One week. 7 days. 168 hours. 10,080 minutes.
Day BIRTH. Chloe was taken to the NICU for about an hour after her birth to be monitored after the meconium ordeal. I'd gotten all the info released to family and friends about her birth, finished being stitched up, waited for the epidural to wear off enough that I could use my left leg, and then I got to go see her. The nurse wheeled my right up next to her and the floodgates of tears just poured out of me. She was content just laying there as I stared at her and she stared at me.
Shortly after, she was released to come back to our room where we had just got settled. We were blessed with a private room which was so wonderful! As the afternoon progressed, we had so many visitors. It was so fun to see all the loved poured out to our tiny little girl. And of course, Grandma & Grandpa came to meet their first grandchild!! Chloe's middle name is in honor of Jill's mom who passed away a couple years ago but meant so much to the entire family. We wish you could be here to meet your great granddaughter, Gammy.
After an exhausting birth day, I was expecting to sleep like a rock. Let me tell you, sleeping next to an adorable bundle of coos makes sleep tough. I think I totaled less than an hour the entire night between trips to the bathroom, feeding Chloe, and attempting to fathom the fact that I'm now a mommy. Luke was a champ -- like he's been every day with her. He was up each time I was and wanting to help in any way he could. Most of the time he was the one feeding her, rocking her, and singing to her through the night. While he got some sleep on the lovely pull out sofa in the room, I laid with Chloe in my arms and cried. Tears of joy over the excitement of our newly expanded family, tears of awe at the miraculous gift of life, tears of anxiety over the realization that I am responsible to train up this child in the way she should go, tears of gratitude to the Lord for choosing to bless us with this baby girl, tears of love beyond words for Chloe Jane, and tears of expanded love for my dear husband as I watched a whole new side of him blossom in front of my eyes.
Day ONE. Luke and I watched birthing videos at home and opted out of the birthing classes before Chloe was born. One thing the instructor mentioned multiple times was: Remember, labor is one day out of the rest of your life. Focus on that to get you through. And I did. Through contractions, the ride to the hospital, and up until I got the epidural, Luke was great about reminding me that I could do it. Just one day. However, when I woke up the next morning in the hospital, the pain was immense. Of course they had me on pain medication but I guess I hadn't factored tearing so badly that I would need 20+ stitches into my it's-only-one-day speech.
Nurses and doctors came in and out through the morning checking my stitches, swelling, heart rate, and of course, checking Chloe too. We signed papers for her social security card, to accept the shots I was being given, and all sorts of discharge papers before we finally left the hospital a little after 4.
Day TWO. The first day home with Chloe was interesting. None of us quite knew what to do or how the day with a newborn was supposed to look. We all 3 took turns holding her, feeding her, and napping, for sure! Luke & I took her on her first outing over to grandma & grandpa's house then Bryce & Deb brought dinner over. Not much of an eventful day but that was OK with us.
Day THREE. Luke had a Dr appointment in Modesto first thing in the morning then Chloe & I were going to meet him at the pediatrician's office for her first appointment. The drive with stitches wasn't wonderful and we were slightly late so I think Chloe got a little more of an amusement park ride then I had wanted... But, she again slept soundly and I didn't even hear a peep from her the entire trip. The doctor had all positive things to say about her. Tiny bit of jaundice but nothing to worry about and she was all healthy! Best part of her trip, her first visit to Starbucks on the way home!!
Chloe got to meet Uncle Tyson & Aunt Sarah over Skype that evening and then Aunt Jacy came to meet her too!
Day FOUR. Big, big, big day on Saturday!! Let's see if I can capture it all...
Followed by a visit from Aunt Jacy then we went to visit daddy and the girls at Woods Furniture. Home for a nap and woke up in time for dinner from Reggie, Lindy, & Mr. Cohen.
Day FIVE. Sunday brought a serious case of the weepies for this mama. The pain was still intense and I was ready to enjoy my sweet girl without having my stitches throb, to be able to pick up her burp cloth without cringing in pain, and to be able to rock her without having to sit on one hip or the other. Frustration mixed with sadness got my spirits down and all sorts of little things made me cry. I cried in the shower, I cried when I was emptying the dryer, I cried when Charlotte texted me about how I was feeling, I cried when Luke came home, I cried when I was sitting on the toilet, I cried looking at Facebook -- you get the picture yet? It was one emotional day. To top it off, we had an issue with Chloe spitting up chunks of her formula from a bottle that I made her. Luke was concerned for Chloe yet I felt like I was a bad mommy for not getting it mixed just right for her so therefore, it didn't go too well in our kitchen....
