A Quick Update

Serves me right for posting a blog a few days ago about what a good schedule we had Noah on! That very night, after having written that entry, Noah decided to spend the whole night crying and demanding to be fed every hour and a half. That has continued ever since. I suppose it might take a while to have a schedule that sticks... We are surely being taught patience.

Aside from Noah's nighttime irritability, we had a good scare a few nights ago when one of my OBs insisted that I go to the Emergency Room for what she thought was an infection in my incision... as well a case of early mastitis that has been extremely painful. Fortunately, the doctor was wrong about the incision and it seems that the underlying problem is a build-up of scar tissue from where the catheter was inserted into my incision for pain control while I was hospitalized. That is a relief but it gave us quite a scare, especially because an infection would have meant that I'd have to have my incision reopened... something that would not have been fun. Fortunately, my family was in town and they were able to watch Noah while M and I spent the night in the ER. Poor Michael had worked all day long and then sat with me all night long before we came home to Noah who had no interest in sleeping for the few precious hours M had left before his next day of work. It didn't help that we had to drive all over Northern Virginia looking for a 24-hour pharmacy to fill my prescription either... or that M had to fix a flat tire after 3:00AM so that my family could make the drive to New York the next morning. Needless to say it has been a rough few days. Rest has become a fond memory for me though we do get bits and bursts of sleep while we can.

For all his nighttime shenanigans, Noah could not be a more wonderful baby. He is just such a little joy, I can't get mad, though it's certainly hard to keep frustration from creeping in during those late hours. When he grins in his sleep and makes his sweet cooing noises, I just feel nothing but blessed, even at 4:30 in the morning when I have finally fallen alseep and he has lost his pacifier for the 99th time!

Michael finally has a couple of days off from work and I am really looking forward to us having some time to spend together as a family -- not sleeping! Truth be told, these last few days, M and I have spent nearly all of our time together trying to get in quick naps while Noah is asleep. This weekend, aside from getting in some rest, we will hopefully be able to put Noah in his swing and bouncy seat for the first time as well as finish up the nursery. I am so looking forward to it and can't wait to post pictures!

As for the sleep positioner, Noah is still finding a way to turn himself during the night -- but fortunatley, not onto his belly, which is what we are trying to prevent. Today when I removed his blanket, this is what I found. He is a strong little boy. He has also, on multiple occaisions, kicked his way entirely out of the sleep positioner. I'm going to have to get creative to figure out a way to stop him from doing that again.


Well... just thought I'd post a quick update and a few new photos. This one is by far my favorite! What a little doll, our baby boy is! I just can't get over it...

One Week Old Today!

Yesterday, I put Noah down for a nap between feedings. As instructed by the doctors, I put him, as I always do, on his back. After a few minutes, I heard him make a very adorable sound in the bassinet. I looked upon him and this is what I found. Small as he is, our little guy is very strong! Needless to say, Noah now sleeps with the sleep positioner his Aunt Christine bought him. Let's see him try to wiggle his way out of that one. (I'd rather not see that actually!)

Today, Noah is officially one week old! This week has seemed like one of the longest of my life and it's been so wonderful. Noah seems to get cuter by the day and all his puffiness and redness from birth are all but gone. His newborn rash may still need a little time but it's not a big deal. He is now on a great schedule and doesn't cry to be fed or changed because it's all being taken care of before he has a chance to. (A two-hour feeding schedule, I must say, is ROUGH, but it's working out so well for our baby!) I still cannot stop staring at his little face. I am so in awe of how perfect and beautiful he is. I took this little video of him just being himself today and couldn't wait to post it. I'm just fascinated with what Michael and I have made by God's Grace :)

I know everyone says this but I really do have the most wonderful husband a new mom could ask for. I cannot express what a help Michael has been to me during this last week when so much in our life together has changed. He has been such a trooper about staying up with me all night long to feed and change Noah and help me to have everything I need to deal with the pain as I recover from my Cesarean. He has functioned in this last week on little to no sleep at all and has still had so much energy to hold and comfort Noah for hours every night.

