Alexander - Two Months

Alexander is 2 months old today. I know I'm supposed to say, "Wow! 2 months already!? Where did the time go?"...but I'm not gonna say that! It's actually felt like 2 months but not in a bad way. This was our first month to just be the 3 of us, and although we all really miss my parents its been nice to start our new routines as a family...goodness knows I LOVE routines!

• You went on your first hike this month at Dalestemen with Nana and Papa. Arthur packed an amazing picnic dinner and my parents enjoyed geocaching. You slept in the Baby Bjorn almost the entire time.

• You're a really happy baby 90% of the time. And then sometimes you're not...

• You joined Nana and Papa on one of their favorite pastimes...visiting plant stores!

• I took ONE MILLION pictures of you for your baby passport...OK honestly, only 487. The requirements for an infant picture for a passport are ridiculous! (eyes open, mouth closed, chin and both ears visible, both eyes looking at the camera) We could have gone to a passport photo store but I knew the chances of us getting a good picture were better at home so I DIY'd it...then I didn't want to purge the 487 pictures off my phone because each one captured a little second of your life...mom problems!

• Speaking of passport photos...you took your first flight this month from Stavanger to Oslo. We visited the US Embassy to get both a passport and a social security number. You're now officially in the matrix kid...sorry!

• Tummy time is the new thing around here and you really seem to enjoy it. You have the best time when you're on your tummy on the changing table...we call it your "happy place." Even if you are really upset when we lay you down you're usually smiling and cooing pretty quickly. Too funny!

• Swaddling is totally your jam! Without being swaddled you only sleep a few hours at a time, but with it you usually sleep 5-7 hours at night. I even swaddle you during the day for your naps! Plus there is something totally adorable about burrito babies!

 

• We're going to the helsestasjon (where you do your well-baby checks) once a week to keep an eye on your weight. You're still gaining but slowly...makes me a little nervous so I'm glad we're watching it closely. You might just be blessed with a thin build and a fast metabolism...and in that case who are you and what did you do with my fat genes!? As usual, you conk out when we're there!

• We start baby swimming tomorrow and I'm super excited! Hopefully you'll love it as much as you love bath time!

"This is Quite a Storm"

Preparedness is a personal trait that I'm quite proud of. So it would follow suit that in the months leading up to two huge life changes (moving abroad and having a child) I did A LOT of preparing...lots of reading, research, list/schedule making, organizing, and getting advice from others. Those preparations, I believe, have helped our family make a smooth transition into what could have been a train wreck of life changes! Arthur gets some serious credit here too...he is my favorite travel buddy, a solid voice of reason, a constant source of encouragement, a savvy problem solver, and (of course) the best dang husband/daddy ever...sorry...I got distracted.

Anyway, the thing I did not prepare for was the chronic pain and loss of mobility that came with Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD). At 15 weeks the pain of my jeans pressing on my pubic bone left me in tears...I wasn't even showing yet. I began buying maternity pants two sizes too big but even those were painful. By 20 weeks I was wearing mostly leggings and dresses. At 24 weeks I begged a flight attendant to let me sleep on the floor of the plane during a 10hr flight because sitting for so long made my hips burn with pain and caused muscle spasms in my back. At 28 weeks I was in pain 24/7. I couldn't walk, sit, sleep, or stand without being in the worst pain of my life. Because I was pregnant I refused to take any pain medication.

When I shared my pain with my midwife in the states she said, "Pregnancy is supposed to be uncomfortable." But when I broke down in front of my new midwife in Norway she knew this was not normal and immediately referred me to a chiropractor and physical therapist. I was told I had SPD (called "bekkenløsning" here) and that it would most likely go away immediately after labor.

The last two weeks of pregnancy are the worst for any women and I was no exception. I had begun to consider begging for an induction so I'm very thankful Alexander came on his due date! But I knew the very next day after labor that I had not made a spontaneous recovery. I continued to have all the same symptoms but now I had a baby to care for!

I was completely unprepared for the emotional toll that came with the pain and loss of mobility. As an athlete, I had learned to push my body to get results. Now I was being told every single movement I made contributed to the pain intensifying and that the best thing I could do was remain as immobile as possible...oh and absolutely no lifting. Ok...I can do that pregnant but tell me how I'm supposed to be on bed rest and not lift my beautiful newborn baby!?

I've been told by my orthopedist (one of the 6 medical professionals I've been referred to so far) that I shouldn't run for 6-12 months. Run!? As much as I want to run I'd settle for just a walk. To walk around the mall. To walk my son around the neighborhood. To explore this beautiful country. But I've found that usually, anything more than walking around the house takes me several days to recover. It's absolutely maddening. I've gone from someone who was active and independent to sedentary and dependent. I am desperate to just lace up my running shoes and run all my frustrations out but I can't.

