Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Interacting
Julie is definitely starting to interact with Robyn more. Right now she's a good mix of "I don't care" and extra-nurturing. She hasn't shown any signs of resentment. It helps that Brandon and Eli (cousin and uncle) have been here to distract and play with her. We'll see how things are once they're both gone, and it's back to our little family.
On Julie's second or third visit to the hospital, she was willing to start getting a little up close and personal with Robyn. She's very gentle while still being curious. We're trying to not be too pushy with getting her to engage with Robyn, and it seems to be working so far. Each time she came to visit, we'd ask if she wanted to hold Robyn. Each time we got an emphatic "no!" As time has passed a little, and Julie's gotten a little more accustomed to Robyn's presence, she's actually asked to hold her. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures yet of Julie holding Robyn, as it's always been spur of the moment, and I haven't wanted to go grab the camera for fear that the moment would pass. Getting a picture of it will be at least a two-person job (someone has to help hold Robyn's head up, for one thing). I'm working on it, though.
In the meantime, here are some pictures from that third or so visit, when Julie started to show more interest.
(She's pointing at Robyn's nose, not poking her eyes.)
Julie has actually been pretty helpful. She brings me a pacifier or burp cloth or nursing cover-up (young boys in the house) when I need it. She's interested in how Robyn eats and wants to see it each time (only briefly), and is always concerned when Robyn cries. She wants to make sure that Robyn has her pacifier and is happy and content. So far things seem to be going pretty well in the sibling department. Yay!
On Julie's second or third visit to the hospital, she was willing to start getting a little up close and personal with Robyn. She's very gentle while still being curious. We're trying to not be too pushy with getting her to engage with Robyn, and it seems to be working so far. Each time she came to visit, we'd ask if she wanted to hold Robyn. Each time we got an emphatic "no!" As time has passed a little, and Julie's gotten a little more accustomed to Robyn's presence, she's actually asked to hold her. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures yet of Julie holding Robyn, as it's always been spur of the moment, and I haven't wanted to go grab the camera for fear that the moment would pass. Getting a picture of it will be at least a two-person job (someone has to help hold Robyn's head up, for one thing). I'm working on it, though.
In the meantime, here are some pictures from that third or so visit, when Julie started to show more interest.
(She's pointing at Robyn's nose, not poking her eyes.)
Julie has actually been pretty helpful. She brings me a pacifier or burp cloth or nursing cover-up (young boys in the house) when I need it. She's interested in how Robyn eats and wants to see it each time (only briefly), and is always concerned when Robyn cries. She wants to make sure that Robyn has her pacifier and is happy and content. So far things seem to be going pretty well in the sibling department. Yay!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Happy birthday!
My birthday fell the day after we came home from the hospital. My official due date was actually on my birthday. We had a very low-key day -- nothing special. My mother-in-law is here visiting and helping out, so she made me a special request meal. My sister-in-law's birthday is exactly a month before mine, and my MIL had been visiting her over that day, and made Navajo tacos. That sounded really good to me, and I hadn't eaten any in probably 15 years. I requested, and she came through. She asked what I wanted for dessert, and I gave several ideas (she has some dietary restrictions, so I let her make the final choice). We went with this recipe, and it was good, but not one to repeat (too much work and mess for not satisfying enough output).
Ben, Julie, and Robyn got me the latest Harry Potter movie, rounding out our collection; the fifth Harry Potter book, which is where Ben is ready to read next; and mini muffin pans, which I've recently been obsessing over.
All in all, it was a quiet day, with a little fun thrown in. As a side note, Ben was in the kitchen when his mom was getting ready to stick candles in the dessert. I overheard them whispering back and forth, her asking what birthday this was for me, and Ben saying I was 25. I smiled at the thoughtfulness, but corrected them with my actual age -- 31. I embrace my age. I don't see a reason not to -- it's not like I can change it, or like people don't know I'm getting older.
Here's my dessert:
And here are some really attractive photos of me:
For the record, I blew out all 31 candles in one try. Four days after a C-section.
Ben, Julie, and Robyn got me the latest Harry Potter movie, rounding out our collection; the fifth Harry Potter book, which is where Ben is ready to read next; and mini muffin pans, which I've recently been obsessing over.
All in all, it was a quiet day, with a little fun thrown in. As a side note, Ben was in the kitchen when his mom was getting ready to stick candles in the dessert. I overheard them whispering back and forth, her asking what birthday this was for me, and Ben saying I was 25. I smiled at the thoughtfulness, but corrected them with my actual age -- 31. I embrace my age. I don't see a reason not to -- it's not like I can change it, or like people don't know I'm getting older.
