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"We are not leaving this town until we find some nipple shields!"

This will make it into my top ten list of things I thought I would never hear my husband say. If you don't know what nipple shields are - don't ask. I just thought I would give you an update on how we are doing. We are getting the hang of this a little at a time. Today I actually made dinner!!! One of the hardest things for me is not being able to serve my husband in the same way I used to. I know that eventually, as I get used to parenthood, I will be able to serve him like I used to.
Today we also went for our two week checkup and everything is just perfect. I got some tips of breastfeeding from our pediatrician. Elias has gained back all his birthweight and then some: 7 lbs. 14 oz. I still have to roll up the sleeves on much of his clothing but it won't be long until he fits into all of it. He was also circumcised today, which was just as traumatic for me as it was for him. But he's doing great. He's sleeping right now.

I'm proud of myself for making some time to blog. More later.

Having a baby changes everything...

Well, since my new blog is not up and running yet, I'll post my birth story here for now. We are head over heals in love with our Elias. On Saturday morning around 2:30am I started feeling contractions painful enough to keep me awake, so I went downstairs and did the dishes. Since I was awake I wanted to get them done in case we went to the hospital (this is something pregnant women do - there is no logic to it). My contractions were still about 10 minutes apart, so I tried to get back in bed with Paul. By about 5:30am they were so strong that I was gripping Paul's arm and breathing through them, so we decided to go in to the hospital. We got there and checked around 7 am and they monitored my contractions for about 10 minutes. I was about 5 cm dialated. The nurse said, "Let's have a baby!" and she made me fill out a lunch menu because she knew I would have Elias before lunch. By 9am when the doctor checked me I was dialated to 8 cm. The nurse guided us through a different labor positions, standing, side lying, rocking back and forth. My labor progressed more quickly than I thought it would, although since I had been dialated to three for almost four weeks my body was REALLy ready to have this baby. By about 10:30 I was in the transition stage and Paul was breathing through the contractions with me. Baby Elias was born at 11:17am. I can't remember when I started pushing but I don't think it was longer than twenty minutes.

My goal was an unmedicated birth and (by God's grace) it all went according to plan. I had also prayed for a good nurse. Our nurse was so wonderful. If any of you know Paul and his aversion to medical situations, you know that it is a miracle that he was able to be there, for the whole thing AND be able to coach me through it. Our nurse gave him a very important role in bringing Elias into the world and we know that it was a big answer to prayer. My mom was also there and coached me and breathed with me when Paul wasn't available. I think that took the pressure off Paul feeling like he HAD to be there for me. My mom has the real heart of a servant and is willing to step in whenever she is needed. She took two days off of work this week to come and be with Elias so that I could sleep, because parenthood really took a toll on me those first few days. Back to the labor: I have been reflecting on the labor and delivery and how painful but also amazing it was. Because it was unmedicated I REALLY felt EVERY part of the process and it IS a really amazing process. I totally understand the need for medication and I think if my labor had been longer I might have gone that route, because pain is so so so tiring, I don't think I would have had the energy to push at the end of it all.

When they layed Elias on my chest at first I couldn't believe how perfect he was. I also has a great sense of accomplishment. I remember thinking, "I can't believe I just did that!" He didn't have a huge cry, more like a lot of little grunting, which was cute. I remember thinking how long his feet were ( a Robinson thing).

Right now Elias is looking for his food and I need to change him, so I'll finish this later...

...Well, it's now the next day, so you can see that "the boss" took up the rest of my night. It's time for you to meet our new boss. Elias was seven pounds one ounce at birth and 21 inches long. When we went his first doctor's visit on Wednesday they told us he is the the 87% percentile for height and the 17% percentile for weight, so he is a long, skinny boy (just like his papa). At first we had a little trouble regulating his body temperature, because he is so skinny, but now that he has been eating so much it's gotten much better. He has been known to nurse for three hours straight. The up side to this is that he sleeps longer when he eats so much. He is a very happy, healthy boy. We took him out to coffee the other day and he was so good to sleep through the whole thing and let his mom and dad have a nice date. We haven't been out of the house much yet. I have ordered a sling online and am hoping that will make me more mobile. I hadn't wanted to spend the money on one before this but I am starting to see the benefits.

I started this post three days ago. Parenthood has been a big adjustment for me and I would appreciate your prayers as I acclamate to this new life. Everything is so new and takes so much thought, and my thinking skills aren't the best when I'm running on little sleep. Add to this the overwhelming emotions of new love for this little life and it's enough to put me over the edge sometimes. Every day I feel a bit more empowered that I can do this, of course I can. Eventually I will start answering my phone, returning my emails, and taking care of business. But right now we're just falling in love, and as much joy as that brings, it can bring tension as well. If you made it this far, we're glad you took the time to meet Elias.

Last night Paul and I met for Thai food in Olympia (The Lemongrass is wonderful by the way). He was on his way back from and interview in Bellvue and I was just getting finished with my doctor's appointment. Paul and I talked about the transitions in our lives, how we felt about them, and where we felt God was taking us. We are at a turning point. We are really seeking God's direction. The thought of being in a new place, with a new baby is a little terrifying, but also a little exciting to me. I am constantly checking out the motivation for my feelings. Am I being selfish or am I letting God use this little family for his purpose? I guess in the meantime, we are having to be OK with not knowing what is around the corner for us, which might be the hardest part. At the end of our meal, God blessed us with a little encouragement. Smile.

