Week 0 to 1 of Reagan's Life~

The Grandparents arrived to meet baby Reagan just 18 hours after she was born~

Mommy and Reagan day 2 of her life~


Pretty little girl~

Daddy and Reagan~


Reagan's IV~

Read to leave the hospital on June 22nd, 2010



Getting ready to leave the hotel and head home finally~



Pictures from at home. The day before she turned 1 week old~



Week 0 to 1 of Reagan’s Life~

I’m not sure if I will be able to update every week with what has been going on with our little miss Reagan, but I would like to update it weekly at least as long as I can.

I can’t believe how well that Motherhood and Fatherhood seems to fit Jake and me. I knew that we would be great parents, but I was surprised how natural it came to both of us. The first week of Reagan’s life was a bit emotional at times for me. She had her issues with breathing right after she was born and a fever, which they don’t know if she was born with or it was due to being under the heat lamp too long. Then her first 24 hours she was having issues regulating her body temperature. Then on Sunday (Father’s Day) and day 2 in the hospital the pediatrician decided that he needed to treat her for a possible infection. They drew some of her blood and were going to watch it for the next 48 hours, which meant we would not be leaving the hospital for a few more days. I got this bad news just when Jake had gone to lunch with his parents, and I was all alone in my hospital room. The doctor came in and said that between the fever, breathing and body temp it all looked like effects of a possible infection. He also told me it’s better to treat even if it’s nothing than let it go for too long and cause serious health issues or death. I don’t think it’s ever a good idea to bring the word death into a sentence with a new mom and one that just had a baby. He told me that the nurses would be coming in to get Reagan so they could draw more blood and put an IV in her arm. She would then be getting 2 kinds of antibiotics one every 24 hours and the other every 12 hours. As they wheeled my baby away the water works started. I was pacing the halls waiting for Jake to come back. I could not believe how long it was taking him and that this all had to be happening with him gone. The nursery was across the hall from my room so I got to listen to Reagan cry for 2 hours as they were trying to get the IV into her small little veins. I sat balling right along side of her. Finally Jake came back and we went into the nursery to see our little girl. She had a giant bandage on her arm that looked like a cast and was pretty tuckered out from the battle she had with the nurses.

The next few days we had in the hospital were not bad. I was able to really get a grasp on breastfeeding. I told Jake that I think breastfeeding hurts more than giving birth in some aspects. Jake then said to me, “You really make giving birth look so easy, but I know it wasn’t.” I thought that was pretty funny because I actually felt like giving birth was not so bad. I can see why a lot of people give up on breastfeeding because it’s hard work. It seems so strange that something that is so natural is so difficult and painful. I could not believe that something that doesn’t have teeth can hurt so bad. I have to relate breastfeeding to breaking in a new pair of shoes. You just have to bite through the pain because eventually they will become your favorite pair of shoes and easy to wear. I was determined to not give up on breastfeeding. I was just waiting for my milk to come in and hopefully ease some of the pain because just the air touching my nipples hurt. The nurses were great, and I was so happy to be able to pump and get some extra help with anything I had questions about. When we finally left the hospital on Tuesday June 22nd, 2010 I really felt like I had things under control. It’s amazing how a few extra days in the hospital can make you feel so much more comfortable with your baby. I was so happy that her test results came back good and that we were finally going to be heading home soon. We got discharged and left the hospital at 8pm. The pediatrician also told us we didn’t need to come back for her 48 hour check up because her weight gain had started to go back up. She was at 7pounds, which is still 4.5 oz less than when she was born, but overall excellent. We also have to keep an eye on her jaundice, but as long as she keeps eating and pooping it should be out in no time.

We left the hospital at 8pm, and it still felt a bit strange leaving. You have this feeling wondering if they are really going to let you take this baby with you. She did surprisingly well in her car-seat. We had to go back to the hotel and stay one last night because it was too late to start our 4 hour drive home. I felt a little on edge all night. I wanted to make sure she was breathing and that didn’t get to cold or hot. Jake was not thrilled that I made him turn the AC off in the room. I was just so scared that she would get too cold. It was a hot day in the mid 80’s and when we finally left the hospital it was still 78 outside.

The following morning we left for our adventure home. It was exactly 3 weeks from the day that we first arrived at Lakenheath and a total of 21 days we had been away from home and our doggies. I made sure that Reagan got a nice long feed before we left and a clean diaper. Jake and I both figured that we would have to stop a few times on our way home. I still had some syringes of breast milk just to tide her over if I could. As we were about to leave the hotel the maid that we had brought us a bouquet of roses, which was so sweet. We chatted with her for a bit longer and Reagan got a little more to eat.

The drive home was awesome. We actually didn’t have to stop at all. Reagan got a little hungry about 10 miles from our house and I fed her the syringes of milk that we had. I figured this would hold her over the last 15 minutes or so till we got home. We were all so anxious to finally get home and she was anxious to finally see the place should would finally call home for now.

It was so nice to finally be home and the weather was so nice also, but Jake and I were really going to miss the AC inside our hotel room and the hospital. When we got home the first thing we did was change little miss Reagan’s diaper. She had a stinky diaper and we decided to let her have some bottom airing time. She fed great and then we went upstairs to put a fresh diaper on her. As soon as we placed her on the changing table she started to pee and then before we could do anything she started to poop. The look on Jake’s face was priceless. We just could not believe this was happening and all I could say is, “Get used to it.” The first day home we spend it figuring out what sort of food we needed from the store and getting Reagan’s Co-sleeper put together.

The following day Thursday June 24th, 2010 Jake’s parents showed up to our house and it was so great to see them. They were thrilled to see Reagan and our house. We took them to the base that afternoon and as soon as we pulled into the parking lot at the store Reagan and a blow out, while in her car seat. Everyone else got out of the car and got the few things we needed on the base, while I changed her diaper and clothes. I must have not been thinking when I packed her diaper bag because she didn’t have a change of clothes. I ended up having to feed her in a clean diaper and blanket for about an hour because after she emptied her belly she was super hungry. I was still having some issues sleeping at night because I wanted to make sure Reagan was okay. I would just sit awake watching her sleep and making sure she was breathing okay. I know it sounds crazy, but I could not help myself.

On Friday we spend most of the day at home, but managed to leave the house and go to dinner with Jake’s parents. It was nice to get out of the house and not cook dinner. Daisy and Daffney had come home the previous night and were not happy to be home at all. Daffney has decided to spend most of her day and night in the opposite part of the house as the baby. Daisy is still playful, but seems to be a little depressed. We can’t figure out if it’s due to us being gone for 3 weeks or the new baby.

On Saturday exactly 1 week date from when Reagan was born we decided to by the 4th of July celebration on the base. Everyone was very excited to finally see the baby. I was thrilled to fit into a pair of pre-pregnancy pants. We didn’t stay long, but it was still nice to get out of the house and finally show off our little one. She was pretty good and I even got to use my hooters cover. I have to say that when it comes to being a breastfeeding mom you are ready to pull your boobs out on command. I’m at least nice enough to shield my boobs from everyone. I would rather not be one of those people who flaunts there hooters in public.

I guess that is about all I have to say for week 1. I’m a little emotion at how fast 1 week has already gone by. I can’t believe how much that I love being a mommy and how much love I have for my little family.
~Candice