Yesterday was my 25th birthday. I'll start by prefacing this with the fact that birthdays are a very big deal to me, and I was raised in a family that put birthdays right up there with national holidays. (interestingly, I hate working on my birthday. it just feels wrong).
This birthday was quite different. Probably because 5 week old babies don't understand birthdays and that mama just really wants to sleep. that's all I wanted- sleep. Carter picked that particular night and day to deviate from his normal pattern and be hungry all flippin day. Seriously, the kid was crying to eat every 2 hours. And all that eating led to lots of... the results of eating. A few at very inconvenient times. I mean, VERY. I'll spare you the details but be assured that Carter will be hearing that story and owing us for the rest of his life.
To really sum it up, I'm stealing a quote from dooce.com blogger Heather Armstrong. She's kind of my (and every other bloggers) hero as she makes a living blogging. Oddly enough we share a birthday. Even more odd is that she had a baby the day before Carter was born. So here's her summary of her birthday:
"Yesterday was my 34th birthday, and I spent it much like we've been spending all of our days in the last five weeks, stumbling around in a sleep-derived haze of who are you? Where am I? What's my name again? I mean, we've sort of got a rhythm going, one where the drummer and guitarist are playing two different songs, and the lead singer is just making up words as it goes along, and the sound is just awful but we're calling it "art." "
It wasn't a bad day and had many great moments, including dedicating Carter and lots and lots of family, but it was just weird. Seth and I had already agreed to celebrate on another, less chaotic day. I didn't have a cake, and the only people that sang to me were waiters. Not to mention my gift from my mother was bookends of Carter's initials, a sippy cup and bib set, and a webcam (and I'm pretty sure that's so she can see Carter more often). Seth did do a really good job taking care of Carter as much as he could (though the day also presented obstacles for that) and I got many very nice messages and birthday wishes. And my mom did throw in a docking station as well, I think maybe just so there was something for me. Or maybe so I could charge the camera and take more pictures of Carter to send her.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
One Month Old
Dear Carter,
Today you turn one month old and I’m happy to report that we’ve all survived the first few weeks of your life! We have so enjoyed having you here and love getting to know you and watch you grow. We’ve learned a lot and occasionally you’ve been patient with us, though I think sometimes you wonder about our parenting skills (usually while screaming).
Speaking of screaming, one of the many things we’ve learned about you is that you are both very vocal and have a good set of lungs on you. When we brought you home from the hospital you had screamed yourself hoarse by the second day home. In case you’re wondering, it didn’t slow you down from screaming more. I have a few nicknames for you- Fussbucket, Squirmy McSquawkerson, Angry Dictator, etc. In fact, I’m trying to type this while you squirm and fuss in my arms. Stella is very protective and aware of you, but even she needs a break sometimes. After one particularly rough night of much screaming she would not come back inside after we let her out in the morning. I think she was telling us “no, really guys… I’m good out here in the sunroom. You can keep that loud thing in there, I’ll just be out here for a while.”
Luckily you are very cute and this has proved to be part of your survival tactic. That was one of the first things your dad told me when you were born, first that you were here (and let me tell you, that was shocking to all of us as I don’t think anyone really expected you to fit!) and second that you were really cute. Even the nurses at the hospital continued to tell us you were a very cute baby, and they see a lot of babies. When the doctors handed you to me, I was completely overwhelmed to see your beautiful eyes looking up at me and feel you nuzzle in to my chest. From that moment we knew our lives and our hearts and their capacity to love would never be the same. On a funny note, you immediately kicked the nurse and then peed on her only seconds after being born. You are a very active baby, which doesn’t surprise me one bit based on the kung fu you constantly practice while I was pregnant.
You are just the snuggliest baby and I absolutely love that. I sometimes feel like there’s nowhere in the world you’d rather be then cuddled up on my chest. There were many nights in the very beginning of your life that the only way any of us could get any sleep was to lay you on our chests and cuddle you in our arms. The very second we set you in your crib, no matter how asleep you were, you would immediately start crying. There were times when your father rescued me from the really rough nights to let me get some sleep and I would wake up to find him on the loveseat, with his legs dangling over the edge and his arms curled around your tiny body while you snoozed on his chest. Usually the dog was laying right below both of you. That completely melted my heart.
