Surviving A Newborn

...and not wanting an only child in the end.
Disclaimer - I had already scheduled this post before I took my blog silence.  So, by the time you're actually reading this I already am on bloggy vacation.

*  My last "Surviving" post is no different than the other two.  A supportive husband.  Jonathan is an amazing dad and an amazing supportive husband.  When I get too frustrated or too tired he's already there taking over.  When Georgia's having a moment where nothing can calm her down Jonathan takes her and tells me to go relax.  I couldn't have asked for a better person to raise a child with.  His laid back nature balances out my high strung - OCD personality.

* Gas Drops and Gripe Water.  You'll come to know and love them.  Georgia responded better to Gripe Water but we use both.  The child has got some gas/digestive issues...but she's growing out of them actually.

* Know that babies cry (and sometimes it's a lot).  Colic is described as crying for 3 hours a day, for 3 days a week (or more), for at least 3 weeks.  Now, Georgia has never cried for 3 hours a day but she does have bouts of crying/fussing that can last an hour and a half...especially at night (although she is out growing them now)  Hers was/is gas related and usually ends with a big burp or going to the bathroom.  When she cries that much it just breaks my heart!  But, most of the time newborns look like this...

* Sleep Sheep.  We keep ours on the "Relax" setting which is ocean waves.  We mainly use it to block out any house hold noise when we first put Georgia down before she is 100% asleep.  I thought I would miss the ocean waves when she moved to her crib full time but I can hear them loud and clear on the baby monitor.  We discovered the Sleep Sheep one night when she was very fussy.  I remembered it was in the closet and as soon as I turned it on she stopped crying...although sadly it doesn't still have that same effect on her but she still likes it.  We also have the "Gentle Giraffe" attached to her car seat and she loves it as well.  It makes her actually like her car seat.  We keep that one on the waterfall setting.

* Angel Care.  Georgia is in her crib full time now.  I don't have to keep checking on her to make sure she's breathing.  I'm not the "germaphobe" type parent and I'm not overly cautious with her at all.  My only fear is that she'll stop breathing and now I don't have to worry about it.

* I pump since I now have to supplement.  (I like to know how much she's eating, I don't like the isolation, and I couldn't handle the scabs even though she had a perfect latch).  Although I did only breastfeed for the first 3 weeks.  So, if you breastfeed or pump you may love these items as much as I do.

Shield - helped to let my scabs heal.  Which, I only got scabs because she was feeding for SO LONG (sometimes 45 minutes on each side and was still starving) because I wasn't producing enough milk...hence we now supplement.

Gel Pads - Very soothing!

BustBuddies - Lived with these when my milk first came in.  They were great!

Washable breast pads - Very convenient.  There are at least 4 of these in the laundry everyday.

* Activity mat and boppy.  We prop up G under her activity mat and she loves it.  Keeps her entertained for awhile.