Yesterday Samantha went to her first movie. To escape the 100 degree weather, I went with my mom, sister and Samantha to see Mamma Mia. I was expecting an empty theatre during a Wednesday afternoon but it was actually quite crowded. As we entered the theatre I knew exactly what the looks from other movie goers were saying...they were unaware of what a cooperative baby we brought with us.
I have always loved musicals and this movie was no exception. It was a perfect mother/daughter movie and the music was great. Samantha slept through the whole movie - except for being awake when I fed her in the theatre (I told you I will breastfeed anywhere now!).
It's going to be another hot week so let me know if you have seen any good movies for our next outing!
Getting Into the Swing of Things
I apologize for the lack of news, it is not because things are uneventful around here. Samantha is almost four weeks old now which makes me sad because the past few weeks have gone so quickly. She is growing fast and weighed 8 lbs 6 ounces on Friday - even though the breastfeeding is still a bit painful for me, she is apparently getting what she needs which is good.
She has a really wonderful personality, people ask us often if we realize what a good baby she is. She truly seems content and she doesn't cry often, if she does it is usually because she is hungry. Samantha has fantastic expressions. It blows me away how she makes the same faces that Dave and I do, it is hysterical to see the perturbed look that Dave has coming from a tiny baby. I would even say she is a pretty darn good sleeper lately. She goes for about 3-5 hour stretches which really means one middle of the night feeding and some decent sleep for us all.
We have had a very, very steady stream of visitors. Everyone has been very supportive and loving, bringing dinners and gifts for the baby. It is also really nice when we have some uninterrupted alone time and feel like we are adjusting to our new life as a family.
She has a really wonderful personality, people ask us often if we realize what a good baby she is. She truly seems content and she doesn't cry often, if she does it is usually because she is hungry. Samantha has fantastic expressions. It blows me away how she makes the same faces that Dave and I do, it is hysterical to see the perturbed look that Dave has coming from a tiny baby. I would even say she is a pretty darn good sleeper lately. She goes for about 3-5 hour stretches which really means one middle of the night feeding and some decent sleep for us all.
We have had a very, very steady stream of visitors. Everyone has been very supportive and loving, bringing dinners and gifts for the baby. It is also really nice when we have some uninterrupted alone time and feel like we are adjusting to our new life as a family.
It Only Took Two Weeks
You may remember I wrote a blog posting about breastfeeding here back in May. I received a lot of feedback, and many of you offered advice. Dave's sweet cousin Dana even sent me a very cool "Hooter Hider" to avoid being a typical Boulder mom.
I am writing now to admit that it only took two weeks for me to lose most of my modesty and do exactly what I was complaining about before having a baby. On Friday, our doctor's visit went long, we had to go down to the lab for a blood test and and the whole outing took much longer than expected. Samantha became fussy as we waited for her to get her foot pricked and I knew it was time to feed her.
Being a new mom, I was not prepared with my "Hooter Hider" or any real cover for that matter. But, what do I care right? I went into the corner of the waiting room and just started nursing right there. When we were called in for her blood work, there I was just walking right into the room while I nursed for everyone to see! I actually nursed her until the whole thing was over. Hey, these days, when you get her to latch correctly and the feeding is going well, there is no stopping her because you are embarrassed! Hopefully I did not scare any expectant mothers and I promise I will try to be more prepared as time goes by. Apparently most of those things you promise never to do as a mother get thrown out the window very quickly.
I am writing now to admit that it only took two weeks for me to lose most of my modesty and do exactly what I was complaining about before having a baby. On Friday, our doctor's visit went long, we had to go down to the lab for a blood test and and the whole outing took much longer than expected. Samantha became fussy as we waited for her to get her foot pricked and I knew it was time to feed her.
Being a new mom, I was not prepared with my "Hooter Hider" or any real cover for that matter. But, what do I care right? I went into the corner of the waiting room and just started nursing right there. When we were called in for her blood work, there I was just walking right into the room while I nursed for everyone to see! I actually nursed her until the whole thing was over. Hey, these days, when you get her to latch correctly and the feeding is going well, there is no stopping her because you are embarrassed! Hopefully I did not scare any expectant mothers and I promise I will try to be more prepared as time goes by. Apparently most of those things you promise never to do as a mother get thrown out the window very quickly.
Perils of Breastfeeding
If breastfeeding did not offer so many benefits for a growing baby, I would have given up on it already. I learned that a minute or two of bad positioning can lead to some serious pain for days later. I took a 24 hour break and had a lactation specialist come over for a visit. Things are getting better every day but again, one feeding can be a big set back if you aren't paying proper attention and I think it will take me awhile to really master this. However, I am determined to do it.
Today marks the passing of the two week mark since Samantha was born which means that I can get out and about on my own. This is HUGE for me after the month of bed rest leading up to her birth and I am very anxious to get out of this house by myself. I am feeling better every day after the c-section and I think it will really help my mind and spirit to get some independence back. I have appreciated the help from everyone around me but I am ready to do some things on my own (with Samantha at my side of course!) and get into our own groove just the two of us.
