Sunday, December 12, 2010

EIght weeks of Isobel!

Yes, it's really me. I am really posting about life as a mum or should I say, life as mums.
I have been so bad at blogging about our little sweet-pea but I couldn't let her 8 week birthday go by without saying something!
There is so much to say and there are many posts in my head, but I fear I can't get it all down before she succumbs to hunger and mama milkies ( that's me) has to step in and offer a boob ( right now, actually!)

Here are some of the things that she has been doing. She has been smiling a bit more every day and today we got her on tape laughing and smiling. She is getting more and more visually tuned in and loves to gaze at the stars we have on our wall and the Christmas lights we have twinkling. Her hands are getting to her mouth more each day and we swear she will start sucking her thumb soon.
She has the cutest little yawn which we hope to get on tape on day - she opens her mouth wide and long and then at the end of it she blows out a huge puff of air that sounds like someone letting air out of a tire. Her legs are getting stronger and so is her neck. She's able to hold her head up more.

She had her first rotten cold aged two weeks and at that difficult time I  remember thinking to myself: "what were we thinking, having a baby? We haven't a clue what we are doing!!!" But we managed to get her to the pediatrician who told us we did the right thing by coming in and told us there was nothing to do but suck out her snot, make sure the air is humidified and keep her all cosy and warm. Thanks to  a family friend we discovered the great and amazing NoseFrida - which is a snot sucker way superrior to that bulb thing they give you at the hospital. You can get it from Wholefoods or  Google it - and now run to the store and get one now if your little one has a cold. It's amazing! I think I should take out stock in the company and start selling it to all my friends and neighbors.

Isobel is a sweet and easy baby most of the time -except between about 6pm - midnight when she gets gassy and upset.  Right now she is complaining bitterly as she sits with her Mommy who is very good at soothing her and much more creative than I am: I usually whip out my boob if she is upset.

One of the most interesting  and amazing things about being  a mum ( or Mama as is my designated title) is all the things that unfold that I never in  a million years thought about while TTC and being pregnant. The first shocker was the most moving moment when I called the pediatrician ( while still in the hospital) and told them I was calling about my daughter. My daughter!!! I don't think I had ever said those words before and it choked me up. Two very powerful words! And then spelling out her name - the name that we picked and the surname that we joined our names to make.
Powerful and moving stuff.

Isobel is crying for milk and i must sign off - with some pictures.

Claire, Isobel & Kitty relaxing on the couch about a month ago.

Just today, Isobel and Mommy Susan enjoy a bit of levity. She's smiling more and more each day!

Isobel and Claire, about a week ago. Isobel is grabbing Claire's finger.

This is actually the first smile we've caught on camera. Isobel is with her Aunt Lizzie.

Isobel at the pediatrician's office about 3 weeks ago.

Relaxing at home.

20 comments:

Illanare said...

I've said it before and I am sure I will say it again - your daughter is beautiful!

-C- said...

beautiful! thanks for sharing! (pineseedling from BBC)

Fran said...

She is so so beautiful my friend! I meant to email you as I NEED to know more (I mean...all the details actually LOL) about the diminished movements you felt the day Isobel was born, and what they said once she wa born, you know I'm obsessed!! if you can drop me a line i'll be grateful forever, but I understand if you are busy!

Mommy and Mamita said...

You seem to be enjoying motherhood. Glad it is going well. That Isobel is a cutie.

Carrie and MJ said...

Oh, she is just gorgeous! Isn't it amazing to talk about YOUR child - I find myself getting choked up as well when I say my son..It truly is the most amazing gift. Enjoy your holidays with Isobel...

luckyduck said...

Just beautiful! Congrats on an awesome 8 weeks!
Jill

Victoria said...

It is so good to hear from you and that things are settling in as you navigate parenthood.

Thank you for the lovely pictures of baby girl. So sweet to see her. Can't wait to have one of my own again :)

http://itiswhatitisorisit.net/

anofferingoflove said...

awwwww!!! i love, love, LOVE the pictures! how is she 8 weeks old already?!

tireegal68 said...

Thanks so much for sharing these gorgeous photos Claire--everyone looks terrific!
T- Bean
( comment accidentally deleted in Blogger by ( Tireegal) my big clumsy I phone finger !)

Kristen said...

oh she's beautiful!

Kami said...

Oh, congratulations! And what a cutie! So much of your post sounds like us . . . just a different sex for the second parent, but so much the same.

Our second got a cold that young too and the first one was so healthy I really thought breast fed babies didn't get sick. I still sometimes wonder what the heck I am doing. I tell myself that means I am a good enough mom to know that I don't know. :)

Wonderful to see things are going so well.

Anonymous said...

She is so darn cute. I'm glad you all survived the evil cold. I love the musical, battery operated booger sucker, lol.
Saying 'my son' when Farty was born, after 3 losses, his emergency surgery and 2 weeks in the NICU choked me up for a loooong time. It was so weird, because I had no problem getting pregnant with Ceara, and just fell into referring to 'my daughter' even before she was born. I was still young and naive enough to think losses and infertility happened to 'other people.' Boy, the things we don't know when we're only 23! Now MY DAUGHTER is coming up on her 13th birthday (good God).
Love, love, love the pics!!!

Billy said...

Oh wow.. you gave birth.. where was I.....
A huge congratulations! She is absolutely gorgeous! And love her name!!
I also had that moment when I first (also in the hospital and also to a pediatrician..) when I said "my daughter" :-).

MAJ Bryen said...

she's gorgeous! Claire, thank you for the reccomendation of the nosefrida! Callan has an awful cold and it has helped significantly!

Unknown said...

she's gorgeous!

K said...

She is just beautiful, Claire.

I, too, count the first call to the pediatrician and the resulting first ever use of the words "my son" as one of my most foreign and most significant memories of early motherhood. I wonder if the pediatricians' receptionists have any idea the impact their run-of-the-mill conversations have on new moms?

Off to google nose frida now...

Celia said...

Beautiful! Peter had some quality time with the nosefrida today too. He has a nasty cold. good times. I found the very best thing is to squirt saline drops, then steam shower, then nosefrida and then more drops but no sucking, breastfeed instead. Then you have gotten rid of enough to make them comfortable enough to eat and they also swallow some mucus. Which they then barf up, but at least it is out. Been there boo. Chin up.

Anonymous said...

I too remember the first time I said the words, "My son" and how emotional it made me feel. Isobel sounds like she is doing wonderfully, and it's nothing short of joyful watching as they grow and develop new skills. She is like a little doll...just perfect and beautiful!

BTW, I got a NoseFrida before my baby was born (and was more than a little anxious at the thought of having to do the suctioning part with my mouth!) but - knock on wood - we've not yet had to use it. Glad to know it's all it's cracked up to be.

Happy New Year to you and your family.

Lifeslurper said...

Gorgeous!

Absolutely gorgeous!

Again, congratulations!

LS x

Suzy said...

She is just beautiful! Enjoy every moment with her preciousness :)
Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year - what an adventure this year will be for you all!