Long overdue!

So sorry it's been a while since my last update...but I've been a little busy. ;) Bella's been home for almost a week now- tomorrow (Thursday) will be one week at home! Bella will also turn 5 weeks old tomorrow. Today, I was supposed to be 36 weeks along in my pregnancy...now I can't even imagine still being pregnant and not already knowing Bella. So weird. I feel like she's only ONE week old...cause that's how long I feel like I've had her. I've enjoyed my time with her...especially today. It was the first day that it was just Bella and me for the day. It was actually quite enjoyable. :) ...now, for my first night without help....

Anyway, as far as updates go, things are pretty good. Bella's doing great! She's super sweet and still likes to sleep a lot! She's on a pretty decent schedule already- she wakes every 3.5-4 hours to eat. At night, she goes right back to sleep and during the day she might stay awake for a little while. Usually there are about 2 times a day that she stays awake for about 1.5 hours before heading back to sleep. She's a good girl.

**Breastfeeding talk ahead, so if you're grossed out by the mere mention of breastfeeding, avert your eyes **
The only real challenge so far is nursing. It has been a bit of a struggle. She has been latching on, but not in a way that allows her effective sucking- enough to get a good bit of milk. And then, after she latched (ineffectively), she usually falls asleep shortly after that! Then, after about 10 minutes of trying, I switch to a bottle and she's too darn tired to take enough for a good feeding! And the cycle continues. Today, though, was the first day that she latched on like a big girl! I saw a glimmer of breastfeeding hope today- so I hope that continues. (Prayers still needed in that department.

She's still on her monitor. We'll get the first report after 1 month of her being monitored. It has gone off a few times- sometimes for bradycardia, but most of the time for the darn leads being messed up and not able to get a good signal. It hasn't yet happened while she's sleeping, though. She's had a few bradycardias while she's been eating. It's seriously the loudest noise ever. Totally ear piercing. Here's a picture of her with her leads on. They're not too difficult to deal with, but I look forward to the day when she's not attached!! I'm getting pretty good at lugging the monitor around everywhere we go, too!

We got to enjoy some time outside the other day. Bella seemed to enjoy looking around at the scenery!
Put a cute little bow in her hair- just for fun- since she's got ALL THAT HAIR!Caught her in a yawn. I love baby yawning pics! ;)Sweet Ava with a super cute hair do- thanks, of course, to Aunt Sarah!
Looking cute as can be at breakfast!
Ava and Catcher bonding at lunch time. Catcher was just hoping for a little bite of her sandwich! :)
Ava has been incredibly helpful and gentle and loving towards Bella. I didn't really know what to expect once Bella actually came home...but Ava's been great. She's super helpful and always wants to be right there to help during diaper changes. She actually is (for real!) quite helpful! there have been many times that I've needed a diaper or wipe pronto and she's right there ready!

Here she is giving her sister some love. She especially loves the rule we have that requires her (or anyone) to wash their hands or use sanitizer before touching Bella...she'd put sanitizer on 45 times a day if we let her! Ava likes to hold her hand because Bella actually holds it back. So sweet!

Well, Bella had her first post hospital doctor appointment for a weight check and Ava had her 3 year checkup! Ava was a little shy at first but did SO great and was perfect! Here she is getting her blood pressure taken!
And getting measured. She was so proud that she's gotten "a lot bigger than when I was 2!" She's in the 45% for height and has increased to the 28% for weight at 29 pounds.

Ava was very interested in watching Bella's exam as well. Wanted to make sure everything was okay. :) Bella has been a good eater and a great grower and now weighs 5lbs 2oz after only 5 days at home! (Her hospital discharge weight was 4lbs. 12 oz). She'll go back in one week for another weight check.
Got a few pictures of Bella with her eyes open! It's not as obvious in this picture, but Bella is looking more and more like Patrick everyday. I mean, the similarities between their baby pictures are insane!!
Look at the difference in the size of their heads!! Wow!
Sweet Ave. Lately, when I ask her to smile, she gives me this HUGE toothy grin! I kinda love it. :)
Guess who took this picture?! AVA! Lately, she's really been wanting to take pictures with my camera, and this is the first time that I let her do it all by herself. (I hung the camera strap around her neck, of course, just in case). :)
Daddy's had a tiring first week back to school. He started off awake...but it didn't take long to get to this...
Ava has gone back to school! She goes Wed-Fri now; we added a day from last year. She loves it and looks forward to going! I'm getting tons of help from my and Patrick's mom to get her to and from school for a little while until I can get a little more settled with Bella. Thank GOODness for them!!
We tried out the swing just today, and she seemed to really like it. She didn't actually swing much, but she sure did love looking up at the fun stuff above her!
Bella finally had her first bath since she's been home today! I've tried to do it a couple other times, but she would always fall asleep before I could get to it!! Before I put her in, she was crying and crying, and the second I put her in the warm water, she immediately stopped and closed her eyes. I guess that's what she was used to for the previous 31 weeks! It was crazy how it calmed her so fast! Hopefully, the bath will have that calming effect for a long time- just now starting to establish a bedtime routine, but this will definitely be a part of it!
As long as I kept that nice and warm wash cloth on her, she was happy and sleepy!
Here she is all bundled up after the bath- went right to the fetal position when I wrapped her up. So sweet! Here she is being super drowsy with that seemingly huge passifier! Pure sweetness!
So, that's basically it for now. I'll try to update again in about a week or so. Hopefully, I'll have some good (or at least improved) nursing news to report by then! Until then, have a great week!