We're actually getting back into our old schedule... with modifications

So Daughter is now a new element in our lives, and we've slowly, over the course of the past week, started getting back into our old routines, with modifications of course. Yes, there are still the middle-of-the-night feeding/changing times, but now, we let her sleep and wake us up when she's ready to be fed (we were on a 2-3 hour routine before, and now, sometimes, it extends upwards of 4-5 hours between feedings), and I supplement with a couple of every 2-3 hour feedings during the day. Hubby is able to sleep somewhat through the night now, so that he can be lucid during the work day. I'm regaining some ability to do things around the house, between feedings, and I'm cooking again - though we are taking full advantage of the food gifts people have given us as well as the pre-made food items I made before Isabel came into our lives. Hubby and I went to our first party on Saturday, albeit without Daughter in tow until Doc tells us she's ready for an infusion into normal life (though I think she'd be just fine in our arms, out of reach of germy hands), and we ran some errands as well. I've taken her for walks, as has Hubby, and we're enjoying the coming spring season in DC.

Things I've cooked... well, the chicken stock left from the healing meal that Aunt and Uncle cooked for me, I made some soup from it last Thursday evening, and topped it off with a empanada shell to bake - it came out all right, though the soup was still sweet from the dates in it and it boiled a little too long and was pretty concentrated. Hubby helped assemble the salad that night, as my abdomen was still healing and I didn't want to spend too much time standing in the kitchen. We also took Daughter out last night, to get some custard at our local custard shop... and I've taken her for walks in the neighborhood, to hear all the birds and to experience the warming weather.

What else... I've been cooking for Daughter, though not directly - breastfeeding her. It took some getting used-to at first, but now, 2 weeks in, I'm feeling much more comfortable. I finally broke down, and went to the local Target and picked up a Boppy pillow to help with breastfeeding - hands still feel numbness from carpal tunnel, and I'm not sure it will ever get better - but my hands and arms truly hurt when I feed her in the wee hours of the night. Yes, I look like I should be going for a swim in the kiddie pool, but the Boppy pillow really does work. I may also invest in an electric pump, to be able to continue giving her breast milk after I go back to work. And I've found that my silicone ice-cube fun-shaped trays are great - I can make food for her, for later on, and store them in coordinating shapes based on what they are - pears for pears, apples for apples, maybe stars for vegetables, and some sort of animal for meats! Fun with food - oh why not, especially if we can use these shapes to our advantage!

So, quick summary before I feed my little one - first 2 weeks were tough, but survivable - and things do start to get better, little by little. Adjustment to a new schedule in such a short period of time is difficult, but it's worth it - especially when the little one starts opening her eyes and throws her first unadulterated, completely non-self-conscious all-gums smile at you. She's precious, we love her, and we hope to be able to give her the best life that we can.