Growth

There's been a lot of growing going on in this household.  Growing grass to be mowed.  Growing my identity as a mom. Growing into this new thing called "our family." And, of course, a rapidly growing baby boy.

Did anyone ever tell me life with a newborn is hard?  I know they have-- but it's one of those things that you don't get until you're in it.  I've spent more than a few days in the past 4 weeks watching the clock simply waiting for the next feeding, predicting how long Obi will sleep, and hoping he'll sleep well at night.  Only to wake up and do it all over again.  I can cry almost on cue thanks to those post-pregnancy hormones.  I worked hard to get out of the house with him, if even for just a walk around the block.  I needed that more than he did.  I was simply enduring each day.  "Enduring" in the best possible connotation. I am enjoying my days and enjoying my son.... but also partly getting through each day!

And then after the weekends, I look back and can't really remember what last week was like.  Or in the evenings I don't really remember how tired I was getting up the previous night to feed him. After a few hours of peace, I forget what his cry sounds like!

I think I can actually say that days are moving fast!!  We have a 4 week old. Whoa! We're watching him pack on the pounds-- or rather the ounces.  And we're also watching his eyes turn a steely gray blue and his hair turn blonde!!  Those blonde hair roots just happened recently.

Here's his appointment stats at just 18 days old for my sake of recording...

8lbs 13 oz, 75th percentile in weight

22 inches long, 90th percentile in length

14 1/4 cm,  40th percentile in head circumference

By now, he's at least 9 lbs and a few ounces.  (which is actually how much I weighed at 1 day old!!)  

So he's growing!!- at least an ounce a day since leaving the hospital- so something is working there!  We've noticed more awake time and alertness from him lately.  He can be awake and content fairly easily! But watch out when he's hungry or tired.  He needs his mama or needs to be swaddled and tucked under your chin to fall asleep.  His daytime napping is sporadic-- sometimes a good couple hour stretches, other times its random 30-45 mins.  His nighttime sleeping is going well (gotten 6hr stretches the past several nights!!)... and hopefully will continue! 

And finally, the pictures:

Where we took a nap today

Fist pumping... "Whoo--hoo..... I survived 4 weeks!"

I think baby clothes are hilarious.  Nothing quite looks like it fits right :)

And this was a tummy time session with daddy at 3 weeks.  His neck has always been freakishly strong for a newborn-- he's a little sleepy during this practice though :)

what a year can do

Mother's day 2011.... I hopped on a plan with 11 other people and flew to China.

Mother's day 2012....   I fed my son, changed his diaper, kissed his face, snuggled him to sleep, and dedicated him with our church family to raise him to know and follow God.

Oh, what a year can do!    :)

Obi's first week at home

More than a few times this past week, I've been amazed thinking about how each person I've ever seen was born.  Someone was pregnant with them and someone gave birth to them.  The universality of birth and newborn care has brought me some comfort this week.  I am not the only person to have ever done this! 

It hasn't been bad, at all really.  I'm just dealing with lots of extra hormones and lots of time at home with little "real" accomplishments (like laundry, food, cleaning, etc).  It is a constant cycle of feeding, burping, changing, sleeping, waking, feeding, burping.... etc. I'm looking forward to the days of a schedule and routine so I can have some predictability in my life.  Yet I always here people say how it goes so fast and cuddle with your newborn while you can.  So I'm trying to do that.  Already, we have a one week old.  Only 3 more of what I just did and we will have a one month old!  

I've been able to sneak a shower in nearly every day thanks to naps in his bouncy seat in the bathroom.  Today was my first shower before noon!  Since dad's been back at work this week, I've found that it helps to have something to break up my day.  We've taken walks a few evenings as a family and we walked Obi to a BBQ at a friend's house last night.  Getting out helps and I'm SO thankful for the nice weather. 

Today I might be brave and actually take him somewhere in the car.  I'm thinking I'll get a 1/2 price Starbuck's frappacino.  I might end up driving further just to go through the drive through Starbucks-- but that's OK.  I'm looking forward to it!  Tomorrow I'd like to go to a breastfeeding group at the hospital and have him weighed before and after eating just to see that something is working.  I don't know when it's "OK" or acceptable to bring a baby out  in the world-- but I think it'll be helpful to me so we're going to do it.  Ben and I are trying to keep in mind that this baby has joined our lives (and yes, drastically changed it...) but we can still do normal things.  

But really, he's gotten good 2 or 3+ hour stretches of sleep at night before waking... and I wake up more than him!  I've woken up several times thinking he's in my arms or in our bed and get slightly scared when I can't find him.  I have to get up to see him in his crib (which is only 5 steps from my bedside) just to assure myself that he's there.  I've read a few places that that can be common the first few weeks.  

The comments about his hair are never ending!  I love it.  Here's what we did after his first at home hair washing.

And it was such a blessing to have my aunt and a couple cousins to come Sunday and take some precious newborn pictures.

