some videos

we have a lot more videos but they take FOREVER to upload! will upload the rest sometime later. these videos are between week 4 and 6.

week 7 update

We moved back to Pasadena today! We have no idea how we managed to accumulate four carloads of stuff, but our apartment has somehow transformed into a very messy Babies-R-Us. It's the true test of parenthood for us now-- can we survive without GRANDMA?? My mom has been truly indispensable these past 7 weeks! She spent countless nights rocking and feeding Elise, cooked and cleaned for us, changed boxes of diapers, and gave us space so that we could enjoy some alone time (i.e. naps, showers, and meals). We are truly spoiled! Elise is spoiled, too, and we suspect that she even prefers my mom over us because my mom has a special knack for stopping Elise's crying and making her smile and giggle.

I also would have never made it this far with breastfeeding had it not been for my mom. I don't know how other challenged moms do it without the extra help because with pumping 8 times a day, someone needs to hold and entertain the baby and that person cannot be me! I do feel a little nervous about managing everything on my own while Bry is at work, so we'll see how things go.

We are, however, really happy to be back in our own home and community. One thing we learned while living in the OC is that we are NOT suburban people! It was such an ordeal to ever leave the house in our car. We are really looking forward to urban living and lots of WALKING now that we're in Pasadena! We also learned that we do not like living in a large house. My mom's place isn't even huge- it's a townhouse! But we constantly talked about how we actually missed our tiny, cramped space. I'll probably end up spending many nights sleeping on the couch because I can't sleep with Elise's little sleeping noises. At my mom's place, I would sleep one 3-4 stretch in a separate room for good solid sleep and then return to our room for light sleep for the rest of the night. Let's see how long I can fare like this!

So happy to be home! We're looking forward to all of our visitors. Thanks to Judy for setting up our Care Calendar!

Visiting dad's office

Since this was the day after her surgery, she was very fussy the entire time.  However, she calmed down once I put her on Bry's desk to change her diaper.  I just left her there for awhile because she loved looking at all of Bry's math problems.  :)

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I'm one month old! (actually, she's 7 weeks now)

Waffle sandwiches at Bruxie

We learned that we are located near the #2 most popular restaurant in the country, according to yelp.  Here are some pictures from our time there.  The food was quite good, but probably a kind of "experience just once" novelty restaurant.  We've learned as new parents that if we need to go out, we need to time everything perfectly with Elise's feeding, my pumping, and leaving as soon as possible so that the routine can start again once we come home.

I'm growing!

I realized that she hadn't worn this cute outfit I got in paris.  She barely fit into it!

Favorite sleeping position

She loves getting her diaper changed because she gets to look at these cool pictures (baby loves high contrast images).

Exploring the world

We are probably sitting at a red light since she usually likes riding in the car.  She ALWAYS fusses at red lights!

Checking out her reflection for the first time.  "Hey, I'm pretty cute!"

Playtime

Daddy, why are you holding me like a football?

I'm flying!

How Elise slept at a conference in San Diego.  She seemed pretty content despite the less than desirable accommodations!

week 6 update

On Tuesday, Elise got surgery to get her tongue-tie and lip-tie lasered off. She has NOT been happy since and has to be constantly held and rocked to calm down. She hasn't been eating as much (probably due to the residual pain) and this has been hard on everyone. We were fortunate enough to go to one of the nation's top tongue-tie specialists, Dr. Jesse, and he told us that her ties were making it difficult for her to breastfeed properly. Although her tongue-tie was diagnosed and clipped at the hospital soon after birth, Dr. Jesse informed us that it was improperly done, which can now explain some of our breastfeeding woes! I can already tell a difference in her latch, although she is still acting fussy due to not having good associations with nursing after these 6 difficult weeks. I am really hoping and praying that we turn a corner because mommy is WORN OUT!

I am thankful to have the support of friends during this season, two of whom are pictured below- Amy and Rachel! Auntie Amy has been so generous enough to share some of her milk, making Toby and Elise milk siblings! According to Islamic law, they are not allowed to marry each other. This photo was taken during Elise's first week at a breastfeeding clinic. Yesterday, we had a family playdate with Rachel, Kevin, and baby Norah at Huntington Library and Gardens. We are looking forward to many more playdates to come!

Sleep, cry, play. :)