Lifesong

One Week

Ok, so I know he was a week on Monday, but that's how it is with a newborn and 3 year old - you don't always get to everything you want to get done in a day. And that's with help still here! :)

I'm finding myself just trying to really enjoy these days, because now I know first-hand what people mean when they say 'It goes by so fast" or "Enjoy these early days - they grow up in the blink of an eye." Granted, a three year old isn't "grown up", but I really can't believe that I have an almost three and a half year old. I look back at her "early days", and I can't even remember it. Oh, sure, I remember some things, like how she has always been a good sleeper, how I used to nurse her in our bed and she'd fall back asleep so I could get a shower, but specific moments of what our days were like, or how I adjusted to having a newborn, I can't really recall. And it bothers me.

Here is one week old Christian:

Ansley and Christian (you can never really have too many sibling shots, don't you think?) And, no, neither one are sleeping:

This morning I was changing Christian in his room, and when I turned around Ansley had put on one of Christian's nightgowns and Granna's shoes, and I laughed and laughed. Getting it off, however, was not so funny.

I tell ya, never a dull moment. Things are still going really well, with Christian eating and sleeping very well, and Ansley acting like normal, everyday Ansley. Tomorrow she has an appointment with a pediatric dermatologist about something on her belly that our pediatrician wanted to pursue further. Christian has his 2 week appointment on Monday. Tiana (my mother in law/Granna) will leave on Friday, after almost two weeks of completely spoiling me and Ans. My parents will arrive this weekend, though, so the help continues.

Yesterday we took Ansley and Christian to Chuck E Cheese. Ansley had a blast. Christian slept the whole time, which is exactly what he was supposed to do. Today we met John for lunch and then took Ansley to the Jump Zone, where she wore herself out and actually took a nap this afternoon. (The Jump Zone is the only place I've been to like that that allows adults on the inflatables as well. So, needless to say, I completely wore myself out too!). Always a good thing. So I'm managing to get out with both of them, but I honestly have no idea how I will do it on my own. Same goes with getting a shower in the morning. Or going to the bathroom. Or fixing meals. All in good time, right?

Christian

Granna and Papa Joe took Ansley out this afternoon for some one on one time, and John went to get a haircut, so Christian and I found ourselves home alone. What do Mama and son do while everyone's away? Take pictures, of course. So here are some photos from his first of many photo shoots:

   

His hair is actually pretty blonde - I guess black and white makes it look darker than it is. I had forgotten how easy it is to get a newborn to cooperate with a photo shoot. Much easier than a three-year-old photo shoot, where the subject insists she wears pajamas ,'fixes' her own hair, and wants to see every picture that is snapped. :)

Ansley and Christian

Such a sweet relationship. I am enjoying these special moments. The biggest thing I've noticed since bringing Christian home is how *big* Ansley seems to me now. Her feet seem huge, and her hands are five times the size of his! She's so heavy now, compared to this little tiny bundle. But before he was born, she still seemed little. Funny how your perspective changes. And just hearing her talk, seeing all the things she can do makes me realize how grown up she is. And she's such a sweet, sweet big sister.

Seeing him for the first time:

Whispering secrets on the second day:

Taking it all in:

And still just as happy today to be holding him. She's pointing out the letters to him on his shirt (it says 'sleepy'):

We're enjoying watching this interaction!

Welcome Home

Welcome Christian John Greiner!

He was born on Monday, January 15 at 3:45 pm. He weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces and is 21 inches long.

Here is his first hospital picture:

I will post more pictures soon. Isn't he a cutie though? We think he's super adorable. :)

I had a pretty smooth labor and delivery, with only a few minor problems, the biggest being low blood pressure (70/44 at its lowest) after the epidural. I am feeling good, and Christian is doing well. He has some slight jaundice - we went to the doctor today, and have to go back on Saturday to re-check it. Other than that, he is doing great.

Ansley is doing well. She was very excited to come see him after he was born, but was concerned about me and why I was in a bed and couldn't walk, and was very interested in all the tubes and monitors I was connected to. She wanted to hold baby Christian immediately, which we let her do. So sweet! Baby Christian gave her a princess nightgown when she came to visit, and I had purchased a few items for her to receive while we were gone. We gave her a shirt that said "I'm the Big Sister" that she wore to the hospital, and a big sister brag book, which was filled with pictures of her and Christian and she was very proud to show it off. I also planned for her to help bake and decorate a birthday cake for Christian, and my mom helped her with that. That was the first thing she showed us when we came home - she was quite pleased. We have kept her very involved - she wants to help with everything - and she is being a wonderful big sister. John's mom and Joe are here, which has helped tremendously with giving her lots of attention (not to mention meals and cleaning!). My parents left Wednesday, which was great that she had so much attention and they were able to bring her to the hospital, which made her feel very included.

The hospital experience was awesome. It's a new, super nice hospital, but for the area not very crowded. The nurses were wonderful, my anesthesiologist was great, and the care was superb. The best part was getting popsicles all day long before I delivered, and then whatever I wanted afterwards. It was such pampering - I don't remember feeling that way with Ansley - I think I was too anxious to get home. This time I was enjoying just being able to relax, being a little pampered and doted on, and enjoying just the three of us, knowing when we got home things would be different. I could order whatever I wanted to eat off the menu and have it delivered to my room - and the food was great. I was really very impressed with the hospital care.

So now we're home. It's definitely a transition - back to getting the hang of breastfeeding again, waking in the night, and of course balancing two. But it's so different for me this time - still all the wonder and love for my sweet boy, but I'm much more laid back, feeling more relaxed this time around. I'm savoring this whole process - it has been a wonderful journey.

