Catching Up

A lot has happened since I last posted. Adam's sister and nephew came up on Friday and stayed till Sunday morning. We had a very good visit with them. Aunt Carey got to spend some quality time with Grace. She even watched Grace Saturday night while Adam and I laid down for a nap that evening. It was very nice weather and we got to get out and ride downtown and they went to Walmart while Grace and I sat in the car. Of course, Grace enjoyed the car rides. People from Sunday School class are still bringing us meals on Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat which started last week and goes through this week and then again on Monday next week. They have been such a blessing and all have been wonderful.

Adam and I took Grace for a walk in the stroller again on Thursday in the neighborhood. The weather was great and I am posting a picture of her on our excursion. Every time it is pretty we are taking advantage of it and going for a walk. It is good for us and for Grace. It is always nice to get out!!

Now, about what has been going on with Grace. Sunday night we had a HORRIBLE evening and night. Adam had to go to work on Sunday at 1pm and I was here taking care of Grace by myself for the 1st time for that long of a time. Grace started getting fussy this day about 1:30 pm and it went on till 2:30 am. Adam called me on his first break from work around 3pm and I was crying because I already felt desperate. I felt like nothing I did would console her besides nursing her. This went on all evening with the exception of a short nap around 7pm and then went to sleep about 8:20 pm till right after 11pm and I was finally able to put her in the swing and do a few things around the house. I wasn't able to do anything all day besides try to console her. Then after she woke up and nursed after 11pm she started screaming crying again and it was the WORSE. Adam and I got very concerned that something is wrong with her because it wouldn't let up. I got on the internet and read about Colic and it sounded like this is the case for Grace. Because she has been getting fussy and crying starting in the evenings usually around 6pm or so and it may go till 11 or even 3 am. It does vary some and some days are better than others. We called the pediatrician around 2am and he was very nice. Stated it did sound like colic, but it could be my diet, etc and we were to come to the Doctor Monday to see him. He recommended a car ride to see if that would soothe her. Adam took her for a ride from about 2:30 to 3:30am and she fell asleep pretty fast finally in the car. He kept riding with her to make sure she was good and asleep and also he said he was enjoying the calm!!! She slept in her carrier when she got home till her next feeding and every since then she has been pretty good. We went to the Doctor yesterday and he said it does sound like colic but gave me a whole list of foods to avoid while breastfeeding. I am trying this and we are suppose to get back with him on Friday to let him know if there has been any change. He stated it could also be acid reflux and he said if it is colic there is one medication they can try that is an antispasmotic. I am praying that it will be resolved with my diet. Please pray for this too!! Yesterday and last night and today have been fine. She only had one spell of fussiness after 9pm last night that lasted only an hour and she was able to be consoled some in between bouts of crying (briefly). MUCH BETTER. The doctor did say she looks great otherwise and her weight was up to 7 lbs 5 ounces!!!

Grace is still our precious little angel! Just continue to pray for her and for us for strength to get through the hard times. We continue to thank the Lord for her and we don't like to see her like that when she is inconsolable. ---Holly

God's Grace

I tell you since Grace's arrival my quiet time has truly suffered. I have been feeling convicted due to the fact that I have felt almost desperate at times for the Lord to help us and to help Grace sleep but yet I have not been seeking Him as much as I should. My quiet times have been distracted and half-hearted. I have been praying earnestly but what have I done for HIM??? As I was reading last night in God's Word I was reminded of the POWER of GOD. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that the Lord said "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Paul also says, Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9b-10. He goes on to say: For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you. 2 Corinthians 13:4. It also states to be comforted, like-minded, live in peace and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Isn't that awesome!!!??? I have definitely felt weak and distressed at times (especially in the wee hrs of the morning, LOL). This just reminds me to seek Christ and He is all I need.

Last night was WONDERFUL. Grace slept well last night. She was back to her being well contented after her feeding and going right off to sleep afterwards. It makes me think that maybe it was something I ate that didn't agree with her stomach the last two previous nights??
Tuesday night was rough. About 7:30 pm and on she was pretty fussy and we tried to go to sleep about 10 or 10:30; she was not happy even after feeding. She kept crying and it seemed that the only thing that would console her is to nurse. I felt like maybe her feedings had been getting off and she just wasn't getting satisfied. Also, at times she falls asleep feeding and we can't get her to wake up well enough and then she wakes up 5-10 minutes later ready to eat again!! We actually called the Pediatrician Thursday night because we got concerned that something may be wrong. Maybe stomach problems?? She didn't have a fever and after explaining everything. He stated it could be a growth spurt (during those they want to eat very often) or it could be something I ate that wasn't agreeing with her. He told us to go for a walk since it was a nice night. So we went out at 11pm and took a stroll through the neighborhood. It was very nice and Grace LOVED it. She was very alert and content during our walk but she didn't go off to sleep which was really the intention. We got home and it started all over!! She was still fussy till 1am and at that time she fell asleep on Adam's chest. She later got into her bassinet and slept more.

