Week 1

Well, we're on day five and so far it's been wonderful. He's our handsome little fella, and is as mellow as can be. I spent ten months rubbing her belly and talking to him and telling him to be happy and mellow. So far so good :-)

The doc said his jaundice is better. He loves to sleep more than anything, even eat. He sleeps very soundly and wakes himself up a lot less if he's swaddled. He's been awake 3-5 hours a day I'd say. He just lays in our lap and stares out at everything as quiet as can be.

We were doing formula supplements due to the jaundice and dehydration of the first couple of days. Nerdstar's milk finally came in last night, now if he can just stay awake long enough to drink it. She's finding her breasts kinda painful. We've got a lactation consultant coming in the morning just to get a better handle on how it all works over time and how to take care of the boobs.

The cats seem pretty resigned to his presence. For the first couple of days they lived out on the deck, but they've come back indoors. Our friends were keeping Ramen for us and brought him back home today. I think he's going to do just fine with Noah.

Nerdstar's healing pretty well. I try to make sure she does all she's supposed to for herself. I have no idea how new moms without help take care of themselves and their babies.

Speaking of help. Ugh. Nerdstar's aunt showed up Saturday not long after we got home from the hospital and took over the kitchen. She spend all day for 3 days cooking all sorts of Chinese soups and stuff for Nerdstar to eat for the next two or three weeks. I'm sure it's all very healthy, but boy did it stink up the house! So while that's the good part, her overbearing personality makes it hard to have her around. At least when she nags and such it's in Chinese and I don't understand a work. That's always been for the best.

Evidently, there are "ancient chinese secrets" to recovering after giving birth. It mostly consists of doing nothing for a month, eating lots of hot things, and absolutely avoiding anything cold. Nerdstar was under strict orders not to drink anything cold, to not open the fridge or freezer, and to not run any fans in the house. Um, yeah.

We're learning just how much naps are our friends. I've felt pretty rested so far, Nerdstar maybe a little less so. I've made her go nap now.

I'm amazed at just how content I am. I love holding him and watching his face. I love all his little clothes. I just love him. He's just perfect.

Video

Home!

He was a little jaundiced, but he passed his test this morning to go ahead and come home. We'll take him for a repeat test tomorrow. It's going to be great to sleep in our own bed. And Nerdstar's aunt is here cooking her traditional Chinese soups and stuff for recovery.


He slept the whole car ride home and then some. We sat on the deck and let him get some sunshine, then we trimmed his nails, washed him off, brushed his hair - he already needs a haircut - and lotioned him up. He couldn't be any more handsome!!

Fantastic!

We've had a fantastic first day. Nerdstar is obviously sore in all those places, but it's not too bad. We've all slept off and on all late last night and today. We've had some decent snacks.

He's pooped 4 or 5 times today, latched onto the breast some - but it mostly puts him right back to sleep. We gave him a little formula about 8 so hopefully he'll finally pee.

We love all that hair. But I keep asking him if he could grow all that hair on his head, and then a little on his thighs and back, why he couldn't manage to grow some eyebrows and eye lashes. Heh.

8 lbs 13 ounces sounds like he'd be a fat little thing, but he's really just long and skinny. His head and face seem kinda tiny, but his legs go on forever. His feet aren't really very big either.

It's all just so amazing. We love our little fella so much. Content doesn't even come close.

We're looking forward to going home tomorrow afternoon and having friends come and visit.

First Pics

He's just so darn cute!! Yes, he has tons of hair. He's actually pretty skinny considering his weight. He'd had his eyes open a lot just before this shot, but I think the flash got him.

WOOHOO!!

Noah Maxx was born at 11:30 pm on the dot. 8 pounds 12.7 ounces. 21 1/4 inches. Him and mom are both doing great.

It was an incredibly long day, and most of it was boring. We got to the hospital at 6:30 this morning, registered at 7, IV in at 7:30. Epidural came at 3 pm, internal monitors at 8 pm. Pushing about 10/10:30. Baby out at 11:30. So very grateful that a c-section didn't end up being necessary. Mostly spent all day waiting for dilation.

Will post pics eventually.

Last Pregnancy Update

We had an apt. at the hospital at 1:00 today to see if she needed the prostaglandin (Prostin) gel to soften up her cervix. They did the same fetal non-stress test we had done a few weeks ago first. Noah Maxx is doing great. She had one solid contraction in the 45 minutes or so she was hooked up. Then the doc did a check and said she's at 2 cm and fully effaced, so the gel wasn't necessary.

So, we went and had some lunch, got a couple of last things from the grocery store, and now we wait. If her water breaks or she has real contractions at 5 min. apart we'll call and head on in to the hospital. Otherwise, we get there at 6:30 tomorrow morning to induce.

24 more hours - give or take. As we've said for months now, we just can't wait to see him.

The hospital room has wi-fi, so I'll do FB/Twitter updates when I can and try to put at least a short post up here once he's out and clean and all that good stuff.

We appreciate all the prayers and good wishes. Soon the real fun begins!!