Babies and Cats

So I'm pretty sure when we first brought MiniM.E. home from the hospital the cats thought we were bringing home a cat-eating monster (as seen here).

For a while, they made under the bed their temporary anti-baby camp out.

After a few days, they got curious (and hungry), and would venture into the same room as her.  Of course, since they believed her to be a threat, this involved stealthily "hiding" next to the wall and behind any available item of furniture.

About a week in I think they realized that the thing they believed to be a cat-eating monster really wasn't that much of a threat (the fact that she's smaller than both of them might have had something to do with it...).  Curiosity got the best of them and they started slowly coming closer and closer...

By two weeks, we could bring the cat-eating baby into the room where the cats were sleeping and they stayed.

And now, at almost three weeks, they have become so bold as to sit on our laps WITH the baby.  I think they're really going to like her :)

I just like this picture because it makes MiniM.E. look SO small

**I have to add a photo from last night (Nov. 7)**

And as promised, another cute picture:

Happy Halloween!

Yesterday MiniM.E. and I were pretty excited about Halloween.  Not only do we finally live in a neighborhood that is perfect for trick-or-treaters (no hills, houses spaced close together, lots of houses in one area), but we also had plans to visit the most tricked-out halloween mansion ever!

One of our friends who moved back from Dresden at the same time as us lives right around the corner from one of the most ridiculous houses in Saratoga Springs, the Riggi Mansion.  (You can read more about it here.)  For Halloween, they go all out and decorate with a bazillion pumpkins and on the actual date host a "Halloween Party"- open to the public with free cider and donuts and trick-or-treating for a full sized candy bar and a chance to win a hundred dollars in the wrapper (sounds a little Willy Wonka to me...).

Since it sounded so cool, MiniM.E. and I ventured out for the first time BY OURSELVES (with the exception of the grocery store- which we only did yesterday morning) to meet up with our friends and see the Riggi Halloween.

Once we got dressed in the Halloween outfit (super cute), threw a tantrum about getting in the car seat, made it all the way to our friend's house (15 minute car ride), got out of the car and cried because we were wet, did a diaper change on the couch, got held by someone else, pooped in her arms, had poop all the way up the back (what's with these new up-the-back-poops??), got changed again, cried some more because, well, who knows?, and finally got into the baby-wearing-carrier, we were ready for the Riggi Mansion.

It really was pretty awesome.

This is just the side entrance...

Me and MiniM.E. in front of the side entrance... even though it kind of looks like just a pregnant me...  

Free cider and donuts

The line to trick-or-treat

Us with a costumed Riggi daughter who gave us a full sized candy bar

By the time we walked over, ate our free cider and donuts, and stood in line to trick-or-treat, it was time to walk back and head home because MiniM.E. was going to be hungry since it was past time to eat.  Fortunately, she was fantastic and slept the whole time we were out (nothing like enjoying your first Halloween), but once we got in the car, all hell broke loose and she screamed bloody murder the whole way home (which was a little upsetting for a new mom taking her baby out for the first time by herself).

We made it home and got her fed and she was fine (I'm sure you were all concerned...), and then we enjoyed all the compliments on having such a cute baby as we handed out candy to a ton of trick-or-treaters.

And finally, pictures of MiniM.E. in costume (kind of).

As Promised, Cute Photos

Recovering...

So as it turns out, having a new baby really does take up all your time.  I knew they ate and slept a lot and needed to be changed and held, but somehow in my head, all those things did not add up to 24 hours.

Pretty much our days consist of sleeping as long as possible in the morning since we were up 3-5 times in the middle of the night for feedings that lasted at least 45 minutes because someone is finicky and has a hard time latching sometimes and falls asleep in the middle of eating and makes poopy diapers even though she was just changed.  Not naming names...

Then we get up and eat.  AGAIN.  Then I pawn MiniM.E. off on my mom (who thank God, is still here, because when would I have time to do dishes or laundry or anything else) so I can take a shower and check my e-mail really fast.  Because by the time I've done all that, guess who's hungry?

So she eats.  AGAIN.  Then, if there's anything we have to do, like buy groceries or stop at a store, or go outside for any reason, we have to get ready and do it really fast so we have the maximum time window possible, because chances are, before we are even finished with whatever errand it is, someone will be hungry.  AGAIN.

She does look really cute in the car seat though...

In the afternoon, after such a trying morning, we spend a lot of time doing this:

and this:

Before eating.  AGAIN.

Then Bob gets home and we have to eat ourselves... and Bob has to spend time with MiniM.E.

and I have to sit around and do nothing because the post-partum recovery stuff (I don't need to explain that here, do I?? No one wants to read about that...) hurts and my blood count is still low and did I mention that I was up every two and half hours last night??

And then MiniM.E. gets fussy and everyone tries their hardest to keep her quiet for "just another half hour" because I totally can't feed her again yet (why didn't anyone tell me breastfeeding HURTS!?!?).  And then finally I give in and feed her AGAIN.  And then I go to bed.

Which is why I have not posted in such a long time.  But, according to my doctor (and other women who've offered their advice and opinions- some helpful, some not) it will get better soon.  And by soon, they mean "three to four weeks".  WHAT?!?!

So until then... I will try, on occasion, to post cute pictures like this one.  Maybe.  Or I might just lie on the couch...

We're Home!

After another unit of blood on Monday, my numbers were finally high enough yesterday for the Dr. to say it was okay for us to leave!

It's so nice to be home.  Not that I didn't like being taken care of (though I do prefer privacy in the bathroom), or the extra attention from the "drama" I caused at the hospital (however, it is nice to wear actual clothes when talking with people), but there's only so much to do in a hospital room and it was tiny and I was some real food.

MiniM.E. didn't seem too excited to leave.  Apparently being a baby is rough- all that sleeping and eating and cuddling... but dressing has to be the worst.

I didn't think it was possible, but she is SO much cuter in clothes!

I couldn't help myself and had to take photos of everything...

Frowny car-seat face

Getting comfy and buckled in



In the car

 So far, it looks like MiniM.E. will be an excellent traveller- she seemed to love the car ride home (as shown by sleeping the whole time). 

Once we got here, she met the cats.  Hysterical!!  They sniffed and sniffed and cautiously approached... the hair on the back of their necks stood up and they fearfully backed away... Looks like it will take a while for them to get used to the new member of our family.

So, we've been taking it easy the past day and half... eating real food, lying on the couch, cuddling lots and sleeping - but only in 3-5 hour increments!  I still can't believe that I'm actually a mommy and that we really get to keep MiniM.E.  :)  Now back to recovering...

MiniM.E.!!

Finally the baby arrived Saturday night at 10:09!  Everything went really well until after she was born.  There were some complications, but I'll post that separately as some of the details are pretty gory- plus, not everyone wants to read a traumatizing birth story.

Recovering... but so happy to finally be a mommy!  She is perfect!

Dear Baby,

I'm sure you're pretty attached to the "house" you've been living in for the last 9 months.  I mean, who wouldn't want to live in a comfy warm hot tub?  You don't have to worry about food, you can sleep whenever you want, you never have dirty diapers, no crazy ladies are pinching your cheeks telling you how cute you are...

We love you already, so don't take this the wrong way, but GET OUT.  Yes, it's loud and bright and cold and scary out here.  You'll have to cry to let us know you're hungry or wet or tired.  But it will be worth it.  There are great things out here like Daddy and toys and blankets and food you can taste.

So be a big girl, suck it up, and come out.  Or you're grounded.

Love,

Mommy