I'm Back

Ok, rather than try and catch up with everything that has happened since Zoey was born, I am just going to pick up right where I am. I will talk about stuff from that period as I can, but in order to get this thing going again, I am just going to start here.

Abbie and I have been enjoying Zoey quite a lot. Parenting at all stages is difficult, with each period of your child's life presenting unique challenges. Right now, in the first month, the challenge for us has been adjusting to the new cycle of sleep, nusring, learning what Zoey wants when she cries (there are different cries for everrything!), among other things. Yesterday I gave Zoey her first bottle. Giving the baby a new sensation (a bottle's rubber nipple instead of the real thing) caused initial rejection. However, in what I though was a rather quick learning moment for Zoey, she took the bottle within minutes. I gave her one more bottle late last night. We are mixing bottle feeding with nursing, in order to give Abbie a break. It is painful and tiring to constantly breastfeed, and this way we can share the responsibility as well as offer Abbie some relief. I really loved being able to do it too. Zoey stares into my eyes as I provide her with food. There is definitely a new bond formed for every milestone you share with your child, and while I cannot have the exact bond Abbie can because I cannot nurse (at least that's what I am told), there is definitely a new piece added to my relationship with my daughter. It was an amazing moment, as I have been having and will continue to have as Zoey grows.

Zoey also has begun to enjoy her swing. At first, she was so light that the swing moved too fast for her. She has gained over a pound since birth, and now loves to rock back and forth in the swing. Like all things, it needs to be done in moderation. She likes to stare at the mobile that moves as the swing rocks, she stares at the ceiling fan in our living room, and she definitely likes to stare at her parents! She is constantly learning...with her eyes, her ears, her nose, her hands, her feet, and just about every other part of her body. It is amazing to watch as she recognizes voices, images, sounds. I think she will be an extremely intelligent girl...maybe even more so than her parents!

So that's where we are right now. I know it's not a lot of information, but more will come and more often too.