Giving Thanks

This past week was a big week for our little girl -- we celebrated our first Thanksgiving, and we took our first big road trip. To back up just a bit to before the Thanksgiving festivities, we had a few more days to settle in at home and to learn about life with our little girl. We attempted tummy time for the first time. Emerson was not a big fan, but she proves to be pretty strong! She already has good neck control, and she also grips tightly when you offer her your finger. We ventured out to have dinner at Sarah and Josh's house, and we couldn't resist getting a picture of our little girls, Emerson and Laurel, born just six days apart. Two generations of best friends in one picture! Meg, Zack, and my two nephews also came, and it was a fun night having all of our little ones together.

On Wednesday, we hit the road for the four-hour trip (well...seven-hour trip) to Woodstock, VA. Woodstock is just about 30 minutes north of Harrisonburg, located in the Shenandoah Valley. Both of Boomer's parents grew up in Woodstock, and it has been a tradition each year to celebrate Thanksgiving with all of his extended family that live there. We had a meal on Thanksgiving Day with Cathy's brother and his family, and then on Friday, we had the large gathering with the Kennedy family. Each year, we take a family photo with all of the aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. It was special that we could make the trip this year and to introduce Emerson to all of her Virginia family. How precious it is to see how the family grows each year!

Emerson did great in the car and in the hotel. We turned an ottoman into a changing table, and we were able to request a crib for our room when we checked in. Emerson seemed unfazed by the changes. She continued to eat and sleep as usual. (Speaking of eating, I'll get back to that later...) The hardest part of traveling was the packing beforehand! For such a little human, there was a lot to bring -- diapers, butt paste, lotion, medicine, outfits, extra outfits, pacifier. Although the packing (and unpacking) was a pain, I am encouraged that we will be able to travel more with our little girl in the future. I am already thinking to the summer and where our Kennedy Ballpark Tour will take us next!

On Saturday, we made the trek home to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Bakewells. We had another yummy meal (shout-out to my brother-in-law for his excellent cooking!) with my grandparents, parents, and sister and her family.

Although everyone else ate a lot over the holidays, it seems our little Emerson did not! On Monday, we went back to the doctor for Emerson's two-week appointment. Unfortunately, she is still below birth weight. Feedings have been pretty slow, and Emerson often falls asleep after a few minutes. We have tried all forms of 'torture' (wet rag, tickling, stripping her of her clothes) to keep her awake, but she still falls asleep. While she seems to be content, she isn't getting quite as much as she needs. The doctor helped develop a plan of supplementing the breastmilk so that Emerson is getting more calories. It has lengthened our feedings even more so, as I now will attempt to breastfeed for 20 minutes, then feed her the formula/expressed breastmilk, and then pump to keep my supply up. The goal is for her to put on some weight and then return to only breastfeeding again. Emerson will go back to the doctor next Monday to check her weight again, and I also scheduled an appointment with a lactation consultant for this Friday. We are doing everything we can to keep her interested in eating and to put on some of those adorable baby rolls. Thank you for your prayers for the week ahead!