Margot's first week

When we brought Margot home from the hospital last Sunday we had just learned that she was jaundiced and had lost a lot of weight (8% of her birth weight). We were lucky to be able to bring her home. We decided that we'd supplement with formula that night because my milk hadn't come in. So - we fed her about 1/2 an oz every feeding with a little egg cup. It was painful but we thought we were doing the right thing. On Monday the public health nurse came to visit and it turned out that she'd now lost 9% and we were close to having to take her back to the hospital. Yikes. So - the finger/syringe feeding began. We stuffed her full for the next twenty four hours. She was so full that even after burping she'd ooze milk out of the side of her mouth!

We lost a lot of milk down inside the folds of her neck and in the shot below, apparently down her back as well!

She was such a sleepy baby from having lost so much weight that we had to strip her down, burp her a lot and use all the nasty tricks like cold wet wash cloths to keep her awake. Sometimes it was a lost cause.

First bath. Sarah's being super helpful by squeaking Sophie le giraffe constantly.

Have you ever met a baby who liked being bathed? Margot certainly didn't appreciate it!

Back to sleep after the bath. She's been trying very hard to get a thumb or two fingers into her mouth all week. I think she'll be able to manage it soon.

Margot and her big sister Sarah having a cuddle. There are many of these every day at Sarah's request.

Grammie taking her turn at finger feeding. We were all exhausted after a few nights of doing this routine, let me tell you!

On Canada Day we went for a walk in the Corydon Village area. Dale got a book called Winnipeg Walks for Father's Day so we tried out one of the suggested walks. Its a book of walks with the historical information of the area in it. It was great fun! About an hour of walking was the right amount of me right now with baby Margot in a sling. We found a park for Sarah with swings and a slide so everyone was happy.

Sarah was given a couple of costumes by a neighbourhood family and this is her favourite - the cat.

Sarah likes to do some rearranging in her bedroom in the wee hours of the morning when she gets up earlier than us. Sometimes it takes quite a bit of cleaning up - this morning it was pretty tame - just some shoes lined up in a row. She'll be all set for basic military training when we ship her off on her 18th birthday! (kidding!)

Our visit with the public health nurse yesterday went well. My milk was in and Margot had gained 2 oz of weight back and she now has some fat on her. No more supplementing! Hooray! Unfortunately she spits up a lot, but I guess you can't have everything. The few summer newborn clothes that we have are being pressed into service. I guess its time to get to the second hand store and get more clothes for her.

Margot with a double chin!

Margot Elaine Arndt

Margot Elaine Arndt born 10:30 pm 26 June 2009. 7 lbs 4 oz, 19 inches.

Minutes old.

Our very hotel-like digs. This is what a labour and delivery room looks like in St. Boniface hospital. We had the room for our entire stay.

Big sister Sarah with Margot and Mommy.

On our way home. The sock monkey is Sarah's gift to baby Margot.

When Grandma and Grandpa Holm came to town

Grandma and Grandpa arrived last Friday and on Saturday we went to the Mennonite Heritage Village out in Steinbach. http://www.mennoniteheritagevillage.com/

It was freezing cold but Sarah was very happy to find a swing there...getting her off was a bit tricky but there was the promise of animals to see so she was off and running!

Grandma showing her some animals

Sarah's into donkeys right now, so it was fun to see one in person. However, the thought was better than the actual experience. She wasn't so sure about the donkey after all.

Biggest bunnies you've ever seen. Sarah had to be convinced not to stick that stick through the chicken wire.

Sarah having her snack in the old schoolhouse.

There's the old windmill. Pretty cool inside too.

Ah - Sarah and Grandpa's favourite part - a building full of tractors! She got up on as many as she was allowed and drove them all.

They have a huge old steam tractor too.

Sarah and Grandpa speaking from the pulpit of the church.

Sarah loves picking dandelions.



When Sarah got down from visiting with the statue of the lady she said, 'bye, lady.'

On Sunday we went to the Teddy Bear's Picnic at Assiniboine Park. Another cold cloudy day. Sigh. When will spring ever come?

Sarah at the medic station. Not sure about the whole thing where you give up your precious Manni Bear to be 'fixed up' by the medic.

Sarah eventually gave the Shaw bear a high five. Later she asked to go back to find him to give him another high five.

The highlight of the Picnic was the BASH. By that point Sarah understood that it was just for pretend and was a willing participant in the bear hospital experience. We decided that it was Manni Bear's foot that was hurt. We waited for a little while in line (thank god we went at 9 am when it opened).

Dale was smart enough to ask for the 'fast track' line when they were doing the registration.

Manni Bear had an MRI done and Sarah received a piece of paper with the print out on it.

Manni Bear going through the MRI machine.

Time for a weigh in

and a measure

and finally his whole leg was bandaged.

Apparently shots were in order as well. Sarah didn't even flinch. Amazing! All these people handling her bear!

At the end, Sarah received final care instructions for Manni Bear. Very serious stuff you know.

After the picnic was Sarah's swimming lessons (Daddy, Grandma and Grandpa went along) and I went to do a photo shoot. Whew. Quite the day.

Sarah's May antics and activities

When Dale came home at the beginning of May after being away in Ontario for 2 weeks he noticed that Sarah's activity level and non-stop chatter had reached a new level! Its amazing what you notice when you don't see your child everyday! Indeed - Sarah is a go go go incessant chatterer who is full of energy and life these days. She's also has a pretty amazing imagination and is full of imaginative play - saving animals, driving cars made from a baby stroller, a ride-on toy and a towel. Of course there are always lots of boats as well. :o) That'll make her Granddaddie happy. Very funny to watch!

Have you ever had a rice cake with peanut butter and nutella on it before? Neither had Sarah until a few weeks ago. It suddenly got very quiet and it disappeared very quickly. :o)

My friend Christina from Newfoundland has a habit of sending these amazing care packages for Sarah - completely out of the blue. Sarah's wearing one of the dresses that Auntie Tina sent in the picture above. It was a bit difficult to get her out of it at the end of the day. Thank you, Tina! 

Dale's Dad and his wife, Jan (Nana and Bummpa to Sarah) came for a visit last week. They all had a great time together - Sarah loved all the attention and people to read to her and chase her around!

When you open two small packages of steaks from our butcher, this is what you get. Enough meat to feed at least 7 people!

Sarah LOVES steak!

Sarah the gardener. We put dirt and seeds into her little pots. They're on the window sill so she can watch them germinate.

A yoghurt face.

 

Sarah LOVES yoghurt!

Sarah wearing new pjs from Nana and Bummpa. There are monkeys on them, which Sarah thinks is pretty marvelous. She had a great sleep in them last night. I asked her if she'd yawn for the camera...and she did. You can sure tell she's the daughter of a couple of photographers!

We've got the baby room pretty much sorted out and done. We just need a laundry hamper, a lamp for on top of the dresser and a few other things and we're ready. We made a mobile out of sailboats and airplanes to go over the bed as well. 

View from the door. The crib is to the left.