The Past Week

Yesterday Emerson turned 1 week old! (Yes, I am counting weeks here—it’s all I’ve got.)

This past week we have been exhausted but so happy with our peaceful little boy. He is so sweet, a great sleeper, a great feeder, and hardly cries. All that being said, motherhood is still tiring. I think more than anything this past week I’ve been looking at every mom I know with a new lens of extreme respect, especially moms with several kids. I cannot even imagine caring for a newborn and other children! Though Emerson mostly eats and sleeps, I find it taking all my time. I’ll look at the clock at 5pm and wonder where the whole day went—I think feeding, showering, napping, and letting visitors come visit E has taken all of our time, leaving me to think—where did the day go?? And the nights are another story—being up at night to nurse is sure tiring. I had no idea how little sleep most of my mom friends have probably been running on for years.

The beginning of the week began with labor: I was sent to the hospital to be induced because of my recent jump in blood pressure. My water broke before they gave me the Pitocin, and I ended up not needing it. The labor experience was actually very pleasant, quick, and relaxing (especially after getting the epidural; I thought I might try to go without it, but my doctor thought it would really help with my rising blood pressure; after getting it, I was in awe at how pleasant birth became :). My water broke around 8am and I progressed quickly throughout the day; I was ready to push around 4:30pm. After over an hour of pushing the doctor asked to use forceps to pull him out—something I never thought I’d be so grateful for! I was so relieved when he finally came out. The doctors placed him skin-to-skin on my tummy and he looked up at me and Mitch when we spoke, and seemed to recognize us! It was such an amazing experience. I am so grateful for such a smooth and pleasant labor, and the amazing experience of meeting our little boy. Emerson spent the next two days in the special care nursery because they thought his blood sugar was low; we spent almost the whole time with him. Basically they monitored his levels every couple of hours. Our pediatrician thinks he never even had low blood sugar, but better safe than sorry. He was close to us and ended up being completely fine. We're so glad it all went well and we were able to take him home on time.

I am still sore sometimes sitting and walking, but I find that pain goes away whenever I hold Emerson or see Mitch adoring him and smiling through dirty diaper changes. We cannot get enough of him! Mitch has been leaving for work a little late, coming home for lunch, and leaving a little early just to see us. At least 3 times a day he says “this is really what it’s all about.” We feel that our lives are beginning! Sometimes when he’s sleeping we just stare, especially when he smiles in his sleep.

Here are some pictures of the week.

Leaving for the hospital—some pack hospital bags, we packed a hospital carload!

Holding my baby!

Such a cutie with so much hair!

Our first family photo :) So tired and so happy.

Leaving the hospital! Mitch was driving so slowly the whole time—yes, we were nervous.

Hanging out at home… the world’s biggest yawn!

Emerson’s quizzical look.

Hungry.

Tired. (Notice the Dodger blanket I wrap him in for when Mitch comes home from work! He peed on it the other day and Mitch said he hopes it wasn’t intentional :)

Relaxed.

We’ve had so much fun seeing our friends and letting them meet Emerson! Thank you for all the meals and treats. Though sometimes it’s hard to accept dinner from other people, it really makes the day much easier to not have to worry about it.

We love our little boy! Thanks for a wonderful, happy, tiring, and loving first week :)