Eleanor June & the Boys - 11 days in reflection

It's now been almost two weeks since our little princess joined the family and if anything time is just going too quickly! Having Justin home has been a lifesaver since I have had to pump around the clock to keep my milk supply up for when Eleanor can breast-feed exclusively.

At her one week follow-up appointment we discovered she had lost yet another couple of ounces (which is a lot when you don't have too many ounces to lose!) and was down to 4 lbs. 5 oz. We had to re-evaluate her nursing/feeding schedule and also began seeing a lactation consultant to keep a closer eye on Norah's weight gain. (Though it's not the same LC we saw with both Jack and Eddie we love her just as much! She's been so helpful and reassuring which is very much needed when you're a sleep-deprived, worried Mommy!)

For now she is still 'practice' nursing (meaning she latches on and does what's called 'non-nutritive nursing' - basically she's not strong enough to get anything, but is still going through the motions which is exactly what we need her to do so she doesn't forget how to nurse) every two hours and then we follow up with a bottle of pumped breast-milk. We stopped the high-calorie formula almost as soon as we started when we discovered that she just didn't like it! (And really, what's more fattening than breast-milk?! Don't worry - we were given the okay by our lactation consultant.)

The new schedule is working wonderfully as she gained two ounces in just two days! :) Justin does most of the bottle feedings while I pump so this system has been able to work so far. We are very much praying and crossing all fingers and toes that she will be strong enough to switch to complete nursing (and a three-hour nursing schedule - especially at night!) soon! :)

Jackson cannot get enough of his new baby sister! He literally can't keep his hands off of her and we have to remind him often to give her some space. He loves to tell us how cute she is and is always saying how much he loves her - which is the sweetest thing a mother can hear! He's also been a big helper by playing with Eddison, who is not exactly having an easy transition from 'baby' to 'middle-child'. Again, it has been so great having Justin home to play with the boys so they know they're not being left out. Just yesterday the three of them went to a movie (Madagascar II) and had such a great time! Justin is having a blast with his little buddies though I think even he was a little surprised to see just how quickly they can destroy a clean house. :)

Enjoy the pictures! :)

Princess Eleanor enjoying a little beauty rest. It takes effort to be as cute as she is!

Blue or brown? We can't wait to find out! :)

Justin took this picture of Norah holding his hand in the hospital almost immediately after she was born. I was still being 'cleaned up' and they had taken her to a little warmer isolette so he took pictures and brought them across the room for me to see. I just loved how this was the first 'daddy/daughter' picture.

Justin took this picture of Eddison outside of my hospital room when the boys came to visit their baby sister for the first time. Eddie really wasn't interested in the baby, but he loved the balcony! :)

Since Daddy has been home the boys have been given more treats than in their whole lives combined! Ice cream, donuts, candy, movies, you name it! They are going to really be upset when Daddy goes back to work and they're stuck with Mommy all day again! :)

Norah loves her swing! It was a gift from Nana Hilsinger and we are so thankful that she really loves to be in it! (Jack hated being in a swing and Eddie loved it, so we knew it could go either way with Norah. ;)

Jackson giving his, "Best baby in the whole world!" a kiss.

Almost twins, but not quite! This picture also shows Eddie's new hair-cut! Yet again Justin cut off his beautiful curls shorter than I would have liked, but the curls will be back soon!

The Wilde Boys enjoying some quality 'Daddy time'.

Just a peanut with a bottom that fits perfectly in one hand. :)

How is this for a 'milk coma' face?! :)

Here's a 'just fed and half-asleep happy baby smiling' picture. :)

Eleanor smiles in her sleep SO often! It's just so heart-melting to look over at her and see a big smile while she's napping! It really gives us a taste for how adorable she'll be when she starts smiling while she's awake! :)

I thought it would be fun to take a picture of Norah holding Justin's wedding band as a reference for how tiny her little delicate hands are. (Also notice the adorable outfit she's wearing here... Grandma Wilde sent this one!)

Another 'awake' picture. Eleanor is starting to stay awake for longer stretches of time (like 10-15 minutes instead of 5.. :) and I love it! While Daddy took the boys to the movies, Mommy and Norah had a 'ladies only' afternoon together. I love having a daughter!!!