Miracles

So I decided to go back to work a couple days earlier than I'd originally planned.  I'm hoping going back on a Thursday will make it an easier transition for myself, Robb, Farren, and my students, as well.  Beyond that, however, is a need for structure.  It's been WONDERFUL having Robb home and available full time, but since he's not in school (and his semester doesn't start until January 30), there's not very much (okay, any) motivation to get up and going, to do household chores or run errands.  This might seem nice - and it has been - but after eight weeks it's starting to drive me a little nuts, especially since I look at our current existence and the way things need to be when I go back to work, then how they'll need to change even more when Robb goes back to school, and...yes, it's time for us to start becoming a house of order.

I was worried about this decision, so I decided to keep asking the Lord what I should do.  Now, the Bible Dictionary says "[p]rayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other."  For me, this sometimes results in knowing what to pray for as I'm praying.  In this case, I knelt down and was planning on asking about going back to work on Thursday or Monday, but I never even got that far.  It was strange, but as soon as I started praying I knew exactly what I should do - and that was go back to work a few days early, on Thursday.  I was so grateful for that prayer, for the knowledge I have of my relationship with my Heavenly Father, and for the reassurance I received - and feel again, every time I start to get a little worried about going back to work.


Actually, I've been worrying about everything.  Turns out if I don't get enough sleep, I get very depressed and anxious, very quickly.  (As in, I don't want to hold or feed the baby depressed, and I cry every time I think about how we'll make this work.  Not good.)  So my fabulous (and fabulously observant) husband informed me I was no longer allowed to feed the baby at night, and that he'd take care of Farren all night long, every night, for as long as is necessary.  This is difficult (to realize I can't do what breastfeeding superheroine moms do and feed the baby all night long), but so relieving.  Getting six or seven hours of sleep a night has been GREAT.  However, this was meaning that Robb didn't get much sleep and so would sleep until ten or eleven or noon.  Well, that works right now, but what about when I go back to work next week and Robb has to take care of the baby starting at 7:30 am?  So I started praying some more, and I have to say God is very, very good.

I decided to be very specific in these prayers, so in at least one prayer every day I asked that the baby would be able to sleep five or six hours at night.  He's done four to five hours a couple of times, and I know it's not outside the realm of possibility, as my niece would sleep six to eight hours a night starting at two weeks of age, and we have friends whose children have all been super sleepers from the get-go.  Besides, aren't big babies supposed to be better sleepers???  At any rate, this was my prayer.

Well, two nights ago Farren slept from 11:30 until 5:00.  I was floored - and immediately added "most nights, if not every night" to my prayer.  :-)  Last night he slept from 12:00 am until 5:00 am, and then from 6:00 am until 10:00 am.  Now this, we can do.  I am so grateful for Heavenly Father's tender mercies.  Miracles really do happen every day!

One Month

We survived a month of being parents.  This is almost unbelievable to me.  Being completely sleep deprived for three days BEFORE the baby even arrived didn't make for an auspicious beginning.  I was completely overwhelmed and incredibly depressed and only made it through because of:

Robb, who stayed awake for five days straight in the hospital to make sure I and the baby were okay,
Bethany and Tiffany "mom-and-baby-sitting" in the hospital so Robb would sleep,
Robb, bonding with and constantly watching out for Farren and I,
Heather and Shaine,
Robb, seeing I needed to sleep and making me do so,
Ryan - bless you a thousand times over for driving up and taking care of us for those early days,
Various ward members for delicious dinners,
My mom - you are amazing and I wish you could have stayed forever,
Robb's mom - who, among other things, volunteered to stay up with the baby at night so we could sleep,
Robb, pointing out all the good things and helping me keep perspective,
More ward members and work friends, for visits and dinners,
Lots of family and friend support via in-person visits (Carrie!), telephone, and prayer, and
ROBB, for being a pillar of strength, patience, and calmness.  He has kept our little family on its feet this last month and I have never loved him more.

Heavenly Father blessed us with a very mellow baby and I am SO grateful.  I can't even imagine what an anxious wreck I would be if he were super fussy.  Farren has already grown more than two inches, he's passed the 10 pound mark, and is wearing 3 month clothes.  I boxed up his newborn things yesterday - it was so strange!  Unfortunately, our little guy has also come down with his first cold, so here's hoping we can get him well quickly and that his second month is even better than his first.

One month - 30 days - a million changes, lessons, and adjustments.  I can only imagine what the coming months will bring.

Farren RobertMichael Thurmond

So after trying to induce labor for two and a half days the doctors told me I could keep trying for 24 hours or go for a C-section.  There were various signs that he just wasn't going to come naturally, so we opted for the surgery.  (Turns out that was the only choice:  his head had been trying to drop into my pelvis but his skull was too big [he actually had a little bruise on his temple when he came out], and HAD his head somehow fit his chest circumference was even bigger, so he most definitely would have gotten stuck.)  At any rate, Farren RobertMichael made his entry into this world at 6:45 pm on November 21, 2011.  He weighed in at 9 pounds 5 ounces and 19 inches, and we are so happy to have him!

Having a baby

Well, we've been at the hospital for about 24 hours now and the doctors told the truth:  getting induced takes a LONG time.  I've been having contractions now for about 18 hours but my body is still not exactly ready for active labor (i.e., minimal dilation is going on.)  They're about to try something new, so hopefully it works.  We'd love to see our son sooner rather than later!

Happy Thanksgiving

We just got back from our latest perinatology appointment/ultrasound.  Turns out the baby is big (what a surprise - NOT) and they want to induce me early.  They'll do a test on Tuesday, November 22 to see if his lungs are developed and, if all is well, I'll be induced Tuesday evening or Wednesday.  Robb thinks I'm a little weird for wanting to wait until after school Wednesday, but it's the last day of school that week and it's a minimum day, so I figure - why not?  It's not like I'll be living it up on Thanksgiving either way (at least not in the traditional, eat-till-you-pop way.)  At any rate, thirteen days max and we're parents!!!

Work and Pregnancy

So working while being pregnant hasn't been TOO bad, up until the last few weeks, that is.  As a teacher, we don't get normal maternity leave.  We don't pay into disability, so I only get paid for as many sick days as I have saved up (in this case, six weeks' worth.)  These last two weeks have been very difficult and I imagine the next few will be the same, HOWEVER, there have been some unexpected perks.  I don't know if it's because I taught these same students last year or if I just have truly fabulous parents in my classroom, but they are all over their children about treating me well (which they do) AND several of them have given me gifts for the baby.  These were all totally unexpected, and I'm touched by their generosity and love.  Blessings come in many forms, and these are definitely helping make my last few weeks a bit easier.

Feeling sexy much?

Having a baby brings all sorts of new experiences.  The latest would be the acquisition of my first-ever pair of compression knee-highs.  Oh yeah, baby - I'm feeling sexier all the time.