3 Months

These last few weeks I've started to feel like I am back to my normal life, the only difference is that now I have a baby. The first couple, okay at least 6, weeks were so all consuming that pretty much everything revolved around Owen.  A walk around Greenlake or doctor’s appointment was enough to fill an entire day.  It's nice that now we have settled into somewhat of a routine and I have energy to get out and exercise, socialize, or get things checked off the to-do list. I am so thankful to have six more weeks of maternity leave because now we are having fun and really enjoying each other.  Owen is becoming increasingly charming, lighting up my days with smiles, laughs and coos.  We started our PEPS (program for early parenting support) group on Wednesday mornings, I have been going to Pilates on Thursday nights and we have been meeting friends for walks most afternoons.

Owen loves being in the stroller and I find he prefers being outside to staying in all day long. He has started tracking, sucks on his hand all the time and loves being naked.  Now that he is getting a little older and becoming more aware of his surroundings we no longer have to plan our schedule around his feeds alone, but his naps as well. He still naps on the go, but not nearly as much and I know those days are coming to an end. How is it fair that a newborn will sleep anywhere until right around the time moms have energy again? Hopefully his naps will eventually develop some kind of schedule, which will be easier to work around.  I certainly don't want to be "that" mom who won't leave the house during naptime come hell or high water, but I'm quickly learning that a tired baby makes for a miserable afternoon. 

PEPS is a group of 12 moms living in the same neighborhood with infants around the same age.  We meet weekly and discuss the joy and challenges of motherhood.  I love it.  I am struck by how much becoming a mom brings women together.  It's so reassuring to connect with others who are in the same boat. When Owen was born one of my friends commented "welcome to the club," which is the perfect way to put it.  One of the things I've learned being a part of this group is that all babies are different and one solution rarely fits all. We all have babies with different temperaments and varying parenting philosophies, yet we all are doing a great job.  After only five weeks I feel close to and comfortable with my group of moms and find it to be an amazing support. 

I feel like everyone is always talking about “pregnancy brain” which was never a huge issue for me.  This “mom brain” thing, on the other hand, is no joke.  I literally start walking down the hallway to do something and forget what I’m going to do on the way.  It’s crazy.  I’m sure the fact that it’s been over three months since I’ve slept through the night could has something to do with it, but it’s beginning to feel as though these hormonal side effects are never going to let up.  Who knew they persist until you stop breastfeeding?  My hairdresser has prepared me to start losing my hair at around 4-5 months postpartum, so I have that to look forward to next.

When it comes to sleep, I really don’t feel like we have made any progress in the last month.  Owen started out as a great sleeper, which is wonderful, but we may have peaked early on.  I am certainly not complaining, things are still going well, but it’s a little discouraging that our progress has halted.  Bedtime is the one thing that we have down.  He takes a bath around 6, eats around 6:30 and is asleep by 7.  It’s amazing for Ty and I to have that time to ourselves in the evenings again.  He sleeps for 5-6 hours the first stretch, is awake to nurse every 3 hours after that, and up for the day between 5 (kill me) and 7 (which I can handle).  When he wakes up, he nurses like it’s his job and goes right back to sleep.  I’m not sure if he still really needs to eat that frequently or if he’s just gotten accustomed to it.  Every book I read seems to have a different opinion so I am letting it ride for now. Here’s to hoping that it won’t be year before we both get to sleep through the night!  

My friends prepared me for how quickly the first year flies by but it’s still hard to believe.  Three months have already come and gone and winter has turned into spring. I am certainly exhausted and usually ready for a beer by Owens bedtime, yet I am doing my best to cherish the time.  I am rejuvenated by the many firsts and magical moments that we share as a family everyday. 

Leavenworth

The four of us spent the weekend visiting Ty's aunt Pam and her husband, Don in Leavenworth.  It was a lovely little get away and nice to know that we can still enjoy ourselves on vacation with the little man.  For me, the highlight of the trip was walking into town and having beer and brats at the local pub.  Leavenworth is such a small town that kids (and dogs) are allowed in all the bars, which is super awesome.  I've barely eaten out and I certainly haven't been to a bar since Owen was born so it felt like a real treat. We also went on multiple walks and indulged in Pam's gourmet cooking.  Jake may have enjoyed the weekend the most, he loved running in the snow and the long walks. We literally had to drag him into the car to head home.  Owen was so tuckered out from the fresh mountain air that he put himself to bed at 5:30pm and slept all night.  I hope Pam and Don were serious when they said we can visit anytime because we'll certainly be back soon! 

8 Week Love Letter

My sweet Owen, 

It's hard to believe that the first 8 weeks of your life have already come and gone. You're not a tiny little newborn anymore; that stage of you life has already passed.  I just went through your dresser and pulled out a whole bag of clothes you've outgrown.  The time has flown by.  I’m so thankful that you’re such a great eater and have grown into a chubby little baby.  At your 2-month check up you were 12.6 pounds, 23 inches.  You’re in the 30^th percentile for height, 50^th for weight and 75^th for head circumference.  I think big heads run in the family.  

I couldn't have asked for a better baby.  Your sweet and mellow temperament is already quite evident.  As your dad put it, you have a quite beauty about you.  I have a feeling you are going to be generous and kind, just like your daddy.   

