This is Hayden Jane: birth to 2 mo

This is Hayden Jane.

~ birth to 2 months ~

Born: Tuesday, March 17th, 2020 @ 0643

🍀  8 lb 8 oz, 21 inches  🍀
Eye color: Dark blue-greyish (slate)

To start, the female body is unbelievable and so impressive... the entire body-hijacking process from conception, pregnancy, labor and delivery, postpartum and recovery, breastfeeding. Much more than I ever imagined.

Every birth story is unique; every one just as incredible.
We are happy to share Hayden's birth story with you, if desired.

Going home!

Outfit: onesie from Jacey and Tim Kufahl, knit hat from Melissa Derner

** Weeks 1 & 2 **

Pretty much a blur! 
Feed, sleep, diaper change, repeat every 1-3 hours; feeding on demand
Mom also pumped, so Hayden took a bottle from Dad for a night shift
Lots of skin-to-skin time

Breastfeeding + pumping is a lot of work. The nipple pain and anticipation of pain starts to subside by week 2. Pump, pour, wash, dry, repeat. Three times a day x10-15 minutes.

She has sucked her thumb from the first moment on the outside!
Several adventures outside on walks down the road and in the woods; she falls asleep almost immediately in the Baby Bjorn!
Sam prepared every meal, literally (he's the best)

We had our 2-week check up (virtually); got her weight from our home scale. She was up to 9 lbs, so we got the OK to 'let her sleep' (instead of waking to feed).

"Someone dumped a bunch-a mustard in  your diaper" (Sam)

First book: Notorious RBG (Life and Times of RBG)
3/22/20 - first half smile
3/23/20 - first full smile
3/26/20 - First bath! Hated it, all of it. Then, peed on Mom while wrapped in swaddling towel.

** Weeks 3 & 4 **

Some smiles (so rewarding!) and lots of cute scowls

Had a bout of acne around 2 and 3 weeks :(

Tummy time wins -- and losses (i.e. face plants then crying)
Tummy-to-tummy time with Dad

First maple syrup boil!
Lot of time in her outdoor bear suit
Fun positions for naps
We took an about-face on the swaddling concept for all sleep! Lots of white noise around the house.

Weeks 3 and 4 brought on long, difficult days/nights for Mom in this new normal + self-isolation. Struggles with loneliness despite constant attachment to the baby (ironic, right?), uncertainty, guilt, reading too many blogs and articles about new babies and motherhood, reading too many articles about the Covid-19 pandemic unfolding by the hour, feelings of being unproductive, discomfort and impatience with recovery, self-consciousness, desire for a break, more guilt ... how's that for a little glimpse inside my postpartum + quarantined mind

Installed the new backseat in the van (for her carseat!)
Easter outfit! And amazing meal thanks to Luke, Jessica and Henry

 

  

 

 

*~*  ONE MONTH OLD  *~*

4/17/20 - Family photo session at home

 

** Weeks 5 & 6 **

Safer-at-home continues
Take few drives to get out of the house
Some cool gazebo evenings
First Lake Jump (socially distanced style) -- just us, the fire, a windy day and frigid Lake Superior

We are SO PROUD of our pup, Canyon. He is generally a bit anxious around her, but we're seeing no aggressive signs of jealousy; only attention-seeking, which is totally his personality. He shows concern with her longer bouts of crying, and spends a fair amount of his time next to us on the rocker chair (where we give him many treats). We are being intentional about his interactions with her and giving him personal attention, space and time to adjust.

Social smiles and giggles much more frequent -- this is so rewarding! And, excellent timing
Second book: Becoming (Michelle Obama)

4.22.20 - Second bath, went really great! She loves bath time!
4.23.20 - Giggly girl
4.25.20 - Hayden's first Lake Jump

 

** Weeks 7 & 8 **

Snow is pretty much gone; weather is warming up! So thankful and needed.
Stronger neck -- now she looks outward in Baby Bjorn
Double hand-holds
Safer-at-home continues: wishing we could share our baby girl with family; agonizing over the risk to all
LOTS of smiles and giggles -- especially at 0600
Munches on her hands
Official adoption of her Bonnika doll

"Do you have Mtn Dew in your nipples? Why is she getting so fired up?" (Sam)
"I'm wiping your butt hole and you're farting." (Sam)

Recognizing Mom and Dad's voices and faces
Follows with her eyes
Naps are crucial, can get overtired --> inconsolable crying :(

No longer accepts a bottle... and very suspicious of pacifiers
Longer stretches of sleep at night, 4-6 hours (mostly 4)

5/10/20 - First Mother's Day! French toast breakfast, drive the van up the Shore for lunch, van naps, shake for the ride home. Watched RBG movie night.
5/14-5/15/20 - Longest sleep stretch of 6.5 hrs (2045-0315)
5/15/20 - First rollover: tummy to back!

 

 

*~*  TWO MONTHS OLD *~*

5/17/20 - Solo photo shoot
She's pure joy. We're learning every moment we spend with her. 
We find a rhythm, then need to change it up.

 

Thankful for our families staying safe at home during the pandemic. It has been incredibly trying on Sam and I to continue to quarantine with her. It has been an ongoing, difficult conversation; sometimes easier to be objective than others. We love our dedicated time with her, but we cannot wait to share her with the ones we love, when it's safe to do so. We appreciate your continued patience.