On Saturday, Michael was injured at work, when he caught his hand in the running part of an engine, and spent the last half of the day in Urgent Care where he got stitches and a splint. When he got home, instead of taking a nap as I wished he would have, he offered to go to the Outlets with Vanessa to get some nursing apparel to help make this week easier for me. He and Nessa were gone for many hours. When they came back they presented me with what clothes they had bought as well as a gift (a wristlet) that they had bought at the Outlets. (I've been in need of something bigger for many months). I was so moved that Michael would spend his time shopping for me to try and make me happy when he desperately needed some rest for himself. A little while after I was done looking through what they'd bought, I noticed that Vanessa kept looking at the bassinet. I told her that she could pick up the baby if she wanted to. Michael said, "Why don't you hand him to her?" So I got up to get Noah. I pulled back the blanket and this is what I found.


In the box was a beautiful silver bracelet with a charm on it that says "Mom." Michael plans to get it engraved with Noah's name and birthdate and Vanessa plans to get me a charm with her name and birthday on it next time there is a holiday. Aside from going to the Outlets after his harrowing day, Michael had trekked all the way to Tyson's Corner to buy me this "push gift." I am an incredibly lucky girl. He had been working extra hard in the weeks before Noah's birth to save up and has not stopped working hard since in spite of the long hours he's stayed up with me and the baby. To top it all, Michael started his third semester of college on Monday. He'll now be in class one day and two nights a week in addition to working a full-time job. I was very sad yesterday waiting for him to come home, but fortunately his class let out early and he got home in time to eat the beautiful dinner our friend Kate had prepared for us. Tonight, he will not be getting home from work until after 8:00pm. I miss him terribly. :(

Fortunately, my family is visiting from New York and have been keeping me company. I have tried to get in as much sleep today as I possibly could so that I can try to stay up alone tonight and let Michael get the rest he'll need to get him through a full day of work and a night of classes tomorrow. I hope that will work.

Noah has had fun with his great grandma Nancy. Here is a picture of him making O's with his mouth -- one of his signature facial expressions that I just love! It has been so wonderful watching Noah getting to know her.

Anyway I will end this entry here as it's dragged on pretty long. Everyone warned me the first week would be the hardest. Admittedly, it has been trying. But I would not have traded a single moment of it -- not even when Noah peed at me last night because I wasn't keeping a proper lookout! (Fortunately he missed.) Yes girls, you did warn me!!













We are so blessed.

First Family Weekend in Review

Noah had a wonderful first weekend at home with mommy, daddy, grandma, grandpa and especially, his big sister Nessa.
Vanessa was so thrilled to get to know her little brother. This weekend, she learned how to hold and handle our little guy properly, as well as change his diapers. This will surely come in handy in the future! Noah was very happy to spend time with Vanessa too. Who says babies don't smile? :)

This weekend, Noah also got to meet his great grandparents for the very first time. I "woke up" early this morning after another all night feeding frenzy and put Noah in his first real outfit. Until today, Noah's wardrobe has consisted only of onesies. Last night, however, I did put Noah in his first nightgown, which unlike the onesies, go over his head rather than snap closed. I was having trouble dressing him and Michael offered to help. After he was done pulling down the gown over Noah's feet, he looked at me and said "Did you just put my boy in a dress?!?!" I said, "No, you did," and then explained that a gown is NOT a dress! Michael was unconvinced. In any case, Noah looked very cute for his first visit downstairs and Ruth and Gene seemed to enjoy spending time with him.



Today, we were also fortunate to get a visit from our good friend Erich, who was good enough to bring us dinner tonight that can only be classified as a feast. He was very impressed with our little addition and had a good time holding him. Vanessa instructed him on exactly what he needed to do!

We have been very blessed to have so many friends who have offered to help us out during these first few hectic days. The transition has certainly been very difficult but it has all been wonderful.

