I can't believe it has been fifteen days since Elijah joined our family. In some ways, my life without him feels like a distant past. People have told me to really enjoy each stage of your child's development because it goes by really quickly.... I believe them. Perhaps it is because of fatigue, but there are ways in which the last fifteen days feel like a big blur to me too.... the days all kind of seem to stick together, if you know what I mean. In my effort to remember some of the highlights from this week, as we had lots of our "firsts" with Elijah as a family, I want to jot them down.
Sunday--Elijah went to his first Sunday service at Epicentre! He was fed right before we went to church and he slept through the whole service and through all the "aww's" from his admirers.
Mon.--We went on our first outing to Borders. Both dad and mom were starting to go stir crazy so while dad went to the gym to climb, Elijah and I went to the book store. It was a nice treat!
Tues.--Barack Obama was sworn in as the President. Of course, I missed the whole inauguration but I intend to watch it when I get a chance. If and by the time Mr. Obama serves two terms in the office, Elijah will be eight years old!
Wed.--Elijah had his first appointment with his pediatrician. We learned that he had gained a lot of weight! Not only has he gained his birth weight back, but he weighed in at 7 pounds and 7 ounces. Yeah!! I guess he is getting enough milk. After the pediatrician appointment, Elijah and I went to a breastfeeding support group so that I could get some more helpful tips about breastfeeding. I came in with all my questions and found the time just helpful and encouraging.
P and I also had our first sit down meal out for lunch. Like usual, Elijah slept.
Thurs.--I had my two week postpartum appointment and all looked good. I am really grateful for all the prayers because my recovery from emergency c-section has been quick and smooth. I am no longer on any drugs and I can move around with no problems. I am excited that I can finally drive again!
My in-laws also came in to town and we all went out for sushi dinner. This time around Elijah was awake, but he eventually fell asleep. He did great and we enjoyed a meal out with our in-laws before P left for Thailand.
Fri.--P left for Thailand this morning. I felt totally emotional and cried... He's been so supportive and a great partner during our transition. I look forward to seeing him in 10 days. Thanks to my mother-in-law, I got a four hour stretch of uninterrupted sleep this morning while she took care of Elijah. It felt so good!
I do plan on posting some more recent photos but my internet connection at home isn't that great...I'll eventually post when I have more time or better internet access. ;)
Friday, January 23, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Our first week with baby Elijah
Elijah was born on Jan. 8, 2009 at 1:38pm weighing 6 pounds 14 ounces, 20 1/4 inches long! Elijah has been in the world now a week and sometimes we still find ourselves pinching ourselves and asking, "Is he really ours?" We are so in love with him and find ourselves just staring at him as he sleeps in his crib or in our arms. It has also meant that we are somewhat sleep deprived, as all new parents are, but it hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be.... overall, Elijah is a pretty mellow and content baby who fusses only when his diaper is being changed and he can feel the cold air or he has gas that need to be passed. I guess if I was in his shoes, I would be fussy about those things too! P and I are learning to read signs of his small whimpers and sometimes loud cries. It was difficult at the beginning to hear your son cry as if we are torturing him when we would change his diaper, but I can tell that P and I have crossed that initial stage of feeling like the bad guys! Elijah has also learned that it isn't that bad because now, he cries when his diaper is wet and he seems to calm down once a new diaper is on him. Of course, we have had several episodes of projectile pee-ing that we had heard about! This afternoon, he sprayed himself and got his face all wet! It was kind of funny actually.
For me, the biggest learning curve has been in the area of breastfeeding. (This will be a little graphic so, use your discretion about whether you want to continue reading!) My friends have done a good job of preparing me for this by sharing that it is something that is learned and to not expect it to just come "naturally." Taking their advice to heart, before Elijah's birth, I took a breastfeeding class and after his birth, I got lots of help from the nurses from the hospital. I heard about "engorgement" and "let-down," but I had no idea what that would feel like until they actually happened. I remember asking the teacher at the breastfeeding class, "So, how would I know when milk has come in and how would I know that I am having a let-down?" Her answer, "Believe me, you will know..." I remember thinking, what an answer! How am I gonna just know? Well, for those of you who have never experienced your milk coming in and a "let-down," let me just say, "You will know!." I had no idea how painful engorgement can be! In a matter of a day or two, my boobs were sizes of two cantaloupes, hard as a rock! This will cause any small breasted woman go in a state of shock and writhe in pain! And, you're dealing with your nipples that are extremely sore from that incredible sucking power of a new born. I cried a few times because I was in so much pain and tried many remedies that friends have suggested, such as putting cabbage leaves on your breasts! I was told that this pain too will pass, and finally today, I feel as though I have reached that place. Thank God!!
