Everyone knows that saying, right? "Knock on wood?" Well, Beck and I find ourselves reminding each other all the time right now to be careful of what we say, and make sure to knock on wood if we slip.
The reason is that so far Will has been unbelievably great. By that I mean, he rarely cries, sleeps on a pretty regular schedule, and has been eating (and pooping) like a champ. We've had about the most perfect first week at home with our baby boy as we could have imagined.
Now, I do realize that having superstitions like this can go a little overboard, but we really are trying to be careful of what we say (at least out loud). Beck and I have certainly learned at least some of that silent parenting language that only requires timely looks and "eye inflection". I made that up. :)
So listen, I realize that sleeping through the night, eating, and crying really aren't things we should be hung up on. We truly are grateful that Will is a healthy little boy and believe me, that is the ONLY thing we hoped for over the last few months of his life.
I'm just saying that our home may soon develop lots of knuckle dents. Between Charlie's sweet sisterly admiration for her baby brother, and Will's easy going demeanor, we've have really been spoiled. And of course, I have to add, SO FAR. (Did you hear the knock?)
Anyway, it's late and I need to get some sleep too. Beck has already come to get me twice tonight (this morning), but for some reason the creative side of my brain works best after midnight. Not sure why, but at least the new video is finally posted on the kid's site.
That's another thing... "Kids". It's so funny to hear myself say that these days. Getting ready to leave the house saying, "okay kids, lets get ready to go," or "alright kids, it's time for dinner."
I know. Bedtime. Gotta be ready to go when the kids wake up.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
5 Days
We've been home now from the hospital for 5 days. Everyone we talk to asks, "are you guys settling in," or "how are you doing settling in?" Or any variation of that phrase. The truth is, I'm not sure once you start a family that you're ever settled. At least that's the way I feel. Now, don't misinterpret what I'm saying. We're certainly well versed by now with leaky diapers, being up in the middle of the night, being thrown up on, etc, etc. But I'm refering to the day to day process of raising a family.
Okay, okay. I realize we're only 20 months into this thing, and lots of you reading this blog have been parents for a long, long time. You probably laugh when I give my opinions on some things and think I'm very niave. But I can only relate my own personal experience.
But here's the deal for me: We are now responsible for 2 precious little people who mean the entire world to us. A ridiculously silly 20-month old girl who still causes tears to well up in my eyes when she jumps in my lap to snuggle before bedtime. And now this tiny little guy who is the best sleeper, and smells so perfect when you kiss his head. Do you know that smell? The combo of baby shampoo, A&D ointment, and the "scentless" baby detergent for the clothes and blanket you have him wrapped in?
To me, being settled means you're finished and can relax for a minute. I feel like Beck and I are just at the start of a parenting adventure, not getting ready to rest or relax.
I will say that one of the first hurdles we've cleared is Charlie being comfortable having another baby in the house. (that is funny because we really need to stop referring to Charlie as a baby now). She's been about as perfect as you could expect. She really adores baby Will, and is very helpful with everything about having him in the house.
So, so far so good, 5 days in. I'd almost forgotten how good Beck is with a newborn.
Okay, okay. I realize we're only 20 months into this thing, and lots of you reading this blog have been parents for a long, long time. You probably laugh when I give my opinions on some things and think I'm very niave. But I can only relate my own personal experience.
But here's the deal for me: We are now responsible for 2 precious little people who mean the entire world to us. A ridiculously silly 20-month old girl who still causes tears to well up in my eyes when she jumps in my lap to snuggle before bedtime. And now this tiny little guy who is the best sleeper, and smells so perfect when you kiss his head. Do you know that smell? The combo of baby shampoo, A&D ointment, and the "scentless" baby detergent for the clothes and blanket you have him wrapped in?
To me, being settled means you're finished and can relax for a minute. I feel like Beck and I are just at the start of a parenting adventure, not getting ready to rest or relax.
I will say that one of the first hurdles we've cleared is Charlie being comfortable having another baby in the house. (that is funny because we really need to stop referring to Charlie as a baby now). She's been about as perfect as you could expect. She really adores baby Will, and is very helpful with everything about having him in the house.
So, so far so good, 5 days in. I'd almost forgotten how good Beck is with a newborn.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Welcome Little Will
So we're just a little over 24 hours since my baby boy came to town. What a day! All the nurses here at the hospital keep telling us it was a "quick" delivery. Compared to Charlie's birth though, it seemed to me like it dragged on and on all day. Looking back, I suppose we could have just slept through the night Sunday in to Monday morning, and then leisurely made our way to the hospital around 10:00am. Then it wouldn't have seemed so long.
The problem was, Beck and I just had dinner Sunday evening with some friends of ours and I think I was a little scared to push it. You see, my buddy Brian is a paramedic. Beck had been having pretty regular conractions since Friday, and when we told he and his wife Andrea that we may need to leave the restaurant early, he began telling paramedic stories. On the way home from dinner, all I kept thinking was that I was going to have to deliver Will myself on the side of the road. In fact, I kept repeating to Beck all night Sunday, "I am NOT going to deliver this baby on the way to the hospital!"
Did I mention that earlier in the day, I encouraged Beck to eat some tacos with hot sauce and at dinner, I slide a plate of hot wings to her? I suppose this is all my fault.
