Ivy Jean – 3 Months

February 16, 2017

I cannot believe our sweet Ivy Jean is three months old today. She is our littlest love and greatest gift. If you are a newer reader, you can find more about our infertility journey and her birth story on my about page. Part of the reader survey revealed you all would like more personal/mom/lifestyle posts, so I thought I would share a little 3 month update on life with our sweet girl. Keep in mind, she arrived 6 weeks early. At 13 weeks of age, her gestational age is only 7 weeks.

Parenting is simultaneously the best and hardest thing I have ever done. It has exceeded my expectations in all ways. I have felt love stronger and faster than I imagined possible, been humbled more quickly and thoroughly than I care to admit, eaten my words more than a time or two, come face to face with the ugliness of my own impatience and selfishness, and more. As much in life, Ivy was never a guarantee for us. I have moments where I just marvel and thank God over and over for her life. I also have moments where I really miss not smelling like spit up. Just keeping it real. Being her mom is such a privilege.

3 months 8

 

Schedule

Russ and I have loosely followed Baby Wise which has been really helpful for us. Creatures of habit doing this whole parenting thing for the first time, it helped us know what to expect and gave us a framework for our days. After spending time in the NICU, we also came home on an autopilot of sorts from our routine there. In the beginning, Ivy was so little we fed her every 2.5-3 hours like clockwork waking her up if she was sleeping. At 6 weeks we went longer stretches at night before transitioning to our current schedule. Below is of course our ideal schedule. Naps don’t always happen, feeding times adjust based on hunger, etc. We are not so rigid that we won’t throw the schedule out the window if she needs something different. I will say, this has worked so well for us. It helps me know how to anticipate her needs, know what might be wrong if she is upset, and know roughly how our day will go.

  • 5-5:30 am – Our day starts with the first feeding. She usually goes right back down and sleeps until 8.
  • 8 am – second feeding, wake time, nap
  • 11 – third feeding, wake time, nap
  • 1:30 pm – fourth feeding, wake time, nap
  • 4:00 – fifth feeding, wake time, nap
  • 7:00 – sixth feeding, wake time, nap
  • 9:30-10 – seventh and last feeding then bed for the night

 

Feeding

As we anticipated Ivy’s arrival, I knew I wanted to breastfeed. I didn’t know how hard it would be. I ended up having a personal issue I won’t go into here, but it made breastfeeding very painful. After struggling through for 12 weeks, Ivy is now exclusively bottle feeding with a combination of formula/breast milk before transiting to full formula.

 

Essentials

I’m not sure I am really far enough in or feel qualified enough to share any products I think are must-haves that other moms wouldn’t be better qualified to share. I will say, the woombie swaddle has been something we really love and use all the time. It’s a zipper swaddle that makes things so easy in the middle of the night. She is also rarely in clothes like this (like never). We opt for easy zip up onesies.

 

Highs and Lows

There are too many highs to name! In recent days, Ivy Jean has started cooing and grinning (just a little), and it is simply the best ever. It’s really almost comical how excited it makes Russ and me. The hardest part has been that Ivy has acid reflux. She spits up all the time. We hate seeing her in pain, and it makes feedings difficult. It does seem to have gotten better with time, and she is on some medicine. I also go back to work next week. It’s neither a high or low, just something I am anticipating. I think it will be a good balance for me to be able to work part-time, and I am grateful I have the opportunity and flexibility to do it.

 

Thoughts

I have good and bad days. Days where I feel like I’ve got this mom thing and days where I feel like a total failure. I have been surprised at how connected my emotions are to how she does. Russ and I are going on our first real date night this weekend thanks to my parents. We’ve each snuck out while the other watches her. We also grabbed coffee once while his parents where here, but this will be our first true dinner date. I’m looking forward to it!

In regards to parenting and this post, my only thoughts are that every situation is different, every woman is different, and every baby is different. I sure never thought I’d go through IVF and then have a preemie baby. This mom thing is hard enough as it is. We all need to support each other regardless of how we feed, schedule, diaper, (insert anything else here), our babies. I have appreciated your love and support in this journey more than you know.

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90 Comments

  • Reply Britney February 17, 2017 at 1:36 pm

    Beautiful! She looks so sweet, and I love her Valentine’s Day outfit. I so appreciate your honesty in this post! I hope to become a mom someday soon, and I know it’s not easy. There is so much pressure on moms to be the best and always be thinking of how decisions will affect the family, etc. Seems like a lot! As if taking care of another tiny human wasn’t enough! Enjoy your date this weekend, it sounds like much needed away time! Have a great weekend.

  • Reply Shelly Orr February 17, 2017 at 12:53 pm

    She is so beautiful and such a sweet little valentine! Proud for you guys!