More pictures, and thoughts I'm sure, to come! :)

Almost Forgot....

the fun part! Let's start guesses for how much baby Christian will weigh, and how long he will be. You can also guess the time still - even though we know the date, who knows what time it will be!

A few "clues", if needed: I will be 40 weeks on Wednesday, so he'll be two days early, and Ansley weighed 8 lbs 4 ozs.

I'm curious to see what everyone thinks.... :)

And the verdict is.....

Two centimeters, 50 percent effaced! Wo-hoo!! So, unless I go on my own, they will induce Monday, January 15 at 7 am. So, Ashley, you were right on target! :) Which is actually kinda neat, because Ansley's birthday is September 15, and then Christian's birthday will be January 15, assuming of course that it's not before (which means Dad, you're still in the running).

Thanks for the guesses - it was fun to read and made me laugh! Stay tuned for baby pics soon!

We are hanging out here, waiting for the fun to begin. Today we had a playdate with my friend Valerie and her 3 kids. Ansley really enjoys playing with other kids, so it was a fun morning. Last Friday we had a playdate with my friend Sandy and her two boys, and while I was a little worried that it might not go well given the varying interests, it went very well and Ansley really enjoyed both boys. This has been a nice time for me to get to know some moms from the mom's group one on one, as they can come over here and hang out, since that's what we'd be doing anyway. Hopefully after he arrives we can do that some more here at the house, until we're able to venture out. :)

My parents and John's mom will both arrive on Sunday, and then my parents will stay just a few days and John's mom will be here for two weeks, then my parents will come back. So we've got pretty good coverage for Ansley here for awhile, which will be nice.

It hit me that today is the last day that it will just be Ansley and me. What a strange thought. I know before long it will seem like it's always been the three of us during the week, and I won't remember what these days were like, but right now it makes me a little sad to think that from here on out our days will be different. Not bad, not that I would want it to be just the two of us forever, but just different. And I pray that it's a good transition all around, that Ansley enjoys having a little brother, and that we are able to really savor this last baby, and enjoy our family of four.

Spreading a Little Love

We jumped on some Valentine's crafts a little early, but Ansley sure got a kick out of it. Ansley named them, there's Honey on the left and Piglet on the right, and they are good friends, she tells me.

I told her we were going to make some 'Valentine people' to get a head start on Valentine's Day. So she asks me "What's Valentine's Day?" And I respond, "It's a holiday that we celebrate the love we have for each other as a family." To which she responds, "And the love we have for Jesus!"

Happy Mommy Moment.

So, let's start the guesses! I went to the doctor on Monday, and there's still no progress. I go back again tomorrow. Post on here and let me know the date and time you think he will be born, and we'll see who gets the closest. For fun, let me know if you think I'll go on my own or have to be induced. My due date is January 17....and let's see, Ansley was 5 days late. That's all the clues you're getting! Guess away.....

Reflections

At the beginning of this year of transition for us, I wanted to capture the cute, funny and silly things Ansley says these days. I'm getting sentimental, savoring these last ________ (hours/days/weeks) with just Ansley. I really think and pray that it will be a great transition for her, especially with all the help we'll have in the beginning to give her lots of attention, and with her nurturing ways. It's just such a different experience, having another one when for over three years it has just been me and Ansley. And the strange thing is I know she won't ever remember when it was just me and her, when she's old enough to remember it will seem like it's always been Ansley and Christian, but I will treasure these days.

Here are the things I want to remember:

As we're sorting Christian's clothes in his room earlier this evening (discovered a batch I forgot to wash), Ansley says 'These are so cute, Mommy! He will be a fine looking man!"

Last night at dinner, Ansley asks me to tell her the story about God. I asked her which story, and she said "The one where he makes everything! God made me, and Mommy and Daddy and butterflies! And oranges! God is in my heart. Jesus is in there, too."

Yesterday Ansley looks at me and says "Mommy, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" (Since I've never heard John or I use this phrase, it really cracked me up!).

At dinner tonight, Ansley dropped the top piece of bread off her bacon, egg and cheese sandwich (this is one of our standard pregnancy dinners) and exclaims "Ooh, now it's ruined!" and hangs her head in despair. (our little drama queen)

Ansley talks often of wanting to feed baby Christian, so John thought he would explain beforehand how he will be fed, and that it will take a few weeks before she will be able to give him a bottle. A few days later we ran into some friends at Kohl's, and we're all standing around chatting. Ansley pipes up, "Excuse me - baby Christian will get milk from my Mommy's boobies!" Yep, I think she understood.

As a quote I love says, "These are the magic years... and therefore magic days... and therefore magic moments." Just soaking up all these magic moments - and looking forward to those that lie ahead.

*Photo taken tonight while Ansley enjoys her bedtime snack, a "tradition", if you can call it that, we started with her as a baby.

Never lost again...

John surprised me this Christmas with the Absolute Most Perfect Present Ever. In case you didn't know, or haven't been around me when I'm driving, I am absolutely terrible at directions. I have a severe case of Can't Get Anywhere On My Own, and I often call John to ask how to get here or there. If I go somewhere new, say a new friend's house, I have to mapquest *exact* directions, and then reverse them, because after spending a few hours somewhere, I will have forgotten how to get back home. So, here is why I will never be lost again.....

It is awesome. It's called the Garmin Nuvi 660, and it will get me anywhere by giving me exact directions. I can enter any address, or look up a place by name, and it will get me there. It talks to me: "Turn left in 0.8 miles" and "Approaching destination in 1.2 miles on the right." SO cool. I'm so excited that I will never be driving around Knoxville, wondering where I am, ever again. Makes me happy!

In other news, there is no news. I went to the doctor today; there's no progress with baby Christian, so we wait. I go back again on Monday for more checking.

There will definitely be pictures here of him as soon as he makes his arrival, so stay tuned. :)