Oh Dear, What Can the Matter Be?

Well folks, we are at two weeks and growing! It still seems like she's been here forever, but somehow at the same time I can't believe she's already been with us for two weeks. These two weeks have flown. And for nostalgia's sake: Two weeks ago today at this very moment I was quite literally dying. I had been having awful contractions for an hour, and was probably in the process of getting my first epidural. Little did I know, it wouldn't work and I would have to go through the same process two more times. For a total of three hours! I'm really quite surprised I'm still here to talk about it. Ha. Actually, do you know what's funny? In just two weeks, I can honestly say I don't remember the pain. Sure, I know it was the worst, most horrible thing I've ever experienced, but as far as the actual pain... I have no recollection of what it actually felt like. I've tried in my head to relive it, and I just can't. There's nothing there. I suppose that is God's way of making sure people keep having babies. It's a cruel little game He plays, really.

But let's not focus on the past. The present is much more fun these days! Life with the bug is a trip. Somehow without words, or even coordinated movements, she is the funniest little thing on the planet. She absolutely lights up my days. If you're friends with me on facebook, you've seen the album of her faces - and I must say - that is just the tip of the iceberg with this child. She has millions of faces, each one better than the last. I don't know where she gets them, or if she means anything by them, but they sure make us laugh. And although her mouth doesn't quite smile yet - her eyes pick up the slack. Her pretty blue eyes just glisten when we talk to her as if she knows exactly what we're saying and just how happy she is making us.

And it's taken me two weeks, but I think I'm on to her! Here's what I know about her so far:

• She hates to sleep. She would love to be awake like a big girl all day and night. I really should not be surprised by this, however, I blogged about her incessant moving for the past nine months.
• She will get the hiccups after every meal. And they are violent. Poor little bug. I also shouldn't be surprised by this either, she got the hiccups every time I ate when she was in my belly.
• She has learned that I am her source of food. And when she comes to me for a meal her hands start flailing in excitement and her mouth opens wide. 
• She thinks she's older than two weeks. She would love to sit up, talk, and move around on her own. And actually, she gives it a pretty good try. I am fully expecting her to be rolling over by next week.
• Her cord fell off! Thank.Goodness. I have been obsessed with that nasty little thing since we got home. But I am happy to announce yesterday it fell off onto the floor. And just like that she is a real person. Which also means she can have a bath now! Hmm... this weekend? I think so!
• She likes car rides! She's so good. She just sits and looks around, and if we're really lucky she will fall asleep by the time we get home.
• She will go to the bathroom every time she eats, no need to change her before hand. And sometimes, just for fun, she will go twice.
• If I really want her to have a good nap, she must be in her crib. Although she sleeps down here, it's not the restful sleep I would like her to have, and it takes double the time to get her to actually fall asleep. So from here on out, we will be spending a lot more time in her room.
• She sleeps like a champ at night. Again, besides the getting to sleep, once she's there she goes for five hour stretches at night. Which means... mama only wakes up once in the middle of the night! Good.Girl. 
• She has no genetic disorders! That's right, we got a call from her doctor yesterday and each one of the 27 diseases they test for came back negative. Thank you, Jesus, for a healthy little girl. 

I'm sure that list will grow, after all, she's not really doing a whole lot right now. There is one more thing I learned about her this past week, though. She seems to really enjoy singing. Even by yours truly, who, cannot sing at all. But we were all alone last Sunday night and she was starting to get fussy and out of my mouth rolled the nursery rhyme:

Oh dear, What can the matter be?

Oh dear, What can the matter be?

Oh dear, What can the matter be?

Oh little deary of mine.

If you know that song, you might be wondering to yourself why the last line looks funny. Well, that's because I couldn't remember that line so I made up a line. And it works for Leah and I so don't judge me. Anyways, in signing that song she calms down fairly quickly and usually will go to sleep in a reasonable amount of time. And when you've got a child that hates sleep you do whatever it takes. So if singing that song 727 times gets my baby to sleep... that's what I'll do.

Before I wrap this up - this little girls mama also reached some milestones today! I can take a bath again (not that I have time), and am allowed to drive again! Although, I still can't lift Leah's car seat, so I don't know how I'd get us anywhere. I suppose I could just leave her at home, but some people might frown on that. I can sit up from bed without feeling like my insides are going to rip out, I can sneeze without yelping in pain, and I haven't had a pain pill in two days! I suppose I'm on the mend. I go to the doctor on Tuesday and I'm anxious to see what she says about my healing - and also to show Leah off! I'll have to pick her out and extra cute outfit.

Well Kyle is back at work, and Grandma left us (come back grandma!) - so I'm officially on my own. I think I got this. She's a pretty easy baby, minus the refusing to sleep. But we're getting a handle on that. I'm actually excited to not have visitors at least for a couple days. I'm excited to try to get us in a routine, and get used to hanging out with her on my own. We've got a lot of TV watching to do. Hopefully she likes Kathy Lee and Hoda! With 45 minutes until her next meal, I'm gonna soak up some "me time." Until next time.