Baby stuff

MJ and Bria.
Bria and MJ.

As of right now, there really is no relationship that exists between the two. MJ ignores Bria and takes off when she hears her crying. I thought for sure that MJ would try and lick Bria to death but she doesn't even pay any attention to her. I'm hoping that as Bria gets older and starts noticing MJ, they become good friends.

So you could say MJ isn't handling the new addition all that well. I know she misses our daily walks, which I am hoping we can eventually resume. We've gone on a few walks, but it is unbelievably hard to find time. If we have a chance to go for a walk, that means we could also be cleaning the house, taking a nap, taking a shower, or running errands. It's all about prioritizing. Plus, the weather has been pretty gloomy which also makes it hard to go for a walk.

Tummy Time
We've been doing tummy time with Bria and she is doing really well. She can move her head from side to side controllably and even lifts it up briefly. We are so proud :)

Is there anything sweeter than a sleeping baby?

And what about those adorable little feet?

Oh I could just kiss those feet all day!

"Oooh, breastmilk sounds really good right about now."

"Mmm, milk is good."

"What does a baby have to do to get some service around here?"

Dad knows how to get her nice and relaxed:

Daddy playing with his little girl:

I love this little outfit on her:

My cousin Lanie and her husband Kris drove down from P-town on Saturday and we were so excited to have them over. They just found out they are having a little girl in August! So I started gathering up the clothes that Bria doesn't fit into anymore and gave them to Lanie, along with some diapers that Bria outgrew. Lanie fed Bria her bottle and then got some good burps from her, which is a big deal since Bria HATES burping and squiggles and squirms.
Anyway, we can't wait for their little girl to be born!

Brian was able to catch the end of some smiles:

She was showing off for them and being adorable, letting them know what they have to look forward too :)

Adaptable

It seems our little Bria is very adaptable. I have been pumping in hopes that Bria will bottle feed and I will be able to go out for more than 2 hours at a time. So Brian tried a bottle on Saturday and what do you know, our little girl took it like it was nothing! She drank like a champ and acted like it was no big deal. We could not believe it, we feel so fortunate. We were ready for it to be a process and thought it would take a few days at least to get her to take it so we were overjoyed when she started chugging like a Beaver fan at a tailgator. We use the Dr. Brown bottles because we heard good things about them and we are definitely satisfied customers.

Brian absolutely loves feeding her and has drained my milk supply in the freezer. But it's hard to be mad when he enjoys feeding her so much, plus it gives me a break. Thank you Bria for being our adaptable little girl, she definitely gets that from her father.

This past weekend we were able to get out a lot and it felt great. I was so nervous about how Bria would do but she was so great and just slept. We went to Costco and Target on Saturday, then to my Mom's that evening to watch Twilight since it came out on DVD. You better believe we bought it! Then Sunday we went to Winco and to Dave and Cinnamon's house. It felt great to get out and I'm glad she did so well. Cinnamon let me borrow her Moby Wrap and wow it is awesome. In fact, I am wearing it right now with a sleeping Bria. I only know one way to tie it right now, but you better believe I'm going on that website to check all the different ways.

Things are going pretty well. Brian and I both can't believe how much she has grown, she is looking more like a baby and less like an infant everyday. I can tell she is gaining weight because holding her for long periods is killing my back, but she's worth it. She is already outgrowing her newborn sleepers, she's too long for them. She was born 19 inches long, which is average-even a little under. But at her 1 week appointment she was 20 inches and her 2 week appointment she was 20.5 inches so she seems to be growing fast.

She is also the squirmiest baby ever. We call her our squirmy wormy, or wiggle worm. She rarely sits still, which makes burping and feeding fun ;) I totally thought she got this from her Dad who cannot sit still to save his life, but after reading my baby book she apparently gets it from me, who would have thought. It's funny because she wasn't overly active in the womb so I would never have thought she would be so wiggly.

I also think she has her daddies feet (let's hope not the size) because of her big toe nail, it's very rounded like Brian's. And also the spacing between the big toe and the next one. I think it's a good thing she has his feet because it may mean she can avoid bunions like me.

On Monday I took a nap and when I woke up Brian had changed her because she had spit up all over her other one. I should've taken a picture, he had put her in a short sleeve onesie (remember it's in the 50's here still) that was pink with polka dots, horizontal striped pants with a different color pink, and no socks. It was pretty stinkin' cute. I should have just left her in it, but the controlling part of me put on matching pants and socks. In the future I'll just let Daddy dress her and not interfere because it was pretty funny.

