Jessica’s blog.

As it has been (and still is) a lovely, sunny day we decided walk over to Reigate with Jessica today. It was her first proper shopping trip, where she came into the shops with us, unlike before where Gabriella waited outside and I popped in to get whatever it was that we needed. She didn’t seem at all interested in any of the shops – let’s hope that lasts! The shops were mainly gift shops, as we were looking for something to give as a christening present tomorrow. Jessica also had a first visit to the butcher – not that that will happen very often, as we’re going to try to bring her up on a vegetarian diet. When we popped into Boots to pick up a few bits, Jessica was admired by one of the assistants, not that Jessica took any notice.
Thankfully Jessica didn’t decide that she was hungry until we got back home. We’d already had lunch in a cafe and she was quiet the entire time we were there. She didn’t really take any notice of that either.

The last few days, Jessica has been moving more, doing ‘star-jumps’ in her sleep. She has also taken to stretching her arms in the air, then letting them go limp resulting in her bopping herself in the face. The look of bewilderment after is such a picture! I guess she hasn’t quite realised that control of the arms is down to her… Jessica is definitely getting bigger, she has already outgrown a couple of her baby-gros.

From what people have said, we don’t think Jessica has colic. Gabriella started giving Infacol to Jessica a few days ago and she absolutely hated it. Her face was one of shock at first, then she looked at Gabriella as if to say “I can’t believe youre doing this to me!”. She then stuck her tongue out as if to try to scrape it off. Poor Gabriella felt like a terrible mum…

The photos below were taken yesterday. Neither of us had chance to post anything because now that I’m back at work, I won’t have so much time on my hands and Gabriella’s taking care of Jessica’s demands.

We’ve just given Jessica her second bath and are proud to say that it went a lot better than last week. Having used the duck thermometer we bought Jessica last week, we realised that it was probably too cold for her and that’s why she complained so bitterly. We’re not bad parents really…!
I would like to say that everything went perfectly, with no screaming or anything, but as Gabriella was about to take a photo of a blissful bathtime, Jessica chose that moment to add her own unique something to the water. Lovely…!

It appears that Jessica has aspirations of being an actress. Below you can see some pictures of various poses and expressions that she has been trying out.

Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to write tomorrow after the christening party, Jessica’s first big social event.

Ian.

Made yesterday a very quiet day with just me and Jessica at home. Also got to have that afternoon nap I had planned for yesterday but not managed to get due to the hospital trip. Jessica and I slept side by side on top of the covers of Ian’s and my bed. It was nice to have her beside me, being able to peer at her every so often to make sure that she was okay (which of course she was, but I’m a new Mum and I worry about the silliest things…!), and before I knew it I was as soundly asleep as her. Will try in earnest to get a proper nap every day when Jessica’s been fed and is sleeping. It was a nice sunny day outside and we probably should have gone out for a walk, but sleep had to take priority this time.

Unfortunately, last night ended up very similar to the night before the Sunday (4th). Jessica was trying to feed from about 9.30pm but wasn’t attaching properly and worked herself up into a state of frustration until she just cried and cried – absolutely heartrending… At around midnight, Ian was standing bleary-eyed in the kitchen sterilising a bottle for a formula feed while I was in the living room going through the list of singing, rocking, jigging, walking about, etc. to try to calm her down. Then I remembered reading somewhere that swaddling sometimes works to reassure a stressed baby, so I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around Jessica with her arms tucked down her sides. Strangely, it worked almost instantly – she calmed right down and even decided to breastfeed in a very professional manner for at least five minutes. After we gave her a bit of formula (as we figured she must be very hungry at this point) she happily breastfed for another little while. Once she went to sleep, she slept through until 6.30am…Have heard about evening colic – not knowing what it is, I couldn’t say if that’s what we’re dealing with, but I understand that it involves a lot of crying in the evenings. (If anyone knows more about it or has some advice, that would be very much appreciated.)

