On Saturday, Erin and I took Abigail to Valley West Mall for her first shopping trip. The trip was fairly uneventful but we did notice something big when putting Abigail in her car seat. When we brought her home from the hospital 3 weeks ago, the plastic clip that goes across her chest was practically choking her because she was so small. On Saturday, there was about an inch of space between her neck and the clip.
Overall, we had a very good weekend. It started off with a lot of visitors on Friday afternoon and evening. First, Ashley and Kevin brought over there little girl who is almost 4 months old. After supper, Erin's Aunt Lisa along with her son Adam came over with his girlfriend Christy and their little boy. When they left, some of the coaches, Mike, Joel, and Tim stopped over and gave Abigail an engraved piggy bank that is a little shoe.
Feeding and sleep have been going well too. Abigail is going between 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 hours between feedings and is taking up to 2 1/2 ounces from the bottle on top of breast feeding. Although I'm sure it isn't very accurate, Erin stepped on the scale with Abigail and it registered that Abigail is over 6 lbs. We will find out for sure today when Erin goes to the Mommy and Me Breastfeeding class at the hospital.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
The First Few Weeks
No matter how many times people have told me, I didn't understand until now how fast time goes by when you have a newborn. Abigail is already 2 1/2 weeks old (3 weeks this Friday) and I feel that Erin and I are finally starting to settle into a groove. I'm pretty sure that over the course of the past 2 1/2 weeks, I have experienced every emotion possible at one time or another but I am really liking this dad thing.
During our 1st week home, Erin's mom stayed with us and helped clean and take care of Abigail. My parents were suppose to come for the 2nd week, but their plans changed when their neighbor, Steve, passed away so they are here to help us this week. Last week was not very fun as Erin was sick for a few days, requiring me to take on a larger work load while I was trying to start back at Pioneer as well.
Throughout all of this, Abigail is still doing great! At her 2 week doctor appointment last Friday, she weighed in at 5lbs 4oz, which is up from 4lbs 6.5oz when she left the hospital. We are still supplementing at each feeding but now almost exclusively with breast milk and just a little formula at night. Abigail is also helping us out as feedings have stretched out from every 2 hours to normally 3 hours and occasionally a 3 1/2 to 4 hour stretch at night. She is starting to become more active and sleeping less then when she first came home which makes her a bit more interesting in my opinion.
I'm trying to take the advice that I have received and "cherish these times", but I often find myself dreaming about what lies ahead for our family. According to my mom, I am more of a "toddler person" compared to an "infant person" and I'm okay with that. I look forward to the little things like when she will start to smile and laugh at me, when she will start to sit up on her own, crawl, walk, and even begin to talk. I dream of her first boat ride, her first fishing trip, first deer hunt (but only if she wants, according to Erin:), etc. So many great memories lie ahead and it fills my heart to know that I will get to be a part of them.
During our 1st week home, Erin's mom stayed with us and helped clean and take care of Abigail. My parents were suppose to come for the 2nd week, but their plans changed when their neighbor, Steve, passed away so they are here to help us this week. Last week was not very fun as Erin was sick for a few days, requiring me to take on a larger work load while I was trying to start back at Pioneer as well.
Throughout all of this, Abigail is still doing great! At her 2 week doctor appointment last Friday, she weighed in at 5lbs 4oz, which is up from 4lbs 6.5oz when she left the hospital. We are still supplementing at each feeding but now almost exclusively with breast milk and just a little formula at night. Abigail is also helping us out as feedings have stretched out from every 2 hours to normally 3 hours and occasionally a 3 1/2 to 4 hour stretch at night. She is starting to become more active and sleeping less then when she first came home which makes her a bit more interesting in my opinion.
I'm trying to take the advice that I have received and "cherish these times", but I often find myself dreaming about what lies ahead for our family. According to my mom, I am more of a "toddler person" compared to an "infant person" and I'm okay with that. I look forward to the little things like when she will start to smile and laugh at me, when she will start to sit up on her own, crawl, walk, and even begin to talk. I dream of her first boat ride, her first fishing trip, first deer hunt (but only if she wants, according to Erin:), etc. So many great memories lie ahead and it fills my heart to know that I will get to be a part of them.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Abigail Kristina O'Connell is here!
At 6:26pm on Friday, April 29, Abigail Kristina O'Connell joined us in this world. She was 4lb 10oz and 17 3/4 inches long at birth which was enough to keep her out of the NICU. Both Erin and Abigail did great for the entire hospital stay and each day since has been getting better and better.
As expected, life is much different with Abigail around. I am off work for the week and Erin's mom, Mary is staying with us which has been a great help. We came home on Sunday and Monday and, although Abigail did fantastic, Erin and I were exhausted and a bit overwhelmed with the change. Yesterday and today have been much better. We have been very lucky as Abigail sleeps well between feedings (even at night) and we are actually having to wake her up to eat. Erin is really getting down the routine of breastfeeding and pumping and even the little things like changing diapers and clothes are getting easier each time.
Yesterday, Abigail had her first appointment at the pediatrician and everything went well. She held weight, at 4lb 7oz, since leaving the hospital and everything else is doing great. The goal between now and her next appointment, a week from Friday, is to get her back up to birth weight.
I feel like there is so much to write about but don't want to put it all in 1 post, so that is all for now.
As expected, life is much different with Abigail around. I am off work for the week and Erin's mom, Mary is staying with us which has been a great help. We came home on Sunday and Monday and, although Abigail did fantastic, Erin and I were exhausted and a bit overwhelmed with the change. Yesterday and today have been much better. We have been very lucky as Abigail sleeps well between feedings (even at night) and we are actually having to wake her up to eat. Erin is really getting down the routine of breastfeeding and pumping and even the little things like changing diapers and clothes are getting easier each time.
Yesterday, Abigail had her first appointment at the pediatrician and everything went well. She held weight, at 4lb 7oz, since leaving the hospital and everything else is doing great. The goal between now and her next appointment, a week from Friday, is to get her back up to birth weight.
I feel like there is so much to write about but don't want to put it all in 1 post, so that is all for now.
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