Kelly and I have had a great first week with Kaitlynn. She is such a joy & blessing and is the apple of our eye! We're definitely bias to our baby girl, but she's had a fantastic first week and we wouldn't change anything about it!
Kaitlynn Leane Crawford
*August 20, 2009*
Thursday - Sunday morning
Thursday, August 20, 2009:
We had to spend 3 days & nights at Northside Hospital for our delivery. We had a scheduled C-Section that went very well and helped welcome our baby girl into the world on Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 5:23pm. She weighed in at 5lb. 14oz. at birth. By Thursday evening at her midnight weight check, she had lost 1oz. and was down to 5lbs. 13oz. Thursday was a great day! Not only were we finally able to meet our daughter, but our parents were able to be there and celebrate with us once we were finally in our postpartum room 8:30pm. One of my good friends, Ginny was also able to be with us the first night with our daughter. Once everyone left around 9:15pm, the fun began! We were up all night long with Kaitlynn. We spent a lot of time with our nurse working on breastfeeding techniques. Luckily, Kaitlynn was a fast "latcher," she just would get frustrated because the milk had not yet come in - obviously since it was the first night. Overall, besides the lack of sleep, the three of us had a great night! Kaitlynn stayed with us in our room the entire evening since I was trying to learn to breastfeed.
One of Kaitlynn's newborn pictures
Friday, August 21, 2009:
We had family at the hospital from 9:00am - 9:00pm. It was nice being with people, but exhausting as well. Our parents were there most of the day until about 3:00pm. We had a visit from Chris & Angi around lunch time. My twin brother, Mark & his wife, Bridgette came by with their 5-week old, Elizabeth. Kelly's sister Kristin, her husband Shea, Kelly's brother, Kevin & his wife Kelly G. came by Friday evening for a visit.
Uncle Mark & Kaitlynn
Aunt Bridgette & Kaitlynn
Aunt Kelly G. & Kaitlynn
HAHA precious Uncle Kevin :)
Uncle Shea & Aunt Kristin with Kaitlynn
Friday was a big learning day! We spent a lot of time working on breastfeeding once again. I was determined to leave the hospital with a breastfed child. There were definitely some emotional moments that day and times when I thought I couldn't handle the responsibility of raising Kaitlynn. Praise the Lord for my husband because he's such a great supporter and encourager. He was part of each feeding - helping me work with Kaitlynn. He encouraged me when I thought I couldn't do it and helped me work through my emotions when they started to get the best of me.
My amazing husband with our precious daughter....
Friday evening rolled around and Kaitlynn got her midnight weigh-in. She dropped 5oz. and was now at 5lbs. 8oz. We were not too concerned especially since we had been trying to breastfeed, but we didn't want to see her drop any more weight. We also sent her to the nursery for the first time during the night. After each feeding, we would have the nurse take her to the nursery for about 2 hours before her next feeding. We did this twice and felt amazing most of the next day!
Saturday, August 22, 2009:
We had another visit from my mom this morning! Kelly's parents left Friday afternoon but had made plans to come back down the next weekend once we were settled in at home.
Nana Watson
My older brother, David and his wife, Bonnie came down around lunch for a visit and to finally get to meet their newest niece. It was great getting to spend some time with them! We don't get to see them enough.
Uncle David
Aunt Bonnie
My twin brother & his wife came back Saturday afternoon before heading back home to SC. My dad came at the same time as them also. My mom dropped back by a little bit later that afternoon.
Uncle Mark, Aunt Bridgette, & Cousin Elizabeth :)
Grandpa Watson & his two granddaughters:
Left: Elizabeth - 5 weeks
Right: Kaitlynn - 2 days old
The two mom's :)
Left: Bridgette & Elizabeth
Right: Me & Kaitlynn
Uncle Kelly & Elizabeth
Our precious niece, Elizabeth Brooke Watson
*5 weeks old*
Lastly, Kelly's parents drove back down Saturday evening. My mom had planned on staying Saturday night, but realized she would have to get up at 5:00am to get to SC and prepare for her morning at work. So, she headed back Saturday night and Kelly's parents drove back in to town to watch Willa for us.
