The first Doctor's Appointment

We went to the pediatrician for the first time today for a weight check for Derek. He was born at 6-7 but lost weight down to 5-12. We left the hospital at 5-14. It was an adventure. To weigh him they made us strip him down to his diaper. Once he is on the scale, we had to remove the diaper. So the riot began... While trying to get a reading, he tinkled. He sprayed Mike, the nurse, and myself. He also managed to soak the scale even after being covered by a paper towel. We were all laughing pretty hard. In the end though we had great news. Our little guy now weighs 6-6. Yeah!! His feeding frenzies of the last few days have paid off. The doctor was quite impressed with how quickly he had gained weight. We really like our pediatrician and were able to ask a ton of questions. We go back in a week for the normal 2 week appointment. It was a fun morning.

While we were out, we decided to run by a baby store to pick up a few things. Derek did great on our outing. He slept the entire time while we were at the store and on the way home (about 2.5 hours total). We got many "oohs" and "ahhs" about our little guy.

After our exciting day we decided to stay home and rest for the rest of the day. I will post more pictures in the coming days.

Have a great New Year's Eve. Here is to a great, joy-filled 2008!

Fun times at home

We have had a great weekend. We are trying to figure out if there is any schedule so far. Derek has been quite the eater which is good. He had already lost 10% of his weight by the time we left the hospital and seemed to be losing more. He has been eating every 1.5 hours in the past day. Last night he even had a feeding frenzy that lasted nearly 3 hours. Needless to say, because we slept so little last night we slept in to try to catch up a little.

This is what Derek says : Daddy has stories from today too. I peed on him two times today and even managed to get some poopies on him today. Now Daddy and Mommy make sure to use the washcloth to prevent such problems. Have I got the aim!! I have gone through 5 outfits already today. I am a fashion yes!

Tomorrow we go to the pediatrician to see if he has gained back any weight. It should be another adenture.

Reflections on the last few days

We are home! Yipee. We came home on Friday morning. We celebrated Christmas as an extended family for the day. Go to Al's blog to see other pics from our Christmas. Here are just a few random observations from the last few days and some fun pics of our gorgeous baby. Baby boot camp is crazy but we are loving it. So if something doesn't make sense please remember I am sleeping quite less these days (and so grateful to be).

We were in the hospital for 4 nights. This is because we had an unplanned c-section to meet our Derek. I went into labor on my own right as Christmas Eve came. We spent about 12 hours in the hospital before he came. It looked like it would be a routine birth. I came in dilated to 4 cm and moving right along. Then my labor got stuck so I got the dreaded pitocin after all- which was fine because I already had an epidural for really painful back labor. This was the first indication of trouble. He was facing up not down. I ended up having a c-section after he couldn't turn completely, he was a bit in distress, and they thought he was too big for my pelvis. How is a little 6 pound baby end up being too big? My initial disappointment was quickly gone when I found out he was in distress. I just wanted him safe. I thought I would continue to be sad but when I heard him cry it all ended. He was ok. He was healthy. The rest just didn't matter.

The nurses are your best ally. We had an amazing staff help us. The healing curve is really steep for a c-section. I thought on Christmas that I would never make it home without a miracle. How God created our bodies to heal is really spectacular. I am feeling really good- aided with drugs. I am learning how to slow down and let my body heal.

My husband is a gift from God. I love MIke- I knew this- but watching him care for our son is amazing. Yes I am crying as I write this. Because of being so out of it, MIke took over. He is amazingly nurturing. He bonded with Derek even more quickly because of how sick I was. I didn't change a diaper for days. (I still have only done one by myself). The selfless ways he loves our son is amazing. The nurses kept asking me to clone him. I can't wait to watch him be a daddy. He takes great care of Derek and of me. I had to ask him to hold Derek because he was a baby hog! He is awesome.

My family is selfless. We had a few wonderful days to spend with each other and then Derek came. We still had a great time together but it all changed. They took care of our doggies, they brought MIke and me meals, they loved on Derek, they cleaned our house, and they kept us sane plus so so much more. They left today and I cried as I watched them leave. My parents and Al are example to me of servanthood. The nurses would laugh as they would come into the hospital room to us playing Settlers and laughing. We actually had a ton of fun in the hospital. Watching them love Derek was fun.