There was lots of good in the day though. More sun time,
...and pizza for dinner along with a visit from Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Jacy & Dillon. Well, the pizza was good for mom & dad, not so much a good part of the day for Chloe Bug.
Day SIX. I got out of bed and the first thing I thought wasn't about the pain I was in. How refreshing! My mom and I did lots of stuff around the house; laundry, scheduled appointments, sorted through hospital paperwork, and started our crafts that we purchased to do on the day of her birth. It was a productive day indeed.
Day SEVEN. Chloe & I had our first play date with Ariana & Liam. Although the kids obviously didn't interact, we had a fun times catching up while holding the other baby! Kaelee brought over a lasagna and held Chloe while we all ate. So fun to have friends share in our little bundle with us :)
All in all, it's been a great first week. Some ups, some down but that's to be expected. We are generally up with her 11:30, 2:30, 5:30 but each night is a little different. She eats (or is it drinks?) usually 2.5oz-3oz during the day and a little less at night. But before I sign off, I want to give a big shout out to my mom for being such a trooper through this whole thing. She usually takes BOTH the early morning feedings and lets Luke & I sleep. I must admit, I'm more than a little spoiled in that area. But the extra sleep has really helped me heal and get out of the house quicker than I expected with all these stitches. Of course she smothers her to death with kisses, has the ultimate baby talk voice, and holds her whenever she isn't cooking or doing our laundry. What a blessing she has been for us in this time of transition. She also goes into her bedroom each evening to read so our little family of 3 can spend time connecting. I so, so, so, so appreciate her getting up each night (because normally she likes her sleep quite a bit), her willingness to do anything we need, her ability to capture all the "life-moment" photos from delivery to naptime, and I love to watch her love on my daughter. Love you mom!!
Shortly after, she was released to come back to our room where we had just got settled. We were blessed with a private room which was so wonderful! As the afternoon progressed, we had so many visitors. It was so fun to see all the loved poured out to our tiny little girl. And of course, Grandma & Grandpa came to meet their first grandchild!! Chloe's middle name is in honor of Jill's mom who passed away a couple years ago but meant so much to the entire family. We wish you could be here to meet your great granddaughter, Gammy.
After an exhausting birth day, I was expecting to sleep like a rock. Let me tell you, sleeping next to an adorable bundle of coos makes sleep tough. I think I totaled less than an hour the entire night between trips to the bathroom, feeding Chloe, and attempting to fathom the fact that I'm now a mommy. Luke was a champ -- like he's been every day with her. He was up each time I was and wanting to help in any way he could. Most of the time he was the one feeding her, rocking her, and singing to her through the night. While he got some sleep on the lovely pull out sofa in the room, I laid with Chloe in my arms and cried. Tears of joy over the excitement of our newly expanded family, tears of awe at the miraculous gift of life, tears of anxiety over the realization that I am responsible to train up this child in the way she should go, tears of gratitude to the Lord for choosing to bless us with this baby girl, tears of love beyond words for Chloe Jane, and tears of expanded love for my dear husband as I watched a whole new side of him blossom in front of my eyes.
Day ONE. Luke and I watched birthing videos at home and opted out of the birthing classes before Chloe was born. One thing the instructor mentioned multiple times was: Remember, labor is one day out of the rest of your life. Focus on that to get you through. And I did. Through contractions, the ride to the hospital, and up until I got the epidural, Luke was great about reminding me that I could do it. Just one day. However, when I woke up the next morning in the hospital, the pain was immense. Of course they had me on pain medication but I guess I hadn't factored tearing so badly that I would need 20+ stitches into my it's-only-one-day speech.
Nurses and doctors came in and out through the morning checking my stitches, swelling, heart rate, and of course, checking Chloe too. We signed papers for her social security card, to accept the shots I was being given, and all sorts of discharge papers before we finally left the hospital a little after 4.