  This is a favorite and pretty much sums up my life lately... holding a precious little baby while he tries to eat me :)

sweet baby Obi

Obadiah Alan Jensen

born April 30, 7:50am

8 pounds (and 1/2 ounce)

21 inches long

too many hairs that only God has numbered :)

Getting well taken care of at this hospital here and will go home tomorrow afternoon!  Obadiah means "servant of the Lord" and we'll call him Obi for short.  Nurses love his hair!  Besides cute, perfect, and adorable-- he's been called "Elvis" because of his sideburns... and "Barracuda" because of how he's breastfeeding :)   Loving my baby and looking forward to the days ahead learning how to be a mommy :) 

baby boy room

Here's the latest changes to our home.  And it has something to do with what they've told me is due TOMORROW!! Though likely could be longer... 

Either way, we are ready for him!  I didn't do the traditional (and I think overpriced) "room in a bag" with a themed crib set and wall paper border.  Instead this room came together just like any other room in our house... some things I've had, some I changed, random thrift store finds, and a little something from here and there :)  A lot of the inspiration came from thrift stores around town.  Also, my mom had a lot of vintage baby toys to donate to the cause.  

So I suppose you could call it a "vintage baby" theme :)

I might not be done... might put some more things on the wall and need to hang the frames above the crib. But there's time for that... right?? ;)

Notice the "go bag" on the book shelf.   

 Bookshelf was built by my parents and once held our children's books growing up. Navy bucket on right holds burp rags and is from Yankee Stadium in NYC for the ISU bowl game this year!

Books from thrift stores. Toys from my mom.  The basket of blankets on the bottom shelf is from Gordman's and is actually made from Chinese newspapers--  how awesome is that?!

Rocking chair made by Ben's Grandpa and says "Ben" on the back. 

SO glad I got this red Ikea Hemnes dresser. Tons of drawer space and it's pretty :)

Random assortment of "maps and places" things... Baby Jensen sign from China, knitted red baby mittens from a thrift store, Iowa  plaque from consignment store, dollar store frames hold vintage atlas pages.

These maps are from a 1903 (if I remember that right) atlas.  This is China (we've both been there), also have India (Ben's been there), and a map of "places in the Bible" in the middle.

baby closet! Double hanging attachment helps a lot... and we might have some of our clothes stuffed in the sides as well :)  Hanging baskets $1 from Walmart (long time ago) and bought a chain and hook to install.  LOVE it.  Currently holds baby socks, hats, and little toys.

Obviously, I am not a fan of closet doors.  So out that goes and had intentions of putting up a curtain... but I don't mind it without right now. 

Covered and cut cardboard to make size separators.  I've scored a ton of great clothes at  garage sales, clearance racks (of course), and I'm borrowing a lot from my aunt as well.  And a lot from baby showers! 

the current state of things

39 weeks 3 days!

The car seat is properly installed and checked by certified car seat people. I've sterilized the pacifiers and washed all the little baby clothes.  We've gotten out all the baby things and have properly tested them all on the cat :)  I do have a baby sling that is yet to be Dory-tested.

Dory the cat approves the baby play gym :) 

I am preparing myself for this baby to come tomorrow... and also come two weeks from tomorrow.  May 7th would likely be an induction date if baby decides he doesn't want to come on his own! But two weeks is still plenty of time for him to decide to meet the world.

The baby room is ready!!  Nursery tour post coming soon....

But here is the current state of things in our bedroom and guest room.

I feel like I'll have plenty of time this week to work on those rooms. If not, oh well :)  Be warned, family and visitors!

  I have one last fun day, a field trip day, and a family night for my after school job this week.  But I got through the necessary stuff and I'm relived that I have! That second pictures is mostly stacks of school stuff that needs to be sorted.  

Probably done with substitute teaching.  I've learned the past couple weeks that it kinda makes people nervous to have a full term pregnant person around.  Apparently if your baby is due within two weeks, one should not go anywhere!  Or you should expect a lot of "oh my!" comments!  I might miss subbing.. I had a lot of fun experiences this last month or so and felt like I connected with lots of high school students.  I've seen a few around town (or working at restaurants and stores) and I'm sure that will continue this summer-- but this time with my baby outside of me! 

And finally, a picture of a packed freezer. I am ready to not cook for a while! 

I'm looking forward to a week or so that looks a lot like this... 

look how cute I was...

Nope-- no baby today.  That is ME 24 years ago!!!   Man, I was really cute.  I would love it if our boy had hair like me :)

How I spent my last no-child-outside-the-womb birthday...

Slept well- only got up 3 times during the night!  We rearranged the bedroom so my side is closer to the baby room... and conveniently to the bathroom.

Heard my son's heartbeat! Going strong in the 130's-- which is actually the lowest it's been. He's head down and ready to go, but no dilated progress so far! Talked about what it would look like to be overdue and possible induction dates.  But a lot can happen before that may need to happen!

Lunch at my favorite lunch spot- Panera!

Pedicure and shopping :)

Relaxing on the couch with my cat listening to it rain outside. (I remember last year it snowed on this day!!!)

Dinner at a new place... got a free entree for my b-day.  Then I think they also comped our cake.  And the computers were down so we had to wait a while for our check. So they gave us $30 to come back within the year! Paid to eat out- I'll take that!

Wonderful well wishes from wonderful friends and family!!  Thanks!!!!

Great day and feeling very blessed!