Where does the day go?

Really how hard can it be to care for 5 (almost 6 pound) little infant? How much gear is really necessary? How can it possible wipe out two professional, in-shape and somewhat logical adults? Welcome to Miles' world. We are on day 6. Miles is winning and we are eager co-conspirators against our own best interest.

We left the hospital on a schedule. It worked well. He ate every three and a half to four hours. Before each feed, we'd wake him up if he wasn't rooting (he never cried!), change his diaper and then breast feed him or go straight to the bottle. Time permitting, we cuddled as he fell back to sleep and then back into the crib until it started all over again. Ah, the good old days before a ten minute cuddle became two perfect hours, when the industrial strength swaddle (thanks to veteran nurses) lost to the $25 organic Kiddopatamus swaddle aka straitjacket became a toy for Miles to escape (and with great fanfare) when his cute sounds once white noise in a hospital nursery each became cause for concern for his ever present parents. Miles is now in charge and we are along for the ride.

Whatever it is we are doing, he is at least thriving. As of the doctors appointment on Monday, Miles picked up over 5 ounces since leaving the NICU putting him at 5 pounds, 12 ounces. He is steadily eating more each time and thanks to the wonder of the nipple shield, taking to the breast a couple times a day. Each day, we are amazed at his growth. His head has become a weight to be managed as we carry him to and fro, always, always worried about supporting it. Even his little ankles are now a little pudgy - the hospital bracelet (yes, I forgot to cut it off) was nearly cutting off his circulation this morning.

All of this growth is in part in thanks to the houseful of products at his service. The Moses basket in his bedroom serves as his daytime retreat. For feedings, he lounges on the Boppy, covered in any one of his receiving blankets to catch up his drool. The newborn Boppy provides comfort in between sessions and then in the evening, he goes down next to Mom in the co-sleeper. At any given time, we know he is breathing and the exact temperature of his room, thanks to the AngelCare monitor. And just in case, he holds his breath for 20 secs, an alarm will go off, loud enough to scare him to take a breath. Should he need a walk, his carseat comes equiped with its own fluffly blanket (not that its needed this week) and sunshade to protect him from all the elements. .All of this comes with 24 hour service of washing and drying his bottles, fortifying and pumping his milk and changing his dirty diapers at every whimper.

And in case you were wondering, we are loving every minute of it.