There are positives in all this...Arthur takes incredible care of me, my son is happy and healthy, and other than these dysfunctional hips I am healthy too. I try to have faith that there is an end in sight and to take life day by day. I am so thankful for the prayers and concern. This sucks but I will get through it! I'm looking forward to training for a half marathon, maybe even a triathlon, once this is all behind me.

And (because I'm so good at preparing) I'm planning on getting some kind of snarky yet triumphant tattoo on these rotten hips of mine to celebrate overcoming all that they put me through!

Nana & Papa in Norway - Summer 2014

6 weeks ago we arrived home from the hospital, newly a family of 3. Arthur and I were both overjoyed and overwhelmed with our recent promotion to parenthood. That same day my parents arrived in Norway. Nana Liza and Papa Kent were jet-lagged but ecstatic to meet their new grandson.

I was cautiously excited about the idea of my parents living with us for most of the summer. While I was really looking forward to having extra help around the house with a newborn, I worried that we might have a little too much family togetherness time. To put it briefly, I was afraid we would get really tired of each other.

I couldn't have been more wrong.

The time my parents spent here has been nothing short of perfect. I am incredibly thankful for my mom doing all the laundry, cleaning, and most of the cooking. I appreciate my dad for working hours in the yard growing precious peppers and okra, and cleaning up our messy kitchen. I love them for never complaining about their miniature shower (no room for a sneeze!), or the high prices, or the fact that my hips are still so bad we didn’t get out of the house for much else than doctor’s appointments.

However, it was the support, and love, and encouragement that meant the most to me. My parents were constantly saying what a great job we were doing, how healthy and happy Xander is. And when I got worried about things, I had them there to tell me that everything was OK. I love them for giving us space when we needed it and always being in a good mood and seeing the bright side of things! Thanks to them, Arthur and I have had little else to worry about besides taking care of, and loving on our son. What an incredible gift that has been.

Seeing my son love on his grandparents has been wonderful to watch. He loves his Papa Kent’s deep voice and scratchy kisses. He adores dancing with his Nana Liza and falls into a deep sleep in her arms. In return, they have filled him up with so much love and tenderness! He is a lucky boy to have such incredible grandparents.

It’s true that you can’t fully appreciate your own parents until you have children of your own. I can’t help but think about my parents as I lay awake in the early morning hours, patting my son back to sleep. I am overcome with an enormous amount of gratitude for my parents in a way I could only truly experience by becoming a parent myself.

Dropping them off at the airport was heartbreaking. Perhaps Xander sensed our gloomy mood and cried the whole way (or maybe it was just because he hadn't pooped in 24 hrs!) Either way, quite a few tears were shed while saying goodbye. We will see them soon though when we take Xander to visit Texas for the first time. He will be reunited with his Nana and Papa and get to meet the rest of his amazing family that is SO EXCITED to meet him. Bring on October! I’m ready for you to be here!

Life Lately

Another life lately post...

A dear friend of mine sent a gift to Alexander all the way from the states! It is absolutely beautiful and the only personalized item we have for him so far. I'm not gonna lie...I may have shed a few tears when I opened it! Thank you Molly!

It's been unseasonably warm this summer, and especially the past few weeks, so I decided to take advantage of the weather and give Alexander some "naked baby" time on our deck. He seemed to enjoy the warm sun and we spent our time making sure we were out of the "splash zone."

We went to Gladmat, Scandinavia's largest food festival, in downtown Stavanger this weekend. As usual, Alexander was the perfect baby. He slept for several hours while we chowed down on Norsk strawberries, brisket tacos, gourmet burger bites, BBQ Thai chicken, and fiskeboller. Then he woke up just in time to watch us chow down some more...ice cream, churros, and some wine to wash it all down. I can't believe how chill he is when we are out. I'm so proud to be his mama :) (Sorry no food pics, we were too busy stuffing our faces!)

We went to a party this weekend with the couples we met at our birthing class. We all had boys within 2 weeks of each other and we all chose the name Alexander. However, it must be said that OUR Alexander was first born and hands down the cutest! It was an international mix of people (as most social events are here)...people from Australia, England, Scotland. Bulgaria, Portugal, and of course Norway and the US, My parents and Arthur enjoyed Ivar's (our host) home brewed "baby beer" for the occasion!

