Jacob's First Week

Although the big kids have had some behavior issues and need lots of extra attention since his arrival, Jacob really fits right into our family. He is so easygoing and doesn't mind lots of people in his face, touching him and adoring him. We have really not had much of a chance to "rest" since he's come home, as we're already busy with everything else we have going on. He's already had plenty of adventures.

The Thursday after we brought him home, I had a moment of paranoia because his breathing was very rapid-- I could literally see his chest moving up and down and it seemed so fast to me. At his check-up earlier that day, the nurse mentioned the same thing-- his breathing was awfully fast. She had told me just to monitor it, so of course when I noticed it again, I was concerned. Plus, he had slept a long time and didn't seem interested in waking up to eat. So I called the doctor on call and at 11:00 that night, took him to the ER just to be safe. There wasn't really anything wrong with him-- he was apparently acting like a normal 4-day old baby, but there are little things newborns do that I guess I'd just forgotten. Still, I was glad I took him, since he'd had high jaundice levels in the hospital and since I just wanted to be careful!

Thursday we also ventured to the grocery store while Leah was at dance class. That was a bit too much of an adventure for me and I definitely would not try it for a full grocery trip, but I just needed a few things. I left needing a nap after keeping up with these three (well, the baby slept the whole time, so he really wasn't the problem!).

These three constantly want to hold their brother. Leah is very good at it and can even get up and carry him to me. Abi just loves to touch his hair and face, but she is also very good at getting him a paci when she thinks he needs it (he's not really too good at the paci yet, but we keep trying).  

He likes tummy time just like all my others did. I let him play on his mat a few minutes every day and he can tolerate it a good 20 minutes or so. Of course, you can't see his 3 biggest fans all around the edges of the mat in this picture. They are always under there with him, making sure he sees his toys!

And we made our first trip to church Sunday. He slept through most of it, woke up to eat halfway through the service and then went back to sleep. Of course he has a lot of fans at church, as well, and everyone says he's adorable-- which I agree.

We attempted a little schoolwork on Monday, with the baby in his bouncer. I ended up holding him much of the time, so my attention was even more divided than usual, but I think we will be able to make this work once we get back to school full time!

At his one-week check-up, he weighed 8 lbs. 7 oz., which is well over the 7 lbs. 11 oz. he weighed when we left the hospital. He is definitely eating well and has no problems with my milk! He is growing so fast and I'm already sad that he's not going to be this little for long. 

His umbilical stump fell off while we were at the doctor so he had his first bath Tuesday night-- the most popular event of the year, apparently! The only part Jacob didn't like was getting undressed & being cold. He didn't mind the water.

We are already so in love with this little guy!

Jacob's Birth

The past few weeks of pregnancy were miserable. I'm not sure if it was worse than the previous pregnancies or I just didn't remember how uncomfortable I was at the end of the others, but I was ready to be DONE. I had really wanted him to come early but sweet Jacob Daniel decided to come on his due date and not a minute sooner. We had tried all sorts of things to get him to come-- including flying on a small plane-- but it was all in God's time.

Sunday the 20th I started just feeling bad. I had a few mild contractions throughout the day but wasn't ready to say I was in labor. Then, around 11 that night, the contractions were becoming more measurable. They were still about 15-20 minutes apart and not very strong, but I had a feeling that it was almost time. That morning around 2 the contractions grew to about 7 minutes apart, and although they still weren't very strong, I felt like we should at least get someone to come over and stay with our big kids so we could be at the hospital and not be rushed.

We got a couple from church to come over (in the middle of the night!) to stay while we left for the hospital at 3 am. When we got there, I was only about 1 or 2 cm dilated. I stayed an hour or two and the contractions actually slowed down. I felt nothing and made no progress. So at 6 we went back home. This was a first for me and I was so disappointed! I had really thought this was it. And I did NOT want to have to go back home and have to do every day things when I just wanted to have the baby. But we did. And by 1 that afternoon, things really were starting to progress. The contractions were definitely stronger and quickly getting closer together. I think I had really forgotten how strong they had to be to be considered active labor. (You would think after 3 others I would remember?) We got someone else to come watch the kids and left for the hospital.

