As much as I loved my doctor and nurses at the hospital, I couldn't wait to return to the comforts of home and to try and establish our new normal as a family of five. Luckily two days after Kaitlyn's arrival, Dr. Kaaki released us, and we by Saturday at lunch time, she was tucked snugly and securely into her pretty white bassinet in our living room.
It's definitely been an adjustment, as we knew it would be. Being so many years removed from baby and toddler-hood, having a very firm and established schedule and routine in place as a family of four, and juggling crazy active schedules for two growing boys... I did not go into this with blinders on that it would all be easy. And if someone were to ask me the hardest part right now, I think that's what I would say - that we no longer have an established routine or schedule and that Kaitlyn is very much in charge for the time being. But I would also say that it's all worth it because we love her so very much.
She's a pretty good baby - eats every two-three hours, sleeps a lot, and is getting a little bit more alert with each day. She definitely likes to be held - especially when she gets tired and is fighting sleep - which she does a lot of. That is our one trouble-spot right now. When she is wanting to sleep but fights it.
Besides our arms, she does pretty well in her vibrating bouncy seat but hasn't taken to the swing much yet. She will tolerate it for a few minutes but then quickly lets us know when she's had enough! She sleeps all of her evening hours in her bassinet right alongside our bed, though we might have to transition to the crib when I go back to work. She's a loud sleeper!
The boys love her, and I can always count on them to sit beside her while I take a quick shower or to bring me things from her room or diaper bag whenever asked. What I wasn't expecting but am most proud of is how nonchalant they have been about the whole nursing thing since the day we brought her home. I thought they would be a little weirded out by it, but I have been able to comfortably and openly nurse in any room in the house in front of them, and they treat it like it's the most normal thing they've ever seen.
I love taking her for walks in the stroller at night. Jaden and Brandon hop on their bikes and ride alongside us or in front of and behind us, and we go for short strolls up and down the quiet streets around our home. We have the perfect neighborhood for shady, cozy walks... and they always put our girl to sleep without fuss.
Kaitlyn also enjoys our backyard, and she and Daddy have found their bonding time going for late walks around our home to inspect all the bird feeders or sit in the lounge chairs by the fire pit. We've been blessed with pretty great weather since bringing her home, although a heat wave is coming.
Kaitlyn enjoys her baths - or what I call "spa treatments" - most of the time. As long as we're not throwing her in the sink when she's hungry, she lounges back quietly and soaks up the comfort of the warm water and the back scrubs. :) She loves her vitamin D drops she gets every night - a newer requirement for breast fed babies - and I love how she smacks her lips together whenever she's done eating. :)
And holy cow have we been blessed by people! Neighbors we've barely met have put cards and money in our mailbox, brought over bags full of brand new baby clothes, or big trays of fruit and cheese and crackers. One of Cody's clients gifted us with a huge care package, and Cody's co-workers went above and beyond with gifts like baby bibles, organic swaddlers and clothes and toys.
When Kaitlyn is awake, which is typically only for an hour or two at a time right now, she loves to sprawl out under her baby gym and watch the birdies circle around above her while swinging a sweet little tune. She also loves staring out our big picture windows and doesn't protest being put in her car seat too much.
Some more pictures of our girl... I've got plenty more to come, too!
I'm not getting a whole lot of sleep yet, but it's not terrible either. Our schedule is about to get crazy with the start of school and fall sports, so we have it on the agenda this weekend to try and introduce a bottle full of Mommy's milk for the first time. She's growing fast, plumping up, barely able to wear her newborn clothes anymore, and stealing our hearts every day. She's everything I prayed for, and I'm so thankful to have her as mine.
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