Both Ian and I are feeling quite shattered at the moment, so have decided to minimise social life this week as much as possible. I had made some plans with people for this week but have had to get back to them to postpone for now. One day at the time is how I have to deal with things at the mo: Jessica has to come first and, secondly, I have to keep my energy levels up sufficiently to be able to take good care of her. Next week we’ll already be in week three of her life, which is quite amazing. Maybe things have settled a bit more by then (or probably not), but at least we’ll be getting there and can hopefully go out and about more very soon, as there is only so long one can stare at the same four walls and listen to ones own voice…

Gabriella

Not much time to post anything on the blog during the rest of Tuesday as it was off to the hospital again in the afternoon (mornings are taken up by feeds, Jessica having a wash and me having a shower and getting dressed – yes, it does take that long…!). We were due our last midwife appointment in the morning, but instead the lady who was scheduled to come around phoned. She asked if Jessica was still jaundiced; in that case she wanted to refer her to East Surrey Hospital (ESH) astraight away for more tests. Ian and I had thought that Jessica’s skin tone was looking healthier, but she was still a bit yellow and the white of her eyes had a definite yellow tinge to them, so the midwife phoned the hospital and made the arrangements for us. Ian’s parents were coming around to spend some time with me and Jessica in the flat, and to watch Jessica while I was having a nap, but now I had to ask them to give me and Jessica a lift to the Child Assessment Unit (CAU) again instead.

Like last time, we were seen pretty much straight away and asked a long list of questions regarding the pregnancy, birth, any medical conditions in the family and Jessica’s general feeding and sleeping habits. Jessica had gained a bit further weight, which meant that she was feeding as she should, and as she also seemed alert and her physical check-over was absolutely fine, the paediatrician said it was probably just a case of normal jaundice taking a few more days to clear, but they wanted to do a blood and a urine test just to make sure it was nothing more serious. Jessica was very co-operative throughout all the checks and even the blood being taken – the paediatrician had to squeeze her hand quite hard in order to get the drops he needed – although she did suck my little finger quite intensely during the latter. So little Jessica has now been back to hospital twice after the post-birth discharge and she’s already worn two plasters (and she’s nowhere near the ‘running around bumping her head and scraping her knee’ age…).

Before we left, I was told that no news was good news, as they didn’t have time to phone everyone up when there was no need for follow-up or treatment, but that I was very welcome to give them a call should I want to make sure. When I phoned back in the evening the blood test results were ready and I was told that although levels were slightly raised, as Jessica obviously still was a bit jaundiced, they were well within below any levels for concern. The urine test would be ready in 48 hours but I was adviced that as the blood test was fine this would not show anything different.

After the last referral and lot of jaundice tests, I guess Ian and I were a bit more cool headed about the whole thing and this time we were more inclined to think that it was a case of the midwife wanting to make sure rather than any real cause for concern. But it was still nice to have the confirmation.

Gabriella

Had quite a busy day yesterday, so no time to write the blog. After Jessica’s and mine last rise of the night at about 6.30-7.30am, with me changing her nappy, feeding her and then getting myself some breakfast and getting dressed, and Ian joining us a little while after, time seemed to just disappear until we had our first visitor just after 12 noon. At about 10-12 days after the birth the midwife discharges Mum and baby, who then get assigned a Health Visitor, a nurse specialising in child care for the ages up until 5 years. Due to Jessica’s jaundice, though, we haven’t been discharged by the midwife team just yet, as they wanted have another look at her today Tuesday to see how well it had cleared.

Our Health Visitor seemed a very friendly, pleasant lady (much like all the midwives, really). She went through a bit of what she can support us with, and gave us a few more information leaflets and a copy of the official NHS book about child care from after birth to age 5. Then it was time for Jessica’s hearing test. Jessica rested on Ian’s lap and very helpfully stayed asleep while the little ‘probe’ was put in her ear. The Health Visitor explained that the device makes a noise and then measures the echo produced by the baby’s inner ear, which gives a reading showing how well the baby can hear on each ear. Jessica’s right ear checked out fine, but two tests for the left ear were incomplete and need redoing. The Health Visitor said this could be due to wax or residue still left in Jessica’s ear from birth and we arranged an appointment for her to come around again in a week’s time.

