1 down, 215 to go....

So, it took me so long to post this, that it's almost two down, but hey. That's the life a new mom, right? I even have a super fabulous husband that helps me and is here with me all the time and I can't find the time to blog. How has Cooper (my friend with triplets) done it for all this time, I wonder??? Anyway, I figure there are 216 months in 18 years. I have that long to influence this precious baby boy to be a man. It's already going by too fast. Sappy?

Zeke is growing like a weed. He changes every day and I can't believe how quickly the last 6 weeks has gone. It's fun to watch, especially as he talks to us and smiles at us. Sleeping is still a challenge and I would love for him to love sleeping in a bed, but he prefers sleeping on our chests. It's hit or miss, and a week of a cold (glad to get that one under my belt) and a few nights out of town (for work, for me, and I survived!) threw off what I thought we were getting into as a system where he napped on us during the day and slept in his bed at night. It will come. He's only 6 weeks today, after all...

Taking a nap on great aunt Megan, who will spoil me probably more than she spoils my mommy, if that is even possible.

Here are some pictures of our little man. So big!

This is what happens when dad is my stylist

I'm meeting my uncle Lee for the first time, and pooping on him.

Still talking food

Okay, so I intended for a lot of this to be about food, as well as being a mom and having a family. Even more than pregnancy, breastfeeding is about eating for two. You are 'supposed' to eat 2,700 calories to support it, but I'm pretty sure that I don't come close to that on most days. I thought it would be no problem, but I still try to eat the 'right' calories (including at least one cookie per day) and really, eating at all can be an issue.

As you know now, poor little Zeke had to be in the NICU the first two days of his life, which lead to issues with my milk coming in and his weight loss. At our 1 week doctor appointment, I was threatened that he would be put in the hospital if we didn't get it up. We pumped him full of high calorie formula and all the breast milk I could produce, and viola! he gained 8 oz overnight. Yes, half a pound and all of the docs were amazed. Anyway, the pediatrician that we saw the next day (to confirm that he had gained weight) perscribed some natural ways to help with my milk production: oatmeal for breakfast, barley soup for lunch, mother's milk tea and Guinness. I was so happy to drink a Guinness per day on doctor's orders. I do love oatmeal, and took this as an opportunity to get creative with it. So, here is my breakfast, most days. It's delicious and nutricious. Plus, at our 2 week appointment, Zeke had grown and inch and a half and gained one pound and 3 ounces since the weigh in appointment (that's a whopping 27 ounces since his one week appointment).

Mama's oatmeal:

Bring 1 cup water and 1 T half and half to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and add a heaping 1/2 cup oats (quick or regular, your call), about 20 raisins or more to taste and 1 t vanilla. Stir until cooked, about 2-6 minutes. Pour into a bowl and sprinkle with 1 t brown sugar (if you need the extra calories, of course). Yum.

And a cute Isaiah shot, b/c that's really why you're reading...

Early bonding worked!

So, all of those attempts for Isaiah and Ben to bond when Isaiah was still in utero worked judging by how excited Ben was when they did actually meet a week ago. It was hilarious, and we can't wait for play dates!

Little Man

Our little guy has arrived. It has taken me two weeks to post because, well, the first two weeks are very eventful. We are all doing well, after a less than ideal start where Isaiah arrived by emergency c-section because of an infection and both he and I were on 48 hours of antibiotics (translation--he was in the NICU and we were apart) which made the beginning incredibly stressful and tearful, but now we are home and all doing well. My first instinct the day we found out we were pregnant was that it was a boy, and I was so happy to find out my instincts were
correct!

Isaiah Philip Opot born May 9, 2009, at 8:55 p.m. 8 lb 5 oz. We love him so much and are so glad he is here!!

