baby noises

Jonah is seven weeks old today, and I'm feeling much better about the passing time than I was less than a week ago. Thank the Lord! This week is my last full week with him at home, and I will be ready to go back to work on August 1st. I'm a little nervous about getting both of us ready in the morning and pumping while I'm out and about, etc, but I'm sure just like everything else it will all work out just fine. 

The changes I've witnessed in the past week are amazing!  Suddenly he has a little voice. His cries are the same with an added sound; it's hard to explain but none the less amazing. His "coos" are more often and more animated, especially when he talks to his stuffed friends in his crib. He is definitely smiling on purpose. Earning the right to one of his big gummy grins has to be one of life's greatest pleasures.

Our first family trip to Chicago at 5 weeks.

He loves music, in fact he requires it. He will tolerate actually swinging in his swing on occasion, but always the music. He sleeps with a radio in his room, and if he's getting fussy in the car I just crank up the radio and he quiets down.

On the way home from Chicago... sick of the carseat perhaps?

I'm also s-l-o-w-l-y shedding my "she just had a baby" look. I'm learning the pounds don't necessarily fall off if you breastfeed like everyone claims; your body typically hangs on to anywhere from 10-20 lbs until you wean. That's a little disheartening but knowing that I'm doing the absolute best thing for my baby makes the sacrifice worth it.  I broke down and purchased a pair of jean capris this week in the size that I need which is the best money I've spent in a long time!  I love my Lulu but a girl can only live in yoga pants for so long ;)

Photography is chicken soup for my soul.

I have an abundance of beautiful photos thanks to my extremely talented cousin Jenni.  I shared some with you already.  I shared some on Facebook.  I just can't share them enough.  They were all taken within the first two weeks of Jonah's little life.  He's now 6 weeks old and long since grown out of his newborn clothing and diapers.

I'm not sure if I'm supposed to still be having baby blues, but the thought of him growing up so quickly literally haunts me.  I'm told the eating/sleeping thing will get much better... and I know it will be so much fun to watch him grow into himself... I just want to freeze this moment in time.  I just want to stay here a little. bit. longer.  

These feelings were SO strong the first few weeks after delivery.  I coped by videotaping a little clip of him nearly everyday like a crazed lunatic.  I posted them on YouTube so anyone who looks at my channel will see just what a nut case I really am. They will also see some cute videos of our little man :) xx

Awe~!!!

It's really hard to understand what people mean when they try to explain parenthood... "it's a love you've never experienced before" or "it's the hardest job you'll ever love."  If I could describe my feelings in one word it would be awe.  I'm in awe of my body.  I'm in awe of my maker.  I'm in awe of my husband.  And I'm absolutely in awe of our sweet little Jonah.

As always, the amazing photography is compliments of Jenni O Photography
www.jenniophotography.com

We've all seen a newborn baby before.  They're so cute with their little toes and little noses... but seeing your OWN baby is like seeing a three eyed purple alien~!  Dustin and I would just (and still do) STARE at him in complete awe.  It is an absolute miracle.  It's a little "us"!

One thing that especially amazes me are all the little movements and noises that he makes.  When he stretches he makes tiny little baby stretching noises.  When he eats he moves his little foot around.  His little baby coughs are adorable.  When he sticks out his bottom lip tears spring to my eyes. And then there are the smiles-- oh the smiles!  Sometimes he'll be eating and he'll stop and kind of giggle... like he just remembered something so funny~!!! :)

One of my co-workers asked me after the first two weeks at home if we're starting to notice his little personality yet. So far "feisty" sums it up.  He makes a lot of little grunting noises when he's waking up-- like he really means business.  Sometimes when he's super hungry he shakes his head and makes grunting noises as he latches on-- like he's saying "what the heck took you so long, Mom!"

We can't figure out who he looks like though.  Uncle Todd says he looks a lot like baby Dustin.  He for sure has Dustin's legs and feet.  I think he has my nose.  I'm excited to see what color his eyes turn out to be.

And all the talk about getting no sleep and being so miserable...?  Well first of all I mentioned before I think Jonah is just a really good baby.  Secondly, when I'm up in the middle of the night- maybe just a little cranky from lack of sleep- the minute I smell his baby smell and see his perfect little self I melt. It is the hardest job I've ever loved! And I'm so in love with this little boy.

One month~!

It's July 2, 2012 and Jonah is one month old...!!!

Week 4

This week we enjoyed Grandma Elliott's visit~!  My mom flew up from Phoenix and spent nearly a week with us.  She taught me so much about babies, being a mom, and enjoying life.  We didn't even get all the way through our list of things we wanted to do together and it was time for her to leave :(  A heat wave kept us inside for all but quick walks with the dogs... it was cooler in Phoenix on the 4th of July than it was in Minnesota this year; by like 30 degrees!

I'll never get sick of watching him sleep :)

My brother and his family surprised Mom and came up for the weekend to meet the new little man.  In just another month or so they too will be welcoming in a new baby! Jonah officially moved on to size 1 diapers and out of his newborn clothing while they were here.  Sniffle, sniffle.

Ridiculous photo shoot.  Mom got Jonah the football and made him the blanket...
which is all dandy.  Us attempting to pose the poor little man with it was not.

Grandma and her grandbabies!

Uncle Nick

"who's it gonna be?" said Skyler when he found out I was pregnant initially.

Kaide is a natural

Oh baby

... weight that is.  


I was so excited to lose over 50% of what I'd gained within the first two weeks, but now at just over 3 weeks postpartum the losing has slowed down for sure.  The girl who tries hard to be flexible and easy going says "give it time Sarah-- you just had a BABY and it's only been 3 weeks for goodness sake."  Then there's that super competitive type A person who conquers my thoughts most of the time saying "It's been 3 weeks; you haven't lost that yet?  You have HOW MUCH to lose to get back to your pre-pregnancy weight?" ~sigh~


I've been fortunate that my weight hasn't really fluctuated that much in my lifetime.  My pre-pregnancy weight was just 1 or 2 lbs away from my high school graduation weight.  Sure I've weighed much less (typically during a break-up) and I've also weighed a little more (post-marital bliss), so this is really the first time such a large number is staring me in the face.  The good news is I've started using My Fitness Pal and have "friends" from my online pregnancy community to help keep me accountable.  I also started running last week and will absolutely continue building on my runs and workouts.  I also have a loving husband who tells me I look great-- even when I wear the same fricking "fat jeans" every time we go somewhere ;)


And little Jonah...?  He's amazing.  Thankfully I'm over my bout of baby blues and beginning to enjoy his daily changes rather than cry and worry about how quickly he's going to grow up.  We conquered some pretty big feats while learning how to breastfeed (if you ever need advice on that PLEASE ask.  I'm not going to bore you with the details but you can't have enough help and support, that's for sure).  Sleeping is going pretty well too!  He likes to stay up a little later, so that's a little challenging now that Dustin is back to work and it's my job to stay up with him, but we're getting to bed around 11pm, waking up just once during the night between 2-4am to eat and then back to sleep again :) We have a good baby for sure.  And so. stinking. cute.


SO my mom is coming to visit today and I have a few things I need to do before she comes... I promise to post photos of Mr. Jonah soon.  We won't talk about the 2000+ photos I somehow deleted from my Mac this morning :-/ xoxo

Week 3

After spending the first two weeks at home with us Dustin returned to work this week.  Jonah and I were sad to see him go, and spent a little more time cuddling and less time being productive :)

Going for a walk!

Dustin and Jonah's secret language

"neighbor boy" Ben

Jonah's first bottle!

Wow my feet are big :D