In the afternoon we had an appointment at the registry office in Reigate to register (folkbokföra) Jessica’s birth. We’d decided to walk over there with the pram and enjoy some fresh air at the same time. As new, first time parents, though, we hadn’t quite estimated enough time to get ready, including a tactical feed and nappy change, and it all got a bit rushed before we were out the door… Hopefully we’ll become a bit more savvy about things like that. Jessica was being very obliging though and seemed to enjoy the rocking of the pram during the walk, just lying there looking at us and the world around (however much she could see of it from inside the carry cot) with her big, dark blue eyes.

The registry office was very hot and dry and Jessica got a bit grizzly when we saw the registrar. Ian held her on his lap and kept her attention while the paperwork was completed and we got the shorter and full certificates (the latter is needed for things like passport applications) and the pink form to register her with our GP’s surgery. Then we had to do a bit of an impromptu feed in the waiting room to appease Jessica before the stroll home – I sat down as far into a corner as I could with Ian strategically standing between me and the doors. After coming back home both Ian and I could feel it in our legs – Ian estimated we’d walked about 4 miles, which is an amazing amount of exercise compared to what we’ve had for at least 2 weeks…!

In the evening a couple of friends popped over with their little boy to say hello and meet Jessica. They’d very kindly brought a lasagne along – unfortunately Ian had already put dinner on, as we had some veg in the fridge that needed ‘using up’ and we’d planned a hot pot, which would take quite some time in the oven. It was great to get to see some more of our friends, though – it’s easy to start to feel a bit isolated with everything by necessity being focussed on Jessica’s needs and there not being much time left for much else. All three of us still need any visits to be more of the ‘short and sweet’ variety though, as we’re still getting into things and are pretty well knackered with it. But all our friends seem understanding of that – and hopefully don’t take it personally if our energy levels are flagging…!

Gabriella

No visitors for Jessica today. Only the midwife (yet another different one!) who wasn’t overly concerned about Jessica’s jaundice. The midwife weighed Jessica (without Jessica weeing all over the scales again) and she now weighs 4.06kg so a healthy increase over the last two days (both Gabriella and I suspect that the calibration on the scales used on Friday was out). Either way at least it confirms that she is feeding properly. Jessica really wasn’t too keen on feeding yesterday evening and it took until gone 1am for Gabriella to get her to feed at all, the previous one being at 6pm. Eventually after having some formula she did breastfeed. Don’t know whether Jessica was objecting to the houmous that Gabriella had for lunch. What a fussy diner…!

Despite it being horribly rainy weather today, we took Jessica out again in the Baby Björn – so much easier than having to hump the pram downstairs. It wasn’t anywhere exciting, just to the shops and she slept the entire time. We did buy something for Jessica in Mothercare though (sort of): a duck bath thermometer. Maybe she’ll enjoy bath time a bit more now…

Gabriella’s having a much needed nap as I write this and Jessica, aka the Milk Monster, is half asleep on my lap, making strange but adorable noises. Hmmm and now nappy-filling ones, not quite so adorable… Which means that I should sign off and investigate.

Ian.

I’ve added a link from the blog to a gallery of Jessica’s photos. This will contain all the photos that appear in the blog and more.  I’ve only put up the blog ones from February so far. There is also a clip of Jessica hiccuping. I’m not able to post the clip in the blog itself, as the file exceeds the size limit allowed (I might be able to change this, but I’ll have to look through all the code).

Ian.

Another first: Jessica had her first bath early this evening. General advice is to not bathe the baby too soon after birth or too often, and to not use any lotions, baby oils or soap for the first month. Ian filled up the bath while I wrapped Jessica in a towel. We washed her face first, then her hair over the bath, and then came the big moment: how would she like being put in the bath…? Not very well, as it turned out. She was screaming constantly from when we dipped her in to when she’d been swaddled in another towel and dried. Not until I started rubbing her hands and feet with olive oil (the latest midwife had recommended this, and this only, for baby’s dry skin) did she calm down.