Here's my dessert:
And here are some really attractive photos of me:
For the record, I blew out all 31 candles in one try. Four days after a C-section.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Sister pictures
I got those pictures off of Gma's camera. Here's Julie meeting her little sister for the first time.
There were never such devoted sisters...
I wanted to record my memories of Julie's first time meeting Robyn yesterday.
When Julie first came in the room, she was quite curious, and seemed excited, though also hesitant. She looked somewhat concerned when she saw me in the bed, all hooked up to everything, and probably quite pale, my eyes unable to properly focus on anything (and even worse with my glasses actually on). Ben picked her up and held her over/next to the bassinet, and she looked in at her sister for the first time. She was intrigued, and didn’t shy away. Ben asked Julie who was in there.
She promptly responded, “a baby!” Good…progress.
He then prompted her again and said, “Baby Who?”
“Baby Robyn.”
“That’s right. Did Baby Robyn come out of Mama’s tummy? She’s going to come and live with us at home.” At that declaration, Julie’s eyes widened with wonder and excitement. It was an expression I’ve never seen her make before, and it made me smile.
A few minutes later, Ben picked Robyn up and offered to let Julie hold her. Julie said yes, sat down on the couch, but then didn’t really want to do much with Robyn once she was in place. So Ben held Robyn, and Julie looked on, gave a little kiss, and gently smoothed Robyn’s cheeks. She leaned into Ben’s shoulder and smiled happily for a picture for Gma that I have yet to see, but I’m certain is precious.
After that, Ben placed Robyn back in the bassinet and presented Julie with a gift that Robyn had brought for her – a five-pack of Matchbox cars. Julie was pretty excited, and of course wanted help opening the package right away. Ben opened it for her, and allowed her to choose only one to play with (until she got back home again). She selected a red muscle car, and promptly turned and held it out to Robyn, sharing generously.
Julie understood for quite some time that Baby Robyn was in my tummy, but I’d had concerns about her comprehension of the transition to baby-in-arms. These interactions allayed those concerns somewhat.
Ben went out for the evening, leaving Gma (his mom) at the hospital with me. When he returned, Julie was with him again, just for a quick trade-off. When they came in the room this time, I was holding Robyn, having just finished a brief feeding session. Julie immediately went to the bassinet to look for her, and upon not finding her there, quickly became concerned, asking, “Daddy’s where’d Baby Robyn go?” Once she realized I was holding Robyn, Julie anxiety visibly faded.
She gets it.
I was also glad that neither time that she was in the hospital room did she shy away from me. She was cautious but not hesitant, and she willingly came to give me hugs and kisses both times, despite a weird gown, miles of tubing, and a bedraggled appearance.
When Julie first came in the room, she was quite curious, and seemed excited, though also hesitant. She looked somewhat concerned when she saw me in the bed, all hooked up to everything, and probably quite pale, my eyes unable to properly focus on anything (and even worse with my glasses actually on). Ben picked her up and held her over/next to the bassinet, and she looked in at her sister for the first time. She was intrigued, and didn’t shy away. Ben asked Julie who was in there.
She promptly responded, “a baby!” Good…progress.
He then prompted her again and said, “Baby Who?”
“Baby Robyn.”
“That’s right. Did Baby Robyn come out of Mama’s tummy? She’s going to come and live with us at home.” At that declaration, Julie’s eyes widened with wonder and excitement. It was an expression I’ve never seen her make before, and it made me smile.
A few minutes later, Ben picked Robyn up and offered to let Julie hold her. Julie said yes, sat down on the couch, but then didn’t really want to do much with Robyn once she was in place. So Ben held Robyn, and Julie looked on, gave a little kiss, and gently smoothed Robyn’s cheeks. She leaned into Ben’s shoulder and smiled happily for a picture for Gma that I have yet to see, but I’m certain is precious.
After that, Ben placed Robyn back in the bassinet and presented Julie with a gift that Robyn had brought for her – a five-pack of Matchbox cars. Julie was pretty excited, and of course wanted help opening the package right away. Ben opened it for her, and allowed her to choose only one to play with (until she got back home again). She selected a red muscle car, and promptly turned and held it out to Robyn, sharing generously.