Just chillin' with Daddy

Hanging out with mommy

Her first time on her little play mat, she was too cute just talking up a storm

This is her infamous "stink eye" or her pirate face, whichever makes you laugh

She's already copping an attitude

1st Day of Spring and 1 month!

It's the first day of spring and true to Oregon, it's raining and cloudy today. Us Oregonians don't expect the rain to go away completely until late June or July, it's just how it is 'round these parts. Wednesday was actually beautiful out and we went for our first walk, it was wonderful to get outside and Bria enjoyed herself, after we took off her beanie. It was in the 60's and I bundled her up like we were going to the slopes so I think she was a little warm at first. The next 7 days are suppose to rain so I guess back in the house we go.


Anyway, back to the first day of spring, Bria is sporting her spring outfit today and she is so darn cute if I do say so myself. I'm not sure if the pants are really capris or if she has really long legs, I'm hoping for the latter for her sake (she doesn't want her moms short stubs). Her shirt says: "I just love springtime"

She is 1 month old today!

"Mom, I'm bored and tired"

"Are you listening to me mom or just taking pictures?"

"Mawwwwm! No more pictures!"

"Ah, you scared me"

Bria's face from 5 pm on:

I am trying to relax in the evenings and just know that Bria's fussy time is then, it's her way of relieving stress. It's hard to listen to her cry, that's for sure, I just want to fix it. My mom came over last night and just in time too, I passed Bria to her and she calmed her down right away. Nothing like the grandmother's touch I guess. Anyway, I was able to finish up some laundry which was nice.

This morning Bria was so fun, she coo'd for me and I even saw a few smiles! Which is funny because I was just saying to my mom how sad I was that she hadn't smiled yet. She also enjoyed her bath and was so pleasant through the whole thing...even getting dressed which she hates. Then she promptly went to sleep and slept like a baby on Aunt Jaime-who was in heaven.

Bria's 1st month:

Week 1-Little sleep and adjusting to life with a baby. But she was a good eater and gaining weight!

Week 2-A little easier, but still overwhelmed.

Week 3-Hard, maybe a growth spurt? Started getting fussy in the evenings. Also started looking at her mobile when she was in the swing.

Week 4-I've gained a little more confidence in being a mother which has been huge for me. She resists burping like it's the plague so I think her tummy gets upset. She smiled today a few times and it melted my heart. She also coo's a little which is music to my ears.

I want to get on a schedule so bad but I think it's still a little early. The nights aren't too terrible, some nights she goes 3 or 4 hours between feedings and some nights it's every 2 hours. She hates sleeping on her back so fortunately we have a positioner for her to sleep on her side. She sometimes likes her baths, sometimes hates them. She definitely does not like to be changed, although every once and awhile I catch her in a good mood and she doesn't mind it. I love when she lays on a blanket and just looks around, it's so much fun to watch her take in the world around her-everything is brand new.

We love her to pieces!

Let's hope this evening we all make it through (maybe a glass of wine will help me relax) and have a good sleepful night!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

She really does like her St Patty's day dress, honest.

We are just plugging along here at the Holcomb house. Things are going well, although if you would have asked me last Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday it would be a different answer. Little Bria was inconsolable and Brian and I took turns holding a screaming newborn. Since then she has been better and we are immensely thankful for that. Sometimes in the evening she gets a little fussy but it is more manageable when it's not all day and night. Can you believe little Bria will be 1 month old on Friday? Such a big girl.

I am very grateful that breastfeeding is going so well and even more thankful that she's a good little eater and gaining weight. Everything is already so overwhelming that my heart goes out to those who struggle with breastfeeding.

Brian is finishing up his class this week and then has a break before Spring term starts. Spring term he is taking 2 classes and I am not looking forward to that-he is going to be busy, busy, and busy. At least with this new shift he'll hopefully have more time to devote to school and his family.

I am loving being a stay at home mom and would like to challenge those who think it's a cake walk. It is hard work and exhausting but totally worth it. I do need to learn more songs because I think Bria is sick of hearing the same ones:

You are my Sunshine

Skitta-mirink-e-dink-e-do (no idea how to spell that)

I love you, a bushel and a peck

Head, Shoulders, Knees and toes

Twinkle Little Star

I am proud to say I've showered everyday and some days I even do my hair and make up :) Although we are pretty much home bound right now because everyone and their dog is sick right now so we don't want to take Bria out. I can't wait until she is a little older and we can take her to the store, I am getting a little restless. Brian is good about sending me to Target and stuff so I can at least get out of the house for awhile.

