Last night, James and I went out without the baby. We left her with my parents, who were more than happy to have baby girl all to themselves for a few hours. Although the prospect of a real date sounded wonderful, I have been kinda dreading leaving my baby. I've never been away from her really. I pumped a big bottle of milk (she's been so hungry lately!) and dropped her off with my parents. It was hard to say goodbye and James finally had to drag me out to the car.
First, we went out for Thai food where we talked about Olivia most of the time: how we want to parent her, what she'll be like when she's older, what relatives we think will be bad influences on her (we came up with several), and about her education. We also talked about how cute she is and how much we love her.
Next, we went to my favorite store, Target, to buy toiletries, but ended up shopping for baby girl. We bought her "Bambi" and "Lady and the Tramp" on DVD since they only come out every 9 years or something. We also bought her some clothes, wipes, and other supplies.
It's funny that most of our evening revolved around out daughter, even though she wasn't there. The one thing we did for us was stop by Starbucks for Iced Chai Lattes. I felt like an obsessive mommy thinking about her all the time. I trust my mom as much as I trust myself, but yet I missed her. The only thing that went wrong was that they had problems feeding her, and it wasn't their fault. I purchased some newborn bottles for when I have to leave her with someone, but nothing was coming out of the nipple. Finally, my dad had to poke a small hole in it with a sterilized needle and then Olivia was happy. When my parents called though to ask about it, I could hear my baby screaming and I freaked out. I feel so guilty for leaving a defective bottle. I tested the other nipples in the set, and only half of them seem to work. The others come out too slowly or not at all, so she cries. Is it bad to poke small holes in them?
Maybe in a couple weeks, we'll go out alone again. I know I'll get more used to leaving her. Next time, I'll make sure the bottle is ok though!
Posted by Hannah at May 7, 2006 02:45 PMThat's so great that you were able to get out on a date. At least you'll know for sure next time if the nipple on the bottle will work. Crazy how it didn't though. Oh well, just something you'll know to look for next time.
I know what you mean though, we never had a "date" yet, but when I went for the day for my facial/pedicure, all i did was think and talk about Ava. Then of course I'd start leaking. LOL.
Posted by: Emmakirst at May 7, 2006 03:56 PMYAY!! We went on a date Thursday and it was so nice to just spend some serious time together. I missed her sooooo much though!!
To answer your question, I think she eats about 4-5 oz at each feeding (when I pump). She eats SO much during the day since she's been sleeping at night lately, but we'll see how long that lasts (I'm sure it's just a phase or something!) I'm not sure about when she nurses though, b/c I can usually pump about 5-6 oz from each breast and it occasionally feels like she empties them (but who knows?)
Posted by: girl from florida at May 7, 2006 04:15 PMI did a google search and it says anywhere from 4-6 wks. So hey, maybe it is a real smile that we are seeing! :)
Posted by: Emmakirst at May 7, 2006 04:39 PMLucas has only been babysat once before! I'm really never without him. We're going to a moms' group banquet this Friday night, though, and I'm *way* nervous about it! :( I'm glad that you guys could go out on a date night. Jeff and I haven't had one of those in a LONG, LONG time!
Posted by: Lisanne at May 7, 2006 07:32 PMis it not funny how when you go shopping that IS NOT FOR THE BABY you always end up getting things for them... I went shopping for myself and never bought one thing for me, but about 15 outfits for Cody...
I rememeber the 1st time that i left Cody it was ALMOST 2 weeks after he was born, and he was with my mom... we went to Chads work xmas party and i never even made it through the dinner and i went home... it does get better as they get bigger with leaving them for a date, but to tell you the truth he is 5 months old and its still alittle tough!
Also there are sometimes that i think to myself; what did chad and i talk about before Cody was born, because it seems that he is all we ever talk about....
i'm glad you guys got some time to yourselves! i know when i have a baby, though, i won't want to leave him or her either. :)
Posted by: cady at May 8, 2006 08:12 AMMy bottles have different size holes in the teats for different liquids. I.e. 1. Small is for water (smallest) 2. Medium is for formula. I only found this out after I discovered the formula didn't flow freely through the no. 1 teats. I also found that one had to slightly unscrew the bottle from it's cap so that there's some kind of airflow. Its a bit of a science, but we've got a system now. When my mom stayed with us for the first two weeks after the bubby was born, I popped out to the shops to get some bread and milk and in the middle of the grocery store I suddenly realised that I hadn't even thought twice about leaving the baby and that in fact I was there without him!I kind of froze and thought - holy cow! I left the baby. But then I realised that it was because I trusted my mom utterly with him that I hadn't even thought twice about it - but geez how bad did I feel for not having realised!
Posted by: Valkyrie at May 8, 2006 09:49 AMYay for the first postpartum date!
Somehow, every time I think I'm going shopping for me or others, it ends up being for MrMan too/instead.
What a sweet and fun night out! They will get easier I'm sure. Especially like you said, when the bottle will work :)
Posted by: Shelby at May 8, 2006 11:12 AMLOL Don't worry. We STILL mostly talk about the kids when we go on a date :)
Posted by: Melany at May 9, 2006 08:33 AMNot bad for a first night out. And you certainly had great babysitters!
Posted by: cassie-b at May 9, 2006 10:04 AM