We’ve had quite a crazy month full of family and festivities since you arrived. The first two weeks it felt like we had a revolving door of visitors who want to meet you. That’s probably why you wouldn’t sleep in your crib- you were growing quite accustomed to being held every second of the day. Your dad celebrated his first Father’s Day by sleeping in until 11 and then hanging out with family. It was such a special day, and I can’t even describe how much I love to see you and your daddy together. Chandra and Ian’s wedding brought many Jobins out west. We dressed you up in a little suit for the wedding and I have to say it was the cutest thing ever. I even found a tie to match your dad’s tux (he was a groomsman and I was a bridesmaid). Then the Hopkins came out and the Wyckoff gatherings began in full force, including your first trip to the zoo. To be honest, I’m not sure you cared one bit about the zoo. It was just a different setting for a diaper blowout. You've slept through most of your milestones so far, but we have some awfully cute pictures!
We’re pretty sure your favorite game is to go through as many diapers as possible. This exasperates your father like you wouldn’t believe. The time he went through 4 diapers just for one changing I thought his head might explode. Your father is big on logic and reason, and you have yet to embrace those concepts. He is very proud of how advanced you are, though. When you were less than a week old you rolled over on your side and you’ve turned yourself 90 degrees in your crib. You rolled over yesterday, but we’re still debating whether that counts because you had a pillow under your head. You were picking your head up before we even left the hospital and now you’ll pick your head up while I’m holding you and look straight at me for several seconds. Then you flop over and flail- you haven’t quite mastered that skill just yet. You are just beginning to smile and coo a little. You definitely recognize your mom and dad and know who we are. And you’re ticklish! Which I enjoy exploiting. That’s just one way you’re like me. Your dad also thinks we make some of the same faces.
Carter, I hope someday you understand how much you are loved. Your grandparents, great-grandparents, aunt and uncles, all of your family and friends and especially your father and I just cannot get enough of you! Our hard drives are all rapidly filling up with the gazillions of pictures we’ve taken of you. You are such a precious gift to all of us, and I hope you feel loved for all of the days of your life.
We love you, little one.
Love,
Mama
p.s. If you want to go ahead and sleep through the night or maybe just more than two and a half hours, we're okay with that.
Today you turn one month old and I’m happy to report that we’ve all survived the first few weeks of your life! We have so enjoyed having you here and love getting to know you and watch you grow. We’ve learned a lot and occasionally you’ve been patient with us, though I think sometimes you wonder about our parenting skills (usually while screaming).
Speaking of screaming, one of the many things we’ve learned about you is that you are both very vocal and have a good set of lungs on you. When we brought you home from the hospital you had screamed yourself hoarse by the second day home. In case you’re wondering, it didn’t slow you down from screaming more. I have a few nicknames for you- Fussbucket, Squirmy McSquawkerson, Angry Dictator, etc. In fact, I’m trying to type this while you squirm and fuss in my arms. Stella is very protective and aware of you, but even she needs a break sometimes. After one particularly rough night of much screaming she would not come back inside after we let her out in the morning. I think she was telling us “no, really guys… I’m good out here in the sunroom. You can keep that loud thing in there, I’ll just be out here for a while.”
Luckily you are very cute and this has proved to be part of your survival tactic. That was one of the first things your dad told me when you were born, first that you were here (and let me tell you, that was shocking to all of us as I don’t think anyone really expected you to fit!) and second that you were really cute. Even the nurses at the hospital continued to tell us you were a very cute baby, and they see a lot of babies. When the doctors handed you to me, I was completely overwhelmed to see your beautiful eyes looking up at me and feel you nuzzle in to my chest. From that moment we knew our lives and our hearts and their capacity to love would never be the same. On a funny note, you immediately kicked the nurse and then peed on her only seconds after being born. You are a very active baby, which doesn’t surprise me one bit based on the kung fu you constantly practice while I was pregnant.
You are just the snuggliest baby and I absolutely love that. I sometimes feel like there’s nowhere in the world you’d rather be then cuddled up on my chest. There were many nights in the very beginning of your life that the only way any of us could get any sleep was to lay you on our chests and cuddle you in our arms. The very second we set you in your crib, no matter how asleep you were, you would immediately start crying. There were times when your father rescued me from the really rough nights to let me get some sleep and I would wake up to find him on the loveseat, with his legs dangling over the edge and his arms curled around your tiny body while you snoozed on his chest. Usually the dog was laying right below both of you. That completely melted my heart.