Easter Dinner

There are baby cows being born down the road from us. This one was born right before we walked there, because he was still all wet! Ahem- now if another little baby would hurry it up we'd be very happy!

We got it!!!! the DSL, I mean. So look for pictures tonight. In the meantime, I am now close to four cm and 90% effaced, the doctor said the baby is pretty comfy right where he is, but she thinks I should deliver sometime this weekend, all I need are a few good contractions to get things started. So I'm going to ask Paul to walk me tonight and see if that helps. One of my favorite doctors (there are five in the practice I go to) is on call this weekend so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

I love this. Andee, who i've only actually met once, maybe, at Alysun's wedding is due with her second baby very soon.

Words I hate:

Yes, I know hate is a strong word, but aren't you allowed to be irked when you are pregnant? I'm normally a pretty optimistic person, really I am! Anyway, these are the words:

"The baby will come when he's ready." (imagine me saying this in a sing-songy, mocking voice)

OK-
1. I already know that.
2. It doesn't make me feel any better.
3. It really bothers me. It's like the culmination of all the really annoying things people have said to me throughout my whole pregnancy (which I am really good at ignoring by the way). If you've ever been pregnant, do you ever feel like people are more obsessed with you pregnancy than you are? Good grief people, let it go.

Thanks for letting me vent, blogosphere.

Coming soon: Pictures from Easter! My family (mostly my brother) made Middle Eastern food and it was delicious. Some of Paul's fam came up too and they brought us the cutest crib mobile that plays rainforest sounds (get it? they're from Costa Rica?) Also, the church was PACKED, which always makes me happy. Our church did an evangelistic play this year. I am waiting to post the pictures until we get our DSL, just cuz I wanna try it out. We should get it tomorrow.

Love and Blessings!

Baby Update:

I went to the doctor yesterday and I am STILL 3 cm dialated. The big change is that I am 75% effaced, and last week I was only 50% effaced. Don't ask me what effaced is, I only have a vague idea. How long could things go on like this? Well, as the doctor assured me, they won't go on like this FOREVER. I will have then baby someday. That's it, that's all I know.
My family is convinced that I will have the baby on Easter, thus ruining thier plans for a middle eastern Easter meal. Traditionally we try a new cuisine each Easter (we've done German, Greek, and others), and Paul's family usually joins my family (a special treat for us!).
Today is so beautiful. The weatherman promised 77 degrees! Paul "walked me" this morning (I don't go on my own anymore) which is part of our feeble attempts to get this kid in gear. I am about to make a picnic lunch for Paul and I. I don't know where we will take it yet, maybe up to the Oly Farmer's Market, which just opened up.
In other news, after a long battle with qwest in which they insisted that there was no DSL in our area, even though ALL our neighbors have it, we are finally getting DSL. Do you know how excited I am? The only thing that kept me sane this long was the fact that I had fast internet at school, but with my maternity leave I won't have that. Imagine the possibilities! I have so many things I want to put on ebay, but haven't because it takes soooo long.
Enjoy this day!

Spring is Here!!! Here are some pictures from this past week

Have I told you how much I love this guy? He helps me quite a bit, although he is more than ready for "the old Bella" meaning the pre-pregnancy me that had more energy. He puts my socks and shoes on for me nowadays.




Will I always be able to make my nephew laugh like this? I don't know, but apparently the bouncing game is hilarious!








As you can see, I'm more than ready for Elias to join us (looks like I'm more than ready for a tan too!)
















Some flowers at Mom and Dad's house.

April Fools: The first thing my brother does when he shows up at my parents house is to look in the fridge for something to eat. My mom put a stuffed grouse in the fridge with a note that said, "Please cook this for dinner. - Mom"

My family has been really good about keeping me occupied these past few spring break days. Yesterday I went out to lunch with my mom and today I accompanied Anna to her doctor's (she's due 6 weeks after me) appointment and then to Target to do some baby shopping. I am starting to nor put too much stock in this whole "dialated to 3cm" thing. It seems like I will never have this kid. Actually, I probably wouldn't have even been thinking about it unless the docs had told me it would be soon.

Tonight Paul and I are planning on dying Easter Eggs, and tomorrow (his day off) will spring clean our closets (can you tell that I'm nesting?). Right now I'm at school in a last ditch effort to leave things in proper order before the sub has to take over. Actually, things are pretty much wrapped up, but there are still a few things to do.

Hope you are all enjoying Spring, the Easter season, and all the new life that it brings!

Here are some pics of the preparations we've done for Elias. He gets a corner of our office (until we move that is). My sister in law Anna made the cute sign for us.

I am really looking forward to doing a little boy's room once we have a house of our own, although I may have to call on some of my friends with more creative juice than I have. The bassinet is an arms reach co-sleeper, which we chose because it is also portable.