Lucky Mama

I could sit and stare at Aidynn all day. Most mothers will say that their baby is a good baby. I am so surprised at Aidynns behavior. At first I actually worried, because she was so mellow and calm. She hardly ever fusses. She has cried a few times, but each time all I have had to do was hold her. She is definitely attached to Mama, but still - so good!

Here's an example:

We woke up this morning around 8 am, played and then she ate. Breastfeeding is one of my favorite times spent with her during the day. She is so happy just laying there, eating and cooing and staring up at me with her big blue eyes. She didn't cry when she woke up. She just cooed, sucked, and grunted until I noticed she was ready to eat. A quick burp, and then after we played the facial mimic game. I stick my tongue out at her and wait for her to do it back. It's amazing that even so young she can recognize the game! We then changed her diaper, had a sponge bath, and got her dressed. So there she was laying, so happy and so alert. I figured the sandman wasn't too far behind so I decided to take a shower.

During the entire shower I watched her - awake... happy... just looking about and cooing as I talked to her about what we were going to do today.

What newborn lets their mother take a shower - longer than 2 minutes!? Wash the hair, brush the teeth, wash the face, soap up, rinse off - the whole nine yards! After letting their mom sleep virtually all night?

Mine does.

And all of this, after a labor I would call virtually "pain-free" (for the most part). I can't believe how lucky I am! AND I get to claim parentage to this beautiful little angel that has her Mommy's lips and her Daddy's eyes.

She doesn't even cry when she is hungry. I found myself complaining to my mom yesterday that I had to watch the clock to make sure she doesn't go too long without eating. Later on, I thought about what I had said to my mother.... I would much rather watch the clock than listen to a screaming infant! *laughs* Especially when every time she has cried it's felt like my heart was breaking!

I know - so many parents would LOVE to have my "problem". No sleep deprivation, no crying newborn, no stress... I have it rough, you know? This is my point!

It is annoying that I can't seem to get a straight answer from any doctor or research on whether I should just let her sleep or if I should keep waking her. Some say that you should let the baby tell you when s/he is hungry, others say don't let him/her go more than 4 hours without eating, and still others say wake him/her during the day every 3 hours and then not at night! I worry about her getting enough to eat.

So, every 3 hours she eats (I wake her), and at night she sleeps for 4 1/2 - 5 hours and then I wake her up to eat. Since we are a co-sleeping family -

it's very easy and convenient for us. I set the alarm and go to bed. Even Daddy wakes up to see her, gives her kisses, and then goes back to sleep. He gets up early to go running before work too!

I try to let him get as much sleep as possible:

I am slowly working on a schedule for Aidynn that will be the most convenient for everyone. Since she is so flexible it's not hard at all! I can go to sleep when I like, eat when I like, schedule feedings around what I want to do.... she is so well adjusted! My friend Teri commented that she must feel so comfortable with her loving environment. We definitely provide that!

I never knew there was a name for it, but I have been reading a whole lot into Attachment Parenting and both Duane and I practice this with Aidynn.

Overall though - I know I am so blessed to have such a convenient baby.

She also can already lift her head and do so many other things that she shouldn't be able to do yet! I was talking to Duane last night about it... and it seems like time is just flying! She's already a week and a half old!

Wouldn't it be nice to just stop time?