Musings on Motherhood

I find few things more gratifying than getting boogs out of Eli's nose- grossest thing ever, but I hate listening to him breathe with a stuffy nose and he sleeps better when he can breathe.

Time both stands still and speeds by; life before him is this vague entity- because it doesn't feel weird to have him here. It feels very normal and right that Kenny and I are parents now. At the same time- 2 months old?! How? When? It blows my mind.

I stop being frustrated with Kenny the second he holds our son, the image of them being together makes me forget about the trash can entirely- magical powers.

I truly believe Eli is going to captivate the world,  I believe he is destined for great love.

Sometimes I don't like taking pictures of Eli or writing about him or to him because I don't know how I can accurately capture how I feel, what I think it or how he looks. It's all too beautiful and precious.

To get myself to not be a crazy person and check his breathing everytime he shuts his eyes to sleep, I get super morbid and remind myself that if he dies in his sleep, me checking up on him won't do any good. 

I don't know how terrible of a parent I would be if Eli was a normal sleeper, but I'm guessing awful.  Eli typically sleeps at night for a 6.5-9 hour stretch and then wakes for a 3 hour stretch. He has done this for weeks. On the nights that he is an average baby and wakes up every 3.5 hours, Kenny typically takes him from me because he can hear me begging the baby to go to sleep. To all you mamas dealing with the torture that is sleep deprivation and haven't snapped- I applaud you.

I rarely call Eli by his name, typically, he is just "the baby." Eli sounds a little too formal.

6 Weeks Old

This kid has rocked my world.  He is starting to smile and interact with Kenny and I;  It's so much fun and so gratifying to get a response from him.  Eli has also started to snuggle into us;  He will nuzzle right into a shoulder or neck.  I'm loving the little baby cuddles.  Eli will track me across the room now and I love being the favorite right now. I know that sounds bad now, but I know that Kenny will be the favorite as soon as I'm not the only source of food, so for now, I'll soak it up.  Kenny and I are starting to get into a routine with Eli and figure out how to co-parent and remain in our roles as husband and wife.  This week is going to be our first real week, with Kenny training newbies and me working 4 shifts, wish us luck!  Fortunately, family is headed out here in 10 short days and we will steal away for a long awaited date.  I've worked a couple shifts so far and have to say I don't miss Eli a ton.  I know that when the time comes that I get to stay home with him full time (which will be amazing!), I won't be able to ditch baby responsibility for 25 hours a week.  I think what I've been surprised about the most with Eli is how very much I love him and how completely different that love is over any other that I feel.  I don't know quite how to describe that love, but once I complete his birth story, maybe I'll be able to articulate it through that post, which should be coming on Sunday!

Taking out the BOB! Eli and I both love this stroller and if the weather would start to cooperate, we would be taking walks in it everyday.

Its a little dark and grainy, but Sam loves Eli's crib and tolerates nap companions.

"Helping out" in the bakery

He's quite happy once fed and changed

Baby shoes before he outgrows them, I feel like he is going to be tall and broad.

Getting to know each other

Snuggly Saturday

Smiles!

Gah! Is this the cutest thing ever?

One Month Update

Late Updates!

Weight: 9.8 lbs (50%)

Length: 22 inches (75%)

Head circumference: 15 inches (75%)

I struggled with publishing this post (which is why it is so late) because I figured, who really cares?  But I loved reading other people's updates about their babies, so maybe someone beyond Eli's grandmas will love it as well!  Fortunately, I wrote this at one month so everything is written in that perspective.  In keeping with the theme of stealing other people's brilliant ideas, our monthly updates are going to be stolen from www.oaklandavenueblog.com, another Eli baby :)

Naps:  Eli's naps are all over the place. He doesn't sleep a ton during the day and usually takes his naps in his vibrating chair or in his car seat while I'm running errands. Rarely ever will he nap in his crib, but I would love to transition him over to crib naps. Part of the challenge with getting him to nap is that he can get out of just about every swaddle and smacks himself in the face every time :). That newborn reflex is no joke.

Feeding: With that giant weight gain, I'm sure it's clear that Eli loves to eat.  He is exclusively breast fed but I'm pumping at night when he is asleep to build up a bit of a freezer stash for when I head back to work. We've introduced a bottle to Eli and he is not picky at all.  He will take a bottle no problem and doesn't care if the milk is hot or cold.

Clothing: the sizing on baby clothing is laughable. He fits into the onesies and shirts or pants for 0-3 months, but all the footed Jammies are too big.  He is still fitting into some of his newborn clothing, but he is about to start hulking out of those clothes. 

Bedtime: he goes down for bed between 7 and 8. Our new bedtime routine is to take him for a walk in his fluffy bear outfit, he falls right to sleep.

Sleeping: Eli is a champion sleeper at night. At about 2 weeks he slept for a six hour stretch and scared me to death.  After that we realized that he is fine and now when he goes to bed, he sleeps for about 6-7.5 hours and then wakes up to eat and goes back down for 3 hours.  We also have im sleeping in his crib.  At about 10 days Kenny suggested putting Eli to sleep in his crib for the night and I protested that he was too little.  A couple days later I tried it out and that was when he slept for 7 hours, no going back now.  Sleeping in his crib works for us because our house is so small and he is so close that its not an ordeal to go get him and we are all sleeping better because of it.   

