Friday, January 09, 2009

One Week Old


Koen (pronouced Ko-en) is one week old today! Some students misunderstood his name and thought that we had named him `colon' because we are science teachers:)
He is still quite an easy baby. He sleeps for about 16 hours in a 24 hour period and the one hour he is up in each 3 hour cycle, he is just pigging out (about 4-5 oz per feed now!), farting...the usual. He hasn't been too alert yet but his most alert time is about 10pm. He naps in his car seat in the living room (where I hang out) and he sleeps in the bassinet beside our bed. I wonder if he's just super dozy because he was born early or if this is what he will really be like!!!

I'm feeling better. I went for a walk to the mailbox yesterday. Okay, so it was only 3 blocks, but i was just testing myself out. This morning Maria came by and we took the kids to the park. I pushed Koen in the stroller and it was no problem. There is no way I could manage Kai though by myself. Maria pointed out that he is quite a handful. I'm not sure if that's a boy thing or just a Kai thing. My cold is 50% gone, my engorgement is 50% gone, so I am feeling good. I feel so much LESS tired this time around. It could be that it's just been one week and the `fun' is just around the corner, OR, maybe an easy baby + toddler= easier than 1 fussy baby.
(Niece Ani brave enough to hold Koen)

I am slightly nervous about basketball over the next 2.5 months. I find the 5-7 pm hours a little challenging by myself but yesterday went okay so we will see. I CANNOT wait until bball is done. I'm so happy that Gary has an awesome assistant coach that is freeing Gary up to miss a couple games from the tourney this weekend. That means he will be home for dinner tonight!!!

We might try to take some studio pics of Koen this weekend but at this rate, they'll all be sleeping ones:) I don't think there is any way we can get a decent picture of Kai and Koen together, although, a few jellybeans might get us something that will do.
I think the hardest part is not being able to be active enough with Kai. He needs to get rid of a lot of excess energy, and right now, I cannot chase after him. Fortunately, family members have been taking him for about an hour a day to run off some steam!
Kai said that he was a truck too. Not sure how that works. Kai has been fighting a cold which fortunately makes him sleepy and want to go to bed. Is that mean? I'm sad that he's sick but I'm glad he WANTS to go to bed again:) Kai has adapted well. He is def. NOT gentle with the baby so I cannot leave Koen alone. He does not appear jealous at all and gets upset if my dad jokes about taking Koen home with him. So far....so good!
Well, 1-2pm is my nap time so I better use my time wisely while I can!

8 comments:

  1. I love the picture of Koen yawning. It's great that Gary can have some games off!! Sports take up so much time! You don't notice it when you're the high school athlete so much, but it is a huge commitment when you have a family. I'm glad you get to have dinner together tonight :)

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  2. He is so beautiful - wowwwwww
    Can't wait to hold him again

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  3. Anonymous11:20 PM

    What a gorgeous child . . congratulations!! Sooner than you think, your two precious darlings will be playing together!!
    Grace Groot

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  4. glad your engorgement is better! I pumped off the top for the first few weeks. I have super soaker letdown. Engorgement is not from too much milk (although tons of milk doesn't help), it is irritation of the breast tissue as it adjusts to the newness of hormone changes and the presence of milk in the ducts. Thus, some pumping is def. okay. Too much pumping makes too much milk in the long run, but then you can reduce how much you pump later.
    No pumping CAN mean mastitis, so I say pump.

    I'd also say that you don't give yourself any credit for being experienced. You credit Koen for being easy and Kai for being older, which is probably true, but you also are finding it easier because you know what you are doing! Baby #1 is such a huge learning curve. Plus, we're so afraid our lives will never go back to 'normal' and we'll get swallowed up in the process, but with #2 we know it's possible to get ourselves/lives/bodies back.

    You're doing an awesome job! Sweet babies!
    xo

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  5. p.s. the cold medicine has anti congestants that dry up milk supply. For Koen, it would make him a little sleepy but otherwise be okay. But for your milk, it is early so you are still establishing a milk supply, so decongestants are probably not a good idea.
    Though I understand that you are struggling with a major cough and abdominal surgery recovery.
    I've heard from 3 ppl that eucalyptus essential oil in a bath, humidifier, or rubbed on your chest can really help with coughs and congestion? You can buy essential oils at TAPS in Ft Langley, not sure where else in Langley maybe the health food store?

    Get better soon :(
    xo

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  6. p.s.#2 I'm not stalking you, I swear!

    I just wanted to say that I'm so very glad you had a good experience with your c section. It sounded similar to my experience with Ayden. All birth stories should be good ones; Im glad yours was!

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  7. yes, easy baby + toddler is easier than 1 fussy baby!!!
    glad you're feeling better. Before you know it, Koen's eyes will be open more than you are ready for (haha) and you'll be chasing Kai again :)
    CUTE pics!!!

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  8. Koen is ADORABLE! I love his sweet smiles and chubby cheeks.

    I'm so glad you're feeling better and better!!!

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