Papa Crawford
Nana Crawford
Saturday was a great day overall. Kaitlynn did a better job with breastfeeding and it was not as much an emotional day for us as the day before. At her midnight feeding we got the news that she had dropped another ounce from the night before. She was now 5lbs. 7oz and in the 7% which meant we had to try feeding her every two hours! I began to cry because I felt like a terrible mother at this point. For some reason my daughter was not keeping weight and definitely not gaining it either. I began to pray and Kelly began comforting me. Trying to feed Kaitlynn every two hours was exhausting and overwhelming. She did well with her first two feedings, but after that she just wasn't ready to eat nor was she interested. Finally I decided to talk with my nurse and she told me that it would be okay - it takes time for babies to get the hang of breastfeeding. Also, once my milk really started coming in we would see an improvement with her weight gain. So, Kelly & I decided to keep Kaitlynn on her three hour feeding schedule at that point. All we could do was pray.
Our 2nd family photo
Sunday, August 23, 2009:
Time to go home! Sunday was an exciting day - we had the end in sight and we were preparing ourselves to take Kaitlynn home with us around 12:00pm. By Sunday, we were feeling more confident with breastfeeding, and Kaitlynn was doing a lot better with it as well. I felt good about going home and continuing to breastfeed without the supervision of nurses and lactation specialists.
Waiting on our nurse to discharge us!
Heading home!!
When we got home, Kelly spent the afternoon catching up on some much needed rest and I spent some time with my daughter. This was the first out of four occasions where I had an emotional breakdown. Kaitlynn & I sat together on the couch in silence for 2 hours. I questioned myself and began to get nervous about taking care of her alone once Kelly goes back to work next week. Thankfully he has the entire week off to spend with us. The emotions calmed once Kelly got
up - things began to seem more normal. The day got better and things went exceptionally well throughout the day & night.
We were both so happy to finally be home with our daughter and to spend some time with our precious Willa Grace as well.
Brief overview of Monday - Wednesday
August 24th - 26th
Kelly took the week off to stay at home with Kaitlynn & I. My doctors & nurses at Northside explained to me that I was not able to do anything physically from housework to walking our dog. Also, I am not able to workout or walk for exercise for 6 weeks because of my surgery. Little did I know that walking period would be tough even around our complex for 5 or 10 minutes!!
Monday we took Kaitlynn to the doctor for her 1st pediatrician check-up since the hospital. We had our appointment scheduled for Tuesday at 1:15pm, but because of her Saturday evening weight check, the pediatrician on call wanted us in the office Monday instead. Her check-up went very well. She gained 2oz. and was at 5lbs. 9oz. total. We were so excited because that reassured both Kelly & I that she had taken to breastfeeding and was getting enough to cause her to gain weight. The pediatrician's goal for her is to be at birth weight by her 2-wk check-up.
Getting weighed in - 5lbs. 9oz!
All snuggled up!
Waiting on the pediatrician to check her out.
Proud daddy at 1st check-up visit!
I love my baby girl!!
Tuesday & Wednesday were pretty uneventful - we stayed at home, and spent time relaxing and enjoying our new daughter. We had no visitors these 2 days which was great, but seemed so weird since we've had so much company from the hospital and over a few days at the house!! Our big event was giving Kaitlynn her first bath :) I was nervous so Kelly did the job fur us!
Kaitlynn's 1st bath with daddy!
Mommy & Kaitlynn for some snuggle time after the bath
All clean & ready to sleep!
Overall, Kaitlynn's first week at home has been great!! She has slept well at night and is doing excellent with breastfeeding. We've definitely enjoyed our first week with our daughter!!
Here are a few additional pictures from Kaitlynn's 1st week!
Daddy & Kaitlynn hanging out
My favorite spot with my daughter!
