the transition

Many of you have been asking me how things are going, how Silas is doing, how the recovery has been, etc.  It's hard for me to compile my thoughts cohesively at this point, but I'll try to give you some little snippets. :)

• Overall, things are going very very well.  I love this cuddly, sleepy stage...she's just so tiny and sweet!  The Lord has been kind to bless us with another "easy" newborn.  Ivy is extra sleepy like her brother was, only maybe not quite as extreme.  She often sleeps straight from one feeding to the next, and it is a real challenge for me to keep her awake for a full feeding.  (I use ice cubes.  Don't judge me.)  She cries more than Silas did (he basically never cried), but mostly just in the evenings, and she is easy to soothe.  I am learning more about her all the time--what she likes and doesn't like, how long it takes her to settle down before she'll fall asleep, how she likes to nurse, when her cry means "I'm hungry" and when it means "I unswaddled myself- help!"  She likes her pacifier and her swaddle blankets.  She also has learned to like baths.  She has dimples on both sides, which show themselves when she smiles in her sleep.  It is so fun to imagine how her little personality is going to start to take shape in the next few months!
• Ivy is on a schedule, and we love using Baby Wise.  That's just how we like to do things; it seems to work well for our family.  I know everyone is different.  Ivy slept through the night for the first time last night!  I fed her at 10:45pm and then woke her up this morning at 7:30am.  She was 4 weeks and 2 days, beating her brother's record of 5 weeks 5 days.  I am very thankful for another good sleeper.
• The transition to two kids has been smooth so far, but very busy!  Silas is getting more and more interested in his baby sister, but he hasn't acted out in jealousy or anger (yet).  He likes pointing at her body parts and bringing her things (binky, socks, headbands).  I don't think he really remembers what it was like NOT to have Ivy around.  I think he has already become more independent now that he isn't the baby anymore, which is fun to see (and sort of sad in a way).  The biggest challenge to me is getting them both in and out of the car, especially since Silas is still not super steady on his feet.  I am so excited to see our family grow!
• Recovery from a vaginal birth has been better than a C-section, though not dramatically.  My C-section recovery really wasn't that bad, but I will say that this feels more "natural" than having my abdomen cut in two.  The weight loss has been waaaay faster than it was with the C-section.  Don't hate me, but I only have 4 pounds left to lose.  The worst part physically has been a nasty case of mastitis.  I'll spare you the details on that one.
• My mom was here for 10 days, my brother and sister-in-law came for an afternoon, my dad popped in for a day, and Nathan's sister came for 3 days.  Now we're in a visitor drought until Nathan's mom arrives from Albania on the 21st.  Everyone has been super helpful, and we have been getting lots of meals from the church.  I went back to work this past Monday, and we're trying to figure out our new normal.
• Ivy currently sleeps in a Pack 'n Play in the living room, one with a bassinet and a changing station.  Now that she is sleeping through the night, we'll move her to Si's room, probably this weekend.  I never could have my babies in our room; I guess I'm too light of a sleeper.  Oh, also, I switched her to cloth diapers on her 3-week birthday!
• Nathan (as always) has been so helpful and involved.  I love watching him take care of Ivy and Silas; he does such a great job.  He wisely read ahead for this semester, so his workload is relatively light and allows for more leniency at home.  Praise God!

Okay, I hope that is an adequate summary of what's going on in the Lugbill household.  Thanks for your concerns and your prayers for our family!