Things we've learned about taking care of a newborn in the past month:
1) Don't wake a sleeping baby. Even if she looks so tiny & cute laying there in her bassinet that you become over-whelmed with love and just have to hold her at that very moment. I'm telling you now, resist the urge. If she wanted to be held, she would have let you known.
2) When changing her diaper, have a diaper underneath at all times, because often she likes to pee and most of the time this happens on the new clean diaper you just put underneath her bum (or worse, all over her onsie). Ripley loves to do this to Mommy. How come she can't she do this to the dirty diaper?
3) Yellow mustard seedy poop is a good thing.
4) When taking your babies' temp in the bum, always remember this procedure may induce her to poop all over you, so again have a diaper underneath ready to catch her little gift to you.
5) Rethink taking your baby for her first walk in the stroller on a sunny day. She will not like this one bit and will force you to turn around and go back inside just after leaving the driveway. Better luck in the evening!
6) Music is key. Play it often. I recommend the following: Norah Jones, Dixie Chicks, Mary J. Blige, Dave Matthews & some classical tunes.
7) Coffee is your best friend.
8) White noise also helps. The hair dryer can be a lifesavor. Or get yourself a sound machine, it's more convenient, portable & you don't have to hold it at 3 in the morning while sweating.
9) A smile in the first weeks usually means poop or gas, but it still melts your heart.
10 ) Taking care of a newborn is one of the hardest things I've done and at the same time, one of the best things. Ripley is perfect. We are truly blessed.
