April 2010 Archives

Josiah is a month old today.  It's really weird - in a way I still don't feel like a mom at all, but in another way it seems completely normal that I'm spending all day (and all night) every day taking care of this little guy.  I can't wait to see his personality develop, but so far I can say that he is a pretty easy-going guy.  (Except when he wants to eat or has a wet diaper.  That is SERIOUS, you guys!)  He don't really have a "routine," but we've been trying to get out for a walk in the stroller every morning around 10 or 11.  He eats about every 2-3 hours during the day, and is usually awake or asleep for the entire stretch in between.  (I know that sounds obvious, but apparently some babies do more of an eat-awake-sleep cycle every 2-3 hrs.)  When he's awake sometimes we look at black & white books or pictures of family members, or sing songs like Itsy Bitsy Spider or Old MacDonald.  (I had to look up the words to that one - it kept turning into B-I-N-G-O instead of EIEIO.)  I have had quite a few visitors since I've been home on maternity leave too, so that breaks up the day. 

He wants to nurse non-stop in the evenings (about 7-11pm), which really isn't that bad but it does leave me logging a lot of couch time.  I'm trying not to watch too much TV during the day so I can enjoy a few shows in the evenings when I'm stranded on the couch.  At night, he usually sleeps until 2:30 or 3, then again till 6, then again until 8ish.  

I feel so lucky and honored to be entrusted to raise this little guy.  He really is a gift from God.  (I just have to remind myself of that when he's screaming bloody murder and I'm trying to figure out what's wrong!) 

I am going to start going back to work a few hours a week fairly soon, so I'm sure that will bring a whole new set of challenges. 

Earlier this week, while we were visiting my husband's mom & grandma, we had some definite smiles from Mr. Josiah! (I've been seeing them all along, because he's a happy boy right after he eats, but I'm glad everyone else gets to see them now, too.)

(This was my best effort at capturing it on film. There were smiles, I promise.)

Josiah and I are slowly settling into a routine at home, although I feel like I never get anything done. I just have to remind myself that I'm doing the most important things - feeding, changing and cooing over a new baby - and the laundry, dusting, etc. can wait.

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Originally uploaded by kerner

My sister posted this poem on her blog when her baby was about this same age last year, and it is so, so true.

Mother, O Mother, come shake out your cloth,
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
Hang out the washing, make up the bed,
Sew on a button and butter the bread.
Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.
Oh, I've grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,Lullaby, rockabye, lullaby loo.
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peek-a-boo
The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew
And out in the yard there's a hullabaloo
But I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo
Look! Aren't his eyes the most wonderful hue?
Lullaby, rockaby lullaby loo.
The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
But children grow up as I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.
- Ruth Hulbert Hamilton

Ahh... what a sweet picture of Aunt Mary with the cousins.

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Originally uploaded by kerner

Or something like that! (Nothing is calm and sweet with a 9-month-old around! It is GO GO GO all the time!)

My mom, sister, and nephew came to visit me about a week and a half after Josiah was born. This was both wonderful and stressful for all involved, but I don't get to see them nearly enough, so I was happy they came.

Some of my favorite pictures from their visit are the "out-takes" I took when we were trying to get the cute posed pictures. When you've got two kiddos involved, that is easier said than done!

Here is my mom, the proud grandma, with her two grandsons.

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Originally uploaded by kerner

And here's what REALLY happened.  =)

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Originally uploaded by kerner

Josiah Emerson was born on March 30, weighing 7 lbs., 9 oz. I was in the hospital for 3 days, and have had almost constant company (mom, mother-in-law, and/or sister) since then. They are leaving today and my husband is back at work so we'll see what a day of just the two of us is like. Luckily the spring weather has been beautiful, so we've been taking almost-daily walks around the neighborhood. Josiah seems to like the stroller as long as I time his feedings right an he doesn't start howling for food when we're a half-mile from home, He is a really good baby, I really couldn't have asked for anything better.

On the (extremely limited) knitting front, I did manage to finish about half a "Waiting for Josiah" sock from my due date until the day I was induced. I may or may not be able to finish the pair in time for next winter. =)

My sister wrote a post about her recent visit to my house and posted some additional pictures here.