What a Weekend!

It was a weekend full of interesting moments, some great, some not. On Friday, Darla had her 2 month check up with Dr. Klokied. She weighed in at 12 lbs, 11 oz and is 22 inches long. She's in the 90th % for weight and 25th % for height. So, even though we still struggle with her latch during breastfeeding, it's clear she's getting enough to eat. Dr Klokied pronounced her perfect and was more worried about me and my mental/emotional health. She encouraged me to start doing a better job of taking care of myself. To take real breaks from both kids. Go on a date with Jeremy. Get out of the house by myself. Yikes. I have been getting out, but I've been taking Darla with me. So, after an emotional evening and a good talk, Jeremy and I came up with a plan to get Darla to take a bottle. She's refused, up until today. It took me leaving the house, and her to get hungry enough, but she did take a bottle from Jeremy today. Progress. I know the fight is not over yet, but we are on the road to some independence for me. I am going to do some research on different nipples to see if there's one out there that she will prefer over the ones we have.

I got to play in my GARDEN this weekend. Ahhhh, beautiful sunshine, warmth on my shoulders, the smell of dirt. It was a treat to be outside and dry! Derick played along side me in the sand box, and Darla rested in the carrier while I cleaned up all the deadness in the yard. I was SO tired of looking at it out my windows! It's so much nicer now. And, I think most of my plants made it through the deep freeze of December. I'll know more in the months ahead. There's lots more pruning to do, but it was a nice start and a WONDERFUL reminder that SPRING is on it's way.

Our SLEEP pattern has shifted, again. Darla has been sleeping for 6 to 7 hours at night for the last week. What a blessing! It has given me a new lift in my step and some hope that things will continue to get better. The flip side to that is I got another breast infection! All those hours without emptying and the girls got backed up again. Friday, I went back on antibiotics, one more time. Sigh. It's a different drug this time, and I can take it with or without food, so it makes it much easier for me. No more waiting for meals or watching the family eat without me.

Sunday, I got a little pampering from our cousin Kellie. She brought over some spa products that she sells and spent a little time with me. We smoothed out my hands, did a facial, improved my soles, and did a relaxation visualization. Her daughter, Shelby, entertained Derick and Daddy took Darla. It was such a peaceful morning and a treat for me. Thanks Kellie!!! I can't wait to do that again.

Darla continues to get more and more interactive with us. Saturday, she smiled at Derick for the first time. It was such a sweet moment, I cried while the two of them exchanged smiles. Derick said, "Look mommy, she smiled at me!" I know he was just as touched as I was.

Derick has been doing pretty good, with only one really bad melt down over the weekend. His newest way to express loving feelings is to say, "Mommy, you are my BEST friend!" It's such a sweet thing for him to say and I love hearing it!

I know there is more work ahead of us, and just when we get used to something, it'll change. But for today, this moment, life feels pretty darn wonderful. My cup is full.