Life With Two: Week 1

So I have to say that this first week has been amazing.  I really had no idea what to expect and yet I find myself constantly being blown away by how easy the transition has been and how in love I am with this new phase of life we find ourselves in.  I chastised myself a little bit when I realized just how surprised I've been by how things have been going.  After all, haven't I been praying for 10 months for an easy transition, a happy baby, and deep joy for this change in our lives?  Our God is so faithful.  I know I keep saying that, but I just realize how little I expect Him to answer sometimes and yet just how fully He does even with my lack of faith.

I am hoping to write out Jude's birth story soon, but first, I'm just going to give a brief overview of our first week with our precious son!

Thursday, February 17th:

We were released from the hospital around 4:30 p.m. so we went to fill my perscriptions and then to pick up Finley.  It was late by the time we got home, but we wanted to give Finley a chance to readapt to home before putting her to bed so the four of us hung out in the play room and allowed Finley to work off some energy.  As we put her into bed and went through our usual bedtime routine, I just couldn't help, but look around and feel blessed that she is such a happy girl and seemed so excited to be home with us.

I knew Thursday would be a rough night and it was.  The first night a newborn is normally so worn out from delivery that they sleep, but by the second night they are usually hungry and less than pleased that they have nothing to eat! =)  Jude finally fell asleep around 2:30 or 3:00 a.m. and thankfully gave us about a three hour stretch of sleep.  Finley slept through all of it which surprised me, but definitely helped what could have been an even rougher night!

Friday, February 18th:

Devin and Finley made blueberry pancakes together.  Finley has recently fallen in love with Curious George and we have a book about him making blueberry pancakes so it was so cute to have them make these for our first breakfast at home.

I LOVE THIS PICTURE!  Bedhead, Christmas pajamas in February and all!

We just took it easy, but Finley was anxious to hold Jude so we sat her on the couch and put him on the Boppy.  She refused to give him up wanting to hold him forever!  She sat so still and was much more gentle than I was expecting.  We were obviously right there to help hold his head, etc., but it was sweet to see her kissing him and loving on him.

That afternoon, I tried to take a little nap while Finley napped, but I couldn't really fall asleep.  When Finley woke up, Devin took her on a walk so that I could rest a little more.  They were gone forever, but apparently had a great time.  Finley pushed her babydoll in her new stroller and loved every minute of it.

Kendra, Blaine, and Gwendolyn also dropped by for a visit.  We loved getting to see them and it was a fun way to break up the day at home.

That evening, Allison brought us dinner which was so sweet.  Devin took Finley outside to swing so that Allison and I could chat for a little bit.  Even though Finley hadn't shown any jealousy, we did try to make sure that if Jude was getting attention that we tried to balance it a little bit by giving her attention too.

When it was Finley's bedtime, we gave her a bath and she insisted on rocking Jude and singing to him.  We sang "Twinkle, twinkle" "This Little Light of Mine" "Jesus Loves Me" and a few others.  We then read a few books and said prayers.  I walked out of her room with tears in my eyes and feeling like the most blessed mom ever.

Afterwards Devin and I watched Gray's Anatomy from the night before and then went to bed exhausted.  It was nice to spend some time together.  At one point, Jude made a noise from his bouncy seat and we both looked at each other like "What was that?"  We laughed so hard when we realized it was him.  He had hardly made a peep since he was born so we had almost forgotten he was right there next to us!

Saturday, February 19th: OUR DUE DATE!
Another beautiful day!  We woke up and since I was feeling better, I was able to help with Finley more and give Devin some time with Jude.  Devin is such a great husband.  He totally takes care of me all of the time and just naturally wouldn't let me do too much now that we were home from the hospital.  I kept having to tell him to let me do things including time with Finley which I needed and wanted!  I know I can tend to be too independent and not ask for help so it is nice to have a husband who won't let me get away with it! =)

Because the weather was so nice, we decided to venture to the park for a short time.  We had such a good time and it was great to get out.  Devin and I aren't the kind of parents who can stay home even with a newborn.  We got Finley out from the time she was born too and she has been nothing, but healthy so we have no real reason to think we shouldn't get out if we are feeling well.