We got there around 2, I think, and I knew it wouldn't be long. I was about 6 cm. dilated. I asked if they would break my water, which they did with every other one of my labors and it really made things speed up. The doctor said we should wait and see if it happens on its own. The doctor that was on call was not the doctor I saw through the whole pregnancy. I had really wanted him to be there because I was comfortable with him and liked his demeanor.

However, Dr. Benvenuto, whom I'd only met once, was amazing. She had this calming presence that immediately relaxed me. She offered suggestions for easing the labor pains, and this was the only time any doctor ever encouraged me to labor out of the bed. I actually got in the bath for a little while, and though it was relaxing, I wasn't too comfortable there. I got back in bed in time to push. This hospital is the first where I was able to labor, deliver, and recover all in the same room. And the nurses were willing to do anything to help me push more comfortably.

So my water broke on its own, then 10 minutes later, I pushed maybe 15 minutes, 6 or 7 times, and Jacob was delivered. I think at one point the doctor had me stop pushing because the cord was wrapped around his neck. He came out so fast he had bruising on his eyes. They put him on my chest immediately and let me hold him there as long as I wanted. They were in no rush to take him away to weigh him or anything. He was slimy and slippery and so beautiful! After they weighed him-- a whopping 8 lbs., 4 1/2 oz.-- and wrapped him up, I got him again and he immediately took to nursing. He nursed almost an hour straight! We had a few issues with latching the next couple times and the usual soreness that comes with that, but otherwise he has been a champion nurser and a very good eater.

Our entire experience at this hospital was amazing. The nurses were all so incredible. The 2nd night, Brett stayed at home with the kids since we didn't want to inconvenience anyone else to keep them on a weeknight. So I was there at the hospital by myself the whole night and much of the day Tuesday. The nurses made me feel completely comfortable to call them for anything I needed. I was not hesitant to have them help me swaddle the baby up (which they were very good at) or just hold him when I was frustrated at his crying. They helped with nursing and one even helped with an issue that Leah was having. And yet they didn't come in the room to "check" on anything hardly at all. They let me sleep.

My big kids have been handling things as I thought. They adore the baby and constantly want to hold him and touch him. They run to his side the second he starts to cry. And yet their behavior at home hasn't been the best. Abigail, especially, wants to be a baby again, or-- the second I'm paying attention to the baby and not her-- she needs me to get her something right now. She cries a lot more and demands a lot more attention. Andrew and Leah have also been a little more whiny and need more attention. They fight a little more and the noise level in the house has definitely gone up. It has been a crazy few days trying to keep up with all the changes, but at least they do not want me to send the baby back!

Physically, my recovery after this birth has been easier than any of the others, which is surprising considering how big this baby is! I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I had no tearing, my water broke naturally and I had a great doctor. Jacob was not a great sleeper the two nights we were in the hospital, wanting to cluster-feed all night long. However, our first night home he slept about 4 two-hour stretches. He is rarely gassy or fussy or squirmy like all of my other babies. I put him in his bed and he is sound asleep. He makes no noises that keep me up all night. When I get in bed, I'm not worried he's going to immediately wake me up again-- and I can actually sleep. He still is a little confused on day vs. night and sleeps much better during the daytime hours but he does at least sleep 2 hours at a time at night, sometimes more.

(Andrew slept in his swing the first 2 weeks of his life, because he was way too squirmy & noisy when laying down flat. Jacob, on the other hand, could care less about this swing and only tolerates it a few minutes!) He does love to be swaddled to sleep. The only thing that really makes him cry is getting his diaper changed and sometimes getting in his car seat, if he's not fed and content beforehand. He is generally pretty happy and easygoing-- an answer to all our prayers for our fourth-born.

