40 Weeks

Today was my due date!  It's hard to believe that Elsie is already 10 days old and we've been home from the hospital for a full week.  We are getting into a routine of eating, changing, sleeping, and repeating.  Gavin seems to be doing fine so far.  He is pretty indifferent to her most of the time, but gives the occasional hug, kiss, or comment ("She's so tiny!").  

Recovery has been non-linear, as always.  I felt really good coming home from the hospital and my bleeding was gradually slowing down.  Then yesterday I passed some clots and had much heavier bleeding.  I've also been more sore than I was the previous several days.  But today the bleeding is very light again.  It will likely continue to fluctuate for a few more weeks.  Bodies are strange!

Breastfeeding also seems to be going well.  Elsie is eating approximately every 2-2.5 hours in the mornings, and then more frequently in the early afternoon and evenings.  Some nights she will go 3 hours between feedings and other times it's closer to 2 hours (from start to start).  I have only woken Eric twice to ask for help with overnight feedings, which feels like a success from a breastfeeding and sleeping standpoint.  

Elsie has a 2-week well-baby appointment on Wednesday, so we will see how her weight gain is going.  The goal is for her to be back to birth weight (6 lb 15 oz).  That is one indication that she is getting enough breastmilk.  Assuming the appointment goes well, her next visit will be at 2 months.  

Hitting 40 weeks feels like the end of a journey - and it really is.  But now real life resumes.  And our new life includes two kids!!