God Bless Binky!!!

So, Jeremy and I were a little late in getting the message about the brilliance of pacifiers (commonly known as 'binky.') Babies in the womb are virtually always sucking. Its an automatic reflex imperative to survival outside. So, of course, sucking is the primary activity of babies in order to self-soothe (i.e., feel calm and go to sleep). Jeremy and I were told that we should use our pinkies as pacifiers until further notice. So that's what we've been doing.

One month and four pruny pinkies later, both Jeremy and I were at wits end about constantly having to have one hand in Elaine's mouth. She was getting more and more short tempered whenever we'd remove our finger. "When can I get this girl a binky!?!" I texted to my doula. She responded, "Now that breastfeeding is well established, anytime!"

Oh man! Its a new world! Its a new life! Now Elaine goes to sleep and STAYS asleep (for longer than 20 minutes). Its been an amazing day now that I have 2 hands to use. Oh, God Bless you, Binky!

 

Adorable 1 month video

Mornings are the most fun time with little Elaine. She is alert and playful after her morning feeding. Its also the most fun time for Mommy. We like to practice making sounds and eating each others hands... well, maybe I just like eating her hands. (click link below)

Grammy Facknitz, try to contain your excitement while watching this. I hope your seat stays dry.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152285670494509&l=6545803471333379031

Many Firsts

When you're a few weeks old, everything in your life is a first. Here are some pics of just a few of Elaine's "firsts" from the last few days.

First bottle! Daddy's excited for this extra bonding time. Mommy's excited for the break! Elaine is a champion bottle eater. She guzzles it like a goat. No issues there!

First bath! Although she doesn't look too happy, she was a champ during this vulnerable experience. At the end she let us know she was done by getting a bit fussy. But she was a squeaky clean baby! 

First dinner in "The Lounge." 

If you're new to The Lounge, it is a Facknitz family establishment. Usually constructed in a garage, it contains 8-track tapes, baseball and railroad paraphernalia, and beers for drinking. Its the ultimate hang out. We decided to have a 'dinner out' as a family on Sat night so we ordered take-out sushi, got some Guinness, and listened to some Billy Joel. Elaine loved it. As you can see, she got her lounge on. 

3 weeks old! The Many Faces of Elaine Adair

Elaine is an expressive child. Of course we knew she would be given the genetic pool she comes from. She started making involuntary smiles and other expressions as early as 5 days old. But now she's actually expressing herself with some consistency, given certain circumstances. After her morning feeding, she's particularly smiley. If she's experiencing something new, she's quiet with eyebrows raised. Most of the time she's in some kind of state of sleep. But her waking hours are getting a lot more fun!

Elaine is a very easy baby, a textbook baby. She lets you know when she needs something and its usually something predictable: hunger, gas, too cold, or needing help falling asleep. Her sleeping and eating regimens are quite predictable. She's sleeping in 3 or 4 hour chunks at night which is great for Mommy. There are some days when she naps more than others but for the most part, she's a good sleeper. Her bowel movements continue to be quite impressive; quite loose and explosive at times, also normal for a breastfeeding newborn. Daddy has taken on the role of primary diaper changer. He can relay some stories from the front lines.
As for other characteristics of this newborn, Mommy calls her 'little piglet' sometimes when she's feeding because she breathes snort, quick breaths in anticipation of eating coupled with little snorts. Its really quite cute and always makes Mommy smile. One of Daddy's favorite things Elaine does is sneeze twice and then make a high pitched sigh. She's also "talking" more which means she's making cute little squeaks that bounce up and down with some audible sighs. Oh, they're so cute! We have yet to catch one on film. We also have yet to get Mommy and baby on film. That'll be coming up!

First Weeks at Home

What a wonderful 2 weeks at home! Family Facknitz came home from St. Anthony's hospital on Sunday Feb 23rd, Lindsay's 33rd birthday! What a wonderful homecoming with our little bundle of joy. We were all very excited for this quiet time of nesting and resting while easing into the waters of parenthood.

Of course we had some wonderful visitors the first couple of days home. Grammy and Grandpa Facknitz were here for a short time before heading back to MI. Winnie, Uncle Olie, and Uncle Andy were all excited to meet little Elaine. Uncle Olie brought some wonderful Blues hockey gifts to adorn Elaine with. 

Speaking of gifts, Elaine also wowed at the huge arrangement of cookies Jeremy's Aunt Diane and Uncle Jim sent as well as the adorable Vera Bradley blanket and outfit. Another set of gifts in the sweet tooth department were some Smiths cookies, Dewars chews, and accompanying outfits from Bakersfield, CA relatives, Auntie Jane and Great-Grandpa Rufus. Aunt Kate sent an amazing spread of food items (bagels, coffee, chocolate babka, fruit, and a pot-pie). Elaine also received adorable clothing items from Grandma Facknitz, Aunt Mary, Aunt Maureen, Cousin Lisa, and Cousin Michelle. Of course, Daddy loved dressing her in her new Detroit Tigers clothes the best. 

As for significant events, everything is significant in your first weeks of life. Venturing out of the house is certainly a bigger project now. For her week old celebration, we packed Elaine up in her Ergo and walked to Freddy's Market around the corner from our house. The weather has started to warm up so we'll be making regular family trips around the neighborhood this spring. 

Elaine also enjoyed her first sponge baths and trips to the pediatrician for standard check ups. She is a model of health. We're so grateful!  

Speaking of grateful, after 2 weeks of life, Elaine has started sleeping for longer stretches at night. Newborns eat about every 2 - 3 hours day and night, which is a bit taxing on breastfeeding Mommy. But in the last couple nights, she has slept for 4 or 5 hour stretches, which the pediatrician says is perfectly fine since she's gaining weight. Yay, Elaine! Mommy's so grateful. As a trade-off to feeding, Daddy has been in charge of diaper changes, which happens just as often as feeding. He's become quite the changing professional in such a short time. 

First big trip to IL & Winnie's house. Met great grandfather Daddio and the rest of the Sustars.

I love my Daddy time! 

2 weeks old already! Changing every day! What a beautiful girl! 

My First Movie

My first movie!

(click)

Daddy plays guitar for me!

(click)

(From Elaine)  Hello world.  Here's a little movie daddy shot on my 1 week birthday.  Mom and Dad were watching the movie "Spaceballs", which ended up being my first film-watching experience.  I gave it 3 out of 5 stars.  The other link takes you to a  movie of dad playing a song for me on the guitar.  Mom shot it...

After one week on this planet, I feel I'm going to like it here.  I don't cry much... no need to, really.  When I start to fuss I'm immediately saciated by someone holding me and placing a pinky finger or nipple in my mouth.  I'm eating like a champ, and dad keeps asking how a 6 pound baby makes a 30 pound diaper.  "I don't know, daddy" I tell him in baby speak - a language my father is painfully slow to grasp.