Photo Shoot Sneak Peek!

There's more to come, but I wanted to post this in honor of Halloween - especially since his mommy couldn't get her act together in time to find him a Halloween costume!

Discovering the P's of Parenthood

This was the first week on my own, as Mike had to finally go back to work.  I started off the week with nervous excitement, feeling positive that I could conquer this mommy thing with ease.  Five days later and boy was I wrong!  Ethan didn't get the memo that his schedule was supposed to stay the same and he apparently forgot how much he liked his sleep!  His new thing is being completely awake from 6:30-10:30 am with nothing to calm his cries except me holding him.  Which doesn't sound so bad except that my incision is still healing, sometimes I might need to go to the bathroom, I can't pump while holding him, and even though he's only 8 lbs, my back aches!  By Friday I was able to sip through at least half a cup of coffee and I considered that great progress!

Here are some things I learned about parenting this week:

Patience - I had my checklist ready of reasons babies cry and was sure I'd be able to diagnose every whimper.  Nope.  Not even close.  Although not always patient with adults, I am pretty good at being patient with kids (teaching 2nd grade will do that to you), but this parenting thing requires patience on a whole new level.  Trying to remind myself that crying is his only way of communicating and sometimes, there might not be an obvious reason or that reason may just be that he wants to be held.

Puke, pee and poop - If anything, Ethan has mastered the art of these three.  He is a peepee machine.  I expected a lot of diapers, but it feels like he's trying to break a world record!  We had two cases of projectile vomiting, thankfully on the hardwood floor so it was easy to clean up.  One was all over Vavo, which was a good reminder to pack a change of clothes if you're coming over to visit.

Pediatrician - Thank goodness we have found a great doctor who is so cool, calm and collected, the necessary balance to my crazy, neurotic and OCD.  Ethan had to go back for a weight check on Tuesday and he gained 11 ounces in a week.  He's a chunky monkey - guess we don't have to worry about him losing any more weight!  Thanks to Vavo for taking us since I still can't drive with him.

Pedicure - Medicine for mommies.  Now that things like showers aren't daily guarantees for me, it's amazing how a pedicure can make you feel like a new person.  It should be covered as part of maternity leave.  This week's choice was a classic - OPI, "I'm Not Really A Waitress."  Can't go wrong.  Thanks to Grandma for holding down the fort while I snuck out for some R&R.

Amazon Prime - Free 2-day shipping?  Yes, please.  Even though I thought I couldn't possibly need any more baby gear, I found myself desperate for a few items and was grateful not to have to leave the house.  Side note: baby slings are awesome.

Prepared - I always thought of myself as an organized person, but now I'm realizing how important it is to really be prepared.  Do I have diapers located around the house?  Is the wipes dispenser stocked?  Where's the burp cloth?  Is there a pacifier within reach?  I'm learning that losing just a few seconds of time can be the difference between baby bliss and baby freak-out!  That being said, I don't think there is really any way to be fully prepared with a baby!

And now for the most important ones.  Precious.  Proud.  Peaceful.  Perfect.  Everytime I look at him, I still can't believe he's ours.

Happy One Week Birthday!

I can't believe how much life can change in just one week - in the most amazing, exhilarating, emotional, fantastic kind of way.

It's been a week since we welcomed Ethan into our lives.  After a tough delivery, we spent 5 nights in the hospital.  I can't say enough about the nurses and doctors at Beth Israel.  They were amazing and helped us through every part of the process.  It felt like we were in a hotel, we were very pampered throughout our stay with unlimited room service (amazing chocolate chip cookies) and lots of freebies!  Since I had a c-section, I couldn't do much besides lie down.  I always knew Mike would be a great father, but he was a true champ.  His diaper-changing and swaddling abilities are top notch!  As frustrating as it was to not be able to help out, it was such a great bonding experience for father and son right off the bat.

By the time Monday came around, we were very ready to leave and start our new life at home.  The car ride wasn't as stressful as I thought and it seems Ethan loves the motion of the car, just like his mommy did when she was a baby.  Once we got home I was nervous I wouldn't know what to do but just like people told me, maternal instincts took over.

On Tuesday, my mom brought the dogs back to the house and boy, was that an adjustment!  Chewie was great - he would curiously sniff Ethan on occasion and then go back to napping.  Brady was a total wreck.  You could tell he was filled with anxiety and I felt bad because Brady was our first baby, but my entire focus was on Ethan.  After 24 hours, however, Brady has started to adjust.  He likes to sleep on Ethan's dirty clothes and tries to lick his face any chance he gets (don't worry, we aren't letting him!)  He's still a bit anxious and confused but we're hopeful he's moving in the right direction!

He had his first pediatrician visit on Tuesday afternoon and according to the doctor, he's perfect (but we already knew that).  He regained most of the weight he lost in the hospital (he has already gone from 2 oz. feedings to 4 oz. feedings - he's a hungry fellow!)  Funny moment - after the nurse put Ethan on the scale to weigh him, he peed all over it.  I guess he wanted to mark his territory!  We loved the doctor - he has a very calm and relaxed demeanor, which is the perfect compliment to my anxious personality!

We've started to figure out his eating/sleeping habits.  He must know his mommy is a teacher because he's already started to follow a schedule (probably just jinxed myself!).  He has been eating every 3-4 hours and then sleeping like a champ.  Mike and I each take one nighttime feeding and have been able to sleep pretty soundly in 4 hour stretches.  Not sure how long this will last but we'll take it while we can!

We've been so blessed with great friends and family - an enormous thank you to those who have come to visit or sent generous gifts and well-wishes.  Vavo and Grandma each got their own day of snuggles.  It was so great to see our moms so happy.  Ethan is going to be one spoiled grandson.

He had his first bath and his first stroll around the block.  We practiced tummy time (just a couple of minutes a day) and started our nighttime routine of reading a story before bed (Mike is practicing his reading fluency).  It's been so wonderful having Mike home and strangely enough, it has been so peaceful and calm around the house even with a newborn.  No TV, no work, just enjoying each other.  It's the family we've been waiting for.  Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

So many visitors!

He's here!

Meet Ethan Harvey Bloch, born on Thursday, October 10th at 2:52 pm.  He weighs 8.4 lbs. and is 20 inches long.  We are so in love with our new son!

39 Weeks...

...but who's counting?!  This baby has to come out in October, that is what I keep telling myself.  Having an oxymoron of emotions - so ready to not be pregnant anymore, so excited to meet my little man, but so scared about giving birth and knowing what to do once we have him!  I hope that's normal.

My To-Do List for this week:

-Book a photographer for newborn photos

-Check my bags for the 67th time

-Focus on breathing and not freaking out!

Happy Birth Month!

Dear Baby Bloch,

It's your birth month!  One way or another, you've got to come out in October.  This was always my favorite month of the year, and now I can't wait to celebrate it in your honor.  I'll even share my cider doughnuts with you.

Love,
Mama Bloch