Thanks for praying for us. We feel it. We are doing great and learning so much!

Jen & Baby

Jen is still somewhat wiped out from yesterday, so I get to do the blog again. Thanks to Alli for putting up the pictures for us last night while our hands were full. Everyone is doing fine after the big day yesterday. The wee one has produced 3 pretty nasty diapers that daddy got to change. We got a few hours of sleep which apparently is all that baby's think parents need. Our nurse was nice and watched him for a couple of hours so we could sleep. The hospital is pretty quiet, I think that they wanted something to do. I just shot some video this morning and am hoping that it will post, I guess I will see soon enough......Here goes...

We have a baby

We have a new baby!

Michael Derek.

Mom, dad and baby are doing well.

His stats:
19 1/2 inches;
6 lbs 7 oz.;
2:37 P.M.

Baby coming

Jen is in labor right now, so I get to write the blog since she is in bed. It started about 12:30 this morning. She is pretty happy right now because her epidural is working good. She is pretty far along right now, we are not doing too bad after only 4 hours. More to come later...

Still preggers... but with hope

I am still pregnant. I am officially due on Tuesday- Christmas Day. My little guy is enjoying his time inside and doesn't want to come out quite yet. I have tried all the tried and true ways to induce labor but he just isn't ready. The doctor thinks the baby is around 7-7.5 pounds about now (a pound bigger than both MIke and I were). I saw the doctor yesterday and there is an end in sight. I will be induced on December 27 (next Thursday) unless he comes sooner. Yeah!! I am very excited that my family will get to meet him before they go back to WI.

My parents and Al come tonight!! I am so excited. The house has been cleaned (daily for about a week) and I am just giddy with excitement. They are leaving a white WI for a rainy Portland. For us Christmas is not about gifts but about enjoying time with the ones you love. Mike is excited for reinforcements- although I am a lot less crabby the last few days. He is REALLY excited about more people so we can play Settlers of Cattan together. We played with friends this weekend and he is ready to go and conquer- I mean play.

Have a wonderful Merry Christmas. Enjoy family and friends. Enjoy the gift of remembering Christ and his birth. My own little Christmas miracle will be here soon. Wait for the pictures! God is so kind to us!

Where can I go for Christmas?

Lucky was enjoying her time in the box. She wants to go somewhere for Christmas and be a part of all the boxes coming and going around here. What she doesn't know is that her most favorite person in the world is coming in a few days- Auntie Alli. Grandma and Grandpa are pretty cool too and will be a fun surprise. I can't wait to see them!

Actually the box was for the "box of shame." Mike has a thing for shame objects lately! She has been naughty lately and jumping into bed with us during the night. Mike thought a few minutes in the box would cure her. I am sure the very thought of it worked as she has been better the last few days. Hehe.

I am still preggers. My doctor has put me on "lay low" status- a type of modified bed rest. I am to have my feet elevated and resting as much as possible. Do you know how hard this is? At first hanging out on the couch and reading was fun. Now I am going crazy. I know I should be appreciative of this time of rest but if I am going to be sitting down doing nothing, I would much rather be exhausted, sore, and caring for the baby. The real person to feel bad for is Mike. I have been a "bit" crabby which is probably a HUGE understatement. Please pray for patience for me and a better attitude, endurance for Mike, and for this little guy to come soon!!

Our bathroom is done!

We have our bathroom back! Yeah. Unfortunately I don't have a true "before" shot. The walls were white with gold suns and moons. The old vanity was huge. As you can see the shower had seen better days. That is mold that was found under the floor. Gross! We love our new bathroom. Our contractor did a beautiful job. The dogs are sad that he isn't here everyday to give them affection.

Still no baby!

Need a laugh?

It is official, I am huge. I am due in 3 weeks. My doctor thinks the little guy may stay in the whole time. Whoever said a woman is beautiful at 9 months is on crack.

At least it is red so it is festive...

Alex is now wearing the cone of shame. We have caught her several times licking her stitches. Tonight we realized she was also biting them and has now removed one. Hopefully the lampshade will help. I find the whole ordeal hysterical- of course it is at her expense. Laugh with us!