Alexander - One Month

Today Alexander is one month old! It's hard to believe that a month ago, those strong little legs I see were kicking me from the inside. It was a really rough pregnancy for me, especially the last few months, and I'm so glad that he is here!

Thank you Alexander, for making us take life a little slower, for making us melt with your sweet coos, and for making us so very excited about what the future holds for you and for us as a family!

• We spent three days in the hospital hotel after you were born. Three quiet, restful, lovely days. Although we missed sharing your birth with all our loved ones in the states, it was a beautiful thing to just be us for those days. We spent that time snuggling with you when you were awake and watching you (in awe) while you slept. It was a beautiful time!
  
  
  
  
• My parents flew into Norway on the day that we came home and it was such a special moment introducing you to them for the first time! Nana Liza and Papa Kent (your namesake) were so excited to meet you and I know it was love at first sight for them :) 
  
   
  
• We had our first visitor when you were 4 days old. Liz and her baby Adeline came by to bring us dinner and a sweet little toy. We've had many friends since, bringing meals, and it has been a lifesaver!
  
• We moved to a new house when you were a week old! Yes, we were crazy! But we were also crazy ready to get to the new house! We now have an even bigger yard, tons of space, and Arthur is a 5 minute walk to work which means he spends A LOT more time at home. 
  
• One of the first things I noticed when you were born was how long and skinny you were! You have pretty big hands and feet for a newborn too and we have a feeling that you're going to be a very tall boy! Although you are gaining weight (you're over 9 lbs now) you're gaining length too so you still look skinny. But I know that breastfeed babies are lean and the midwife says you're healthy. We call you a "banana baby"
  
  
  
  
• You are such a good baby! You don't cry except when you need something...which is how it should be! You let us calm you down when you get upset. You love to snuggle and look around. You LOVE tummy time with your dad. He lays you down on his chest in the afternoons for a least an hour or two and you are so happy! Sometimes you have baby work-out time on his chest and sometimes you completely conk out! It is so sweet to watch you two spend time together. 
  
• You are IN LOVE with blinds! It's a good thing that we moved because our old house didn't have mini-blinds and then what in the world would you look at!?
• You have really great head control for a newborn and (especially during tummy time with dad) you love to look around! You have even stronger legs and you often "bull-doze" whoever you are laying on. 
  
• You are a really great sleeper. You've already gotten into a schedule at night. You eat around 9pm, 1am, 5am, and 10am. Arthur gets up and changes your diaper then bring you to me to eat...then we all fall back asleep (such a great daddy!) Not every night goes that smoothly, but most do and we are so thankful for those stretches of sleep!
  
  
  
  
• You are a thumb sucker (like I was!) Although you get very frustrated because you don't have good enough control of your hands to get your thumb to your mouth. You went through a period of about 2 weeks where you would get REALLY upset trying to get to your thumb and wind up scratching your face up in the process. We did not want to give you a pacifier until you were at least 4 weeks old but we finally gave in and I'm so glad that we did. We now only give it to you when we know you're not hungry. I'm so glad that we gave in and let you have a paci as it makes you very happy. I might not love it so much when it's time to wean you off though!
  
  
  
  
• You gave me a real smile a few days ago (not while sleeping or pooping lol) and it totally melted my heart. I'm so looking forward to more smiles!
• Next month we will take our first trip together as a family to the American embassy in Oslo to get your passport. We are so excited to start traveling with you!!
  

Baby Pictures

Thank you (again!) to Theresia Pauls for her fabulous pictures of Alexander.

 

Life Lately

I'm going on goodness knows how many hours of sleep right now (thanks a lot kid...I still love you!) so this update will have to be in list form.

1. We took (not so) newborn pictures this weekend with Theresia (she also did our incredible maternity pictures.) She got some beautiful shots of Xander with Arthur and I and with his Nana and Papa.

She also took this spur of the moment picture of my parents that we all teared up at. Aren't they just the cutest couple you've ever seen!!

2. The expat community here has taken such great care of us since Xander was born! We had delicious home-cooked meals delivered for 2 weeks. I've borrowed tons of baby and nursing gear. They're even throwing us a baby shower in August to celebrate his birth. All of this is being organized by women that I've only known for a few months. Its incredible. It makes my small Grinch heart grow three sizes :)

3. I'm continuing to have serious problems with my hips and pelvis. I'm pretty down about it because I had hoped once he was born I could get back to being active and enjoy the rest of the summer. I don't like admitting weakness but I would greatly appreciate prayers and good vibes for a speedy recovery! I'm so over this "hobbling around" crap!

4. My kid has a drinking problem. Go home Xander...you're (milk) drunk!