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...