It feels like WEEKS since I've written here and it's really only been a few days. So much can happen in just a few days.

First lets get me out of the way.

Postpartum Depression hit pretty hard a few days ago. My avoidance of this journal has to do with that. I just get so tired of being in this state. With my whole world revolving around it. I get tired of thinking about it.

The bleeding stopped...oh last weekend I think. Something like that. My breasts are again my very own and have almost shrunk back to my normal size. I can fit into my bras now and it's only a tad snug. My uterus has pretty much shrunk back to normal too. (enough that IT isn't making my stomach poof out) My stomach muscles are in rotten shape though! Whew. It's going to be a lot of fun getting them back into shape.

I started the exercises as soon as all the bleeding (lochia) stopped. Working mostly on my legs and butt right now until I see a noticable difference then I'll start on everything else.

And we have had sex. Wheeeee! :) Yes I can hear my wonderful Nurse friend Angela screaming all the way from Australia right now. hehe.

It just couldn't be helped. Really! Only one bad thing though....I'd only been on the pill a week and I sort of forgot about the possibility of getting pregnant again. I had a cow after I remembered though. It's been so long since I've had to worry about birth control. So we made a trip to the drug store to purchase condoms last night to use until I know for sure the pills are kicked in enough to work.

There was no hurt or pain or even tenderness and my God was it awesome. No bleeding or anything like that afterwards either. Still going to take it "easy" for a few more weeks though.

Since then the depression seems to have lifted a bit. Not all the way but I'm trying to get through it and not just avoiding things. I even cleaned up our rathole of a bedroom today. AND went and got some groceries and cooked dinner. go me.

Now for the baby.

Here are some photos that Mary took of her a few days ago.

I had someone email a few days ago and asked me about giving her cereal already. Most doctors tell you to wait until 3 months of age and I've even heard some say wait until they are almost 6 months old.

What do I have to say about this? Bullshit. (the doctors...not the person that emailed me) They  don't have to wake up with a child every 3 hours because the formula just isn't enough to satisfy the hunger. (I'm sure if I'm wrong Ms. Angela will let me know ;) If there is another bigger reason, I've never been told.

I guess the reason I've heard most about making them wait would be because of a possible allergic reaction and/or because the digestive system can't handle it yet.

It's not like I just go out and get the child some Fruity Pebbles and smash them up for her. You have to get the plain Rice cereal. By Gerber of course. Plain Rice because you are least likely to have an allergic reaction to it. Feed one ounce or a bit less only at bedtime. Watch closely and if it agrees with them, you're good to go.

I've also noticed that the gas and intestinal cramps are fewer once mine have been put on the cereal. With Alix I was lucky enough that it filled her up enough to have her sleeping through the entire night at two weeks. Erica isn't going to follow this sleeping trend though. Even with an ounce of cereal and 3-4 oz of formula before bedtime she still wakes up at least once in the middle of the night. The child is like a bottomless pit when it comes to her food.

Her doctor knows I've put her on it and she said that if it satisfies her, then that's fine.

Her bowel movements have become fairly regular also. Usually once in the afternoon and once at anytime between 3 and 4 a.m.

Nothing so wonderful as changing a stinking diaper at that time of the morning let me tell you what. ugh.

She's so strong already. She can hold her head up for a minute or so at the time now. She's becoming more alert for longer periods of time.

Her umbilical chord stump fell off this evening. Her last tie with me physically is gone. I thought I'd get all weepy over this but I didn't.