We’ve had quite a crazy month full of family and festivities since you arrived. The first two weeks it felt like we had a revolving door of visitors who want to meet you. That’s probably why you wouldn’t sleep in your crib- you were growing quite accustomed to being held every second of the day. Your dad celebrated his first Father’s Day by sleeping in until 11 and then hanging out with family. It was such a special day, and I can’t even describe how much I love to see you and your daddy together. Chandra and Ian’s wedding brought many Jobins out west. We dressed you up in a little suit for the wedding and I have to say it was the cutest thing ever. I even found a tie to match your dad’s tux (he was a groomsman and I was a bridesmaid). Then the Hopkins came out and the Wyckoff gatherings began in full force, including your first trip to the zoo. To be honest, I’m not sure you cared one bit about the zoo. It was just a different setting for a diaper blowout. You've slept through most of your milestones so far, but we have some awfully cute pictures!
We’re pretty sure your favorite game is to go through as many diapers as possible. This exasperates your father like you wouldn’t believe. The time he went through 4 diapers just for one changing I thought his head might explode. Your father is big on logic and reason, and you have yet to embrace those concepts. He is very proud of how advanced you are, though. When you were less than a week old you rolled over on your side and you’ve turned yourself 90 degrees in your crib. You rolled over yesterday, but we’re still debating whether that counts because you had a pillow under your head. You were picking your head up before we even left the hospital and now you’ll pick your head up while I’m holding you and look straight at me for several seconds. Then you flop over and flail- you haven’t quite mastered that skill just yet. You are just beginning to smile and coo a little. You definitely recognize your mom and dad and know who we are. And you’re ticklish! Which I enjoy exploiting. That’s just one way you’re like me. Your dad also thinks we make some of the same faces.
Carter, I hope someday you understand how much you are loved. Your grandparents, great-grandparents, aunt and uncles, all of your family and friends and especially your father and I just cannot get enough of you! Our hard drives are all rapidly filling up with the gazillions of pictures we’ve taken of you. You are such a precious gift to all of us, and I hope you feel loved for all of the days of your life.
We love you, little one.
Love,
Mama
p.s. If you want to go ahead and sleep through the night or maybe just more than two and a half hours, we're okay with that.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Survival Mode...
If ever there was an excuse for not blogging, I think a newborn qualifies.
Carter James Jobin was (FINALLY) born on June 15, 2009 at 11:17pm. He weighed in at 8 pounds, 15 ounces and was 21 inches long. Impressive for a baby induced a week early, and thank God for that. I'm still most definitely recovering from a rough labor and aftermath (and his 15 inch head), but it was a miracle in itself that I didn't have to have a c-section.
Looking back on these first 2 weeks, I can honestly say that I've never spent so much of my life on my knees in prayer. I could NOT have done this on my own, and we are just so thankful for how faithful God has been to us and how much we are blessed.
Top 10 things necessary to survive the first two weeks with Carter:
1. an amazingly supportive husband
2. awesome family and friends
3. pain medicine
4. lots and lots of lanolin, nipple shields, and ice packs
5. fierce determination
6. massive amounts of calories and copious liquid intake
7. a sense of humor
8. a sleep mask and trying to train myself to nap
9. enough humility to toss all of my preconceived notions and ideas about parenthood out the window
10. a really cute baby who loves to snuggle certainly helps!
What I will need should we decide to do this again:
Amnesia.
Thanks to everyone who has helped us through the last few weeks.
Carter James Jobin was (FINALLY) born on June 15, 2009 at 11:17pm. He weighed in at 8 pounds, 15 ounces and was 21 inches long. Impressive for a baby induced a week early, and thank God for that. I'm still most definitely recovering from a rough labor and aftermath (and his 15 inch head), but it was a miracle in itself that I didn't have to have a c-section.
Looking back on these first 2 weeks, I can honestly say that I've never spent so much of my life on my knees in prayer. I could NOT have done this on my own, and we are just so thankful for how faithful God has been to us and how much we are blessed.
Top 10 things necessary to survive the first two weeks with Carter:
1. an amazingly supportive husband
2. awesome family and friends
3. pain medicine
4. lots and lots of lanolin, nipple shields, and ice packs
5. fierce determination
6. massive amounts of calories and copious liquid intake
7. a sense of humor
8. a sleep mask and trying to train myself to nap
9. enough humility to toss all of my preconceived notions and ideas about parenthood out the window
10. a really cute baby who loves to snuggle certainly helps!
