Tuesday, May 19, 2009
3 WEEKS OLD
I cant believe I'm writing while holding MY 3 week old baby boy. The past 21 days have been such a growing experience... my faith has been tested, my patience been tried, my ability to love expanded, and my ability to function without sleep is in progress... My appreciation for life is off the charts.
Moments ago I realized how perfect life is right now. I just came in from outside where I was sitting in 80 degree weather doing devotions. Right inside my front window sat a bassinet with my sleeping baby Benjamin. I know that I'm am so very blessed!
Last weekend we had quite the scare. Benjamin woke up friday AM around 6. I fed him and was not interested in waking up for good, so he came back to bed with me. Later I needed to pump so I got out of bed and handed Benjamin off to Joel. After noticing Benjamin was fussy Joel began to problem solve and went to change Benjamin's diaper. Joel noticed Benjamin felt warm so he took his temp. It was over 100 degrees. After talking to first nurse, and the dr office, we decided to bring him in. Mom (I) didn't think there was any problem, but complied. After lab tests the dr entered the room and suprised us by sending us to the hospital. Poor Benjamin was pricked like a pin cushion on his hands, got an Iv in his head, had a spinal tap, lots of blood out of his heel, and was circumcised all in the course of 2 1/2 days. I'm not sure if it was harder on mom and dad or Benjamin. Through all the test the best outcome came about and that was a high viral count. We love being back home and being able to hold Benjamin without tubes!
We're right around 21 inches, 7lbs 13 oz, and still in size NB. We're excited for the upcoming weeks of Aunt Auburn's wedding, and a trip to MN and Co. I home we have a good traveler baby! This summer is going to go fast and I'm already slightly sad about my baby growing up too soon.
Pray for our family as we go through some pretty big changes. Besides the arrival of Benjamin, the end of the month will be a transition time for Joel and I as Joel moves from his employment at the church, to a support raised postion with the Navigators. We'll be doing a lot of traveling this summer to let friends and family know about God's calling to college ministry and asking you all for prayer and/or financial support. We're trusting God with our future as we attempt to raise Benjamin and glorify HIM in ministry.
Love you all so much!
Moments ago I realized how perfect life is right now. I just came in from outside where I was sitting in 80 degree weather doing devotions. Right inside my front window sat a bassinet with my sleeping baby Benjamin. I know that I'm am so very blessed!
Last weekend we had quite the scare. Benjamin woke up friday AM around 6. I fed him and was not interested in waking up for good, so he came back to bed with me. Later I needed to pump so I got out of bed and handed Benjamin off to Joel. After noticing Benjamin was fussy Joel began to problem solve and went to change Benjamin's diaper. Joel noticed Benjamin felt warm so he took his temp. It was over 100 degrees. After talking to first nurse, and the dr office, we decided to bring him in. Mom (I) didn't think there was any problem, but complied. After lab tests the dr entered the room and suprised us by sending us to the hospital. Poor Benjamin was pricked like a pin cushion on his hands, got an Iv in his head, had a spinal tap, lots of blood out of his heel, and was circumcised all in the course of 2 1/2 days. I'm not sure if it was harder on mom and dad or Benjamin. Through all the test the best outcome came about and that was a high viral count. We love being back home and being able to hold Benjamin without tubes!
We're right around 21 inches, 7lbs 13 oz, and still in size NB. We're excited for the upcoming weeks of Aunt Auburn's wedding, and a trip to MN and Co. I home we have a good traveler baby! This summer is going to go fast and I'm already slightly sad about my baby growing up too soon.
Pray for our family as we go through some pretty big changes. Besides the arrival of Benjamin, the end of the month will be a transition time for Joel and I as Joel moves from his employment at the church, to a support raised postion with the Navigators. We'll be doing a lot of traveling this summer to let friends and family know about God's calling to college ministry and asking you all for prayer and/or financial support. We're trusting God with our future as we attempt to raise Benjamin and glorify HIM in ministry.
Love you all so much!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Quick up-date
Just a quick update...Benjamin had his follow up appointment on Thursday. (after his appointment on Monday we found out he was still losing weight) The goal was for him to gain an oz a day, which would put us at 7lbs 5 oz by Thursday. He proved himself an over achiever and weighed in at 7lbs 7oz. Mommy was very proud.
He's still being a great little boy, and sleeping well. I'm having to learn a lot about myself quickly as I figure out how Benjamin and I can work together making sure we both sleep and eat well. I'm finding out that not only is it important for Benjamin to get those two things accomplished, but I'm a pretty worthless mom if I don't as well.
I caved in and bought Dreft. (actually the Target equivalent) I thought it was the most unnecessary baby item and swore that my baby could just use the affordable stuff. Then Benjamin got a rash. I dont know if it was from the texture of his ducky outfit, or someone's perfume or the ALL detergent I was using, but seeing his perfect skin all red, made Joel and I so sad, that I made a quick trip to succumb to whatever one else said was best. I re-washed every piece of clothing and blanket, so time will tell if it was worth the $9. (It was $11 and I had a cupon!)