Samantha continues to be the best baby ever and it's hard to believe, but she gets more beautiful every day - I'll put some new pictures up this weekend to prove it. Plus the past two nights she has let me have some decent sleep so she gets even more bonus points.
Today marks the passing of the two week mark since Samantha was born which means that I can get out and about on my own. This is HUGE for me after the month of bed rest leading up to her birth and I am very anxious to get out of this house by myself. I am feeling better every day after the c-section and I think it will really help my mind and spirit to get some independence back. I have appreciated the help from everyone around me but I am ready to do some things on my own (with Samantha at my side of course!) and get into our own groove just the two of us.
Samantha continues to be the best baby ever and it's hard to believe, but she gets more beautiful every day - I'll put some new pictures up this weekend to prove it. Plus the past two nights she has let me have some decent sleep so she gets even more bonus points.
Photos of Samantha
I created a web page through Shutterfly to share photos of Samantha with you all. Enjoy!
http://samanthaleebrantz.site.shutterfly.com/
http://samanthaleebrantz.site.shutterfly.com/
Home Sweet Home
Yes, we are finally home and getting settled with Samantha. We were so happy to get out of the hospital on Tuesday after a full week stay, we all even slept quite a bit that first night home. Yesterday we got the clean bill of health on the jaundice from the doctor so we don't have to worry about using the lights on the baby and we can just cuddle as much as we want to. Even Javier seems to be adjusting well.
I am feeling pretty good physically but I can definitely feel the pain after not much activity which is frustrating. I'm also feeling very emotional. Everyone talks about postpartum depression or having the baby blues...this is not what I feel. I would say that overall, the way to describe what I am feeling is "overwhelmed". Overwhelmed by how much I love Samantha, overwhelmed by how perfect she is and how blessed I feel, overwhelmed by how tired I am, about the phone calls we are receiving, about the visitors who come by, the physical pain I feel, getting started feeding with the baby and by how much life changed in the last week. Most of it is good, but it brings on some tears a few times a day. It has been so nice to have Dave home with me this week.
We have been taking pictures like crazy so I will make sure to post them in the next few days.
I am feeling pretty good physically but I can definitely feel the pain after not much activity which is frustrating. I'm also feeling very emotional. Everyone talks about postpartum depression or having the baby blues...this is not what I feel. I would say that overall, the way to describe what I am feeling is "overwhelmed". Overwhelmed by how much I love Samantha, overwhelmed by how perfect she is and how blessed I feel, overwhelmed by how tired I am, about the phone calls we are receiving, about the visitors who come by, the physical pain I feel, getting started feeding with the baby and by how much life changed in the last week. Most of it is good, but it brings on some tears a few times a day. It has been so nice to have Dave home with me this week.
We have been taking pictures like crazy so I will make sure to post them in the next few days.
Samantha Lee Brantz
We are very happy to share the news of the arrival of our baby girl Samantha. Most
of you now know that Samantha arrived on Thursday, July 3rd at 5:18 pm. She weighed in at 7 lbs 9 oz and was 20.5 inches long. It was quite an adventure bringing her into the world. I feel like the doctors (and I) did everything we possibly could to get the baby to come out without surgery but in the end she was not faced the right way and even though I pushed for hours we ended up with a c-section....and a baby with a cone head to show my efforts!
It was really difficult and the craziest thing I have ever been through but I would do it again today to have Samantha. She is so
beautiful, I can't stop looking at her. My mom told me once that when you have a child it is like having your heart running around outside your body. I love her so much, I can't even explain it.
We are STILL at the hospital, pretty soon they will be naming this wing after us. We were ready to go home today but the baby is jaundice so she has to be under this lamp for the day and we will hopefully head home tomorrow after a full week here. I am getting up now pretty well and we are ready to get home and start our new life with Sammy. I'm including some pictures, as you can see,
we are all very smitten by the baby. Thank you for all your emails and kind messages. It continues to be an adventure but worth every minute.
of you now know that Samantha arrived on Thursday, July 3rd at 5:18 pm. She weighed in at 7 lbs 9 oz and was 20.5 inches long. It was quite an adventure bringing her into the world. I feel like the doctors (and I) did everything we possibly could to get the baby to come out without surgery but in the end she was not faced the right way and even though I pushed for hours we ended up with a c-section....and a baby with a cone head to show my efforts! It was really difficult and the craziest thing I have ever been through but I would do it again today to have Samantha. She is so
beautiful, I can't stop looking at her. My mom told me once that when you have a child it is like having your heart running around outside your body. I love her so much, I can't even explain it.We are STILL at the hospital, pretty soon they will be naming this wing after us. We were ready to go home today but the baby is jaundice so she has to be under this lamp for the day and we will hopefully head home tomorrow after a full week here. I am getting up now pretty well and we are ready to get home and start our new life with Sammy. I'm including some pictures, as you can see,
we are all very smitten by the baby. Thank you for all your emails and kind messages. It continues to be an adventure but worth every minute.
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