It seems that Noah gets more adorable and changes so much with every passing day. His hair gets blonder by the day, and everyday he seems to open his eyes more and recognize our voices. He also seems to be adapting to life here with us. This morning was the first time I changed his diaper where he didn't cry hysterically -- and it was a VERY bad diaper to change -- because I sang him a silly song the whole time.

Although today is only Noah's 5th day with us, it marked another milestone. Today, Noah got his belly button!! He also seems to have figured out how to hold his pacifier in his mouth all on his own -- though this is something he is obviously still working on!

Tonight we will hopefully be giving Noah his first sponge bath. More posts to come soon!




UPDATE 09/01/09

The spongebath went...well... Noah was none too happy about it but he slept well afterwards!


I also have to post this picture that Michael took with his phone because it is way too precious not to be posted on the blog. This picture was taken right before Michael carried Noah into the house for the very first time.

What a beautiful family God has given to us.

Noah's First Trip to the Doctor

After getting in so late last night and getting only a few winks of sleep, Michael and I decided that I should try to get my appointment for Noah rescheduled to a time when we could go together, as he had to work. I called as early as I could and was talked into coming in, so I literally had five minutes to get both of us ready to go. My mother in law said she would drive us, as I am not permitted to drive for the next two weeks. And so together, we got Noah loaded up into his car seat, which was no easy task -- especially given the fact that Noah was incredibly hungry and not at all in the mood to deal with my inability to work a four-point harness.

Oh, how I wished I had made the time to read the instruction manual! (I had to call both Michael and Chrissy at two separate points today to figure out how to get him in and out!) While my mother-in-law worked on figuring out the set up, I fed Noah for a few minutes and then we got him situated. Given the time limits, Noah's outfit was far from color coordinated for his first appointment since the hospital! Fortunately, my quick feeding did help Noah to fall asleep and he was very calm for his visit. Fortunately, this was not one of those visits where baby gets poked or prodded very much and gets all worked up. I was very glad.

He did, however, react very unfavorably to being undressed and weighed and he dirtied his diaper in response.


So, here are the "stats" on our little guy:

- Noah now weighs 7lbs, 3oz., which is a big relief given that he dropped to below 7lbs. in his first days of life. Our all night "feeding frenzy" and scheduled feedings over the last two days seems to have done the trick! The doctor recommended that I continue breastfeeding and said that there was no reason at all for me to supplement with (evil) formula. lol - sorry I really am very into this whole breastfeeding/bonding thing and the thought of having to use that stuff ever again makes me a little crazy :) Who ever would have guessed?

- Noah is a little jaundiced and the doctor told me it was nothing to worry about and that I should put him by a window inside and let him be in the sun for a little bit if the weather improved today, which I did as soon as we got home.

- In all other ways, Noah is as perfect as he looks and so far I haven't done anything too terribly wrong as far as she could tell. (I just assumed that last one. :) She did tell me to keep up the good work!

I shall surely try!

Bringing Baby Home

After a very grueling few days, Noah and I were cleared to be discharged from the hospital yesterday. I was not feeling anywhere near ready physically to leave, but we were so excited about the idea of bringing Noah home, that I pushed as hard as I could to get mobile enough to leave. Michael and I were both by this time very sleep-deprived (not that we aren't now!) so it was a pretty exhausting day trying to get everything done that we needed to do before we could "check out."

Before we left, Michael and I had Noah's first pictures taken and they came out BEAUTIFUL! To view them, click: here. Noah was very cooperative and we were able to get a couple of shots where his eyes were open, as well as a very great shot of the three of us together than I cannot wait to post here soon!