We had a fun week with a play date with our friend Roman, Nana came and loved on us, and we got to go see Daddy at his office. Tomorrow Joel's sister and her family is coming to meet us, and we are very excited. Then on Sunday we end the week with cousin Jonah and Audrey's birthday party!
Time for our 3:30 snack! Bye!
He's still being a great little boy, and sleeping well. I'm having to learn a lot about myself quickly as I figure out how Benjamin and I can work together making sure we both sleep and eat well. I'm finding out that not only is it important for Benjamin to get those two things accomplished, but I'm a pretty worthless mom if I don't as well.
I caved in and bought Dreft. (actually the Target equivalent) I thought it was the most unnecessary baby item and swore that my baby could just use the affordable stuff. Then Benjamin got a rash. I dont know if it was from the texture of his ducky outfit, or someone's perfume or the ALL detergent I was using, but seeing his perfect skin all red, made Joel and I so sad, that I made a quick trip to succumb to whatever one else said was best. I re-washed every piece of clothing and blanket, so time will tell if it was worth the $9. (It was $11 and I had a cupon!)
We had a fun week with a play date with our friend Roman, Nana came and loved on us, and we got to go see Daddy at his office. Tomorrow Joel's sister and her family is coming to meet us, and we are very excited. Then on Sunday we end the week with cousin Jonah and Audrey's birthday party!
Time for our 3:30 snack! Bye!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
one week old
I cant believe I'm writing to tell about my one week old little boy. I'm glad that none of you are able to see me as I type (even though it is adorable with my lap top on my thighs and Benjamin wrapped up like a burrito on my chest) because a combination of "raging hormones" and emotion will cause tears if not sobbing as I attempt to not take for granted how God has truly blessed us. I'll get my tissues handy!
Delivery went well. After having such an easy pregnancy I "knew" that I was due for a horrible labor. But If you count the time from which my contractions hurt, to the time they put Benjamin on my chest, it was about 8 1/2 hrs. 2 of those were at home, and 3 of them were with an epidural. So I guess I can't sympathize with the amazing women out there who are in labor for days, or who can't for some reason get help (epidural). I'm sorry for your experiences, mine however was ok. Not fun, but ok. :)
Our hospital stay was great. We had two paticular nurses that I LOVED. They were such a big help to me...making me feel confindent as a mom (although I honestly dont know what the crap I'm doing) and keeping me calm and relaxed. Dr Beer was phenominal in delivery. I loved her "game face" attitude, and her and Joel were much to thank for success of the hour of pushing. We had two unfortunate nurse experiences. One was a lady who wouldn't have been as memorable, but she wasn't that helpful or knowledgeable or equipped with great people skills. Unfortunately to top it all off, she was my nurse at the time of "Davey." Davey was the darkest hospital experience of my life. And those of you who know my past, know that I have a lot of hospital history. He was this kid who showed up in the hospital room, picked up Benjamin and began unswaddling him. I started to ask questions wondering who this ununiformed guy in a sloppy lab coat was, and why he looked like he hadn't finished high school. He just kept muttering something about metabolic lab tests, and then I saw him prick Benjamin's foot and draw blood out. Every question I asked he would answer "Its in the literature they gave you" and about the second question/answer interaction, and the third poke in Benjamin's heel, I went over the edge...I started bawling. I sobbed the whole time only to find out that there were a bazillion people in the waiting room wanting to come in and meet Benjamin. What timing! So other than the lab guy tradegedy...My hospital experience was great. (believe me, I let them know how I felt about Davey)
Then came Thursday afternoon. We took Benjamin on his first car ride to his new home. The next three days, paticularly, were kind of undescribable. We felt like we were walking on clouds, and time stopped a little bit. It wasn't that those days were all rosey and nothing went wrong. We have no idea exactly how we are supposed to do things, my emotions are all haywire, and those first few nights accompanied little sleep, but we have no idea how we are fortunate enough to be blessed buy such a picture pefect little boy, and so none of the afore mentioned realities matter much. I knew that life would change with a baby, but I had no idea how.
Well, Sunday we went to church and got to show Benjamin off there. Everyone can't believe how much hair he has, and most are astonished at my little Joel replica. At church the worship was great, and it was a week designated for communion. I was very emotional, but experiencing communion while holding a little boy, my little boy, was a pretty remarkable experience. My salvation appreciation jumped a level.
We're almost through the week! Sunday night Benjamin blessed us with great sleep. He hadn't been horrible, but he became great at sleeping longer periods of time without waking up for anything. We aren't using the bassinnett much because I think he might be too light of a sleeper, but the nursery is just next door to us. Monday was a little bit rougher of a day, and my hormones got the best of me. Nursing hasn't gone exactly how I wanted it to, and we're still learning. We had an apt on Monday and found out that Benjamin has lost weight since the hospital, and that makes me feel horrible as a mom. A combination of him being opinionated, sleepy, and my impatience, had made things difficult. I was a crying mess on monday night, but hormones were much more to blame than emotions. Joel and my mom did great calming me down.
