Oh Poop!

Now, all new parents know that they are going to have to deal with dirty diapers...a lot of dirty diapers.  It comes with the territory and is an expected and accepted part of the job description.  Little did we know that we would soon be praying (literally) for poop.  Nathan had the normal number of newborn "black tar" poops while we were in the hospital, but then decided that after Thursday afternoon he was going to take a break for a while...4 1/2 days to be exact!  As brand new parents who had been told to expect several "dirty" diapers each day we were understandably worried.  Couple this with the jaundice that was actually hard to see on my tan baby and some serious trouble breastfeeding and we had a recipe for severely stressed out parents!  Finally, after encouraging words from the on-call nurse at our pediatrician's office we got our first at home poop - whew!  I have never been so happy to see something that most parents (especially dads) dread!

The adventure with diapers continued in a predictable fashion for several weeks.  Here is a fond memory from April 28, 2011:

[As posted on Facebook]  Outfit #3 for the day...Mommy prefers green anyway! Here is how we got there (also the new mom's 10 Step guide to taking baby's temperature)...
Step 1: Feed baby every 90 minutes (as requested) then burp carefully. Note that baby is fussier than usual today.

Step 2: Jostle baby while re-dressing and changing diaper that was filled while nursing.
Step 3: Change your shirt and babies outfit after efforts of nursing end up on both of you.
Step 4: Decide that baby feels warm and, despite knowing he doesn't have a fever, determine that his temperature needs to be taken anyway (silly mommy).
Step 5: Prepare thermometer and lay baby on changing pad (important note: forget to lay down absorbent hand towel on plastic-y changing pad).
Step 6: Undo diaper (Hooray - it's empty!). Turn head for 2 seconds to reach for thermometer.
Step 7: Begin cleaning up pee that was carefully aimed away from absorbent diaper and onto non-absorbent changing pad (also strip bed sheets and baby's outfit). Lay down absorbent hand towel (too little too late??).
Step 8: Reach for thermometer once more (Note: forget to position new clean diaper under baby). Jump back as exploding poop gets all over baby and hand towel (but thankfully not the mattress!).
Step 9: Clean up baby, get new diaper (we're on #3 by now) and move hand towel to "safe" place away from flailing baby feet. Insert thermometer. Turn head while additional gas is passed in your face.
Step 10: Acknowledge that 99.3 is not a dangerous temp for a 3 week old, get new outfit (he looks good in green anyway) and attach newest diaper to baby. Easy!!!