He's the best

Okay, so I generally hate when people gush about how amAAAAAzing their husbands are. Especially at our age (or younger) because I think it's silly. Do it when you're married for like 20 years. Okay, okay, it's more of a personality thing, and I guess I've never been a mushy type, but hearing other people do it kind of makes me cringe. A little like PDA. Of course we all think we are married to the greatest men ever, because why would you have married him, right? But, I must say, Joab has been awesome. He would probably be embarrassed that I'm even saying this. Luckily he pays no attention to the fact that I blog. I know much of it is his own excitement about being a dad, but it has been such a good thing for me while surviving the last month of pregnancy.
I have done mental nesting, he has done the physical part. We moved a month ago and he did it ALL. He packed and cleaned the old place, unpacked and cleaned the new place with just minor direction and consultation from me. Plus, he has put everything together in the baby's room, washed all the baby clothes, towels, blankies and made it a real bedroom. All while I direct from the couch. It's not like I'm on bedrest and I can't. It's just that I don't want to, physically because I have huge meat hunk feet and it hurts EVERYWHERE to stand for more than about 15 minutes. So, instead, I walk around and complain about what I wish was done, and then he does it. I would hate me if I was him, but he doesn't seem to hate me at all. Maybe it's because I still make him dinner. Most nights.

Really getting there...

I haven't posted in nearly a month because I don't have pictures to display my hugeness. Plus, we have had a lot going on in the family, so life has gone into overdrive. That, and somehow being this pregnant really wears you out. It feels like I will never be finished getting ready for everything, but when people ask what I still need I answer one of two ways: "Nothing." or "I don't know." And I really don't. I feel like I will realize it once I have this kiddo, but until then it feels like just buying and buying tons of stuff that maybe we'll never use.
I finally got the eco-friendly baby friendly detergent I wanted, so I've washed the sheets and a few onesies, so we're 'ready' Right. Mom and I took a trip to bebe verde today, and it was great. It's a little boutique with lots of great green stuff. I of course felt guilty when she asked me about cloth diapering, and I used Caroline's experience as an excuse/point of reference. Especially because she is now trying cloth. So, maybe in 7 months. Or after we go through the 1,000 disposable huggies that we have. I feel a little guilty when I look at the boxes and think I am contributing to the problem in such a major way, but then think, I can only be so perfect right now. Learning how to be a parent will be mine and Joab's first jobs, then we can learn how to be better eco parents. As we dress our baby in organic cotton onesies, wash the baby in organic fragance and chemical free wash so the baby can sleep on its organic mattress with organic sheets. I guess we're not doing so bad. Thankfully we've had some generous aunts and mamaw that have made that goal more of a reality.
So, now I am technically full term and the baby could come 'any time' even though my due date is still 13 days away. My feet and hands are huge and sore from being so swollen. I get moderate amounts of sleep because of discomfort, but am surviving. Joab is too, and just ready for the baby to get here. Definitely more ready than I am, but I finally had a "I can do this" moment the other day. So, let's hope I defy the family pattern, and have the baby on time. I'm still banking that, like my mom and all of my aunts, this baby will make a late arrival. Wait and see...

Getting There...

The past few weeks have been very busy. The last weekend in March I spent in Leakey with good girlfriends from MN. It was so great to have us all together again...it's been two years at least, and I was happy that they all came down to TX. Here are some pics from the trip. Thanks to Amber, there are some photos of my culinary endeavors.

I made cinnamon rolls, they were great, this is before they were cooked.

they're working on the belly cast. i need to finish it.


our parting group shop. great end to a fun weekend

Last week Joab and I moved; Caroline, Mark and Ben came in town; I attended my final shower in Houston. We are just hunkering down for the last few weeks before the baby arrives, and it seems a little overwhelming at this point. It's actually really nice that we were able to move because it's a fresh start, but it must really suck for Joab because he did everything. EVERYTHING. Next week is Easter, I'm getting a massage (so rough!) and meeting with the doula to go over my birth plan and am very happy that my brother and cousin will also be in town. Plus, I have Friday off. whoo-hoo. We can't wait for Ben to meet our little baby!

Caroline and I think this is good bonding for our kids...