A Happy Om: Week 3

Once again the community midwife visited. She continued to be happy with Indigo’s weight gain but still concerned about her jaundice. So, she referred us to the jaundice clinic at Barnet Hospital for some tests.

On Thursday Dave took his eighth day of paternity leave. It was a big day for little Indie!

Early in the morning we took her Islington Town Hall to register her birth. We settled on her first name very quickly but it took us ages to decide on a middle name. In the end we picked Marin. It means "of the sea" in Latin. Perfect for our little water baby! We are pronouncing it mah-RIN like breathtaking Marin County in California, home of Point Reyes National Seashore, Bolinas Lagoon, Stinson Beach, and the Redwoods of Muir Woods. We visited this area last July, a year before she was born, and were struck by it's natural beauty.

She had her first journey on an overground train on the way in to town. As soon as we arrived at the town hall she started screaming because she was hungry. I began to breastfeed her and naturally that’s when we were called back to register. So, I stood up with her still latched to me and walked back to the office with Dave. Quite a feat for a new mama! Afterwards, she wailed again. It was down to a dirty diaper this time. We ended up changing her in the hallway with her cries echoing throughout the marbled hall. Eventually she settled down and fell asleep. This allowed us to go out for a delicious brunch at Ottolenghi. This was one of our favourite restaurants pre-baby so it felt very indulgent to be there with her in tow. They’re renowned for their pastries and we picked up four desserts to share with our friends later that afternoon. Indie had another first on the way home; a trip on an underground train.

A very pregnant Abby and her husband, Ben, came over that afternoon. We had tea and cake while we took turns cuddling Indie and talked about Abby’s induction which was scheduled for the following Saturday. (She gave birth on the Sunday to a baby boy named Cameron Luke.)

Waiting for the train

Tapping in

Brunch at Ottolenghi

Heading home

Waiting with mama

Milestones and reflections

We had a rough Friday. She was upset for most of the day. Indie started the morning in tears so I put her in the sling and walked to the post office to send a letter. However, I got there before it had even opened! When I went to the counter the attendant said "that's a real baby? I thought it was a doll!" Um, no. We went home and Indigo cried and cried. She stared right at me as if asking for help but I didn't know what else to do for her. So, I shed some sympathy tears.

What did help ME during these early days was Dr. Pepper and lots of it! I'd often ask Dave to bring some home after work or take a quick walk (which seemed like an epic adventure) to the corner shop to pick a couple of cans up myself. We also had Lindt chocolate truffles stationed next to my feeding zone downstairs for the first several weeks postpartum. As silly as it sounds, these little indulgences brightened up those particularly challenging days.

This week Indigo lounged around with mama...