Well, today is Tuesday. Benjamin had an even better night of sleeping last night. He went down at 10:00 and woke up at 1:45, 5:15, and 8:45. I was estatic. To top it all off, he nursed from one side last night without the shield, and once side without, this morning. We are making progress! After such great sleep our day has been on the verge of "stepford wife ish" This morning he sat in his swing while I had some much needed spa time (aka a shower and use of a blow dryer) and he even let me get some laundry and general pick up done. We took a walk around campus and enjoyed this beautiful weather, and then daddy came home for lunch with us! I knew with Joel's work week I was going to have to tackle the bath by myself and Benjamin was an angel the whole time. He was slighly fussy at the beginning, but overal we did great. Yeah for baby bath smells! Oh, and I found some way he is like me...he LOVES getting his hair shampooed :)
Well, if any of you are still with me after this book-like update, congrats. I can't wait till I have a chance to show him off to all of you. He's pretty spectacular. :) Again, we are truly thankful for God's blessing, and hope we dont ever take them/him for granted!
Delivery went well. After having such an easy pregnancy I "knew" that I was due for a horrible labor. But If you count the time from which my contractions hurt, to the time they put Benjamin on my chest, it was about 8 1/2 hrs. 2 of those were at home, and 3 of them were with an epidural. So I guess I can't sympathize with the amazing women out there who are in labor for days, or who can't for some reason get help (epidural). I'm sorry for your experiences, mine however was ok. Not fun, but ok. :)
Our hospital stay was great. We had two paticular nurses that I LOVED. They were such a big help to me...making me feel confindent as a mom (although I honestly dont know what the crap I'm doing) and keeping me calm and relaxed. Dr Beer was phenominal in delivery. I loved her "game face" attitude, and her and Joel were much to thank for success of the hour of pushing. We had two unfortunate nurse experiences. One was a lady who wouldn't have been as memorable, but she wasn't that helpful or knowledgeable or equipped with great people skills. Unfortunately to top it all off, she was my nurse at the time of "Davey." Davey was the darkest hospital experience of my life. And those of you who know my past, know that I have a lot of hospital history. He was this kid who showed up in the hospital room, picked up Benjamin and began unswaddling him. I started to ask questions wondering who this ununiformed guy in a sloppy lab coat was, and why he looked like he hadn't finished high school. He just kept muttering something about metabolic lab tests, and then I saw him prick Benjamin's foot and draw blood out. Every question I asked he would answer "Its in the literature they gave you" and about the second question/answer interaction, and the third poke in Benjamin's heel, I went over the edge...I started bawling. I sobbed the whole time only to find out that there were a bazillion people in the waiting room wanting to come in and meet Benjamin. What timing! So other than the lab guy tradegedy...My hospital experience was great. (believe me, I let them know how I felt about Davey)
Then came Thursday afternoon. We took Benjamin on his first car ride to his new home. The next three days, paticularly, were kind of undescribable. We felt like we were walking on clouds, and time stopped a little bit. It wasn't that those days were all rosey and nothing went wrong. We have no idea exactly how we are supposed to do things, my emotions are all haywire, and those first few nights accompanied little sleep, but we have no idea how we are fortunate enough to be blessed buy such a picture pefect little boy, and so none of the afore mentioned realities matter much. I knew that life would change with a baby, but I had no idea how.
Well, Sunday we went to church and got to show Benjamin off there. Everyone can't believe how much hair he has, and most are astonished at my little Joel replica. At church the worship was great, and it was a week designated for communion. I was very emotional, but experiencing communion while holding a little boy, my little boy, was a pretty remarkable experience. My salvation appreciation jumped a level.
We're almost through the week! Sunday night Benjamin blessed us with great sleep. He hadn't been horrible, but he became great at sleeping longer periods of time without waking up for anything. We aren't using the bassinnett much because I think he might be too light of a sleeper, but the nursery is just next door to us. Monday was a little bit rougher of a day, and my hormones got the best of me. Nursing hasn't gone exactly how I wanted it to, and we're still learning. We had an apt on Monday and found out that Benjamin has lost weight since the hospital, and that makes me feel horrible as a mom. A combination of him being opinionated, sleepy, and my impatience, had made things difficult. I was a crying mess on monday night, but hormones were much more to blame than emotions. Joel and my mom did great calming me down.
Well, today is Tuesday. Benjamin had an even better night of sleeping last night. He went down at 10:00 and woke up at 1:45, 5:15, and 8:45. I was estatic. To top it all off, he nursed from one side last night without the shield, and once side without, this morning. We are making progress! After such great sleep our day has been on the verge of "stepford wife ish" This morning he sat in his swing while I had some much needed spa time (aka a shower and use of a blow dryer) and he even let me get some laundry and general pick up done. We took a walk around campus and enjoyed this beautiful weather, and then daddy came home for lunch with us! I knew with Joel's work week I was going to have to tackle the bath by myself and Benjamin was an angel the whole time. He was slighly fussy at the beginning, but overal we did great. Yeah for baby bath smells! Oh, and I found some way he is like me...he LOVES getting his hair shampooed :)
Well, if any of you are still with me after this book-like update, congrats. I can't wait till I have a chance to show him off to all of you. He's pretty spectacular. :) Again, we are truly thankful for God's blessing, and hope we dont ever take them/him for granted!
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