Six weeks!

For some reason, six weeks feels like a milestone. Maybe it's because a friend told James that the first six weeks are really tough but it's easier after that. Well, the first six weeks were no walk in the park, but I can honestly say that it was a little easier than we both expected. Don't get me wrong, because of the surgery recovery & post-partum hormones, the first week at home alone (which was week two) was realllly tough, but we managed to get through it just fine.

I think I'm going to need to update a little more often than every three weeks because my brain cannot remember everything for such a long period of time. It would make sense to note things as they happen, so I'll work on that this week. I also need to start updating her baby book so it's not a daunting task that I'll never finish.

Week Four:
My parents visited from PA for a long weekend. I always look forward to their visits and this was no exception. Seeing my parents hold my daughter is so amazing; I don't know how to completely explain the feelings. I noticed that Sydney had a thick white coating on her tongue so I made a ped appointment for her. My suspicion was confirmed when she was diagnosed with a mild case of thrush. The doctor gave her an RX for an oral medicine and I did a lot of research to see what I could do to help treat myself and prevent it from coming back. Despite my best efforts and diligence, I had to go to my doctor to be treated and get another RX for her diaper rash. The good news is we both have/had a mild case (we're in the clear now but still on the medicines) and are doing great.

I really need to switch our pediatrician which makes me kind of sad. I really like the doctors in the practice and their receptionist is one of the kindest women I've ever met. However, they don't have a separate waiting room for sick kids and it drives me crazy. When we visited for the thrush visit (for those of you who don't know, it's a yeast infection in the baby's mouth and only contagious if some other kid sucked on her pacifier or something), there were three super sick kids in there. All of them had hacking coughs, and I overheard the mom tell the receptionist that her two had fevers. Another one was coughing and crying in an exam room. I asked to be moved into another room since Sydney wasn't even five weeks old. A friend recommended his daughter's pediatrician so I need to make that call this week.

James surprised me with a gorgeous aquamarine and white gold eternity band. I knew that he was buying me some sort of ring since he asked my ring size, but I had no idea what he picked out. It turns out that he selected the very ring that I had admired on Blue Nile's site when I was looking for aquamarine earrings. It's delicate and beautiful and perfect. I love it.

Week Five:
Week five was one of the best yet. Sydney really started cooing and making lots of new sounds. She smiles at the toys on her activity mat and on her car seat, makes noises at the lights and turtles on her swing, and waves her arms and kicks her legs A LOT more. She really starts flailing her arms and legs when she's mad and kicks like crazy when she's on her mat. She has been having a lot more awake time during the day but sleeping great at night. We had a house full of guests yesterday when James' parents and four of his aunts came to visit. His aunts showered Sydney with some of the cutest baby clothes (including two insanely adorable party dresses!) and we had a really nice time. J and I were both exhausted by the end of the day, and apparently, so was Sydney. She conked out at 7:30 and didn't wake up again until almost 1am. :)

I always wanted a tattoo to honor/commemorate/whatever the birth of my child, so I went for it this week. I originally wanted her birth date but ended up with a small fancy S on my inner right wrist. I'll post a picture of it once it has totally healed.

Week Six:
I guess this is officially the start of Week Six, right? It was a gorgeous spring day outside, so Sydney and I took a short walk around the neighborhood to get some fresh air. While Sydney napped and nursed, I read a book called Two Kisses for Maddy, which is one of the most devastating and inspiring books I've ever read. It makes me want to be a better wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. It shows that life is fragile and we never know what the next moment will hold. It makes me appreciate my husband and daughter more than ever. You should read it.