After picture time was over, we then loaded Noah up into his car seat for the very first time and headed out to Warrenton to pick up his big sister, Vanessa, who was extremely excited to see her baby brother again. Although we were in a hurry to get there, Michael and I stopped along the way to attach the "baby in sight" mirror to the back seat. (Fortunately, there was hardly any traffic and we arrived early for pickup). The mirror allowed both of us to watch Noah as he slept in his car seat through the rear view mirrors. Vanessa also enjoyed watching Noah as she sat by his side for the rest of the car ride home. It was so great being to go home as a family.



As we drove home, we marveled at this being the very first time Noah would be outside, his first ride in the car, the first time he would ever see the sky or feel sunlight. How exciting for our baby boy to see the world for the first time (when his eyes were actually open)!

We did not get home until pretty late, but were so relieved when we did. It was so nice to be back in our own bed again, but I must say that my recent unwillingness to even try and sleep, which I persisted in, in the hospital for the last two days and until almost 3 in the morning yesterday, soon turned into a desire to get much more than I am going to be able to. Last night's sleep was the kind of sleep that the more I got, the more tired I felt. Poor Michael, after having such an exhausting week that he fell asleep in the Starbucks drive-through the other morning, has barely gotten any sleep at all given that he has had to work all day and help me with Noah all night, since I've been unable to lift Noah on my own before or after feedings once I am in bed. He has also been such a trooper by doing all of the night-time feedings ever since Noah was born. I must say that having a baby has certainly strengthened our marriage in so many ways.

It's amazing how fast the bonding happens and how quickly our little family has come together and adapted to this new little life. It's so amazing to look at my little guy and see how much he looks like his dad. This picture cracks me up because I think Noah looks so much like Michael here that it's scary!

So far we have agreed that Noah has Michael's forehead and temples, cheecks, lips and mouth and my hair and ears. His nose is pretty identical to how both Michael's and mine looked when we were kids and is very similar to Vanessa's. It will be so exciting to discover all the ways in which Noah resembles us more and more while he becomes himself more and more as he gets bigger. Right now, even though he looks big in most of these photographs, Noah is a little peanut. He is so tiny! And he is such a character, with a wealth of adorable expressions. He makes the sweetest little sounds. What a huge blessing our little boy is! It is so good to have him home!

The First Few Days

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb... I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (Excerpts from Psalm 139).

Day 3

I cannot believe it has only been 3 days. I am so accustomed to life with my baby that it seems like we've spent a lifetime together. It hasn't been an easy three days but they have been amazing nonetheless.

Noah is such a good baby. I feel very blessed to be able to say that. Although most of you know that my experience with babies is minimal at best (I have more experience putting diapers on stuffed animals, even 3 days in), I think you'll all agree. He does not fuss and never cries unless he has gone to the bathroom, is having his diaper changed, is being undressed, or is hungry. That's pretty good, I'd say, as we always know how to investigate what is going on and can determine what is wrong by the simple process of elimination.

Seeing Noah face to face and being able to observe him in the world has been incredible. I have solved many mysteries as to what I was feeling in my belly while I was pregnant. How many times did I feel as though I was being punched and kicked on both sides of my belly at the same time? Well apparently it was Noah "frogging out" in his favorite position that looks a little like he is flexing his muscles with his arms and laying in a yoga pose with his legs. When unswaddled (or when he escapes) Noah loves to lay just like this... I also confirmed that he WAS hiccuping for 5 minutes at a time! He did that on his second day. On the third day, Michael found out for himself what I was talking about and we had a good laugh. It's been so comical and so exciting to discover so much about our little boy.

What I've also learned is that Noah is a sweet little boy with a ravenous appetite, which has made breastfeeding a little challenging but no less amazing. There is a reason I call him my my little alligator. :) I always told my girlfriends they were crazy when they ranted and raved about what a bonding experience it is, so I have to say I have been shocked at how right they all were and are (no offense...and sorry!). It's a surreal experience to look down at his little face knowing I carried him for nine months and that I am helping him grow big and strong even now when he is here with us. It is the sweetest thing to have him holding on to both my hands with both of his and squeezing his little hands to hold mine harder and harder while he eats. I have been blessed to get the hang of this as much as I have, while I'm laid up for the most part. The recovery has been difficult, but I'm hanging in there. Michael has been great but sadly today he had to go to work. :( It's been sad without him here and a little scary on my own. Fortunately I have lots and lots of help from the nursing staff which have been very helpful and accommodating. Soon, there will be no red button to push and no nursery to send Noah to for care when I need to get cared for myself... or sleep! I am looking forward to the challenge. I can't wait to bring my little guy home! Sleep is overrated anyway!