Willa Grace loving on her baby sister :)
The two of them make us smile!
Willa Grace
Kaitlynn Leane
Kaitlynn Leane Crawford
*August 20, 2009*
Thursday - Sunday morning
Thursday, August 20, 2009:
We had to spend 3 days & nights at Northside Hospital for our delivery. We had a scheduled C-Section that went very well and helped welcome our baby girl into the world on Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 5:23pm. She weighed in at 5lb. 14oz. at birth. By Thursday evening at her midnight weight check, she had lost 1oz. and was down to 5lbs. 13oz. Thursday was a great day! Not only were we finally able to meet our daughter, but our parents were able to be there and celebrate with us once we were finally in our postpartum room 8:30pm. One of my good friends, Ginny was also able to be with us the first night with our daughter. Once everyone left around 9:15pm, the fun began! We were up all night long with Kaitlynn. We spent a lot of time with our nurse working on breastfeeding techniques. Luckily, Kaitlynn was a fast "latcher," she just would get frustrated because the milk had not yet come in - obviously since it was the first night. Overall, besides the lack of sleep, the three of us had a great night! Kaitlynn stayed with us in our room the entire evening since I was trying to learn to breastfeed.
One of Kaitlynn's newborn pictures
Friday, August 21, 2009:
We had family at the hospital from 9:00am - 9:00pm. It was nice being with people, but exhausting as well. Our parents were there most of the day until about 3:00pm. We had a visit from Chris & Angi around lunch time. My twin brother, Mark & his wife, Bridgette came by with their 5-week old, Elizabeth. Kelly's sister Kristin, her husband Shea, Kelly's brother, Kevin & his wife Kelly G. came by Friday evening for a visit.
Uncle Mark & Kaitlynn
Aunt Bridgette & Kaitlynn
Aunt Kelly G. & Kaitlynn
HAHA precious Uncle Kevin :)
Uncle Shea & Aunt Kristin with Kaitlynn
Friday was a big learning day! We spent a lot of time working on breastfeeding once again. I was determined to leave the hospital with a breastfed child. There were definitely some emotional moments that day and times when I thought I couldn't handle the responsibility of raising Kaitlynn. Praise the Lord for my husband because he's such a great supporter and encourager. He was part of each feeding - helping me work with Kaitlynn. He encouraged me when I thought I couldn't do it and helped me work through my emotions when they started to get the best of me.
My amazing husband with our precious daughter....
Friday evening rolled around and Kaitlynn got her midnight weigh-in. She dropped 5oz. and was now at 5lbs. 8oz. We were not too concerned especially since we had been trying to breastfeed, but we didn't want to see her drop any more weight. We also sent her to the nursery for the first time during the night. After each feeding, we would have the nurse take her to the nursery for about 2 hours before her next feeding. We did this twice and felt amazing most of the next day!
Saturday, August 22, 2009:
We had another visit from my mom this morning! Kelly's parents left Friday afternoon but had made plans to come back down the next weekend once we were settled in at home.
Nana Watson
My older brother, David and his wife, Bonnie came down around lunch for a visit and to finally get to meet their newest niece. It was great getting to spend some time with them! We don't get to see them enough.
Uncle David
Aunt Bonnie
My twin brother & his wife came back Saturday afternoon before heading back home to SC. My dad came at the same time as them also. My mom dropped back by a little bit later that afternoon.
Uncle Mark, Aunt Bridgette, & Cousin Elizabeth :)
Grandpa Watson & his two granddaughters:
Left: Elizabeth - 5 weeks
Right: Kaitlynn - 2 days old
The two mom's :)
Left: Bridgette & Elizabeth
Right: Me & Kaitlynn
Uncle Kelly & Elizabeth
Our precious niece, Elizabeth Brooke Watson
*5 weeks old*
Lastly, Kelly's parents drove back down Saturday evening. My mom had planned on staying Saturday night, but realized she would have to get up at 5:00am to get to SC and prepare for her morning at work. So, she headed back Saturday night and Kelly's parents drove back in to town to watch Willa for us.
