Monday, January 25, 2010

Almost two weeks old...

...and she's absolutely gorgeous! I've been asked several times if I intend to continue blogging, and the answer is a resounding "yes!" - I absolutely intend to continue. This is just the beginning for a new chapter, my inspiration fresh and my mind clear of many of the issues clouding it for the past few months. During this post, I will pop a few pictures in of her in these last few days - the very first of her life.




So yes, Bella is growing beautifully - at her one week checkup she had actually gained 3oz over her birth weight and came in at a hair under 8lb 2oz, which is fabulous news! Now, at almost two weeks old, she is looking round-faced and very sweet indeed! She's certainly bigger now than she was, and her hair is growing at an alarming rate. She has a little swirl at the back of her head now that wasn't there before - you can really see her hairline. Her hair is mid-light brown with a little hint of red under the right light. Rainbow hair. How ironic!




I do often find myself looking at her and thinking "gosh, I just wish I could have kept them both..."




But, that's natural. I compare them to one another as equals: Josie had very dark hair; Isobella's is lighter. They look remarkably similar but not *quite* the same. Sometimes when Bella is asleep I catch Josie...just a whisper. Isobella's hair is growing - and there I am, sometimes, thinking how it would have been lovely if Josie's hair could have grown too... Every time I hold Bella, I feel myself holding Josie as well. I hold them both at the same time, next to one another, and I feel both are loved, and both know they are loved equally.




I think it might be like that for the rest of Bella's life. Not that she is a replacement, but that because of the close proximity of their births and the circumstances of everything, they are closely intertwined.




Breastfeeding has been wonderful. It was something I was looking forward to enormously with Josie and never got to do. With her, I did express some milk and then put it on her grave and after that, my body seemed to know it had some something for her (there is more to that little ritual there but I won't go into it now) and the engorgement went down. Nevertheless the situation was completely tragic - having the food but no baby - it's unbelievably heart-ripping, I can tell you. So this time I was determined. Bella was a "barracuda baby" as Yale scientists would put it, and brought in my milk vigorously and vociferously. I had all of the "early breastfeeding complaints" - sore, cracked nipples, blisters, blood, pain, all sorts - but I knew it would get better and being a Taurus, continued to persevere every day.

Sure enough, after about a week it got to be perfectly comfortable. And I tell you, it is wonderful - just wonderful and so healing to see that my body can sustain life both inside and outside the uterus - make it bloom and grow, even! I enjoy it for that reason and for all the other reasons that breastfeeding mothers enjoy breastfeeding. It's SO natural feeling. I can't imagine giving her a bottle at this stage: it would be...weird! Even if it had breastmilk it it!

So, her cord fell off three days ago, at the tender age of ten days. Thank goodness, because for the two days before it fell off it was super stinky! I did keep it though. Apparently the stink wears off! It's wrapped in gauze. So then we took our first bath! She really enjoyed that after she got used to being immersed - but the most noise she made was a bit of an uncertain whimper. Then we got down to business: we got washed up and played a bit, and I poured water over her with a washcloth and a cup. By the end of it, she was looking pretty chilled out and sucking the water off her fists, so that was nice!




So...milestones. We reach milestones and I am joyful. And at the same time, once again, feel myself leaving Josie behind because Josie never made it past the "just born" stage. Josie never grew and never changed after she was born - she remained in that stage forever. In some ways I felt like I had part of Josie back there for a few days after Bella's birth - but not because I thought Bella was Josie (and here I had the help of R to describe how it felt) - more that the veil was so thin after Bella was born that Josie was able to reside with us as well for just that first part. Those first few days. I think perhaps she was able to come out and get a cuddle. I don't know if that makes any sense to anyone, but it somehow does to me.




Milestones are wonderful though. As I look into my freshly-born daughter's eyes I can see this soul shining through - this little personality attached to her mama. I am fully aware of my responsibility toward this little being, and never have had a shred of doubt that I can do this. I'm not afraid, any time. She is safe with me, this little one. She will be fine. I don't feel overwhelmed at all: I feel complete. Ready. Grateful. Awed.




In love.

9 comments:

j.thrift said...

this is so exciting and beautiful. congrats to all of you.

Mummy Ann said...

I am such a great stalker! - I saw a post of your on MDC and though 'ahah! - She must have also updated her blog'... Terrible of me to be so impatient to see more beautiful pictures of your Bella! hehe

She is gorgeous hun - you must all be so proud!

And you are not leaving Josie behind. You are holding her when you hold Bella...because she is right there. Bella has the best guardian angel in all the world! She is watching over all of you and her new little sister!

still life angie said...

She is beautiful. So happy to read your updates and see her flourishing. Sending much love to all of you. XO

Anonymous said...

i feel like a stalker too jay... this is sarah from st peter store.. i just wanted to say that bella to very beauiful she looks like you.. trudie was wondering if you were coming down this way so she can see you beauiful baby girl.. yes im still their :-( and im having a baby again too due in july !!! if you want to chat with me you can email me at sarah051987@yahoo.com

Shannon Ryan said...

i have so many chills! :)

A day in the Life... said...

Beautiful Post.. She is a beautiful little girl!

Emerging Butterfly said...

I always cry...so it's no surprise that I'm crying again. She's such a beauty Jay...((HUG)) I can almost smell her sweetness. I'm so happy for you I can't even begin to express it.

Enjoy that sweet Bella!! I know you do. SO much!

Julia C said...

congratulations on your precious daughter and on honoring the memories of your first. you've written about your feelings and experience beautifully, especially about breastfeeding...makes me more excited for the arrival of my little one in may!

margaret said...

Jay you are radiating happiness in this post and I am overjoyed for you and your newfound love. Isobella is gorgeous, just a perfect baby. Hugs