What I will need should we decide to do this again:
Amnesia.
Thanks to everyone who has helped us through the last few weeks.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
So here we are...
We're running around trying to get every last thing done before we leave. We're going to my parent's house to drop off the dog, eat dinner, and GO TO THE HOSPITAL. Not really sure when we'll get back on, but we'll try to keep you updated as soon as possible.
We're both really excited (Seth in a much calmer way than me, naturally) and apprehensive and all kinds of other emotions. I can't believe that in the next 24-36 hours we'll be holding our son. We cannot wait to meet you, little one.
We're both really excited (Seth in a much calmer way than me, naturally) and apprehensive and all kinds of other emotions. I can't believe that in the next 24-36 hours we'll be holding our son. We cannot wait to meet you, little one.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Not my brightest moment.
I've always struggled with the concept of thinking through consequences as well as the idea of "pacing myself." As a pregnant lady, I've taken that to a whole new level. I do things that are just plain dumb and then 10 seconds later wonder what in the world I was thinking. Usually, this thought occurs just after I've collapsed in a heap on the couch wondering if I'll ever be able to move again.
Yesterday, it started out simple enough (it always does!). I went out to water the palm trees in our front yard. Why we even bother to water them instead of letting them die to match the desolate landscape is a whole different story. Anyway, I watered the first two and moved on to the third. Except, the third was so surrounded by weeds and these daisy weed things and a mysterious ice plant and various other things that I could barely see the palm tree. It seemed perfectly logical for me to strap on some gloves and start doing some yard work right that very second.
My thinking... "what's the worst that can happen? I go into labor... not so bad at all!" And so Stella and I descended on the yard and did not stop for a good two hours, and only then because I ran out of trashcans (after shoving the mass of weeds down over and over and over. I don't think trash cans have ever held such compact weeds).
It turns out that the worst that can happen is not going into labor but taxing every muscle between my shoulders and knees, seriously damaging some ligaments in my pelvis and thinking I'm going to die as I tried to simply roll over in bed. I'll be attending my sister's graduation today with much discomfort, taking the pregnant lady waddle to a whole new level. And, furthermore, not in labor.
Yesterday, it started out simple enough (it always does!). I went out to water the palm trees in our front yard. Why we even bother to water them instead of letting them die to match the desolate landscape is a whole different story. Anyway, I watered the first two and moved on to the third. Except, the third was so surrounded by weeds and these daisy weed things and a mysterious ice plant and various other things that I could barely see the palm tree. It seemed perfectly logical for me to strap on some gloves and start doing some yard work right that very second.
My thinking... "what's the worst that can happen? I go into labor... not so bad at all!" And so Stella and I descended on the yard and did not stop for a good two hours, and only then because I ran out of trashcans (after shoving the mass of weeds down over and over and over. I don't think trash cans have ever held such compact weeds).
It turns out that the worst that can happen is not going into labor but taxing every muscle between my shoulders and knees, seriously damaging some ligaments in my pelvis and thinking I'm going to die as I tried to simply roll over in bed. I'll be attending my sister's graduation today with much discomfort, taking the pregnant lady waddle to a whole new level. And, furthermore, not in labor.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
We're having a baby. Like, a real one!!
As mentioned, we scheduled an induction for next week. I really REEEHHHEEELLY want to go into labor on my own. I'm consistently talking to Baby J about the reasons he really wants to join us in the outside world. Hopefully he's getting the message. We're also praying that I go into labor sooner than Sunday, which I'm sure is the more effective method.
But, if I don't go into labor in the next few days, I'll check into the hospital Sunday night. They'll start with some preparation stuff that night (I'll skip the details here, but I'd be happy to tell you more if you want to know). Then, Monday, my doctor will break my water and eventually start pitocin if needed.
I've gone back and forth on the induction a LOT. The baby is perfectly healthy and ready and my doctor wouldn't induce me if she didn't think there was a good reason to. But already Mommy Guilt is outscoring Rachel. I know what I'm getting myself into. I'm not excited about it and if it was just for my own comfort or convenience, I wouldn't do it. But, the bottom line for us was that I want to avoid a c-section if at all possible. This child is a big baby with a gigantic head and he's only getting bigger. Coupled with the fact that I do not have "birthing hips," I think it's unlikely I won't have to have a c-section, but I still think it's the best shot. We think it's the right, or at least a good, decision.