And then, home sweet home.
Day TWO. The first day home with Chloe was interesting. None of us quite knew what to do or how the day with a newborn was supposed to look. We all 3 took turns holding her, feeding her, and napping, for sure! Luke & I took her on her first outing over to grandma & grandpa's house then Bryce & Deb brought dinner over. Not much of an eventful day but that was OK with us.
Day THREE. Luke had a Dr appointment in Modesto first thing in the morning then Chloe & I were going to meet him at the pediatrician's office for her first appointment. The drive with stitches wasn't wonderful and we were slightly late so I think Chloe got a little more of an amusement park ride then I had wanted... But, she again slept soundly and I didn't even hear a peep from her the entire trip. The doctor had all positive things to say about her. Tiny bit of jaundice but nothing to worry about and she was all healthy! Best part of her trip, her first visit to Starbucks on the way home!!
Chloe got to meet Uncle Tyson & Aunt Sarah over Skype that evening and then Aunt Jacy came to meet her too!
Day FOUR. Big, big, big day on Saturday!! Let's see if I can capture it all...
Luke's great Aunt Mary came to visit along with Linda & Ebbie.
Sun time and Skyping with my dad took up a big part of our early afternoon
Followed by a visit from Aunt Jacy then we went to visit daddy and the girls at Woods Furniture. Home for a nap and woke up in time for dinner from Reggie, Lindy, & Mr. Cohen.
Ahhhhhh. Good day.
Day FIVE. Sunday brought a serious case of the weepies for this mama. The pain was still intense and I was ready to enjoy my sweet girl without having my stitches throb, to be able to pick up her burp cloth without cringing in pain, and to be able to rock her without having to sit on one hip or the other. Frustration mixed with sadness got my spirits down and all sorts of little things made me cry. I cried in the shower, I cried when I was emptying the dryer, I cried when Charlotte texted me about how I was feeling, I cried when Luke came home, I cried when I was sitting on the toilet, I cried looking at Facebook -- you get the picture yet? It was one emotional day. To top it off, we had an issue with Chloe spitting up chunks of her formula from a bottle that I made her. Luke was concerned for Chloe yet I felt like I was a bad mommy for not getting it mixed just right for her so therefore, it didn't go too well in our kitchen....
There was lots of good in the day though. More sun time,
Meeting her 2 cousins Zade & Brynn on Skype with Uncle Tyson & Aunt Sarah,
...and pizza for dinner along with a visit from Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Jacy & Dillon. Well, the pizza was good for mom & dad, not so much a good part of the day for Chloe Bug.
Ended the evening with a little lounge time with daddy in bed.
Day SIX. I got out of bed and the first thing I thought wasn't about the pain I was in. How refreshing! My mom and I did lots of stuff around the house; laundry, scheduled appointments, sorted through hospital paperwork, and started our crafts that we purchased to do on the day of her birth. It was a productive day indeed.
Day SEVEN. Chloe & I had our first play date with Ariana & Liam. Although the kids obviously didn't interact, we had a fun times catching up while holding the other baby! Kaelee brought over a lasagna and held Chloe while we all ate. So fun to have friends share in our little bundle with us :)
All in all, it's been a great first week. Some ups, some down but that's to be expected. We are generally up with her 11:30, 2:30, 5:30 but each night is a little different. She eats (or is it drinks?) usually 2.5oz-3oz during the day and a little less at night. But before I sign off, I want to give a big shout out to my mom for being such a trooper through this whole thing. She usually takes BOTH the early morning feedings and lets Luke & I sleep. I must admit, I'm more than a little spoiled in that area. But the extra sleep has really helped me heal and get out of the house quicker than I expected with all these stitches. Of course she smothers her to death with kisses, has the ultimate baby talk voice, and holds her whenever she isn't cooking or doing our laundry. What a blessing she has been for us in this time of transition. She also goes into her bedroom each evening to read so our little family of 3 can spend time connecting. I so, so, so, so appreciate her getting up each night (because normally she likes her sleep quite a bit), her willingness to do anything we need, her ability to capture all the "life-moment" photos from delivery to naptime, and I love to watch her love on my daughter. Love you mom!!
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