  • Reply Lily Ayala February 17, 2017 at 12:34 pm

    Oh my goodness, she is a beauty Amy! Such a doll! Hoping to one day get to have a little miracle baby!
    xo, Lily
    Beauty With Lily

  • Reply Julia Mazzucato February 17, 2017 at 11:57 am

    Thank you for sharing this, Amy Ann! She’s absolutely beautiful, and I’m so unbelievably happy for you and Russ. You are already doing an amazing job, and I know Ivy is so well-loved. Sending all my best wishes to you and your family. <3

    Julia・Little Miss Haute Couture

  • Reply Anna White February 17, 2017 at 11:21 am

    I love this post!! Your such an inspiration to me because of my infertility journey. I hoping to have a miracle baby one day too!! Thanks for sharing your heart! XO –

    Anna | http://www.parkavenueblogger.com

  • Reply Vettae-Fee Kling February 17, 2017 at 11:00 am

    OOOh look at this little gorgeous angel !!! She already has a sudictrive look with all this red 😉 ! Sorry I didn’t read the text so busy i was admiring the angel 😉
    Have nice WE
    http://www.sofrenchychic.com

  • Reply Jackie February 17, 2017 at 10:34 am

    I can’t believe Ivy Jean is three months already. She is beyond adorable! And how cute is her outfit?! I think you guys are doing an amazing job and it sounds like you have a great support system with each other and family. All my girlfriends said they just came to accept the fact that smelling like spit up was going to be the norm for the first six months!lol Oh and that breastfeeding hurts and comes with it’s own set of problems. Loved reading your update. Thanks for sharing and being open with us 🙂
    Hope you guys have a great date night this weekend!

    xo, Jackie
    stylemydreams.com

  • Reply Dora Toubanaki February 17, 2017 at 10:15 am

    Such a cute baby!! Tough schedule to work. I totally believe mums are the best after all that (I am not a mum yet so I have no idea!).
    Dora xx
    http://www.BangsBang.com

  • Reply Allison / Joy and Ivy February 17, 2017 at 9:17 am

    Ivy Jean is just the cutest!!! She’s already taking after her mama with the fashion! 🙂

    I remember leaving the hospital with my son, who is now 22 months, thinking ok I can do this and then by his third week appointment I was told he wasn’t gaining any weight and that I’d have to supplement with formula. I burst into tears, but realized that fed is best and that’s all that matters. He actually started sleeping better and we were able to get on more of a routine, which makes me happy! I hope to breastfeed my second child but know that it may or may not happen so just go with it!

    Loved reading this update and can’t wait to see her grow! Congratulations again!

    Allison / Joy and Ivy
    http://www.joyandivy.com

  • Reply Sonia / Chanel February 17, 2017 at 8:55 am

    So adorable. What a cute outfit!

    Chanel | Je M’appelle Chanel

  • Reply Zelle Brown February 17, 2017 at 8:25 am

    She is beautiful! Hope you have a great date night!

    Zelle
    Southern Style

  • Reply Aracely February 17, 2017 at 8:24 am

    What a sweetheart! I’m sure you guys are doing an amazing job. Thanks so much for sharing Amy Ann! xo

  • Reply Priscilla Eliodoro February 17, 2017 at 7:18 am

    She´s adorable! 🙂 Her outfit is lovely! Happy Friday! 🙂
    http://hairandvibes.blogspot.com/

  • Reply Meagan Brandon February 17, 2017 at 5:47 am

    Ivy is just beautiful, Amy! I can’t imagine what it must be like to be a new mom, let alone having a preemie. I have no doubt you learn as you go and it sounds like you have a wonderful support system. Hope you have a lovely date with your hubby! xo

    Meagan
    http://www.meagansmoda.com

  • Reply Biana Perez February 17, 2017 at 5:46 am

    What a cutie!! Of course she has the cutest outfits too! Have fun on your date this weekend! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston

  • Reply theblackblush blog February 17, 2017 at 3:06 am

    She is the cutest! Enjoy these times with she is so little 🙂

    The Black Blush

  • Reply Aldora Muses February 17, 2017 at 2:48 am

    Hi Amy, thanks for sharing with us your parenting journey with us! Yes, caring an infant can be overwhelming and I think you did well 🙂 Ivy look so cute @ 3 mths old btw!

  • Reply Cynthia February 17, 2017 at 12:40 am

    What a little cutie! I loooooove her Valentines Day outfit as well! She is so stinking cute and you have that routine down!

    xx,
    Cynthia

    http://www.thesirenconfidential.com

  • Reply Kasie Chelanne February 16, 2017 at 11:38 pm

    This was such a wonderful post, Amy! As someone who is planning on having a baby in the next couple of years, I greatly appreciate any and all new mom realness you’re willing to share. Ivy Jean is so beautiful and her little outfit is so adorable. I hope you and Russ enjoy date night!

  • Reply Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom February 16, 2017 at 10:38 pm

    That outfit on her is just ADORABLE. I really miss all of the baby outfits, my Gymboree and Gymbucks addiction, etc.!! Being a mom is so hard, but very worth it! Every age there are new changes, too! You’re doing a wonderful job and I can tell you are just smitten by her! 🙂

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

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