My theory worked, at least for one night. After six last night, Jean and I managed to give Colette three bottles over the course of six hours. We played with her off and on throughout the evening. So by the time we went to bed, she was tired and full. The result? She woke only twice overnight, once at 1 AM and again at 5 AM.
I had no problem taking both shifts, and Jean has needed as much sleep as possible. In the first shift, I gave Colette her bottle in the darkened study. Only the light coming through the door from the kitchen let us see each other. When she finished her bottle, I put her back in the Moses basket, but she wouldn't fall asleep. I took her down the hall to her bedroom and checked her diaper, which was poopy. After I changed the diaper I had to calm her back down. She was still hungry, so I gave her a second two-ounce bottle. That kept her sleepy until five, when she went through two more bottles.
We went to the doctor today. She's up to nine pounds again (she'd dropped to 8 pounds, 14 ounces before we left the hospital, and probably lost a little more weight before turning around and gaining). She's up to 22 inches (from 21¾ inches) – I don't think she's grown as much as unfolded.
I can stare at her for hours, whether she's asleep or awake. When she's awake, she stares into my eyes while I speak to her. Her eyes are a dark grayish blue. I've watched her pupils dilate as I speak with her, a sign that she's listening and reacting in her own way. When she's asleep, I watch as her face changes from one mood to another in just seconds.
Jean is doing well. She's tired, but didn't take any pain medicine today, not even the Motrin. We took Colette in her stroller and the three of us took a walk around the block. The sun bothered Colette a little, but she managed to sleep for most of the outing. Jean was happy to be outside on such a pretty day. I hope to take walks with her more and more in the coming days.
Colette has slept for most of today. Our attempts to feed her and keep her awake in the evening like last night have failed. It may be that the visit to the doctor's office (and the Hep-B shot she took in her leg) has wiped her out. But as Jean and I and Ginger (Jean's mom, who is visiting for tonight) prepare for bed, I suspect we're all going to have a rough night.
The temperature was into the mid to high sixties today and the sun shone all day long. That made it annoying for Colette in the car (note to self: install the sun screens in the back windows), but not too bad the rest of the day.
listening: George & Ira Gershwin: A Musical Celebration (A|P|L|A| tribute)
© 1999 Kevin J.T. Creamer