Taking a break from eating to burp

"This is what cute looks like"

Oh, now I get it

So now I know what everyone was talking about when they said the first few weeks were a little rough. We are still adjusting to the night time routine, which involves Bria being wide awake at her 3 am feeding. Plus, Brian went back to work today, ugh. Can you believe I didn't cry last night or this morning? I can't, I thought for sure Bria and I would be crying together, but we have held it together.
In fact, she was really happy this morning and sat in her boppy trying to talk, it was adorable. I sang her some songs then gave her a bath which she liked and of course I love the smell of a freshly bathed baby. And to top it off Brian called and his schedule is a little different at work, resulting in him being home a little more! Man, it's been a good Monday so far and I am very grateful for that. I've even showered today, score.
The evening is definitely her fussy time, Daddy has a knack for calming her down though. She also likes her swing and the music that it plays so that's been a huge life saver when we both need to give our arms a little rest.

Let's see, she has had 2 appointments so far and she passed her birth weight in one week! Did I already mention that? Anyway, at her appointment last Thursday she was just over 8 pounds, I am so relieved to know that feeding is going so well. She only eats for 10 minutes on one side at each feeding, but apparently that is enough. Normally you are suppose to feed for 10-15 on each side so I was worried, but since she is gaining weight I don't think I'll stress over that...I'll find something else to stress about. Like her vomiting. She has full on projectile vomited about 4 times and I absolutely hate it, it scares me to death. One time it even came out her nose and I thought I was going to pass out. The funny thing is that it doesn't affect her at all, she is completely fine with it. I talked to the doctor about it and she said since it's not a daily thing it's probably fine, but we'll keep an eye on it. I notice her spit up is a little worse after she feeds on the right side so I pumped on that side to see why, sure enough the milk comes out like Niagra Falls.
Alright, enough talk, let's get to some pictures.

Proud Daddy and his daughter

Her shirt says: I'll Always Be Grandma's Sweetie (courtesy of Marna's friends):

Loving those baby blues

She loves to stick her tongue out

Heather and Amy came down this weekend and we were so excited to see them. Here is Amy holding her:

Proud Aunt Heather

Just being a cutie:

Alright, I better go, it's time to feed her again!

Holcomb: Party of 3

In case you don't read the baby blog, our little Bria has arrived and we are thrilled to pieces. She is almost 2 weeks old now and I can't believe it. Things are going well here at home, Brian has to go back to work next week but let's not talk about that right now.

We have spent the last week and a half getting to know our newest addition and trying to figure out when to sleep :) She is a good baby (knock on wood) we just need to switch her night and day schedule-which I think is the case for most newborns.

Her first appointment was last week and it went well, she is already over her birth weight! She is my champion feeder. Last Saturday was her first big outing, we went to my sister's for my nephews birthday celebration. She did really well and just slept in everyone's arms.

Other than that we have just been hanging around the house, running errands every once and awhile.

Now that my pregnancy is over I won't really be updating the other blog since the purpose was to capture the journey of the pregnancy. So this blog will now be turned into Bria central ;) I can't help it, she's our whole world now.

The first week home went pretty well, a little rough in the beginning. Since we read all the books on parenting we tried to get a routine set up from the start. We would put her in her bassinet after feedings and she would either cry or only sleep for an hour. Needless to say that first night home we barely slept. So after talking to my mom, sister, and the home nurse we decided to relax and do whatever worked as far as sleeping. It went much smoother after that. We had her sleep on our chest or right next to us in bed. At first we really didn't want to do this because we didn't want to develop that habit, but we were reassured that this early in life she does not recognize cause and effect. Plus, she needs to be close to us to hear our heartbeat and feel secure. During the day we put her in the basinet to get use to it and she was doing so well that about 2 nights ago we decided to give it another try. She has done really well in it now and sleeps for 2 1/2 hours at a time which is great (knocking very hard on wood).

We both wear ear plugs which may sound mean, but she makes all these cute little grunting noises that we can't sleep. So the ear plugs allow us to sleep a little plus I can still hear if she starts fussing since she's right next to the bed.

Anyway, that has been our world lately. We are really enjoying spending family time together and just bonding.

Okay, the little one is waking up so I better go :)