In one of the baby ‘instruction manuals’ we’ve been referring to it says that a bath once a week is sufficient, unless the baby really enjoys it. I think it’s safe to say we’ll be sticking with the once a week thing – partly too as Ian doesn’t come home from work until 7.30-8pm week day evenings and we’d feel safer being the two of us bathing her together.

Many, many thanks to everyone that has sent Jessica cards and pressies – we’ve really enjoyed all your greetings and well-wishes! In addition to the gifts shown below, Jessica’s also received gift vouchers and money – the latter will go into a savings account for her, which we will open for her as soon as we’ve registered her birth.

Gabriella

Yet another midwife today. This one was happy that Jessica’s yellow-ish skin tone didn’t look too bad and also told us that it can take up to several weeks for jaundice to clear properly. So I guess we shouldn’t panic if it doesn’t go in the next few days… We keep Jessica in our nicely-bright living room, in the carry cot with a big white sheet draped around it, and as the weather has been sunny the last few days, hopefully she’s absorbing a lot of much needed UV light.

Jessica also got to lie on a set of scales again, and promptly weed all over them… (This didn’t faze the midwife, of course.) Jessica’s weight was recorded as 3.7 kilos, so she’s lost a bit again, more this time. However, still a perfectly acceptable weight loss. And we sort of got what might be the explanation for it, too: for a couple of days we’d noticed what we thought was just a milky residue on her tongue – after the midwife’s quick examination this turned out to be thrush. Nothing to worry about, she said, as it’d been caught early, but it would be likely to cause poor little Jessica some discomfort when trying to feed. Especially in the early hours of this morning, Jessica and I had spent a couple of hours with Jessica desperately wanting to feed but seemingly unable to attach herself properly, resulting in very intermittant feeding. Discomfort from thrush could explain why she’d suddenly seemed to have lost her feeding skills (which she’d certainly improved on in the last few days before then).

The midwife said to see a GP, and as soon as she’d left Ian made the phone call. We got an appointment straightaway, and dug out our Baby Björn carrier for the first time – our surgery is just a few doors away down our street and it took literally two minutes to get there. The midwife’s diagnose got confirmed by the GP and Jessica was given her first pharmacy prescription, in the name of ‘Miss Female Lillsunde’. The treatment was a gel, to be put on her tongue after feeding, twice a day, and the thrush should clear in a few days. Very common in infants, the GP confirmed, and no need to worry. We’ll just have to start giving her the gel and hopefully this will improve things very soon.

In the afternoon, Ian’s parents came over to have some tea and biscuits and admire their grandchild again – always very welcome. We’re hoping for more visits this weekend – a few people have been in touch and we’re looking forward to being a bit more sociable now that the three of us have come through the first week and a bit together.

And to finish: a piccie of me and Jessica together – I finally let go of the camera and let Ian take a photo of Mum and daughter together.

A fairly quiet day again today. Jessica did have a couple of visitors in the shape of Richard and Cara, who are expecting their first baby at the end of April. Jessica, as usual, didn’t really react much even when Cara held her. I guess she’ll learn to be a little more social when she gets older…

She spent a fair amount of time in the daylight treatment area, aka the balcony doorway. Hopefully the jaundice is passing now, but seeing her all day, everyday, it’s difficult for us to notice any change. She fed well again during the night and has been snacking lots throughout the day. In fact, she’s feeding again right now.
It amazes me how easy it is to pacify her when she’s having a grumble, for instance when her nappy’s being changed. Just popping my (or Gabriella’s) little finger in her mouth and she’s suddenly content! I’m sure that won’t last long, but it’s great whilst it does work…

It’s been great to receive comments, please keep them coming and if you prefer to write in Swedish then do. Gabriella can always post a translation.
Ian.