1st Day of CC & Dance

We've been back to the grind on our school work now for about four weeks, but usually the first day of Classical Conversations signals the "official" first day of school for us. It means a little more time spent during the regular school day reviewing and memorizing. I can hardly believe Leah is already in 2nd grade. This is her 3rd year of CC! Most of the kids in her class were also in it last year, so she's more comfortable and loves going to school!

Andrew also has a year under his belt, although he's still in the youngest class at CC. He has a lot of little boys in his class this year, all his age, so it's going to be interesting to see what new friends he makes or how much trouble he gets into. Last year I was concerned he wasn't really "ready" for full-fledged school, but he did great in class and, even though he may not have learned a ton, it's all there in his memory and I know he grew quite a bit.

The littlest school-goer still cried when I left her in the nursery this year (although it's usually very short-lived), but there are 3 other little girls in there her age and they've hired a full-time nursery worker who plans to do scheduled activities with them, so I know Abi will have a fun year. Really it's not her FIRST day of getting into trouble-- she's been doing that since she was crawling, but she just wanted to hold a sign like her big brother & sister!

Even though it is very hard and there are many days I wish I could just send them all off to public school on the bus, I really do enjoy the chance to be able to teach these kids at home. It is growing more and more difficult as they get older but I can't imagine sending them away and not having them around 6 hours out of the day. And I am really thankful for a program like CC (even though we have to drive an hour each way one day a week) that provides them a chance to interact with other kids their age and allows me the chance to talk with other homeschooling moms and make sure they are on track. 

Leah is also starting her FOURTH year of dance! I can't believe she's wanted to stick with it this long. This year she has a new teacher, and the class is a combo of jazz and tap, as opposed to ballet. She was super excited about learning jazz. I actually didn't get to take her to her very FIRST class, as we were in Maine, but she did go, and then I took her the 2nd week and got to see her in action. Her teacher is definitely challenging them, as the class is a little older this year. I'm glad to see her still enjoy the physical activity and learning a new skill!

Maine & 39 Weeks Pregnant

Last weekend Brett & I had the opportunity to travel to Maine for the annual New England Pastor's Encouragement Retreat. Last year it was in Vermont and we had the best time. Phil Waldrep Ministries has put this on for 20 years now. They raise sponsors throughout the year at other conferences so that pastors all over New England can enjoy this retreat completely free. We were excited to hear it would be in Portland, Maine this year because neither of us has ever been to Maine.

Besides having great speakers and great food, we get to stay in a nice hotel for two nights and just have a time to relax and also meet other pastors from New England. It can often be a lonely job because of just how few churches there actually are.

Friday most of the day is free to do what we choose. So we visited the Portland Head Lighthouse. Brett has taken a series of funny pictures at many of the lighthouses in the Outer Banks, so we were excited to be able to add to the collection! There was actually another small lighthouse in the distance that you can't really get to. It was a beautiful day and we really enjoyed seeing the ocean again for the first time in awhile.

They always have a really elaborate banquet on Friday night with fun entertainment and a ridiculous amount of food. This year we got to enjoy lobster! I have never had it before and it was a fun experience. I also tasted mussels and clams for the first time. Lobster is a lot of work but it is delicious.

We stopped by Wells Beach on the way home, just to see the ocean. It didn't seem like swimming weather, but there were plenty of New Englanders on the beach! 

Of course I wasn't able to do as much walking as I would have liked, seeing as how I was 38, almost 39 weeks pregnant. We were a little concerned the baby would be born in Maine but we mapped out the hospitals on the way and took my pre-natal records, as well as the baby's car seat. However, still no signs of baby. 

And now, a week later, there are STILL no signs. I have been growing increasingly frustrated as we really wanted this baby to come early because of our upcoming trip to Texas by plane in TWO weeks. Every day I wake up hoping today will be the day. It doesn't help that each of my others was early. Monday is the official due date, however, and maybe he just wants to be obedient like Abigail and come on the day he's supposed to. I sleep very little at night, and now I also have a cold, so I am exhausted and just really ready to be done with this pregnancy. And also really just ready to meet the newest member of our family!