Bolli Baby Blog

It’s been a week since the last post and it was a week loaded with activity. It’s been hot, in the 30′s all week, which adds to the exhaustion. We had to keep the baby downstairs until we could cool the house down later at night. A very busy weekend including Duncan & Carrie’s wedding with each of us attending stag and staggette parties while the other took care of Kahlara. Maureen is feeling much better and managed to make it through the weekend in one piece. It was Kahlara’s first wedding appearance which gave her a chance to meet more family and friends. The heat made it tough but Maureen managed to find shady areas and keep Kahlara cool. I was in the wedding party so I wasn’t much help but Grandma and Grossmami where eager to assist so it was all good in the end.

We got to relax a bit more later in the week as we got into some routines. She’s now feeding incessantly, always hungry. She sleeps pretty well once she’s out, but otherwise it’s food, food, food! We’ve also started regularly scheduled tummy-time while she’s awake. Surprisingly she seems to like it despite the fact that her face is buried in the blanket. She moves her head around alot more this way, and tries desperately to lift it. No cries though, just concentration. It seems to be good for her. She’s also giving us many more smiles and kissy faces.

Her second doctor’s appointment was today and all is well. The doctor is very happy with her weight progress. She gained 5oz back and is now 6lb 13oz and should be back to birth weight next week. We got visits from some of the neighbors and some nice flowers from friends at work as well as an endless supply of berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc..) from Grossmami! We’re very grateful! Thanks!

Photos posted to http://www.bolliworld.com/Photos/Baby/

Wow, time flies, and yet it also feels like Kahlara’s been in our life for a long time. We got a special visit from Kahlara’s Great-Grandmother and Great-Aunt Kathy yesterday. It was pretty cool to get a picture of Great-Grandmother / Great-Granddaughter together (below). And by the way, despite what they say about avoiding visitors in the first few weeks, we think it’s great to have company and love having people drop by. Yes, it’s exhausting at times, but it also gives you a shot of life and a nice change letting others hold the baby and keeping her occupied for awhile.

We had our first doctor’s visit today, which also meant her first road trip. The doctor gave her a clean bill of health relieved us of some stressful concerns (dry skin on feet and hands, breastbone bump, etc…) all normal stuff. She dropped about 12oz to 6lbs 8oz but he seemed to think it was all good and normal.

She’s starting to respond to us more, and we’re figuring out what she wants a little quicker. I stuck my tongue out and she mimicked me. A couple of smiles here and there. She doesn’t seem to be crying as much, probably because we’re getting better at figuring things out.

Again, thank you all for the wonderful gifts and coming to visit! Here’s that picture of Great-Grandmother and Great-Granddaughter.

Photos posted to http://www.bolliworld.com/Photos/Baby/

The themes of the day (or night, it really doesn’t matter any more) are lack of sleep, diapers and loads of stress. Being a complete rookie, I think I’m getting pretty damn good at this diaper thing… and being first time parents, we’re finding that every little thing is a big, huge, gigantic thing until the nurse or doctor tells us not to worry about it. And really, who knew there were sooooo many little things…

The day after we got home, we got a call from the public health nurse to make sure everything was ok and to schedule a visit. She came by the next day to weigh Kahlara (she lost a bit of weight) and to check her out and make sure Maureen was doing ok. She has become a great resource. It’s a major stress reliever when you can call them up anytime with stupid questions about little things that are obvious to most (but not to me) and get some kind of confirmation that it’s nothing to worry about, or what to watch out for.

Aside from the weight loss (which was pretty much normal) she had a slight bit of jaundice (also normal when breast feeding). Breast feeding is far more complicated and takes more skill than I ever imagined. Baby and Mommy have to work together and eventually it all works out. It can be very frustrating for the first few days. The nurse suggested we supplement her feeding for awhile with a small amount of formula just to make sure she’s getting enough.

These first few days were also filled with many visitors bearing far too many gifts! Lucky girl! On Saturday, Grossmami & Grosspapi came over to visit. They also brought some much appreciated gifts for Mom & Dad – Potato salad, steaks, etc.. A feast! On Sunday we got a visit from Duncan and Carrie and Aunty Jackie followed by Uncle Greg, Agnes and Ian in the evening. Then today we got a visit from Fil, Karen and Sasha. Thank you all for coming to visit and for all of the wonderful gifts!!!