Development: he is starting to give us smiles and make noises, not just crying. I can't wait to start to see him really respond and interact with us.

Likes/dislikes: Eli likes baths, being naked, eating, grabbing my hair and daddy's beard, the vibrating chair, windows and pacifiers. He dislikes getting dressed and undressed.

New this month: everything. Eli has had his first restaurant experience, started cloth diapers, met people from both of our jobs, had doctors appointments, went to church, everything new!

Mommy/daddy update:  We are doing so well.  The other night I told Kenny that I completely understand why people keep having babies.  Eli has made everything perfect.  It is hard sleepless nights, constant care and an unbelievable responsibility; but the world seems like a better place and there is a feeling of peace and joy that pervades everything.   In other words, yes there will be more children for the Platts! We are just loving him and loving getting to know him. 

And then since we are so behind:

While Eli has reached three weeks, I could just as truthfully post a picture of Kenny and I with the same caption; for as much as a child entered the world, so did two parents.  I have so much to say and just cannot come up with the right words.  Suffice it to say, this life that I'm living is amazing, humbling, grace filled, exhausting, messy, wonderful and a million other sentiments.  Each day we wing it with this parenting thing and each day we get a little better at it.  I was feeling a little stagnant in our life, Eli has quickly cleared up that misconception!
  Not a lot of words this week, but lots of pictures and next week we will have a full Eli update and hopefully have his birth story finished up!  

Here's what we've been up to these past couple weeks

Checked out our play mat, learned mom can get about 20 minutes of hands free time.

Tried out cloth diapers for a day and then stopped to let a diaper rash finish healing up (should be all better in another day.)

Got all bundled up for a chilly walk around the block that promptly put Eli right to sleep. 

Worked on our modeling poses

 

Made Gibby extra jealous with all the attention Eli receives.  Just a quick size reference, this is our small cat.

Till next time!

Welcoming Baby Eli

-Settle in, this is a long post, with many gratuitous baby photos




We are officially welcoming to the world Eli Bradley Platt, 7lb 8.2oz 21.5 inches February 17, 9:16pm.

     Most of you know that I had a challenging birth that went the complete opposite of my birth plan, but that post is for another day. Today, today is for celebrating. This whole month, year, lifetime is for celebrating. I'm so overjoyed with this life I'm living.  Kenny and I had talked so often about having children and the timing was never right. Turns out God's timing was perfect, because this little surprise has brought so much to our lives, I can't imagine what we were spending our time on before him. We have been so lucky to be enveloped in friends and family that were supporting us, praying for us and guiding us during this time. Now that Eli is here, it feels so normal, so right. I was terrified that I wouldn't bond with him, that I would love my animals more. The first night, I couldn't sleep because I just wanted to get to know him. I wanted this sweet baby to wake up just so that I could tell him how much I love him and shower him with kisses. I'm so happy those fears were completely unfounded.

     Now let's get everyone caught up on Eli. Where do I start? Obviously he is the smartest, most beautiful, happy, strong, best baby anyone has laid eyes on :).  Truthfully, Eli is a very curious baby, he loves to look at new things and makes the most adorable little "o" mouth with these wide eyes.

He makes his sweet little "o" mouth face towards the very end and its my most favorite thing he does.

      He is an eater like no other, which is perfect because everyone loves a chunky babe. He was a pretty great sleeper and then realized that the world was a little too interesting to sleep through, so daytime sleep is a bit of a battle right now. He looks just like his dad, so far the only thing this kid has gotten from me is giant hands. He's calmed by running water, maybe this boy will take after me and be a water baby. Our furbabies are adjusting quite well to our new baby. Cole is playing the part of protective big brother, checking on Eli every time he fusses. The cats are playing the part of injured middle children and ignoring the baby. A note for all the prospective moms out there, I did a lot of research on EVERYTHING baby related before this little guy got here and while it's been nice to know that after days of elation the lack of sleep will set in and you'll cry; I found that much of my research sets you up for something much worse than what has actually happened. Breast feeding has not been the incredibly arduous journey I was expecting. Recovering from a cesarean, not nearly as bad as I thought it would be.

Mama's ginormous gift                Check out the belly button!

   

Celebrating our every milestone, clearly first time parents.

     We finally got Eli's room finished, minus a lamp. I already feel bad for my subsequent children, this room is all custom. From the floor that my family and Kenny worked on to the crib my step dad built to the giraffe painting my mother in law did, to the cushions my mom sewed; everything has a handmade touch to it. We are so happy with how it turned out. The room was looking a little austere for awhile, but the rug really warmed everything up and now it's perfect.

        A quick note about thank you cards. Since I was taking so long to send them out, I decided to wait till after his birth when I can include a sweet little photo. I wasn't expecting this guy to stay in for an extra 11 days and now all the cards are way late. Rest assured, you'll be getting thank you cards (with a photo!) which is way better than a boring card anyway!