Yesterday, P and I went to go see a lactation consultant because I wanted a professional to watch what I was doing and give me some feedback. I went in with all my questions and we left feeling like it was money well spent! He's latching on better and I am less sore, which makes for a more pleasant breastfeeding experience for both mom and son. A friend of ours loaned us a book titled, How my breasts saved the world, a tongue and cheek account of one woman's learning curve on breastfeeding. I haven't had time to read it, but P has been reading it and has been sharing some funny stories from it to encourage me as he has been watching me go through the training process of getting toughened up so that my breasts can eventually save the world! :) It is good to be able to laugh about some things which at the moment can feel really overwhelming! I was encouraged to learn that Elijah has gained his birth weight back even though it took some tears on his mom's part to get there.
My favorite moments so far have been watching Elijah smile as he sleeps or even as he breastfeeds. He is a smiley baby. His motor and eye coordination skills have been pretty impressive for a one week old. All that kicking and moving around in the womb must have helped him develop some of those skills! He is strong too--he can pull up his neck on his own. I sometimes feel like I am having a wrestling match with him as I try to pin him down so that I can feed him!! :) I have also thoroughly enjoyed watching P love his son. I had no doubt that he would make a great dad, but it brings me much joy to see him so in love as he holds, changes Elijah's diaper, and/or talks to him. I am thankful to be a threesome after all these years of just being a family of two.
I am tired and this afternoon, I took a long nap while P watched Elijah. I could go on and on about some characteristics of Elijah that I have found even within a week, but I don't want to bore you with all my doting over my son.... Let's just say, we find him perfect in every way and we are thankful for God's awesome gift to us.
Here are some photos from last week. I will post week 1 photo sometime later...
For me, the biggest learning curve has been in the area of breastfeeding. (This will be a little graphic so, use your discretion about whether you want to continue reading!) My friends have done a good job of preparing me for this by sharing that it is something that is learned and to not expect it to just come "naturally." Taking their advice to heart, before Elijah's birth, I took a breastfeeding class and after his birth, I got lots of help from the nurses from the hospital. I heard about "engorgement" and "let-down," but I had no idea what that would feel like until they actually happened. I remember asking the teacher at the breastfeeding class, "So, how would I know when milk has come in and how would I know that I am having a let-down?" Her answer, "Believe me, you will know..." I remember thinking, what an answer! How am I gonna just know? Well, for those of you who have never experienced your milk coming in and a "let-down," let me just say, "You will know!." I had no idea how painful engorgement can be! In a matter of a day or two, my boobs were sizes of two cantaloupes, hard as a rock! This will cause any small breasted woman go in a state of shock and writhe in pain! And, you're dealing with your nipples that are extremely sore from that incredible sucking power of a new born. I cried a few times because I was in so much pain and tried many remedies that friends have suggested, such as putting cabbage leaves on your breasts! I was told that this pain too will pass, and finally today, I feel as though I have reached that place. Thank God!!
Yesterday, P and I went to go see a lactation consultant because I wanted a professional to watch what I was doing and give me some feedback. I went in with all my questions and we left feeling like it was money well spent! He's latching on better and I am less sore, which makes for a more pleasant breastfeeding experience for both mom and son. A friend of ours loaned us a book titled, How my breasts saved the world, a tongue and cheek account of one woman's learning curve on breastfeeding. I haven't had time to read it, but P has been reading it and has been sharing some funny stories from it to encourage me as he has been watching me go through the training process of getting toughened up so that my breasts can eventually save the world! :) It is good to be able to laugh about some things which at the moment can feel really overwhelming! I was encouraged to learn that Elijah has gained his birth weight back even though it took some tears on his mom's part to get there.
My favorite moments so far have been watching Elijah smile as he sleeps or even as he breastfeeds. He is a smiley baby. His motor and eye coordination skills have been pretty impressive for a one week old. All that kicking and moving around in the womb must have helped him develop some of those skills! He is strong too--he can pull up his neck on his own. I sometimes feel like I am having a wrestling match with him as I try to pin him down so that I can feed him!! :) I have also thoroughly enjoyed watching P love his son. I had no doubt that he would make a great dad, but it brings me much joy to see him so in love as he holds, changes Elijah's diaper, and/or talks to him. I am thankful to be a threesome after all these years of just being a family of two.
I am tired and this afternoon, I took a long nap while P watched Elijah. I could go on and on about some characteristics of Elijah that I have found even within a week, but I don't want to bore you with all my doting over my son.... Let's just say, we find him perfect in every way and we are thankful for God's awesome gift to us.
Here are some photos from last week. I will post week 1 photo sometime later...
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
The day is finally here!
It is surreal to think that by tomorrow sometime P and I will be holding our son. We are going in tonight at 5:30pm to get induced for labor. The doctors (both the perinatologist and our Ob/Gyn) thought it would be best to get baby Elijah out by the due date rather than wait any longer as his weight gain is a few weeks behind and my amniotic fluid level seemed to be decreasing. They feel that he is most likely a healthy, small baby, but in case there is something wrong, they don't want to take any chances by having him stay in longer. So, here we are! The day is finally here and we are going to meet our little man really soon!!