We have a few nicknames that we like to call you; mainly dak dak and OC,  as well as fussy gus when you’re crabby and hungry, hungry hippo when you’re ready to eat.  You spit up a lot, with pretty much every meal and always have a very serious, pensive look on your face.  You love being naked, taking baths and laying on your changing table.  You have big, beautiful eyes that we think will stay blue.  You look cute in pretty much everything, but I think you look the best in nothing but a diaper. 

You started smiling and making eye contact last week.  It's amazing how one little smile melts my heart and makes my day.  Even though we all know I'm pretty much the worst singer in he world, I have been singing you lots of songs.  You don't seem to care that I'm terrible because I can usually get you to smile with "If you're happy and you know it."  We’ve developed a really nice bedtime routine this week; we put you down around 7:30 and you sleep for 5-6 hours.  After that you wake up every 3 hours to nurse, but are pretty good at getting back to sleep after you eat.  

Your Auntie Rachel is madly in love with you and comes to see you every weekend. She was in the delivery room when you were born and you opened her eyes to the true miracle of life.  Rach has been an incredible friend and support to me over the years, now more than ever.  Just as much as she's been there for me, you can always count on her.  When you're 15 and you get into a bind, you can call her.  I won't hold it against her if she doesn't tell me until after you've graduated from college.  I know it's a little different for boys, but I hope that you find a best friend as amazing as mine.

I didn't feel like I was overly emotional during pregnancy, but since you were born, it doesn't take much to start the waterworks.  I cried when you were born, I cried the first few times you smiled, I cry as I write pretty much every blog post.  You have made my heart so full, it doesn't take much for it to bubble over.  I've heard the quote "first we had each other, then we had you, now we have everything."  That couldn't be more true, you complete us.  

Xoxo,

Your loving mama 

New Year, New Life

It's crazy the difference a year makes. I spent January of 2012 in Namibia.  I have wanted to visit Africa for as long as I can remember and had the trip of a lifetime.  Steve and Paula are back there now and I have been reliving my experience through their email and photo updates.  I was able to see amazing wildlife and geography, but more importantly to connect with wonderful people.  Getting to know Uuane (our guide) and understanding Namibia through his eyes was the highlight of my experience.  I loved meeting and spending time with Steve and Paula's friends, who are more of an extended family.  The trip expanded my understanding of the world and the state of Africa.  It was an incredible experience and dream come true.  

Here I am in January of 2013, spending 90% of my time at home cuddled up with Owen, another dream come true.  Though I love to travel there is nowhere I would rather be than right here with my beautiful baby boy.  

New Year's Eve 2012 

Newborn Photos

Owen's newborn photo shoot from day seven of life.  So sweet.  Photos by JP photography.

First Weeks

I always imagined the first week with a baby to be the worst. I knew I would be instantly in love, but expected to be sleep deprived and stressed. I had images in my mind of me, Ty and the baby all crying simultaneously. Turns out, that wasn't the case at all.  Largely in part to the fact that we had a lot of help. They say it takes a village and in our case, it did.  My mom stayed with us the first week, which was amazing. Having three sets of hands to care for a newborn is the perfect amount.  Plus, as a new mama it turns out I really wanted my mom.  It was so nice to have her here to take care of me while I took care of Owen.  She cooked, cleaned, grocery shopped and took the baby at 5 am when Ty and I were at our wits end.  Our village of helpers extended far beyond my mom; everyone was here to help out. Chris and Kari walked Jake, Rachel cleaned my bathrooms, Erin baked cookies, Kelsi and Aaron brought food and essential baby products, Paula made us a freezer full of delicious meals and Steve loaded our cupboards with Trader Joe's goodies. Having such an amazing network of support eased the stress of a newborn and got us through that first week as smoothly as one could hope for. 

Owen definitely did his part in helping that week go well.  I was really worried about breast feeding, as I feel like that is what really makes or breaks the first few weeks. He latched on and feed like a champ the first hour he was born.  He fed and slept well and has such a sweet temperament, I couldn't ask for an better baby.   

The other thing that was so nice about that first week is I had nothing to worry about except my little man.  My focus was 100% on him and nothing else mattered. As the weeks have gone on life has picked back up and I now have to juggle house keeping, cooking, paying the bills, making appointments, etc; but I got to put all of that on hold for the first week.  I took a bath and plucked my eyebrows on day five and my mom vacuumed while I soaked. With my OCD personality, having my house cleaned made it the most relaxing bath ever. 

I'm not saying it was a walk in the park, but we had a lot of great moments among the demands of caring for a newborn.  Owen peed with pretty much every diaper change, the first time on his face, multiple times on the wall, changing table and floor. My mom and I laughed on the couch listening to Ty call out from the nursery as his changed Owen's diaper and pee went everywhere....  Ty got a little delusional one night at tried my breast pump on himself.... Rachel, my mom and I watched my boobs double in size as Owen nursed and my milk came in..... I sat on the couch and cried as I held my sweet boy, overwhelmed by how full my heart felt and my love for him. 

Right around the two week mark was definitely our low point. My mom was gone, Owen was getting fussier and my hormones were going crazy. I was either freezing cold or one thousand degrees, moody and exhausted. Luckily, it was pretty transient and week three brought much relief. 

We are humbled and incredibly grateful for overwhelming love and support we received to make it through those first weeks.  Not only for the family and friends that were able to be here, but for the gifts, cards, calls, Facebook messages and visits. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, these special moments and gestures made all the difference.