Week 3 in the land of Ayla

Well, week 3 has been busy, and full of big changes for Ayla. She is a lot more aware of her surroundings now, and responds to voices she recognizes by turning her head (a skill she has honed when seeking out her next meal). She is also just beginning to realize that she can do stuff other than just lay in one position, like kicking and pushing with her legs to move into a new position. This is in addition to her woodpecker impression on our chests when she is hungry. Her neck is very strong for such a little thing!

As for nights - she may be improving.... At least we have had a few good nights in between some very difficult, and sleepless nights. We have had to completely ditch using the basket for now and let her sleep in her car seat - not a great place to sleep all night because baby's can get a flat head if they can't turn their heads when sleeping but as she won't sleep any other place we don't have a choice! We'll keep trying her in her cot and hopefully that will begin to work soon...until then it is the car seat or bust!

As of today Ayla weighs 8lb 4.5oz and is now 20 inches long- all that time at the milk bar is doing a body good. We've been told that she will go through growth spurts where it seems she simply can't spend enough time at the bar...this happened for 2 days this week. The bar nearly ran out of milk at one point!

We've also been busy parents this week - taking Timmy and Ayla on walks around Herbrandston, decorating the nursery with a new bookshelf and stickers, taking Ayla sailing on Grampy's boat for the first time, making costumes for the Herbie Carnival, and doing laundry - A LOT of laundry! I never even went through this many outfits in a day when I was a teenager!!

Shifty went back to work today - it was a wonderful 3 weeks off at home as a family. I wish it could have lasted forever...

So, here's your Ayla fix in pictures. Enjoy...we certainly have been.

The nursery, complete with new bookcase and fun stickers! 

We're sailing now, baby!

Happy Daddy on his Dad's boat

Leftover Stocking Fabric was convenient to have on hand for our costumes...

Her headband is made from one of mine,
folded and sewn to be smaller,
with a felt star sewn on as decoration.
I'm sure someday she'll appreciate it. 

Miss America

Representing Wales, America and California

Yep, that's the California Flag's Bear

 

Timmy loves walks with Ayla
He has learned that we go for walks when I put on the Close carrier or Daddy puts on the Ergobaby Carrier

Very proud Mama

Rolly Polly Baby in the Bath

Ayla - Second Week in the World

Well, I'm trying to keep up with time as it passes - as all the parents reading this know, time passes so much more quickly when measured in the moments of a child's life. This second week has genuinely been a blur. Both Shifty and I often find ourselves trying to recall when something happened...or if it even did. So far this has not caused any harm to our Dog or fish but it is inevitable that a meal will be forgotten for the other life forms in our house.

Polka Dot Circus

Hey Cowgirl...

A rare moment of eyes-wide-open

Shifty made me a special breakfast after a looooong night 

As the weather has been warm we decided it was a great opportunity for some outdoor bathing - for Ayla. Although it was a bit of a shock at first she soon settled into her little pot of water and enjoyed the rest of the pampering.

Ayla's first bath

Self Portrait #1

Self Portrait # 2

Our second week with Ayla has brought us an overwhelming number of visitors, a few of which appear in the photos below. Ayla especially loved her time with her Great Aunties and Uncle that brought her some lovely blankets, made with love. 

Great Uncle David and Great Aunt Diane

Great Aunt Violet

Timmy loves Ayla

She sleeps....

Never wake a sleeping Ayla to feed her...this is the result. Shifty needed a shower! 

We have also been lucky to keep the warm weather, which has meant that we've been on lots of walks in our neighborhood and on the nearby beaches. Family walks are one of the great joys of life, and Timmy is very happy that Ayla likes walks just as much as he does. 

Family Walk on Broad Haven Beach

A little bit of peace

Two Become Three: Ayla is here!

We are overjoyed to now have Ayla Charlotte Lloyd join our family. She has immediately become the light of our lives and now we couldn't imagine what did we do before she came along.

These pictures are from her birthday, July 8th at 9:44am, to the end of week one. When she was born she weighed 7lb 12.5oz, her head was 33.5cm in diameter, she was about 19 inches long and she had a full head of brown hair. At the end of week one she weighed 7lb 5oz...it is normal for babies to lose a little bit of weight in the first week, despite being an excellent eater. In fact, as soon as they cut the umbilical cord she started smacking her little lips looking for her first meal from Mom. 

Besides being an excellent eater she is also pretty good at sleeping, pooping and peeing - especially when we take her diaper off. Her only failure (as far as her very tired parents are concerned) is that she doesn't like to sleep on her own between 11pm and 3am. We're trying everything to get her to sleep in her basket during these hours....but everyone says that she's only little so we should give it some time. 

As I write this (at 12:15am) she is soundly sleeping in her basket while we watch a recording of the Tour de France. Fingers crossed that this trick continues to work! I'll have to finish the blog later or tomorrow because the one piece of consistent and great advice we have received from everyone is to 'sleep while baby sleeps'. 

Our Little Michelin Baby minutes after birth

A very proud Daddy

Back in our recovery room having a cwtch

A very proud Mommy

Drago welcomes Ayla to Wales

First milk hangover

Family! 

'Cool' Dad

Grampy's first cuddle

Great Uncle Wyn's first cuddle

Granny's first cuddle

I was squished for 9 months so my feet need a while to straighten out. We go for physical therapy on the 24th to help build up the muscles that will let Ayla have straight feet.

Cuteness - Day 2

Waiting to go home - Day 3 

On Wednesday we were able to take Ayla home. The car ride was a little scary  - we were carrying precious cargo...

Our first introduction was to Timmy, who had a good sniff of the new addition to his family. He has taken to her without issue and checks on her when she cries. He has quickly learned that her face isn't to be licked but that he can taste her toes. 

She's exhausted after her first long night at home. 

Silly Daddy

Knackered Mummy and Baby

Ayla's first dress  - everyone says she looks like a doll

We have had the most amazing heat wave for a few weeks now - perfect for taking walks!
Our first adventure - a walk to Granny and Grampy's house with tons of stuff. On the way home we caused traffic in the village - everyone wanted to stop and see the newest resident of Herbrandston. 

Just hanging out. I'm soooo uncomfortable! 

I barely fit into my car seat - but I'll probably grow out of it in no time at all! 

Timmy time! 

Little Doll

Babyface

The Williams Family Visit

Megan is a very proud big cousin! 

Megan and Iolo made wonderful drawings that Grandma Charlotte then free-hand sewed into a blanket. Amazing! 

Happy Family - 7 Days Old