What's in a Name?

He is getting older and older!

Just to briefly update you, breastfeeding is still the most challenging thing yet... But, I hear infants tend to turn a corner with it at three weeks. 1/2 way there. Oh boy.

Anywho, a large question on everyone's minds tends to be, what should we call the baby? Yes, we named him Joel Andrew (a clever play on Joel and Drew, his parents). But, on the day to day, what do we call him?


I really like Andy, as does my parents. Big Joel is dead set against it. We were going to call him J.J. for Joel Jr. - but then a friend of ours reminded us that Oprah calls her vagina Va-J-J, so we could not do that to the poor boy.Lately, up in the running is L.J. (for little Joel). Not only does this hopefully avoid any mocking in the future, but doesn't LJ Williams sound like a great football name? This also allows us to call Dad Big Joel on a more regular basis which I think is great. The only thing is I am still not so sure... What do you think?

Workin' on it...

Today is Little Joel's one week birthday!  Can you believe it!?

Breastfeeding is hard.  And that is all I am going to say about that.  We have been busy trying to make this work, and are seeing a "lactation specialist."  Can you imagine there are actually people employed to do this sort of thing?  Anyway, I am trying not to get too upset about it and move forward.  I am wondering how the human race has lasted for so long, who knew how difficult it could be?

Otherwise, we are all doing great.  Trying to get into a rhythm, and making short trips out.  I hope that in one week time we will be into a good groove and be able to get out more and more, and have more and more visitors too.  I know so many others who would have already been out already ten times over...  I guess we are just a little behind the game but we will catch up soon.  

Some fun recent photos of the little guy for you, he is already changing so much, though he has not gained more than two ounces since we brought him home.

At Home

  

We are at home!  It has been a wonderful, and challenging few days.  I was banned from the computer a bit - as I was not sleeping too well and when I should have been napping I was e-mailing...  But, now I am back for a quick update!

Little Joel is doing just great.  He seems to love his room, his 

big brother Angus and all of his fun clothes.  We have been playing a bit of dress-up, which is a good thing because I am not sure how long he will fit into some of these things.

He is not too bad a night, and I am getting a hang of the mommy-duties.  My mom has been FANTASTIC.  Doula Hedy I will start calling her.  She has done the laundry and cooked gourmet meals for us (the lunch we just had was homemade chicken cordon bleu, with mesculn greens and dressing followed by fresh berries for dessert!).  She is enjoying taking breaks from her work and relaxing with her grandson.  

Grandpa Dave also had a great time with the little guy, which is always so special.  He sadly needed to run back to Chicago, but will hopefully be back for another visit soon.  Grandma Karen has had some wonderful visits as well.  Grandpa Ken could not be prouder.  He is doing perhaps the most important job of all right now, keeping Big Sister Otter occupied while we figure out how to get her adjusted to her new brother!

Most of all, Big Brother Angus is doing well too.  He seems to already be in love with Little Joel (how could you not be?).  Well, back to doing some mommy things, and taking a nap. I do not want to loose computer time again!

PS - what do you think of Big Joel's sketchy mustache at the top of this page?

He is Here!

Well, the baby must have sensed my frustration in my first post - because he arrived yesterday!  Joel Andrew was born on 7/20 at 7:27pm, 7 pounds, 13 ounces and 21 inches long.  He arrived surrounded by a room full of women, more details to follow.

It started all too common.  On Sunday I decided to finally gather my things for my overnight hospital bag.  Joel (husband - we haven't figured out the nickname for the baby yet so when I say Joel I am always referring to husband) and I choose our movies that we would have on in the background during labor (a few of which consisted of My Blue Heaven, Blades of Glory, The Incredibles).  I decided to make a turkey meatloaf which ended in disappointment.  I also tried to finish my college scrapbooks in an effort to finally close the door on a project that had been lingering for over 10 years.  I went to bed not having completed the album, and having left a mess of photos all over the place.

Of course, I wake up at 1:20 am and on my way to my first mid-night potty run I notice I have already gone potty, sans the potty.  What is this I ask?  Well, I knew but was too overwhelmed to really accept it.  I called the hospital, they confirmed I needed to come in as my water broke.  I woke Joel up and he literally jumped to the ceiling.  I went downstairs and proceeded to collect, organize and stash all of my scrapbooking remains.  Can't have a mess while at the hospital!  I emailed people, got some more cleaning done, then we were off.

Admitted by 2:30, and immediately put on penicillin, we were off.  Although contractions were progressing and not that bad, I could not sleep a wink. Joel on the other hand was out!  By morning things had gotten more intense, but I stayed away from the pain meds.  By afternoon I was trying everything, the yoga ball (aka the birthing ball), walking, dancing, the tub, watching movies - but could go no longer.  At 2:00pm I could be heard bribing the nurses to make the epidural come quicker.  At 3:00pm and around 7cm it was in and life was much better.  Just over and hour and a half later they 1/2 my epidural dose and got me ready to push. 

 

That was tough!  I got a fever and the baby's heart rate started to rise.  So, over the course of the next 2-1/2 hours the sense of urgency in getting the baby out rose.  After 2-

1/2 hours they brought in a Dr. (I have been working with excellent mid-wives).  As the Dr. was about to go into a c-section for twins, she became all business.  In about 2 minutes of very

 painful but very appreciated work she got the baby out!  Little Joel was born! 

He had the cord wrapped around his neck, so he needed to be tended to immediately.  He did not cry for the first two minutes which made me very upset. But the nurses worked to make him comfortable and suction him out and all was fine.  I forgot to mention that for some reason there were about 10 nurses, a midwife and a Dr. all in the room - all women.  He was surrounded by ladies on his birthday!

While he was getting cleaned up on one side of the room and I was getting cleaned up on the other it was just too weird.  I mean, for 9 months you know to expect a child but you do not really realize what has happened until you see him there in front of you.  Joel looked over his baby in amazement, a smile I will never forget.  When I finally got to hold the baby I just said "we are going to have so much fun."

A Blog it is

I am currently 37-1/2 weeks and ready for the new guy.  For two weeks now I have been on bed rest.  It has oscillated between strict bed rest and moderate bed rest.  At times it is nice and relaxing, I am organizing the house (which I stress is not a "nesting" thing, but rather something I would do normally), catching up on HGTV and Food Network shows, and just plain getting lots of sleep.  At other times I feel cramped in the house, lazy, like I am gaining 1,000 pounds a day, and bored.  

I left my job in mid-June, and hoped the 6 weeks before the little one's arrival would be filled with our first adventures.  Trips to Sebago Lake in Maine, museums, visiting friends for lunch, and getting lots of pampering in.  I guess it is not so bad that instead I am focusing on getting things ready and resting up for the soon-to-happen lack of sleep.  Though I am hoping the kid takes after my husband and sleeps a lot.

Friends and family, who refuse to use Facebook, have asked me to start a Blog.  So here I am, my first attempt!  Posts may be boring for the next few weeks.  I am hoping the action will start real soon.  For a sneak peek at his nursery, check out the photos to the left.