Anyway I just wanted to give a little update about our little addition. (I'm a corndog, I know). I'll be posting some more pictures soon. Now that Noah is here I won't be sending updates/notifcations unless you email me and ask me to... so let me know :) Otherwise, feel free to stop in from time to time and see how our little one is growing! I hope time does not keep flying... I want to enjoy every moment.

True to what I've been told time and time on end, the last few days have had me experiencing every emotion you can imagine: love, joy, fear, sadness, anxiety, you name it. But most of all, today, I feel blessed.

Nan<3

Welcome Baby Noah!

Introducing
Noah Thomas Lunsford
Born: August 25, 2009
1:17AM
20.5 inches
7 lbs, 6 oz.

Slightly before one o'clock this morning, I was told to say goodbye to Michael and enter the operating room. I really wish I could have done so blindfolded as it looked more like a chamber of torture than a hospital room. I was laid upon the table for what seemed like an eternity as I was strapped down, undressed, catheterized and drawn upon. My body was shaking the whole time from either the cold or my nerves or both. Dr. C told me that the same thing happened to her, but this was not reassuring. I never felt so scared in my whole life as I did laying there. I kept praying as hard as I could for God to give me peace about the surgery but as I was doing so, the anesthesiologists and nurses were moving at rapid fire pace without explaining anything to me. Out of nowhere a mask was brought down on my face and I suddenly could not breathe. Because I was strapped down everywhere all I could do was jerk my face out from under it to indicate that I could not breathe. The anesthesiologist told me that I would fall asleep soon but I could not help but fight to get away from the mask that was making it impossible for me to take a breath. Eventually (obviously) I fell asleep.

I woke up in the recovery room to see Michael feeding Noah a bottle. I could not really see much as my eyes were blurry from the medicine but I was so relieved that Noah was OK. It wasn't until later in the day that I was able to see just how beautiful my little boy really is. When Michael finally handed him to me he kept opening his mouth and sticking out his tongue. It was too precious.

My family arrived shortly before noon. It was such a great moment to see everyone together and to watch everyone's reaction to meeting Noah. It still feels a little surreal to me.

Seeing Vanessa's reaction to meeting her little brother for the first time was priceless. She could not have been more thrilled. Noah bears a striking resemblence to her in so many ways -- he is Michael's "mini me" for sure. As far as looking anything like me, I disagree with my sisters who both think he looks like me but I must admit... he certainly was born with my hair!

At about a quarter to 7:00PM, Michael left to take Vanessa back to her mom. My family had gone a few minutes prior. So here I was, all alone with a newborn! Of course, what seemed to come so easy to me when I had so many people to help became the most challenging and difficult task. Fortunately the nurses were able to help me but only after I practically knocked down everything on the table near my bed to reach the phone and call them. Noah would not stop crying and I took as many deep breaths as I could and tried to stay calm. I was SO relieved when Michael returned!

This has definitely been the LONGEST day of my life and one which gave me the hugest blessing. Noah is asleep in his little plastic bassinet besides me and I'm wondering what it will be like to wake every 2 hours to feed him tonight. I am up for the challenge but for now it's time to sleep...

I cannot believe how much love I feel for something SO small. God is so great and we are SO blessed! (And for now...and surely for MANY days and nights to come... exhausted!)

Goodnight and thank you all for your prayers, your love and support.

Michael, Nancy, Vanessa & Noah Lunsford