As I have said she is so much more happier over the past day. Praise the Lord. It is not just lack of sleep on our part that bothers us but most of all, it stresses us when she is unhappy because we want her to be content and we want to know that she nothing is wrong with her when she gets like that!! Off to tend to Grace!!

Update

Adam and I took Grace to the Dr. today for a weight check. She weighed 6 lb 15 oz. Now just 2 ounces shy of her birth weight. The Doctor was happy with that and we don't go back until her 1 month checkup and it is scheduled on Monday May 12th. She is doing just fine.

We did have a little bump in the road last night from her sleeping. She couldn't seem to get satisfied nursing till about 3 am when she finally went to sleep for a few hours before waking again. At that point (around 3am) Adam and I was feeling kind of desperate and I asked Adam to go get some of the Johnson's bedtime lotion to try that to see if that would help. After I put that on she slept for 3 1/2 hrs. I felt like we are going to have to buy stock in that!!! Maybe just coincidence because she did nurse also before this but we've decided to start putting that lotion on her every night!!! LOL

We took our 1st walk with Grace yesterday evening. She seemed to really like it. She slept well during it. We used the canopy on the carrier in the stroller to shade her and block any wind. Mom and I also got out today and went to Walmart but Mom just went in and Grace and I sat in the car. We just went along for the ride to get out and Grace does like car rides and the weather has been so nice. I'm going to post a picture of proud Dad with Grace from our walk and some others.

Making Strides

We had such a really good night with Grace last night. Can you believe we slept 71/2 to 8 hrs last night. Grace did sooo good. She is sleeping much better in her bassinet. At first she didn't want to sleep in there and we were having to put her in the bed with us in her sleep positioner. She was also real fussy at night at first and wanted to be held. Last night she would nurse and go right back off to sleep. It was wonderful! She has slept all night in her bassinet the past two nights. I am posting a picture of her in the bassinet for Aunt Carey since you bought it for us. The one where both of her hands are straight up in the air is precious because this is how she sleeps a lot of the time.

We also got to get pictures of her bath last night that we didn't get to get the other night. I believe I will not post them but she still didn't like it too much but it was also time for her feeding so she was probably ill from that too. I will also post a picture of her in her swing. She likes her swing and usually sleeps well in it. As you can see in the picture, she had slid down in it some.

I just got emails regarding our Sunday School class is going to be bringing meals to us starting tonight for 2 weeks. What a blessing!! I am looking forward to that and seeing everyone when they come. I tell you, God is SOOO good. He is amazingly providing for our family already!

It is suppose to be warm and pretty today and tomorrow. Adam, Mom and I are planning on getting out and taking a walk in the neighborhood with Grace as long as it warms up today and tomorrow. That will be nice! Here's some pics including one with PROUD Grandma Cheryl. - Holly

Day 6 with Grace

People have been asking how Mommy is doing. Well, I am doing just fine. I have been sore but that has gotten better especially today. I get around just fine. As Adam has said the main thing is just adjusting to lack of sleep!! Although, each night has gotten better. Grace slept much better last night and I even had a nap this morning while Adam and Mom watched Grace. We are taking a nap when we can especially while Mom is here from Alabama and helping TREMENDOUSLY. She has been cooking, washing clothes, buying groceries, etc. etc. etc.

Grace is absolutely wonderful! Words cannot express the emotions that Adam and I have felt since her arrival. People say it is indescribable how you will feel about your child. And it TRULY is. I am SO thankful to the LORD for her and I know we are blessed because we are not guaranteed children and especially not a healthy one! When I look at her at times it just makes me cry because of the joy and gratefulness that I feel for her.

Grace also had her first bath last night. Adam got it all on video tape but I realized later that we only got one picture (which I am upset about) after the bath of her crying because she WASN'T happy especially by the end of the bath. At first she was okay but got tired of it real quick. We used some Johnson's bedtime products on her afterwards and I was just thinking maybe that was why she slept good last night. I guess enough rambling and I'm posting some pics. - Holly

Weight Check

We went for a weight check today and she is back UP to 6 lbs. 10 oz.! We go back Tues. to check it again and make sure she is still gaining. Her skin was good, just normal newborn rash the doctor says. Stool is in transition to breast milk but is OK. Just some loss of sleep on our part at night is the biggest change. The doctor said her hormones have to adjust before her sleep matches ours! She also said keeping her up during the day won't make her sleep better at night, there goes my plan!!! All is well here, off to rest!
-Adam

Howdy

Welcome to the new blog for the Brown Family. This blog is designed for our family and friends to see what is going on in our lives since they mostly live in Alabama,Georgia and TN. (a few weird people from Arkansas and Mississippi). I can't guarantee new info. everyday but check back regularly for new news and of course pictures!