Melificent

Life with Luna: 4 Weeks

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Well, the honeymoon period is definitely over.
Little Luna has us working around the clock, and the days are no longer being defined as “easy.” She has some pretty killer gas, which can leave her screaming in hysterics, and we just recently had to administer a suppository after a full 24 hours of no poopy diapers. I can’t tell you how much fun that was (spoiler alert: we cried more than she did). She isn’t eating quite as well as she was the first 2 weeks with us, so now we usually have to wake her up for feedings and kind of force her at times to complete 2oz. This seems to be the way it goes with IUGR babies, so it will be an uphill battle with her in regards to gaining weight. Speaking of weight, she is now at 7lbs, 5oz!!! She’s finally about the size of an average newborn & is starting to grow out of some sleepers & rompers, which is really exciting!

Unfortunately, it looks like she is starting to develop a flat head, so I have to be cognizant and carry her more often (as well as increase tummy time sessions). Luna isn’t at the weight necessary for baby-wearing (8lbs), so this is making it really hard to balance my day-to-day to-do list and baby (I’m typing this post one-handed). I’m sure this will be a lesson in prioritization . 😉

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Overall, I am so proud of our little nugget. She continues to surprise me every day (she has managed to turn over 6 times in a week during tummy time), and makes me want to be a better person. Sometimes it’s still hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that I am a mother, and I have a kid. When I really let that sink in, at times it can be a little nerve-wracking to be honest. But then I stare into her eyes and know we are going to be just fine.

Life with Luna: 2 Weeks

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It’s hard to believe that yet another week has gone by with our little Luna bug. She is quickly growing – now weighing in at 5lbs, 13 oz and measuring 19 inches. That’s nearly a pound heavier and 1 inch longer than at her last visit a week ago! She’s so incredible and proving that her IUGR diagnosis is not going to stand in the way. I always knew she was a little warrior since she was in my belly, and she has validated that every day since she has been with us.

Her little personality is starting to show with each day – she wants what she wants when she wants it and isn’t shy about vocalizing her anger when that doesn’t happen (especially with food). Tummy time is not her favorite activity, but she’s getting stronger and tolerating it much more – it’s just so hard to find time for it since Luna spends most of her day either eating or sleeping! She loves being held against my chest while in our nursery rocker and especially when the soundtrack is set to Borns‘ new album (Mommy absolutely loves it too).

I’m finally starting to sleep when she sleeps but not consistently. Now that the hubs is back at work (where did that paternity leave go?!), I take advantage of her nap times to get things done, but I know I’m eventually going to have to slow down and take naps right along with her. But despite the banging headaches, sleep deprivation and moments of pure anxiety (why is dressing a tiny little baby so difficult?!), I can honestly say that I have never felt so fulfilled in all my life. It’s like a hole was filled that I didn’t even know was there, and it’s absolutely beautiful.

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Do you want your own Luna Cat pillow (or any other fandom plushness for that matter)? Check out The Geeky Giraffe on Etsy and make sure to use my coupon code for 15% off: Meli15

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Life With Luna: 1 Week

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It’s pretty hard to wrap my head around the fact that it’s been a week since I gave birth to my little girl (at the time of this post). It seems like only yesterday that I was in that hospital bed wondering what you would look like and if you would be healthy and strong. You have defied all odds since. An amazing eater, a peaceful sleeper, an all around incredible baby. I find myself just staring at you as you sleep, and thinking how I could have possibly gotten so lucky to have such a magical little being in my life that I get to call my own.

Every day I worry: I put you in warm clothes, wrap you in 2 blankets, and always make sure you are wearing a hat to maintain your body temperature so that you don’t expend all your calories trying to keep warm. I can’t sleep when you sleep because I always have to have an eye on you (whether it be myself or Daddy). You smile from gas, but we like to think it is genuine. You love it when we laugh, hold you close and play you music.

I’d like to join the masses and say this transition has been super difficult and that we are in “baby boot camp,” but honestly, I thought it would be worse. I am happy to stay up and be sleep deprived if it means I get to look at your face. You have brought your Dad and I even closer after last year’s struggles. I value family more. All in all, you are the best thing I have ever done.

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Do you want your own Luna Cat pillow (or any other fandom plushness for that matter)? Check out The Geeky Giraffe on Etsy and make sure to use my coupon code for 15% off: Meli15

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Luna’s Birth Story

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Luna and I are safely back at home now, while we continue to transition into parenthood and attempting to get a little routine going. I wanted to make sure I shared my birth story on the blog before the details got hazy (truth: they already are) because I really enjoyed reading other bloggers’ recaps. A lot of the time, people won’t share the nitty gritty of their labor experience, but I think it’s important to be truthful. It helped me anticipate and prepare for what that day would possibly bring in store for me and I’m glad it did.

At about 36 weeks, Luna was diagnosed as being IUGR (Intra-Uterine Growth Restriction). Basically, that means your baby is not growing as they should be. Case in point, she was measuring 33 weeks at 36. I was immediately ordered to get ultrasounds done twice a week leading up to the end of my pregnancy. It was then that they discovered that she was in the 4th percentile in terms of weight. I was terrified. I looked up IUGR online (bad idea) and terrible scenarios like stillborns and emergency c-sections were immediately thrown in my face. Because of this diagnosis, my doctor believed it was best to induce me at 38 weeks so that we could be in control of her growth and nourishment rather than my body. Cue: anxiety.

12106952_10153178896140036_6870859564084539774_nButton designs by Aviva || Button makers: Cheapest Buttons Net

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Minted: Baby Paper Goods

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I’m sure you guys have heard of Minted, especially if you get Christmas cards from your friends and family. I know come holiday season, our house is full of beautifully designed cards from the site, but they just recently introduced baby paper goods. If you know me, you know how much I love stationery, notebooks and the such. Basically, setting me loose in Office Depot is a treat. That’s why I was so happy to work together with Minted to bring you some of their cutest goods and show you how I’m going to make them work for baby Luna (sorry for all the blockage of Luna’s middle name – we are keeping it a secret until her birth).

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I absolutely loved their baby notebooks so I knew I had to have one for little Lu. I have so many notebooks scattered around my house, it’s kind of ridiculous. I actually have several in her room already, but none were specifically geared towards her first year like this one. I also loved the gorgeous floral designed cover and the extra step of personalization with her first and middle name. The notebook also fits in perfectly aesthetic-wise with her nursery (which was revealed last week – check it out), so it was an added plus! The inside of the notebook is left blank so that you can fill it with whatever musings you wish, even if it’s just feeding times!

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