Photos posted to http://www.bolliworld.com/Photos/Baby/

The first day started with some very good skin-on-skin bonding with mommy. I’m told this is very important. Then, once the two got to know each other, the usual weigh-in, physical examination, reflex tests, etc.. Then a picture with me (a Dad! what?! I’m still in shock) and our favorite doctor for his wall of fame.

Next came the first breastfeeding. Again, I’m told this is very important. It went very well, and the baby got some good “calories” as they say. By the time this was all done, Maureen was pale as a ghost, hooked up to the IV, and looking in very rough shape. I was quite worried at that point, but the doctor told me she just needed some rest. And thankfully, babies first rest is a long one. They said at least 4 hours, if not more. Maureen pretty much passed out instantly while I made a few calls between 4-5am.

When we woke up (around 8am). Maureen looked much, much better. Kahlara was still sleeping but we couldn’t sleep, despite our exhaustion. We actually got quite lucky in that she slept pretty much a full 8 hours although we were promptly told this would be the one and only time!

When she finally woke up, she needed a diaper change (my very first ever) and a bath, before more feeding. I have to say, despite the absense of odor, that was one nasty poop! More like a bubbling tar pit of sorts.. sorry for the graphic description, but it is what it is.. Anyway I found out, contrary to popular belief, that changing diapers is actually a lot easier than it seems. Bathing is a bit more complicated (due to me being paranoid about breaking the baby) but I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it.
The next breast feeding didn’t really go that well. As we discovered, there is quite a skill to it (for both Mother and baby).

The rest of the day was spent seeing visitors with the odd feeding interruption and quick naps. Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Friends, etc… Lot’s of Movie Star action for the baby… video camera’s and flash photography from every angle. As the evening approaches, we are looking at settling into a more routine pattern. At first, it will be feeding every 3 hours (8+ times a day – ouch). Probably about 8-10 diaper changes a day. So I’ll sign off, a very tired and exhausted Papa. Until next post…

Again, photos posted to http://www.bolliworld.com/Photos/Baby/

Wow, what an experience! I can’t say I was prepared for that. From first contractions at 4pm to delivery of our new baby girl, Kahlara Sofia Bolli at 1:33am on July 13th, 2006.

Maureen called me close to 5 o’clock after she was sure these contractions were the “real deal”. When I got home the contractions were 10 minutes apart and stayed that way for a few hours. Finally they decreased to about 5 minutes apart over another hour or so and then it was time to head to the hospital. When we got to the hospital (Langley Memorial, because Maureen’s doctor is there) it was about 9pm.

Unfortunately there were a few emergencies that had come in and we had to wait in the waiting room for a grueling one and a half hours of contractions that were only 3 minutes apart by this time. By the time we finally got into the assessment room and they hooked her up to the machines and did an exam (about 11pm), she was already 7-8 cm dilated. So from that point on, we were in the priority sequence.

After that, we got a room right away and they called our doctor in (The one and only Dr. Delair). And as all the mothers out there know, that’s when it really started to get nasty! Severe contractions and water breaking and all that crazy stuff. Bottom line is, she was on the delivery table before midnight and by 1:33 we had our baby girl. I have to say, the birthing experience can really bring out a lot in a person. Maureen had decided to try to avoid any pain medications, epidural, etc.. and I honestly didn’t think she was going to be able to see that through. I certainly didn’t expect her too. I would have been all over the drugs! In my opinion, no one should ever have to endure that kind of pain, but in the interest of the baby’s health, she insisted. And she did it! a natural birthing experience! I can’t even begin to describe how proud I am of her. She showed incredible strength throughout the experience. (I was pretty much useless!)

The final tally: Kahlara Sofia Bolli, baby girl, born July 13th @ 1:33am, 7lbs 4oz, 52cm in length and definitely “NOT” a ginger kid! (hooray!!!)

Pictures posted at http://www.bolliworld.com/Photos/Baby/

Hello everyone,

The baby’s not born yet, still waiting, and waiting….    I’m just playing with WordPress so I’m ready to post when time comes. WordPress rocks!