with me watching over her like a hawk) for a couple of hours. Over the weekend, we had visitors. Chris's dad and Dana and Helen, Chris's sister, and her son Bryan came to visit. Everyone enjoyed holding her and watching her sleep. Developmentally, Caroline can hold her head upright for short periods when we are holding her and she can lift her head to about 45 degrees or maybe more when she is in the floor for tummy time.

Week 5: We gave Caroline her first bottle (of pumped milk) this week. Actually, Chris gave her the bottle. I decided to go ahead and try it out because people told me if I waited too long she might not ever take one. I was reluctant at first-- I felt torn about giving up the time breastfeeeding her, as I have come to enjoy our quiet time together creating the mother/daughter bond. But, I also realized that it would be a good opportunity for Chris to bond with her too. The bottle feedings are going well. Chris has given her about 4 bottles so far and she really gets it now-- and she can go back and forth with breastfeeding and the bottle just fine! And it gives me a nice break.
I called the pediatrician to get some advice on the sleep issues, telling them that Caroline prefers to sleep on her tummy. I was quickly reprimanded and told that Carloline has to learn to sleep on her back and that she should not be in bed with me. The nurse told me that I need to let her cry herself to sleep. OK, so I tried it and it lasted 15 minutes and I'm over it. I can't let her cry. On to Plan B, which is back to her sleeping on me or Chris. Sigh. It's a good thing she's so adorable!!!
I got out the Baby Einstein activity gym for Caroline's "playtime". It has lights and sounds and bright colors and pictures. She lays on her back and looks up or to the side at it. She particularly likes the picture of the bunny rabbit which see can see when she turns her head to the right. There is also a mirror which she looks at quite a bit. She seems to enjoy this new activity now that she has started looking around more.
This weekend, my best friend from high school and her husband and their 1 y/o daughter came to visit on Saturday. Watching their daughter walk and say some words was really fun. She still carries the little soft bear blankie that I took her in the hospital after she was born. So cute. Hard to imagine Caroline will be doing that stuff one day! Chris's mom also came to visit on Sunday. She really seemed to enjoy her time with Caroline!

6 weeks old!!!!
Major breakthrough: I took my first shower yesterday without Chris or my mom having to be here. Prior to this, Caroline's naps have been so sporadic in length, if they happen at all, that I just haven't dared get in the shower and risk her starting to fuss or cry in the middle of it. I put her in the car seat with her Sleep Sheep and she slept thought the whole thing. (FYI a Sleep Sheep is like a white noise machine but with nature sounds and it is a stuffed sheep). It really helps Caroline to go to and stay asleep.
I had my 6 weeks post-partum check-up and all is good. I am clear to do whatever I want to. So, of course, I got home and took Caroline out for a walk/jog in the jog stroller. We went about 45 minutes and she only cried a little bit. It is a much smoother ride for her on our bumpy streets than the regular stroller. I did have to stop and hold her twice, but I needed the rest. Pushing her and the stroller while running is quite the workout.

Caroline's awareness of her environment has changed so much in 6 weeks. Before, she was just looking at shadows and windows and faces up close. Now, she really can see the things on the Baby Einstein gym. Especially, her reflection in the mirror. Such fun to watch.
She is napping in the car seat in the floor of our bedroom as we speak. She's been asleep for 2 hours and 20 minutes without a fuss or cry. YESSSSSSSS!!!! Who knew-- the car seat was the trick!
So, now we are all caught up. We will post some pictures and video soon!