Melt my heart...

Week 41

Due date: um... a week ago!
How far along: 41 weeks
Total Weight Gain: 38 lbs.... 
Stretch marks: none so far, but I think I'm putting my skin to the limit.
Sleep: After seeing my midwives on Monday and discussing my lack of sleep they offered me ambien and talked about therapeutic rest.  However, since I'm a crazy scatterbrain, I lost the ambient, but have been able to sleep at night anyway.  Apparently my body just needs the threat of medication to start working properly.  Soon, I'm going to start threatening pitocin hoping labor will start up!
Best moment this week: We now have lots of family here and more is coming in tonight.  I feel bad that everyone is here, just waiting for Eli to make his big debut, but it's been wonderful getting to see and spend time with everyone.  Eli's room is almost completely done and I will post pictures as soon as the cushions get recovered for the glider. 
Miss anything?   Aside from being little? :) I'm already starting to miss work.  I'm sure once I have a new little baby in my arms, work will be the farthest thing from my mind, but while I wait, I could use the distraction. 
Movement:  He's still moving around in there, happy as a clam!
Food cravings: I finally started using almond milk with cereal and am SO HAPPY!! Its not great for dipping cookies in, but I'll take a dairy likeness any way I can get it!
Anything causing queasiness: Lactose
Started showing:  I'm ginormous, everywhere I go people ask me not to allow my water to break in their store/restaurant/etc.
Gender: boy
Looking forward to: Being done being pregnant.  Pregnancy is crazy amazing and this miraculous thing that your body goes through is such a gift.  However, I'm sure any pregnant woman will tell you that they are done being pregnant at 39 weeks, unfortunately, babies like being fed round the clock and staying all snug and warm in the womb, crazy kids!
Pains:  I've been "borrowing" the hotel pools of of our parents and that makes me feel wonderful, so pain is at a minimum.  

Random musings at week 41:
We are ready to meet our baby! We are "ready" to start this new chapter of our lives.  Ready is an interesting word, there is really no such thing as ready.  How do you prepare for your life to change completely and be turned upside down?  I think at this point the waiting is whats killing me the most.  I have enough time to wonder if I can handle this new role, enough time to wonder just how painful birth really is, time to doubt myself.  Kenny has been this insane pillar of strength and stability, reassuring me that I will deliver amazingly and that this is the role I was born to play.  How people get through pregnancy without a supportive partner is unfathomable to me.  
Also, just to assure everyone, yes we are doing all the tricks to get labor started.  If you're somewhat familiar with Kenny or I, you may be aware of just how stubborn our child is obviously growing to be. I promise, we will get everyone updated as soon as Eli gets here!

Week 40

Week 37

Week 38

Week 39

You should all know how much I love you and want to keep you updated, based on the fact that I am willing to post these exhausted looking, large late pregnancy photos; don't even try to argue otherwise :)

Due date: Today!
How far along: 40 weeks
Total Weight Gain: 36 lbs!! Whoa golly!
Stretch marks: none! Yay yay yay!
Sleep: better, I wake up about four times a night, with a weird insomnia thing between 4 and 7, but the sleep that I am getting is glorious. The only time it's been really rough is when I have Braxton hicks keeping me up with false hope that this babe will be here soon!
Best moment this week: we have family here! Kenny's parents have been out here for a week and we have gotten the house cleaned and the baby's room set up. Feels so nice to have stuff done and just be ready for baby. 
Miss anything?   The only thing I'm really missing is not having to lug my gigantic body around. I'm big folks and being big is less than comfortable.
Movement: he is still moving quite a bit.  He has started to get a little aggressive in his movement, hopefully starting to make his way out!!
Food cravings: dairy! I just want milk and cereal and ice cream and whenever I give in, my stomach is in knots.
Anything causing queasiness: Dairy
Started showing:  so much, so big.
Gender: boy
Looking forward to: Meeting this child! As much as I want him out of me and into the world, it's mainly about how much I want to know him.  I have no guesses as to who he will look like or what he will be like and I juts can't wait to find out.  Its like having a pen pal ad finally meeting them, I feel like I know him already and yet there is so much to be discovered.
Pains:  I started my maternity leave on Saturday and it's amazing how much less pain I'm when I'm not carrying plates and trays and 30 extra pounds on concrete floors for 5 hours at a time!

We are so very very excited to start this new journey.  Everything still feels surreal and somewhat far away.  I'm just existing in this haze and trying to soak it all in.  Kenny and I have talked about how it sounds so normal to say the baby is coming soon, or even Eli will be here soon; but transitioning to our son is still super bizarre.  The ownership and care of another life is a slightly daunting role, but we feel as ready as can be.  Thank you everyone for all your prayers, gifts, blessing and support.  I feel competely confidant is saying that we would be utterly lost without you.  Now we are just hoping that baby Eli will take after his dad and be here near his due date.  I feel as though the longer I sit here with time to think about natural birth, the more anxious I will get :)