Ainsley is Four Weeks Old!

I can't believe how fast the time is going and how much Ainsley has changed and grown in such a short time.  She sleeps about 3-4 hours at a time now, although sometimes less, and is typically ready to eat when she wakes up.  We usually get about 15-20 minutes after each feeding where Ainsley is alert and so much fun to interact with.

We continue to have lots of visitors and try to get out and about when we can.  Last Friday, we went to our neighborhood's monthly garden party where Ainsley got to meet the whole crew.  Everyone was so excited to meet her, especially since she was born only three days after the last party, so I was still very pregnant then!  We also went to Wade Oval Wednesday, a free event with live music at Wade Park.  Ainsley slept through the whole thing!

Here are some photos from over the past two weeks:

Visit from Great Grandma Shellhammer

Meeting Great Grammy Wills

Visit from my friend Julie

Ainsley with Julie's little boy, Cooper. 

He's only 6 weeks older than Ainsley, but quite a bit bigger. 

Cooper's a growing boy!

Meeting Aunt Meghan

Already trying so hard to hold her head up

Just chillin' at Wade Park

Lazy afternoon on the porch

First real bath - the second one went much better. :)

In her strawberry outfit from Grandma Molnar

First Two Weeks Home

Ainsley has been home for two weeks now, and while it's been an amazing experience to have our little girl with us at home, it's also been a challenge.  The hospital pediatrician wanted us to go to our pediatrician as soon as possible, as he expected elevated levels of bilirubin (what causes jaundice). Due to these high levels, Ainsley had to wear a Bili Blanket photo therapy panel for four days (and nights) to help break down the bilirubin.  It was hard to feed her and soothe her while she was strapped to this machine, but it was worth it in the long run, because she's now clear of the jaundice.

We also had a bit of trouble getting Ainsley to eat enough.  She was very sleepy, partly due to jaundice and partly because she was born 3.5 weeks early.  We struggled to wake her every three hours to eat.  But finally, she's becoming more alert and is feeding like a champ.  She sleeps on a fairly regular schedule and now wakes on her own every three hours or so to eat.

We're getting to know her little expressions and sounds, and we're in awe every time she opens her big blue eyes to look all around - she's so alert and curious!  It's truly a joy every day.

Meeting Clio

First day home in Ainsley's nursery

Strapped to the Bili Blanket

Visit from Great Aunt Liz Molnar

Bath time

This is our favorite picture so far - so cute!