I must admit that when they first recommended that we get induced, I was disappointed. It was the last thing I wanted because I have heard that labor with induction can be long and it often ends up with a c-section, especially for first time moms whose cervix doesn't show much progress.... I asked my Ob about it and her response was that my cervix is starting to show signs of "ripening" so perhaps there is a possibility that induction could work. She also offered the option of a scheduled c-section, but at the end, P and I thought we should try induction first. At the end, the goal is to have our son and if it ends up that a c-section becomes necessary, well, then, it is what it is. Now that the initial disappointment is dealt with, I feel at peace and ready. P and I had imagined that we would be running around frantically, P giving me lots of "relax" talk while trying to manage labor pain at home as long as possible, and whizzing off to the hospital to deliver! Instead, we have been able to have a nice meal out together last night, spend some time getting the house cleaned and ready, have more focused time in prayer, install the car seat, do laundry, get a haircut, and just relax. I had THE best night of sleep in weeks last night, and I take that as a gift from God! I woke up this morning feeling so refreshed!! Oh yeah, I also got to use the parking space reserved for "expecting moms" for the first and last time yesterday. :)
I have been feeling emotional too, as I cannot believe in some ways that we are finally here. What a long journey it has been to get to this point with so many twists and turns. However, at the end, what I have seen and experienced is God's tremendous grace and outpouring of love and sustenance for us. My heart feels overwhelmed at times with gratefulness to Him. God has been so faithful to us, in many ways, it is difficult to describe in words and capture it all. I pray that we would remember His goodness and faithfulness to us as we begin the journey of being parents. We feel both the excitement and trepidation at becoming parents as we have never walked this road before. But, I want to remember that our God will guide us as we look to Him and trust in Him.
The name Elijah means, "The Lord is My God." This is our prayer for our little man, that he would know and experience that the Lord is his God, and that he would know how the Lord has been (and will continue to be) his parents' God forever.
I probably will post one last belly photo sometime today! Thanks friends for walking with us in this journey. We look forward to you meeting Elijah soon!
I must admit that when they first recommended that we get induced, I was disappointed. It was the last thing I wanted because I have heard that labor with induction can be long and it often ends up with a c-section, especially for first time moms whose cervix doesn't show much progress.... I asked my Ob about it and her response was that my cervix is starting to show signs of "ripening" so perhaps there is a possibility that induction could work. She also offered the option of a scheduled c-section, but at the end, P and I thought we should try induction first. At the end, the goal is to have our son and if it ends up that a c-section becomes necessary, well, then, it is what it is. Now that the initial disappointment is dealt with, I feel at peace and ready. P and I had imagined that we would be running around frantically, P giving me lots of "relax" talk while trying to manage labor pain at home as long as possible, and whizzing off to the hospital to deliver! Instead, we have been able to have a nice meal out together last night, spend some time getting the house cleaned and ready, have more focused time in prayer, install the car seat, do laundry, get a haircut, and just relax. I had THE best night of sleep in weeks last night, and I take that as a gift from God! I woke up this morning feeling so refreshed!! Oh yeah, I also got to use the parking space reserved for "expecting moms" for the first and last time yesterday. :)
I have been feeling emotional too, as I cannot believe in some ways that we are finally here. What a long journey it has been to get to this point with so many twists and turns. However, at the end, what I have seen and experienced is God's tremendous grace and outpouring of love and sustenance for us. My heart feels overwhelmed at times with gratefulness to Him. God has been so faithful to us, in many ways, it is difficult to describe in words and capture it all. I pray that we would remember His goodness and faithfulness to us as we begin the journey of being parents. We feel both the excitement and trepidation at becoming parents as we have never walked this road before. But, I want to remember that our God will guide us as we look to Him and trust in Him.
The name Elijah means, "The Lord is My God." This is our prayer for our little man, that he would know and experience that the Lord is his God, and that he would know how the Lord has been (and will continue to be) his parents' God forever.
I probably will post one last belly photo sometime today! Thanks friends for walking with us in this journey. We look forward to you meeting Elijah soon!
Friday, January 02, 2009
We have another nephew!!
P and I drove down to SD to welcome our nephew, Christian, into the world today. He decided to surprise all of us by arriving a few weeks early (36 weeks), but he is healthy and doing well. He weighed 6lbs. 4 oz. 19 in. long. He is perfectly cute!! We are so happy for our brother and sister-in-law and we can't wait for Elijah to meet his cousin.
Week 39 Photo
One more week to go before my due date! I have been very fortunate to not have any of the aches and swellings that people experience during pregnancy, but I have them now. I had to officially take my wedding ring off last night because it felt too tight. Do I feel pregnant!! :)
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