Nora Kate's First Week

Nora Kate's first week flew by!  We checked out of the hospital when she was 24 hours old, so we got to enjoy the majority of her first week at home which was nice to be able to rest, recover, and relax at home!

The first night home from the hospital, Dawson and Carter spent the night with Nana and Grandad so that John and I could both take care of Nora Kate and get as much rest as possible.  She didn't sleep great, but we managed.  She was eating every hour-or more, and unfortunately she wasn't super content at night in between feedings either.  With this being our third though, we knew after she was getting more milk this would improve so we weren't too worried.

Friday morning we took her to see Dr. Booher for her first visit.  She was 2 days old, and, of course, had lost weight, but not enough that they were worried.  Dr. Booher checked her out and said she's very healthy, but he wanted her to come back the next morning for another weight check. 

Friday night Lolly stayed with us to help with Nora Kate, and it was so nice because Nora Kate did the same routine of eating frequently without being very content in between feedings.  Mom attempted to keep her happy in between feedings so I could rest.

Saturday morning we took Nora Kate in for a weight check, and she had not lost or gained since the previous day...which was good.  They wanted us to bring her in for one more weight check in a few days.

Saturday night my mom stayed to help again, and Nora Kate kept the same hungry and fussy routine.  By Sunday afternoon though she seemed to be getting more content after her feedings which is great!

Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday nights Nora Kate's sleeping really improved.  Each night she slept either a 3 or 4 hours stretch and then a couple of two our stretches of time.  John and I felt A LOT more rested with our sleep interrupted less, and we were happy that Nora Kate started feeling more full and content after eating.

On Tuesday morning, at 6 days old she had her final weight check and was just one ounce under her birth weight.  The doctor said this was perfect and she was gaining over an ounce a day which is great!  She does not have to go back until her one month check up!

Other than her visits to the doctor (which I wont' really count as her first outings), Nora Kate's very first real outing was to take her big brother Dawson to preschool on Monday morning.  We all went to drop him off because there was a short parent orientation meeting after drop off that we wanted to attend.  Dawson was happy to show off his new sister to his teacher too.  I guess it's the life of a third child that her first outing would be to a preschool orientation meeting.  After the meeting, we were determined to go somewhere else since we were all dressed and out of the house, so we stopped by Foothills Mall to walk around for a little while.  Nora Kate and Carter both rode happily in the stroller, and, of course, Nora Kate slept through most of her first outing.

In her first week, Nora Kate also got to meet more family and friends.  She got to meet her Aunt Emily, Eric, Cousin Drew, Great Aunt Arlene, and Great Uncle Wayne (who she almost shared a birthday with had she arrived on her due date!), and our friends the Gibsons! 

Dawson and Carter had fun getting to know their baby sister this first week too!  Dawson is a wonderful big brother, and he knows just what to do.  He gently pats her, fixes her blankets, and kisses her.  Carter is very curious about Nora Kate.  He talks about her constantly saying "bebe" (baby).  We are working on teaching him to be gently with her.  When we first came home from the hospital, I felt horrible because Carter seemed jealous of Nora Kate.  He was saying, "Mommy, bebe.  Mommy, bebe" over and over looking really sad that he wasn't on my lap or that I wasn't carrying him around.  He really has adjusted quickly though, especially now that we are adjusting and he's started getting his "mommy time" again!  Nora Kate is very lucky to have such great big brothers, and we have loved all the precious moments with Nora Kate and her big brothers as we are adjusting to life as a family of five this first week!

On to the pictures!

 

 

 

Of course, Nora Kate had her first bath at home during her first week.  She got so calm and relaxed for bathtime.  She loved it!  Look how relaxed she was...she crossed her ankles!

She kept trying to get her hands in her mouth the entire bath time.

One more bath picture.

Snuggling with Daddy on the couch after bath time to warm up.

(This was the night she started sleeping a lot better, and she slept in this hat all night...SO we have put her in this hat every night since just in case it helps her sleep!)

I have had SO much fun dressing Nora Kate each day!!

This is what she wore for her first outing...a little black dress and a cardigan!

Girl clothes are SO fun!

Sweet sleeping faces.

Must be having good dreams!

Nora Kate meeting Aunt Em, Eric, and Cousin Drew for the first time.

(And Dawson said he needed to be in the picture too!)

"little sister"

Sweet Nora Kate.

 

The Gibsons came to visit and bring us dinner!  It was great because Dawson and Carter were thrilled to play with Charlie and Olivia.  Olivia is almost exactly a year older than Nora Kate!  Now Olivia won't be the only girl at our play dates!