I admit though that when we got home from the park that I realized that I had maybe overdone it that day.  Devin and Finley went and ran some errands while Jude and I laid on the couch and recovered.

That night, Mary brought us dinner and even breakfast for the next day.  I seriously have the best friends ever!

We gave Jude his first sponge bath (as you can tell, he loved it!!!! Ha, ha!) and watched the Cowboys play basketball on t.v.

Sunday, February 20th:

We decided to go to church since we were feeling pretty good.  We didn't make it to Sunday School, but snuck in at the end to show off our little Jude!  It was nice to be with our church family and we had lots of people stop to congratulate us.

Grandma Jan and Papa stopped by to bring us lunch and after they left, I took a full two hour nap while Finley did.  IT WAS HEAVENLY and much needed.  I was exhausted and knew I needed to take a nap before the week started.

After our naps, we again spent some time outside.  The weather was just too beautiful and Finley loves playing on the swing outside.  As a complete surprise, Mary's mom called and offered to bring us dinner so we were completely spoiled again.

Monday, February 21st:
My first day without Devin.  =(  I knew it would be a difficult day.  The weekend was one of the best I can remember.  I just fell so deeply in love with my family and didn't want the weekend to end.  I wasn't ready to go back to the "real" world.

I got us all around and dropped Finley off at MDO.  (I admit I underestimated the time it would take to get us all ready and in the car! =)  Jude and I then ran a couple of errands and I came home and tried to catch up on emails to everyone who had emailed us.  Jude and I then picked up Finley and we spent the afternoon at home.

Even though Jude doesn't look too happy, I love the expression on Finley's face.

It was a long day.  A great day, but long.  Finley doesn't nap as long at MDO as she does at home on a regular day so she got a little fussy around 5:00.  Fortunately, the fusiness came and went, but I admit I was thankful when bedtime rolled around knowing that she needed the sleep!

Tuesday, February 22nd:

Finley trying to move Jude closer to her toys so that they could play together!

Hands down one of the best days I've ever had as a mom!  We had no schedule.  I was in my pj's until 1:00 p.m.  We just had a great time together!  Finley and I played while Jude napped and when he was awake we fought over who got to hold him. =)  I can't explain what was so great about the day, but it was one of the few that I ended feeling like I had been completely present the whole day if that makes sense.  I love being a mom and sometimes I think I allow myself to get distracted by all that I could be doing and days like this one remind me that being a mom is what I should be doing right now.  When I allow myself to just be a mom and not take on too much, I realize how much I truly enjoy it!

Wednesday, February 23rd:
Little Jude turns 1 week old!!!!  I can't believe it!  We dropped Finley off at MDO, ran to the Apple store to get my phone fixed (Finley dropped it from the top of the stairs onto the tile floor below... it didn't like that...), and then went to Jude's first pediatrician appointment.

Dr. K said he looked great!  I was a little worried that his belly button wasn't healing correctly, but he said it was just fine.  He also said his circumcision was doing well.  The main thing I wanted to talk to him about was the fact that I haven't been able to get Jude to eat during the night.  I spend an hour each time trying to get him to eat only for him to eat for 5 minutes.  Thankfully, Dr. K said that it appeared Jude was one of those rare babies who comes out ready to sleep through the night so he recommended cluster feeding at night to keep my supply up and to ensure he wasn't missing a feeding and then to just let him sleep a 4-6 hour stretch in the middle of the night.  That was music to my ears even though I admit to enjoying those feedings when it is dark and quiet, I am excited to not have to spend an hour trying so hard to get him to eat.

Here's a picture of me at 1 week with Finley and 1 week with Jude:  (Note to self: this shirt doesn't photograph well!)

I'm not sure this picture shows real life.  I am definitely pouchier this go round.  I'm not complaining at all.  I fit into all my regular clothes and only have a few pounds to lose to get to my normal weight.  I knew that my muscles would be more stretched out this time, but it is interesting to see how my body is bouncing back more slowly this go round even though I gained less weight than I did with Finley.  I am obviously thankful to be back in regular clothes so quickly, but do know that I may have some work to do if I want to have a flat stomach again.  I'm not worried about it and have no plans to stress about it anytime soon, but I think every woman wants to feel like herself again after having a baby and I am no exception. =)