Three Weeks, Eight Pounds

MARSHALL'S

I've spent most of my maternity leave in one of two outfits.

One: A nightgown that I pretend is a dress (as long as we aren't going to see anyone I know) and Two: A pair of maternity pants that don't hurt my c-section incision and the one proper nursing blouse that I own.

Since I'm going back to work on Monday, I figured I needed at the very least 2 other shirts that I could feed or pump in without stripping down in the office.

I had never been to Marshall's before this Sunday, but my friend Jody who has made a religion of saving money, swears by it and my mother in law does too.

SO - Betsy, Yarden and I (along with Yarden's fancypants stroller) packed into the car went over to Marshalls.

We didn't find much for the girl, but I found three HEAVILY marked down shirts with sufficiently plunging necklines. Never in my life did I imagine that I would assess the fit of clothing based on whether I could pull a boob out of the neckline, but they say that children change everything so here's one big change for you.

THE LITTLEST VAMPIRE GETS A LITTLE BIGGER
All the feedings have paid off and Yarden put on a pound in the last week.
As of two weeks she was still only 6 lbs 12 oz but just one week later, with an empty stomach, clean diaper and wearing a onesie, she now weighs... a whopping 8 lbs 2 oz!!!!

She's still got the long skinny arms and legs, but the extra pound is evident in her big cheeks and her neck has transformed from many small folds to a definite chin.
Looking milk drunk and self-satisfied. Looking at Daddy with affection.

UNCLE LIAM ARRIVES - DA AND GRAMMY DEPART
Last night Liam got to town and we had a night of all the Hurleys on the West Coast.
Already Liam has subjected the little girl to the effects in the "Photo Booth" on his mac.
If she had better than 20/400 vision, her self esteem might be damaged.
Judge for yourself.

Light tunnel.Warp

Bulge
Thermal
Then today Betsy and Dick had to leave.
It's been a godsend having them here.
Not only are they great company, Seamus and his Dad have been building a storage shed and sanding 65 years worth of of lead paint layers of the door to her room and Betsy's been cooking us great meals and taking the early shift playing with the girl so Seamus and I can sleep or shower between 7 and 9 am.

It's amazing that one 8 lb girl demands so much time and attention, but she's had 4 adults at her beck and call all week and this daughter in law is going to miss all the extra hands.

It got emotional seeing them off and Grammy cried on the baby.
We set up another visit for August before they left.
Yarden has been moody all afternoon and I suspect that she looked around and figured out that all the folks with baby experience have taken off and the rest of us are just winging it.

In the next posting:
Nancy Comes To Visit and The Lady Who Made Mommy Group Lame