Gabby Three Weeks Old

Gabby is doing so great. She is getting so big. Despite what everyone says when they come to visit her. We can tell that she is getting longer and is really starting to fill out in her legs and face. She is finally starting to have a little bit of chub on her legs. So cute!
We are trying to get sleep when we can but it isn't always easy. Gabby likes to be up at night. She is getting better with her sleeping as the days go by. I have been feeding her every three hours during the day and try to move it out to four hours at night so we can sleep a little. This is working out pretty well most nights.
Breastfeeding is going very well. Gabby still chokes at least once a day on the milk. Talked to the doctor and the lactation specialist who both say this is normal and nothing to be worried about as she is still trying to figure out breathing, eating and sucking. I tell you when it is happening I don't know how it isn't a big deal. It is so scary. She seems to self correct it right away and doesn't seem to be phased by it very much. My friend, Angela, let me borrow her breast pump and well, I tried pumping last week and I couldn't get the pump to work besides on manual and it was way to cumbersome. So, another client is letting me borrow her pump. I am hoping it will work out well enough so that Jason can help out with feedings. I know he really wants to be able to bond with Gabby this way. And the more he wants to bond in the middle of the night the better for me! Ha.
Gabby is starting to turn her head a lot more and she will track your hand if you move slowly. She definitely knows my voice. Strange, huh.... She also is trying to pick her head up a lot. We were forced to put the mittens on her hands as she seems to be OCD already trying to find her thumb. What she doesn't realize is that once her thumb is in her mouth all she has to do is close her mouth and she would be happy. Baby steps I guess. We can't cut her nails until next week as they are still attached to her skin. This is another reason we put the mittens on. She keeps scratching her little face up. She started sticking her tongue out I believe on day nine. Which is so cute. She is also starting to smile. Now, they say it is just gas and that is why she smiles but we will take that smile anyway we can get it.
She still sleeps a lot but when she is awake she is typically very alert. We have been putting her in the swing, bouncy seat and popazon chair. She seems to like them all. We also have been letting her lie under a little play area. She seems to really look at the bright colored toys hanging from above. We also put a mirror for her to look into and she is fascinated by herself. I can't blame her! She is just too cute. We are not sure who she looks like just yet. From one minute to the next she looks like someone different. I still see a lot of my mom and her brothers in her and sometimes my brothers. Jason still sees his dad and his grandfather in her. So who knows.
She still really only cries or fusses when we change her diaper or her clothes. Which seems to be a lot as she is always going to the bathroom. Geez! When Grandma Sue was here we took Gabby out for her first stroller ride. Which was funny since she is so little the stroller swallowed her up whole. We took her out again today and she just loved it. My mom and I try to get out with her once a day. Sure makes us all feel normal. With it being cold and flu season the doctor doesn't want her out until at least a month if not longer. So typically one of us stays in the car with her.
Gabby has had lots of visitors. Crazy how you never know until you are older how many people are so excited for your arrival. Gabby is so loved and she doesn't even know it yet.
Jason is doing great. He has been really tired. He is back to work as of last week and it is proving to be wearing on him. I try to keep him motivated by sending him pictures throughout the day. I myself and feeling pretty good. My incision is healing up very nicely. I do still feel tender in my abdomen right below my belly button. I think I might have been allergic to the tape they used. I actually went for my first walk for exercise today. I am still slow moving but it felt so great to do something as I have not exercised I believe in ten to twelve weeks. Yikes. Grandma Ann is here for two more weeks. She has been such a blessing to have with us. So helpful with Gabby, cooking, laundry, support, etc. We are trying to get her to stay. Sorry Dennis!
I think this will keep you all pretty current with what is going on here. Thanks so much for all your emails and calls. Sorry if I haven't gotten back to you. Seems like the day is over before it starts. I am not sure where the time goes. I promise to be better with the updates and will keep the pictures coming.
Much love to you all!