Mammals for sure!

Okay, I've begun the pumping journey.

First attempt:

Depressing!!!  Not even enough (from both breasts) to cover the bottom of the little bitty container.  I almost cried.  I didn't dump it though--I actually still have it in the fridge.  Hhahahaa!  I figured I'd better not waste any if that's all I was going to get.  It is also not the most comfortable experience, but it's not painful or as bad as I was picturing, so it's doable.  The pump is also a lot louder than I'd hoped, so doing this at work will be pretty insane.  I'll feel like a total freak, but breastmilk is so great for babies that I don't care.

Second attempt:

Relief.  Whew.  1.5 oz!!!!  I was so excited.  The difference (we figured out later that this was common knowledge) is that I pumped in the evening the first time and in the morning the second time.  Also, she didn't eat much on one side for the morning pump, so I had lots left on one side.  I was so excited that I felt like it was Christmas morning.

This may sound really odd--talking so casually about breastmilk...and I have to admit that before I had Camille, I was always really weirded out when I saw people breastfeeding (like, saw actual breasts in action) or talked about "eating on one side" because you're talking about people's boobs.  However, now that I have a baby--it's so different.  It really makes you see boobs differently and less sexually.  They're actually very scientific and are just like bottles to me now.  I'm not modest at all anymore...it's amazing how you transition, and how fast you transition.  I'm not going to go around whipping them out all over the place and making people uncomfortable, but I sure don't see them the same as I used to.

So, now that we have some milk:  Bottle feeding!

We've been having so much trouble getting Camille to take a pacifier, so I'm super nervous about bottles.  Also, one day she wouldn't eat at all--I was freaking out.  She just wouldn't latch--she'd start crying every time I'd try to feed her, but then she'd cry because she was hungry.  It was awful!  We found out it was because I used a different brand of nipple pads that day.  I guess it changed the smell and she wasn't having it!  I had to go change pads and wear them for a little bit for her to go back on--and then she was fine.  This is bad news for bottles I think.  :/  Maybe not.

The goal is go at least go see Harry Potter before it's out of theaters.  YES, I am a huge Harry Potter nerd.  I love them all.  Plus, Brian and I need some time together!  I've been sleeping on the couch since before we had her, and it's time for that to end.

Tonight is the first night of us trying her in her actual crib.  We put her in there drowsy, but she's still awake...it's been an hour!  She isn't fussing though, so that's a good sign.  I'm going to stay on the couch so I can hear her and can feed her and all without waking Brian, but when we get used to this, it's back to bed!  I hope she does well--it's so hard to just sit and listen to her cry.  I feel like it puts me in physical pain.  I can't handle it.

Growth:
Camille definitely smiles when we talk to her now--it can't be just gas.  She does it so much and mostly when we're talking to her--not really at any other time.  It's amazing!  Big, huge smiles like this:

Camille tracks us with her eyes now!!  She can follow items and people as we move--she's getting those eyes under control and can see us better now.  It's so great knowing she's not just looking at a blur.

She also has started playing with toys (sort of)!  She enjoys keys and the sounds they make when you shake them, and we have this piano that connects like a bumper onto the crib that she plays with.  We put it on the other night and she just laid there and laughed and talked and watched it, then we put her so she could kick it and play it--and she did.  It was super cute.  She'd get frustrated when it would stop, then she'd kick it and it would start and she'd sort of start talking again.  So cute.

She's in the crib fussing now because her pacifier fell out...after we had to fight to get her to take that instead of my finger.  My poor baby girl.  At least I know nothing major is bothering her.  :(

**Update...no way did we make it with the crib last night.  She came out an hour later.  However, right now she's on her back and is awake and is fine!  We're just going to keep practicing with her putting herself to sleep during the day until she gets good at it.  SO far, so good.  She's not even a month old...what was I thinking???**