Our friend Anne arrived at our house at about 4:30am, to look after Charlie. She has been an unbelievable help to us. And the best part about Anne is that Charlie absolutely LOVES her. They play and play.
So we left the house at about 4:30am, and arrived at the hospital near 5:00am. The nurses did a quick check and decided to see if we could move things along a little before our doctor arrived at 7:00am. Beck and I became power walkers! We walked the maternity halls from 5:30am to 6:30am, and then got a bed for Beck to relax.
From there, the waiting began! Our doctor had surgery to do at 8:00am, and we wanted to wait for him, so they slowed things down a little with fluids. By 10:30am, we were ready, but the contractions had slowed so much that they had to begin using Pitocin to get back into gear.
So by 1:30pm, we were ready to go. The pushing started at 1:40pm, and we had our big boy an hour and 23 minutes later.
I have to say; my wife was INCREDIBLE. She worked really hard. Our doctor (who we really like and trust) pointed out about a quarter of the way into pushing that the reason things were moving so slowly was because the epidural was too strong, and Beck couldn't feel anything. He said to our nurse, "turn it off". We all looked at each other as he laughed and said to Beck, "in a few minutes, you'll definitely have a reason to push."
Sure enough, the contractions soon became more and more painful for Beck, and she pushed harder and harder. Several times, she even did a 4th set of pushing when the nurses were only asking for 3 sets per contraction. She was literally pushing for at least 40 minutes without any anesthesia pumping in. She was awesome!
In the end, Will came out with the cord wrapped all around him. Our Doc just calmly said to Beck, "just relax and don't push for a minute." He slowly unwrapped the cord (which was around his neck, under his arm, and around his waist) and plopped little Will on Beck's belly. It is very reassuring to have a doctor that you trust. I never worried.
Now, little Will is feeding like an old pro, and pooping up a storm (like his sister did). He even got to meet his big sister for the first time today. Such a fun time! Charlie was very playful and excited to meet her baby brother.
We can't wait to bring him home. Beck is feeling great, just very sore, and we can't wait to all be in the same place so Mommy and Daddy can help each other out instead of being 30 miles apart with 2 kids (in between hospital visits). We are so thankful for Anne's help. She has made it very easy for us to juggle everything and keep Charlie's schedule uninterupted as we welcome our new baby boy.
Tomorrow is the big homecoming. We can't wait!!!
The problem was, Beck and I just had dinner Sunday evening with some friends of ours and I think I was a little scared to push it. You see, my buddy Brian is a paramedic. Beck had been having pretty regular conractions since Friday, and when we told he and his wife Andrea that we may need to leave the restaurant early, he began telling paramedic stories. On the way home from dinner, all I kept thinking was that I was going to have to deliver Will myself on the side of the road. In fact, I kept repeating to Beck all night Sunday, "I am NOT going to deliver this baby on the way to the hospital!"
Did I mention that earlier in the day, I encouraged Beck to eat some tacos with hot sauce and at dinner, I slide a plate of hot wings to her? I suppose this is all my fault.
Our friend Anne arrived at our house at about 4:30am, to look after Charlie. She has been an unbelievable help to us. And the best part about Anne is that Charlie absolutely LOVES her. They play and play.
So we left the house at about 4:30am, and arrived at the hospital near 5:00am. The nurses did a quick check and decided to see if we could move things along a little before our doctor arrived at 7:00am. Beck and I became power walkers! We walked the maternity halls from 5:30am to 6:30am, and then got a bed for Beck to relax.
From there, the waiting began! Our doctor had surgery to do at 8:00am, and we wanted to wait for him, so they slowed things down a little with fluids. By 10:30am, we were ready, but the contractions had slowed so much that they had to begin using Pitocin to get back into gear.
So by 1:30pm, we were ready to go. The pushing started at 1:40pm, and we had our big boy an hour and 23 minutes later.
I have to say; my wife was INCREDIBLE. She worked really hard. Our doctor (who we really like and trust) pointed out about a quarter of the way into pushing that the reason things were moving so slowly was because the epidural was too strong, and Beck couldn't feel anything. He said to our nurse, "turn it off". We all looked at each other as he laughed and said to Beck, "in a few minutes, you'll definitely have a reason to push."
Sure enough, the contractions soon became more and more painful for Beck, and she pushed harder and harder. Several times, she even did a 4th set of pushing when the nurses were only asking for 3 sets per contraction. She was literally pushing for at least 40 minutes without any anesthesia pumping in. She was awesome!
In the end, Will came out with the cord wrapped all around him. Our Doc just calmly said to Beck, "just relax and don't push for a minute." He slowly unwrapped the cord (which was around his neck, under his arm, and around his waist) and plopped little Will on Beck's belly. It is very reassuring to have a doctor that you trust. I never worried.
Now, little Will is feeding like an old pro, and pooping up a storm (like his sister did). He even got to meet his big sister for the first time today. Such a fun time! Charlie was very playful and excited to meet her baby brother.
We can't wait to bring him home. Beck is feeling great, just very sore, and we can't wait to all be in the same place so Mommy and Daddy can help each other out instead of being 30 miles apart with 2 kids (in between hospital visits). We are so thankful for Anne's help. She has made it very easy for us to juggle everything and keep Charlie's schedule uninterupted as we welcome our new baby boy.
Tomorrow is the big homecoming. We can't wait!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
