From the birth

Here's a few pictures from the birth. My face really shows exactly how I felt.

Brynn's first day of school picture. She's so grown up.

Feeling much relieved to be done with that whole process and holding our little man.

He didn't cry right at birth. They plopped him on my tummy and he just hung out. After a few minutes, the nurses took him to weigh him and do all their stuff, then he let them have it. This picture is mid-scream. He's got lungs.

After his bath at the hospital later that first night, finally clean. Now we could see his real hair color. So pretty.

A week flown by

Spencer is growing! In two weeks since birth, he's gained his birth weight back, plus some. He now weighs 9 lb 8 oz and is 22 inches long. Despite feeding issues, he is getting enough to keep him happy and help him grow. He really likes to sleep on his tummy. I know that it is a no-no in the medical world. It's hard to not, he's been sleeping 5 hour stretches at night when we do and he does better during the day. What would you do if you were his mom? I was paranoid about it but he's never alone while sleeping.

Spencer has great hair. We really hope he doesn't go bald. It's light and so nice with some red hi-lights. He's got a nice amount in the back and I want it to stay.

Macy loves to dress up. This particular day, she and Brynn were playing together and they had a little photo shoot.

I had to take a picture because we got him dressed. It's been beautiful and warm and we always have him covered up so he usually hangs out in a onesie, night and day. So adorable.

Spencer's first week

The kids are so excited to have Spencer in our family. I've been pumping so they've been able to help feed and they love it.

Grandma has been a lifesaver. She takes the baby during the night and wakes me up when it's time to feed him. She is a saint.

I can't believe how busy it is to have a baby. It's been interesting with the kids going to school and having to be on someone else's schedule again. I sit around most of the day but I'm busy. I'm wondering how I'll do it when my mom leaves. I know other people do it just fine and we'll manage. We'll need lots of prayers. I wish Stan had a month off of work.
We sure love having this little guy in our family.

Breastfeeding

I'm pretty sure that most of my readers are female so this post shouldn't offend anyone.
I have a love/hate relationship with breastfeeding. I've always had trouble with it. Mastitis twice and almost a 3rd time but I felt it coming and got my prescription in time to stop it before it got out of hand. I always have cracked and bleeding nipples at the beginning. I know this is the best and healthiest for baby but why is something so natural, so unnatural for me? Spencer seems to have a smaller mouth and I can't get him to latch properly. I found a nice pump and bought it for a good price and so I'm pumping around the clock to let myself heal before we call in some help from a nurse to re-establish the nursing relationship. The other thing that I find frustrating is that I get advice from friends who have similar problems and they recommend what has worked for them. Then I talk to a public health nurse and they strongly discourage the same tactic that has helped my friends. Particularly I'm talking about nipple shields. Does anyone know what is wrong with them and why they are highly discouraged my some health professionals, but lifesavers for breastfeeding mothers who want to continue to breastfeed without bleeding at every feeding? Anyone have any advice about the subject?
Even with the little challenges that come with a newborn, this is a time in life like no other. Newborn babies are so sweet and I feel so blessed to have this new little guy in our family. What a long journey it has been for us for him to finally arrive. The Lord knows what He's doing and what I need. It is always interesting how it plays out.

He's joined our family!

Our baby boy was born on Wednesday, Sept 14 at 6:33 p.m. I was 8 days overdue and grateful to be induced. The labor was much faster and different than the other ones. To say our family is excited to have him here is a great understatement. He is the sweetest baby and we are all happy that he is safely here and healthy. We named him Spencer James.

First day home with the kiddos.


The kids came and visited a couple of hours after he was born.
Baby and grandma Wright. The pictures of the first day were on Stan's phone.
Stan had a fun and quick photo session with the kids in our living room. This is one of our favorites! We are so grateful for this little miracle in our lives. Now we all want time to stand still.

Back to school

The kids enjoy playing on the shed. We don't have a treehouse so we let them. So far, nobody has fallen off. Brynn jumps off sometimes.
This was the only picture I got on Joel's first day of school. Today is his 2nd day. He is loving it. He and Brynn are at separate schools this year. Stan took Brynn to her school so I didn't get a picture of her. Macy and I are trying to adjust to the quiet house without Brynn and Joel around. I think she really likes it, other than being a little lonely.
Here is a lovely shot of me at 39 weeks. The last days or weeks, depending on what it is, seem so long! I have felt really well since the baby finally turned the right way, until today. I hope that is a sign that the end is soon!
Here's a cute shot of Macy. Last week she learned how to ride a two-wheeler. I told Stan to take pictures but I'm not sure where they are. She learned to ride in about five minutes and has been great ever since. She is confident and skilled. We are very impressed.