Papa Crawford
Nana Crawford
Saturday was a great day overall. Kaitlynn did a better job with breastfeeding and it was not as much an emotional day for us as the day before. At her midnight feeding we got the news that she had dropped another ounce from the night before. She was now 5lbs. 7oz and in the 7% which meant we had to try feeding her every two hours! I began to cry because I felt like a terrible mother at this point. For some reason my daughter was not keeping weight and definitely not gaining it either. I began to pray and Kelly began comforting me. Trying to feed Kaitlynn every two hours was exhausting and overwhelming. She did well with her first two feedings, but after that she just wasn't ready to eat nor was she interested. Finally I decided to talk with my nurse and she told me that it would be okay - it takes time for babies to get the hang of breastfeeding. Also, once my milk really started coming in we would see an improvement with her weight gain. So, Kelly & I decided to keep Kaitlynn on her three hour feeding schedule at that point. All we could do was pray.
Our 2nd family photo
Sunday, August 23, 2009:
Time to go home! Sunday was an exciting day - we had the end in sight and we were preparing ourselves to take Kaitlynn home with us around 12:00pm. By Sunday, we were feeling more confident with breastfeeding, and Kaitlynn was doing a lot better with it as well. I felt good about going home and continuing to breastfeed without the supervision of nurses and lactation specialists.
Waiting on our nurse to discharge us!
Heading home!!
When we got home, Kelly spent the afternoon catching up on some much needed rest and I spent some time with my daughter. This was the first out of four occasions where I had an emotional breakdown. Kaitlynn & I sat together on the couch in silence for 2 hours. I questioned myself and began to get nervous about taking care of her alone once Kelly goes back to work next week. Thankfully he has the entire week off to spend with us. The emotions calmed once Kelly got
up - things began to seem more normal. The day got better and things went exceptionally well throughout the day & night.
We were both so happy to finally be home with our daughter and to spend some time with our precious Willa Grace as well.
Brief overview of Monday - Wednesday
August 24th - 26th
Kelly took the week off to stay at home with Kaitlynn & I. My doctors & nurses at Northside explained to me that I was not able to do anything physically from housework to walking our dog. Also, I am not able to workout or walk for exercise for 6 weeks because of my surgery. Little did I know that walking period would be tough even around our complex for 5 or 10 minutes!!
Monday we took Kaitlynn to the doctor for her 1st pediatrician check-up since the hospital. We had our appointment scheduled for Tuesday at 1:15pm, but because of her Saturday evening weight check, the pediatrician on call wanted us in the office Monday instead. Her check-up went very well. She gained 2oz. and was at 5lbs. 9oz. total. We were so excited because that reassured both Kelly & I that she had taken to breastfeeding and was getting enough to cause her to gain weight. The pediatrician's goal for her is to be at birth weight by her 2-wk check-up.
Getting weighed in - 5lbs. 9oz!
All snuggled up!
Waiting on the pediatrician to check her out.
Proud daddy at 1st check-up visit!
I love my baby girl!!
Tuesday & Wednesday were pretty uneventful - we stayed at home, and spent time relaxing and enjoying our new daughter. We had no visitors these 2 days which was great, but seemed so weird since we've had so much company from the hospital and over a few days at the house!! Our big event was giving Kaitlynn her first bath :) I was nervous so Kelly did the job fur us!
Kaitlynn's 1st bath with daddy!
Mommy & Kaitlynn for some snuggle time after the bath
All clean & ready to sleep!
Overall, Kaitlynn's first week at home has been great!! She has slept well at night and is doing excellent with breastfeeding. We've definitely enjoyed our first week with our daughter!!
Here are a few additional pictures from Kaitlynn's 1st week!
Daddy & Kaitlynn hanging out
My favorite spot with my daughter!
Willa Grace loving on her baby sister :)
The two of them make us smile!
Willa Grace
Kaitlynn Leane
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