Olivia- the transition impact statement

Here it is- a rather disjointed and blabbering update...
At times I confuse the cat's meows with Olivia's cries. I usually check the bassinet only to find a sleeping babe. Holly has gotten a bit of the shaft since Olivia came home.
Although I don't have an exact number, I know she is solidly in the 9 pounds range. When we left the hospital she had lost only 6 ounces and came in at 8 pounds even. Mere days later at her 1 week appointment she was 8#13 oz. So she basically (3 oz. short) gained a pound in just a few days. The nurse even did a double check on her scales and recalibrated the one she was using. What a champion eater! She also does well with sleeping during the day and soiling diapers.

The transition is what I thought it would be. I expected to be awakened at night for feedings. I expected a diaper and laundry increase. I enjoy cuddling, the smell of baby right after bath, and watching her sleep. I could do with out the spitting up. I don't mind the diapers yet- so much better than Audrey's.
Speaking of Audrey... transition for her is okay. She really loves babies so she gets excited when she is allowed to hold Olivia, loves to help with getting diapers and supplies for changing, and calls out Olivia's name several times a day. She struggles only when she is sleepy. It is then that she demands some uninterrupted mom time.
Yesterday Audrey woke up from her nap on the wrong side of the bed. I came into comfort her but made a big mistake bringing Olivia with me. I put Olivia down and held a clingy Audrey whimpering for about 20 minutes. Then Olivia got hungry and let everyone know. Meanwhile Caitlin ventured downstairs and figured out the television.
David walked into find Caitlin inches away from a blaring Curious George, the sound of screaming children, and no dinner ready (I had planned on leftovers but not followed through with it yet.)
And it is a good thing that he did- walk in that is. What a great help he is. He took Olivia for a bit while I attempted to coax Audrey off my lap. It did not work. I had to pluck her off-which lead to a tantrum. David and I traded girls, Olivia got fed, Audrey got cuddled, Caitlin got some more George time, Dinner came later than usual. We're still figuring out new and adjusting old routines.
Caitlin has done quite well. Probably because she enjoys television. I admit I have turned to the electronic babysitter more than I would like or should- I am working on this. I have turned it on less and less each day. She is also doing well because she has done this all before, she knows the ropes and it is now old hat.
As mentioned before, Holly the cat is not doing so well with the transition. She now is an indoor/outdoor pet and is a little spastic and fickle about what she wants. When she wants out that is her singular focus. She will meow and paw at the door until someone takes pity. Caitlin is usually her helper. Minutes later she wants back in. She will run from one window to the next trying to make eye contact with a sympathiser- meowing also plays a part. Either I will get annoyed by the whining or Caitlin comes to her rescue. Rarely is David phased by her antics.

David made this comment to one of Olivia's special care nurses, "I like when she cries." They probably thought... "we are sending this sweet girl home with the man that likes to hear her cry...?" Here's the reason: Because of her birth trauma (meconium and blood gases), we did not hear her cry right after birth. It freaked us out. Her cry was our signal she was healthy and it didn't come. So when she cried later, we knew she was alright. Her cry was reassuring- Who doesn't need reassurance after a life altering event?
I think attending school last year prepared David for this transition. Before school, David would get grumpy when hungry or dehydrated or tired. School was good for him. It was there he learned to live without a full complement of sleep. He is able to help out with some late night/early morning diaper changes and still have a decently productive next day at work. He just expects to be tired most of the time and the grump does not come out.