Julie understood for quite some time that Baby Robyn was in my tummy, but I’d had concerns about her comprehension of the transition to baby-in-arms. These interactions allayed those concerns somewhat.
Ben went out for the evening, leaving Gma (his mom) at the hospital with me. When he returned, Julie was with him again, just for a quick trade-off. When they came in the room this time, I was holding Robyn, having just finished a brief feeding session. Julie immediately went to the bassinet to look for her, and upon not finding her there, quickly became concerned, asking, “Daddy’s where’d Baby Robyn go?” Once she realized I was holding Robyn, Julie anxiety visibly faded.
She gets it.
I was also glad that neither time that she was in the hospital room did she shy away from me. She was cautious but not hesitant, and she willingly came to give me hugs and kisses both times, despite a weird gown, miles of tubing, and a bedraggled appearance.
Introducing...
Robyn Ruth Nutter was born at 7:56am on Friday, November 18th. She was 8 pounds, 8 ounces, and 21 14 inches long. (For those keeping track, that means more than three pounds heaver than Julie, and 3.5 inches longer.) She and I are both doing well. There really is no birth story, as the surgery was completely uneventful, just the way we'd hoped and expected. We anticipate being able to go home on Monday.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
One last look
Tomorrow morning I go to the hospital. My C-section is scheduled for 7:30am. I have to be there two hours early, and it takes about 20 minutes to get there. I am soooooo not a morning person. The good thing about it being so early, though, is that I'll get to eat again sooner, albeit liquids only.
My attitude and emotional state are much improved since I last talked about this pregnancy. I'm happy and excited. Tomorrow I meet my Robyn. The last six weeks or so have been stressful. From 34-37 weeks, I was stressed out every day, thinking she was going to come at any moment, and I was completely unprepared (as far as the house, nursery, etc. go). Something changed right around 37 weeks though, and her arrival didn't feel nearly as imminent. I thought I might actually make it to my scheduled surgery. And I have.
My mom came to visit for about three weeks, to help us get ready. We cleaned, organized, laundered, cooked, and still managed to get a little fun in. The house is ready. The freezers are full. I'm currently eating a bowl of mint cookies and cream ice cream that will probably be the last real ("real") food I eat for a couple of days.
My mother-in-law arrived this evening, and she'll be here until the first week of December. Julie is excited to see her, as well as cousin Brandon and Uncle Eli. She's been talking about them all week. But when we ask her who she gets to meet tomorrow, she answers, "Uhhhh, doctor!" or "Hospital!" She's along the right lines, and eventually she comes around to "Baby Robyn," but I'm still not sure she "gets" it. It will be an adjustment, but I know she'll be a great big sister.
Things I'm looking forward to about not being pregnant anymore (completely non-emotionally):
My attitude and emotional state are much improved since I last talked about this pregnancy. I'm happy and excited. Tomorrow I meet my Robyn. The last six weeks or so have been stressful. From 34-37 weeks, I was stressed out every day, thinking she was going to come at any moment, and I was completely unprepared (as far as the house, nursery, etc. go). Something changed right around 37 weeks though, and her arrival didn't feel nearly as imminent. I thought I might actually make it to my scheduled surgery. And I have.
My mom came to visit for about three weeks, to help us get ready. We cleaned, organized, laundered, cooked, and still managed to get a little fun in. The house is ready. The freezers are full. I'm currently eating a bowl of mint cookies and cream ice cream that will probably be the last real ("real") food I eat for a couple of days.
My mother-in-law arrived this evening, and she'll be here until the first week of December. Julie is excited to see her, as well as cousin Brandon and Uncle Eli. She's been talking about them all week. But when we ask her who she gets to meet tomorrow, she answers, "Uhhhh, doctor!" or "Hospital!" She's along the right lines, and eventually she comes around to "Baby Robyn," but I'm still not sure she "gets" it. It will be an adjustment, but I know she'll be a great big sister.
Things I'm looking forward to about not being pregnant anymore (completely non-emotionally):
- Normal sized feet
- Ankles that are skinnier than my calves
- Sleeping soundly (after Julie was born, even though I was waking up frequently, the sleep I did get was much more restful that my last weeks of pregnancy had been, with as difficult as it is to roll over with a huge belly)
- Stretch marks fading...somewhat
- Not feeling claustrophobic when someone stands within three feet of me
- No more "wow lady, how far along are you?" type questions
- Being able to transition to standing up (from sitting) without using every muscle group
- Fewer (and easier) bathroom trips
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
