Home at Last

So we made it through the hospital experience. We were in for just over two days, and I think I got about 2-3 hrs. of sleep each night on my little sleeper seat. Erin probably got a little less, with someone coming in at least every 2 hours to either take her blood pressure, or stick her with a needle somewhere, etc... It was absolutely exhausting. The food was pretty bad. Overall, though, we'd say it was a very positive experience. Our nurses were all great, especially the ladies in Labor & Delivery. Most of the whole process was exactly what we had wanted and expected--it was nice not to have too many surprises.

Erin's family had come in soon after delivery, which was awesome, and they were a great help in bringing us some things we needed and the occasional Jersey Mike's sub (Roast Beef Club, Mike's Way, with honey mustard).


Poor Benjamin had a tough time getting started with feeding, and we went round in circles with different lactation consultants who told us different things. Compound that with Ben having to get drugged up to be circumcised on day 2, a nurse who called him "starving" and "a biter," and it was quite frustrating and emotionally draining for us, who are learning all this for the first time.

In any case, the little man and his mom passed all their tests with flying colors, and so we were discharged from WakeMed on Monday around 1pm. He looked really tiny in the car seat. It was raining when we left the hospital, so I drove very carefully to protect the precious cargo that God entrusted us with.

We arrived at home and things really turned around. Benjamin is doing much better getting his nutrition, and making lots of messy diapers to prove it. Things are so much more relaxing and comfortable here. We have actually gotten "decent" sleep (~5hrs at night), and I feel great. And I know Erin is more happy, too. Hopefully you'll hear from her on here sometime soon. She hasn't really been on the computer at all since the baby's come.

So now it's getting to be a little more regular. He sleeps (A LOT), eats every two hours during the day, and then shows us how well his digestive system is functioning. We have had some very funny diaper changings, too. He really likes to wait to pee until we strip him down, and if ever I forget to put a pad on his belly while wiping his booty, he sprays himself in the face--which sounds so terrible, but the face he makes looking up at me with little droplets of pee on his cheek, like, "what's the problem?" just makes me laugh. I've even had to block the stream with my hand a couple times... We'll learn.

We've had our first pediatrician's appointment and everything is well. He's looking good and gaining weight.

Story time:

This is Erin now. Have a quick story for you and then it's back to Ben : ) Thank you all SO much for texts, emails, phone calls and especially your prayers. Labor was more intense than I could have ever prepared for and it meant the world to know that so many out there were lifting us up! I apologize that I haven't gotten back to many or any of you - I would love to chat when things become a little more settled. Jeremy says we're getting a lot of sleep . . . I don't know! It's definitely more than in the hospital and SO wonderful to be home. But, my allergies have been acting up so sleep hasn't really been happening.

Anyway, the story! Last night - no, this morning. . . around 4 am Jeremy was changing Ben's diaper. I asked if it was a good one. He said he wasn't sure. So I asked him if it was the size of a quarter. He said "maybe a small quarter?" I reminded him quarters are all the same size! This was just one of many hilarious moments in our sleep-deprived state so far.

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