3 Weeks Old!

Little man is growing fast!  He already feels much heavier, his head is looking huge to me and his wrists and cheeks seem to be filling out a bit.  He's eating about 12-15 times a day this past week which is exhausting for me, but I'm happy that he's growing and that I can provide him with his food.  We're over the thrush issues though I have some residual soreness.  I went to a La Leche League meeting on Monday to get some breastfeeding support and the ladies there were helpful and validating to my issues and feelings.  It's great to have all this community support available to me.

This picture is from December 22nd on our first walk near the beach.  He seemed to enjoy being carried in his sling!

This picture is of Enzo and Esme (my friend Deborah's little girl) on Christmas day.  Esme was 10 days old and Enzo 15 days old.  They will grow up to be best friends I'm sure!

We've spent a few mornings here trying to get a good photo of Enzo for the birth announcement.  Here's a picture from Thursday that is good, but that we're not using.  Tie-dye courtesy of Grandma Sheila via Wheatland of course!

And here he is today in his baby jail outfit!  

And lastly, thank you all for the outpouring of Christmas/Chanukah/baby gifts!  I will get to everyone individually soon to thank you, but I wanted to  let everyone know how much we appreciate our friend's and family's generosity!

Happy New Year!

First Bath!

His cord fell off on December 20th so yesterday we were brave enough to give him his first tub bath!

It didn't start out so great.  He did not enjoy laying back in the sling.

But once we sat him up he seemed more content and quit screaming!  I think we're going to get one of these.  The video is so cute!

After the bath he got dried in his ducky towel then into his bathrobe.  Yes, I know I look tired and unwashed, but Enzo is happy!

Ready for an evening of lounging.

Then into his jammies!  This belonged to the Metcalf boys when they were little ones.

Yesterday we also went to the ocean and walked on West Cliff Drive for awhile.  Then we went out to lunch at an outdoor cafe.  Baby got fresh air and the parents got to feel like they were part of civilization again!  We were all very tired by the end of the day.

One week and One Day

Enzo is such a joy!  We are so in love with him and enjoying this week of many firsts.  Anyone reading this has probably read the birth story in the email we sent out and one of these days I may post it here adding a few more details.  This post is about his week of firsts.  Everything is so new and exciting!

First outfit!  This was taken right before leaving the hospital.

Right after this picture was taken at the hospital, he threw up everywhere - his first puke and first frantic outfit change.  Also, this is before his first car ride.

We took him home on Wednesday the 14th.  Pat made this beautiful sign!

Enzo after his first sponge bath in his ducky towel.

First family walk with Enzo in his sweet ride!

First outfit I bought for him and it says "Mommy's little Pumpkin".  I actually don't think it suits him.  He is more of a colorful cotton outfit baby.  We've been using this though when we go outside because it's warm and it's the only thing that fits him perfectly.

First cloth diaper!  We weren't planning on using a pacifier until after a month, but his screaming during diaper changes changed our minds.  We only give it to him during the diaper change for some self soothing.

This expression says to me, "Hey dudes, milk is kool!"

Ahhhh!  Too cute in his t-shirt and cloth diaper!  Just look at those chicken legs.

First fancy outfit!  Fox onesie courtesy of Amey and adorable beyond belief.

Not exactly a first, but Jake and Enzo have an afternoon habit of snoozin' and readin'.  They are so cute I can't leave them alone!

41 Weeks!

Oh dear!  What's a girl to do?  We're trying everything we can to get this baby out naturally.  I had two appointments this past week to make sure baby's heart rate is okay and everything is fine.  I've been having painless contractions since last Tuesday which kinda means I'm in very early labor.  It's just nice to know that something is happening in there!  This was me before by appointment on Saturday morning, when Jake thought we wouldn't come back to the house for a few days.  At this point our power was still out after the storms on Wednesday.  It was out for a total of 4 days and it was stressful!  Luckily it came back on Saturday afternoon and I got busy doing laundry and running the dishwasher.

Pat and Gary arrived last night and we're trying to think of things to keep us occupied.  Today we went to pick out a Christmas tree!  Jake has been wanting one for years and I finally caved.  We went to a tree farm near our house and picked out the best one, of course.

Here is Jake and Gary coming to inspect that one I choose.

Jake and I next to the tree before it was cut.

 Jake and Gary did a great job!

I was horrible at trying to saw off the little branches at the bottom.  I didn't even one off!  We were hoping this would induce labor.

Packed up on the car.

Me using techniques to remind Pumpkin to come out!!

40 Weeks!

Well, what can I say?  I thought I would go early and now I'm going to be late!  The doula and midwife keep reminding me that the baby is ready when it is ready.  We're trying a few natural induction techniques as of now and we'll start getting a little more serious later this week with herbs and such.  We'll see how my exam on Wednesday turns out and take it from there.  Baby is still moving a lot and just feels so big in there!  It must be pretty cozy in there.  We really had our hearts set on a Thanksgiving baby, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was a December baby!

I'm trying to stay busy by stocking up the kitchen and doing some housecleaning that isn't too hard on me.  I'm taking more naps and distracting myself with games on the iPad.  Jake also expressed a desire to learn how to knit and we've been spending our evenings watching movies and making baby hats.  Jake made a small washcloth as his first project and made a hat for his second project.  It's so cute!  (Jake put the hat on the bear that Jen made for us.)

To be continued......

Discouraging Day

Today was a bit discouraging.  At my appointment today my exam revealed that the baby is not engaged (read: dropped and ready to go) and I'm not dilated at all.  Cervix is "pretty ripe" but I was hoping to be farther along than that.  The midwife is pretty sure I'll go over my date and I have no reason to feel otherwise as well since I haven't been having contractions yet.  I know the baby won't stay in forever but it still seems like labor is so far away and I just want to get it over with!

Also, I dropped my phone on a dog walk yesterday (since I'm now forever attached to it in case something happens), the screen cracked and Jake had to take it to San Jose to get it fixed for $150.  Now I have a new-to me refurbished phone and I've lost information (lots of pictures) from my previous phone.

Just a frustrating day.  Hopefully tomorrow's food fest will put me in better spirits.  These bourbon pecan pie truffles that I made yesterday are helping though:

Week 39

Well, last week was the worst!  But now I'm feeling much much better and have unfortunately passed the plague on to Jake and now he's miserable (and has to continue working).  Being sick was a bit of set back in terms of project Pumpkin so this week is focused on finishing up those last minute tasks and preparing for Thanksgiving.  We've made no plans with anyone so if there's no baby in the next few days, Jake and I will be gorging on Thanksgiving yumminess by ourselves in the comfort of our own home.  Not really complaining about that!

Today I had a heavy duty acupuncture session focusing on induction.  We are all rooting for this baby to come out by the weekend!  I see the midwife on Wednesday and I'll most likely get checked to see if I've dilated at all.  Will keep everyone updated.

Amey drew these amazing designs for some onesies!  I love them so much!  She drew them, then printed them out on to iron on paper and put them on organic onesies.  Such an amazing gift!

Here is Amey, me and Sophia after a big Hawaiian dinner (from November 12).

This is from a couple days ago, where I am testing the tensile strength of my t-shirt.