Layla-5 weeks old

(Picture taken last week at 5 weeks old)
We continue to be challenged by this little girl. She does not like to sleep and is awake at least 15 hours in a 24 hour period. She takes a few 10 minute naps throughout the day and is ready to go for another few hours. She is very unpredictable and continues to have no set schedule yet. The past few days she has been awake all day long, which is unusual as she slept throughout the daytime hours the first few weeks. She likes to be walked around...and really that is one of the only things she likes! She likes to close her eyes and "rest" when being walked around, but the minute you stop walking or sit down, she is awake and usually will start crying. Have I mentioned that we are completely exhausted?

Christmas 2011

Photo slideshow generated with Smilebox

One Month!

Layla turned One Month on December 18th.
Wow, we all survived the first month...somehow. This picture pretty much sums up our life right now. "Crying babies" When one isn't crying, the other one is. Of course, the majority of the crying is done by Layla. Not much has changed since my last post. A few weeks have elapsed and we continue to have an unhappy baby on our hands. This is what she looks like, pretty much the entire time she is awake. She is extremely challenging and many times Preston and I have no idea how we have not lost our minds yet! We are not used to this. Parker was such an easy baby. This little girl is giving us a run for our money!

The first three weeks.

I'm not going to lie, the first three weeks have been a very big adjustment and extremely difficult. Preston and I laugh when we look back and thought that having one baby was hard. That was so easy..and Parker was such a good boy. I have been so far behind in blogging for numerous reasons.
First, when we arrived home from the hospital, our computer was broke. It would'nt even turn on. So we have been trying to get that fixed.
Next and most importantly, Our new baby girl has Colic. I never thought I would have to say those words. Its been terrible. This little girl rarely sleeps at night and is up for 3-4 hours screaming. The only way to get her to sleep after a colic episode is by letting her sleep on her belly on our chest. Which then means Either Preston or I do not sleep. Basically I get about 2-3 hours per night of sleep, sometimes broken up.
Next, for the last three days, I have had the flu with temps between 102-103. I am praying that no one else in the house will get it. It has been complete misery. My mom and sister come over some days to help me while Preston is working. Without their help, I don't know what I would do. Also my mom has come over to spend the night, so both of us can get a full nights sleep. You really don't realize how much you value sleep, until you don't get any!
I rarely have my camera out anymore, which is not like me. Sleep deprivation is to blame...that and keeping a two yr old occupied while holding a screaming baby. Did I mention Layla will cry for hours during the daytime as well. Everyday around 3-4pm, she wakes up and screams on and off for hours. We have tried everything, and most things just work for a few minutes. Everyone tells us, "things will get better" We cannot wait until that day happens.

About Layla at three weeks old

• Still wears newborn clothing and diapers
• Eats every two hours
• Smiles a lot
• Very strong and can turn over
• Prefers to be held...all day if possible.
• Prefers to lay on belly
• Likes the sound of water running and the vacuum, but only for few minutes.
• Does not like sleeper outfits with feet . Likes feet out with no socks..just like Parker.
• Does not like baby swing or bouncer...would rather be held!
• Basically cries when awake, especially at night.
• Has colic episode about every 12 hours that lasts for 3-4 hours.
  

Layla Belle.

3 weeks old

1st week home

Layla at 3 days old.

Parker trying to sit in the baby swing.



Very curious about his sister. He WILL get in her her crib if you're not watching.



Parker has been adjusting pretty well. He gets jealous on occasion, but he loves to give hugs and kisses to his new baby sister. He also started throwing her dirty diapers in the trash for us. The bad part is, every time we throw something away we have to double check the trash. He also likes to throw his toys and eating utensils away!

Layla was a healthy baby at 6 lbs 11.5 oz and 19inches long. Born 8:05 pm on Friday November 18th...just 4 days after my birthday!



Brother giving kisses and meeting baby for first time.

Seconds after arrival.

I dont even know where to begin! I guess I will start by saying around November 16th-17th I think my water started to break VERY slowly. I went in for my scheduled doctor check up on November 18th (Friday) I had a feeling Layla would be making her arrival so I asked Preston to call off of work. My mom and sister came over and Preston and I went to the doctor. I should say my doctor was on vacation that week, so I had to see a midwife I was not really familiar with. She did my exam........and "Accidentally" broke my water!! For every woman who has had their water broke..you know what Im talking about!I was immediately wheeled over to labor and delivery and we knew that November 18th would be "D Day!!" I started contracting just fine on my own, but apparently the midwife on call did not agree, so Pitocin was started at my dismay. The first few hours werent too bad. Tolerable at least. However around 430pm contractions were very intense(about 1-2 minutes apart, many times just 1 minute apart) and before 6pm I was asking for my epidural....I mean crying for my epidural. The midwife said she called for the epidural. However if I could make the story short, Let me just say the epidural NEVER came. Around 730pm there was no staff available. My sister,mom and Preston listened to me scream "I need to push!!!" for about 30 minutes. And again anyone that has had a baby knows when you think you have to push...You HAVE to!" Finally when I was yelling loudly enough the new midwife on shift came in, sat at the edge of the bed, checked me and told me that I was having the baby NOW! Needless to say I had the baby after just 3-4 pushes completely drug free on a regular hospital bed...and the midwife wasnt even gowned up or ready. Actually there was nothing ready! It was a very memorable experience to say the least. In the end both of us were healthy, which is the most important thing.



The baby was blue when she came out! Very scary. My sister captured the first picture seconds after she was born. Maybe its not for the weak stomachs, but its actually my favorite picture. Notice in the second picture, my moms hands at the top right and Preston's hands... they were the ones rubbing her immediately after she was born.