Week 1- That week wasn't so bad cause we had family here to help us out. Meals were taken care of, house got cleaned, we had it made! Only part we had to do was make it through the night. Now looking back, I don't even remember if it was awful or not. I do remember it sucked that I had to wake her up to eat cause at that age she didn't necessarily wake up when she was hungry. Her first doctor's appointment went well. I remember she had gained her birth weight back and then some. She was in the "75%" in every category (whatever- in one ear, out the other- according to this crap I was suppose to be 6 ft tall LOL).
Day 1 home
Grammy Joy decorated our mailbox!
Week 2- Things got a little tougher. Breastfeeding seemed to hit a wall. I'll spare details but it's not always easy or enjoyable. This would last for weeks...joy! Also, Adam's parents headed back home :(. There went our food. I recall having one amazing night of sleep this week, she had one night where she slept for 3 hours straight!
Grammy Di and Kinsley (she looks pissed here LOL)
Grandma Messina
Week 3- First full week with mommy and Kinsley only. Daddy went back to work. It was quite an adjustment. But thankfully we had went out and bought a swing, that is my life saver. The worst part of being alone with the bugger is trying to get things done and feeding her (just getting settled to do so). Towards the end of the week, I'm exhausted. We counted hours till Daddy made it home.
Week 4- More of the same.
Week 5- Thanksgiving week! Boy was Mommy excited that Daddy only had to work 2.5 days! I was busy getting things prepared for our traditional hunting camp Thanksgiving lunch. I made sweet potato casserole and an apple pie. Thanks to Daddy, mommy got these made prior to Thursday. We headed out "early" (started early at least) Thursday morning to camp. She slept the whole way (3 hours)! Thank goodness. I regret that I didn't get any pictures from this...but David did. I'll get them eventually. The meal was great (as always). Fun was had by all. Mommy and Daddy tagged teamed it so we could both hunt. I hunted at night while Adam got the mornings (well kind of..). The first night I went out with my dad and saw nothing, boy was I frustrated! First night at camp with Kinsley was Hell on Earth, literally! Even David and Shannon could hear her screaming (two campers over). She did not adjust very well. The next morning, Adam headed out. This is what he got....(in the same stand I had been in the night before)
Notice Benny
Yes, that is an 8 pointer! Weighed almost 200 lbs!!!! Definitely largest killed so far on the property this year. For those that don't know, Adam was a dead man walking returning to camp with this. I've always said "I have to get a buck first" (I've hunted longer and dang it's my dad's property, I mean c'mon am I so wrong here?). While I didn't expect for him to let this thing walk when it came out right in front of him (20 yds or so)...still mad! At least we have meat, but I keep joking there's his Christmas present. And for those wondering- NO he does not have permission to hang this in the house (there is not a good room for it that's why), it'll be at camp till our next house. So needless to say he gave me "permission" to hunt the rest of the weekend. I did, and saw 11 total, 1 buck (running) and 1 spike, the rest doe...freaking great. I left very frustrated. So now, we are returning this weekend for the last opportunity for me to get my buck. I know I probably won't beat this buck but dang I just want a buck period! Also, a funny story- I've been making fun of Adam for two years now about "missing" his first buck. The very first time he went out hunting, he had a buck walk out and look right at him, broad side. LOL he didn't load the gun properly and it jammed when he went to shoot LOL so the deer just walked away. So now he says "it's karma". Guess he's right...
Wondering why it is now that I have time to update this thing? Well currently, my little girl is at Primrose doing a "test run". I dropped her off around 11 am today and went out and got a majority of our Christmas shopping done. Came home and am wrapping a few things up then I'll be on my way to get her. Boy do I miss her. The worst part of it is that I'm so close to her. Other than that, I'm fine. I've called once to check on her (once isn't bad is it?). I just felt bad dropping her off cause she's been extremely fussy recently. Not sure what's going on but working on figuring that out. O and breastfeeding has gotten so much better (forgot to say that- it finally has gotten better). Only thing now is her "twisting" while feeding and recently the addition of spitting up everything she ate (hence fussy baby).
I'll leave this very long post with a few of our favorite newborn shots...
Courtesy of Laura Brett Photography (she was the Baby Whisperer- amazing)
I can't help but occasionally thinking of loved ones that have past that would love to be here with us at this moment to see our beautiful little angel. (sorry for sappy moment Alan Jackson's "Sissy's Song" is on, hence the emotional outcry here) I know my aunt/uncle, grandparents, Nick, etc. would love to be able to hold her. I know she has several guardian angels watching her and protecting her and for that we are blessed.
~ADK
