11 days old

We are immersed in baby life and new parenthood. I haven't left the house for much other than appointments and dinner at my parents' with family. But, I haven't minded yet. I think there has only been one day that we haven't had some sort of visitors (we really appreciate the help and support!), and big help from Joey's mom in cleaning the house while I rested or watched. We think Sam makes all sorts of fun faces, including a Zoolander look. He uses his hands a lot, and sometimes just sticks a few fingers out. Here is life according the iphone:

Joey has had a cold all week, but has been a trooper (two days back at work this week). After initially feeling pretty good and high energy, I'm learning to take it easier and will hopefully feel back to myself by the 6th week postpartum (worst is the dehydration headache and weakness). Sam has learned to latch (as of Monday) and I'm no longer pumping exclusively, which is good, but also keeps Joey a little less involved. Samuel's umbilical cord is still intact, but hopefully not too much longer. We are still so thankful for the addition in our life, the time we get to spend learning together, and for reminders to look to Christ for patience, strength and love. Life is beautiful!

5 Days Old

Samuel Rhys Connelly arrived on Tuesday 5 February 2013 at 5:22am. 

8 lbs 7 oz, 21 inches and healthy!

We weren't sure at first on Monday afternoon if what I was experiencing was the real thing, but it was! My contractions were mostly 30 to 45 sec long and about 3 minutes apart. They started around 3pm (tried to encourage with some treadmill walking) after feeling crampy from a cervical check that morning. Joey wasn't feeling well that day and after his work meeting I tried to let him rest a little. When it got even more intense we called the doctor and headed in to be checked out. We got to the hospital around 8:30 or 9, walked from 9:45 to 10:30, and were admitted into a labor and delivery room. The back pain that came with them was way worse that I had imagined and it was really hard to get comfortable. Between that and the frequency, I felt exhausted and got an epidural around 12am. It was great to be able to get some rest and take in what we were experiencing. My water was broken around 2am and was fully dilated by 4:30. I hadn't been planning to use a mirror at all while pushing but the nurse kept talking about how much hair he had, so I got a few pushes in with that before the doctor came in and Sam got delivered. It was absolutely incredible to have them put him on my stomach and clean him off. I couldn't help but tell him how happy we were to finally see him and what lush lips he had, etc. We are so so thankful that everything went well, we're all healthy and I feel mostly normal (so thankful I was already on antidepressants). He is so beautiful and we are learning so much. To lean on each other, the importance of prayer, and keeping a positive attitude.