So, in a week we will be holding our little boy. If not sooner. Wow. But hey, did you hear?! Seth can cut his hair with a vacuum!!
But, if I don't go into labor in the next few days, I'll check into the hospital Sunday night. They'll start with some preparation stuff that night (I'll skip the details here, but I'd be happy to tell you more if you want to know). Then, Monday, my doctor will break my water and eventually start pitocin if needed.
I've gone back and forth on the induction a LOT. The baby is perfectly healthy and ready and my doctor wouldn't induce me if she didn't think there was a good reason to. But already Mommy Guilt is outscoring Rachel. I know what I'm getting myself into. I'm not excited about it and if it was just for my own comfort or convenience, I wouldn't do it. But, the bottom line for us was that I want to avoid a c-section if at all possible. This child is a big baby with a gigantic head and he's only getting bigger. Coupled with the fact that I do not have "birthing hips," I think it's unlikely I won't have to have a c-section, but I still think it's the best shot. We think it's the right, or at least a good, decision.
So, in a week we will be holding our little boy. If not sooner. Wow. But hey, did you hear?! Seth can cut his hair with a vacuum!!
At least I know his priorities...
Yesterday we scheduled Baby Jobin's birth. That's another post and I'll try to get back to that soon. In case I don't, we're still praying that I go into labor naturally before Monday, and would ask for your prayers too, but if not, Baby J will be here Monday. You would think this would be pretty much the most exciting thing going on in our lives at the moment. Apparently not.
This morning, Seth's status was: " words cannot describe how excited i am..." The updated status directly following was: "just got a flowbee."
(in case you don't know what a flobee is)
So, for those of you who missed it, my husband and the father of my child would like you all to know he can now cut his hair with a vacuum.
This morning, Seth's status was: " words cannot describe how excited i am..." The updated status directly following was: "just got a flowbee."
(in case you don't know what a flobee is)
So, for those of you who missed it, my husband and the father of my child would like you all to know he can now cut his hair with a vacuum.
Friday, June 5, 2009
A year ago...
We were tanner, thinner (at least I was), and probably more relaxed... in Kauai. I want to go baaack!! Maybe not right this second since I'm 12,000 months pregnant, but someday. Hopefully sooner than later/never.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Racing the clock...
This is my first official week of maternity leave, and it could not have come soon enough. Granted, I'm still checking my work email far, far too often, but my physical state is such that I do not actually know if I could make it through a day in the office at this point.
So the last 3 days exclusively and few months generally have been devoted to Operation Nesting Frenzy. I should probably add an asterisk here because my desire for complete order and cleanliness has nothing to do with my pregnancy. It's just gained urgency since I know that this baby *could* be here any time now, though it's still not terribly likely. Ever since we got new carpet and had to clear out our entire house, we've been purging and organizing. Our family room and second bedroom have been massive piles of boxes and random junk needing sorting. I'm happy to say our second bedroom is now a nursery! Ready for a baby! And the family room is, well, coming along.
I've also spent a good amount of time shopping for the last few (HAHA, few...) things we needed for the baby. Seriously, this kid has so much stuff already. But, if it makes our lives easier, I think (hope?) it's worth it.
So today I'm back to the piles and organizing and cleaning, and hopefully soon things will be manageable and I'll feel like our house is ready. And then Baby J can debut whenever he wants, the sooner the better. Just not for at least one more day.
So the last 3 days exclusively and few months generally have been devoted to Operation Nesting Frenzy. I should probably add an asterisk here because my desire for complete order and cleanliness has nothing to do with my pregnancy. It's just gained urgency since I know that this baby *could* be here any time now, though it's still not terribly likely. Ever since we got new carpet and had to clear out our entire house, we've been purging and organizing. Our family room and second bedroom have been massive piles of boxes and random junk needing sorting. I'm happy to say our second bedroom is now a nursery! Ready for a baby! And the family room is, well, coming along.
I've also spent a good amount of time shopping for the last few (HAHA, few...) things we needed for the baby. Seriously, this kid has so much stuff already. But, if it makes our lives easier, I think (hope?) it's worth it.
So today I'm back to the piles and organizing and cleaning, and hopefully soon things will be manageable and I'll feel like our house is ready. And then Baby J can debut whenever he wants, the sooner the better. Just not for at least one more day.
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