Family/Newborn Pictures

11 Days

Man, am I glad its not two weeks ago. We were just getting to the hospital, and I was not a nice person.

I try to remember Esme's birthday every night around 7:45. Tonight it will be two weeks and I guess I'll have to start keeping track of her age in weeks, not days.

We've spent the last 14 days watching her sleep, trying to get some sleep, and trying to take her all in while making Eli feel important and loved. These are the moments we'll miss most when she gets big, so we have to take it all in. She doesn't cry much and makes lots of faces. I swear I've gotten a couple of smiles, and not just those falling-asleep-smiles that go along with fluttering eyes. Her most intimidating is when I'm nursing her and she scrunches up her nose, wrinkles her brow, and bites down as hard as she can with those little gums.

Right now she's sleeping peacefully in my arms while I type. Try not to be jealous of me. I will be in a few years. I am the luckiest person.

Conductor Hat

It's been over 3 weeks, but I'm still excited about my most recent sewing project. I've been okay with my straight lines for blankets and slings, and I haven't even considered sewing clothes that have to have pieces come together and fit just right. I was able to avoid my fear (since I hate projects that take too long-hence I will never be a quilter or scrap-booker or knitter- and must sit in an unfinished state for too long), but my theory that home-made, improvised Halloween costumes are best drove me to sew a hat for Eli last minute. Thanks to this tutorial, it went pretty well and Eli's head was just the right size for the directions. It took me 3 hours to make, and by the end it was my pride and joy. I'd like to think I was as excited for Eli to have Halloween fun as I was for him to wear my creation.

Next... a simple baby blessing dress.

Bad Mom

I realized I've been bad about taking pictures when it was time to find some for the blog the other day.

I've been taking more, so here we go:

6 days old-Proud that this one actually looks like him

5 days old

6 days old-Loving the sponge bath

6 days old- What she looks like when the silly nurses haven't gotten to her hair

6 days- So tiny

Becoming A Big Brother

Eli has been really good about a baby moving in. We tried to prepare him with books, a new crib in his room, and a doll for him to take care of. He's always been considerate and thoughtful. With my morning sickness he would come running to see if I was okay and give me toilet paper to wipe my mouth and look around for a drink to give me. A few days ago he saw me wincing once she latched on to nurse and he said "Mommy hurt?" "a little, but it's okay" to which he said "baby mean." He has gotten dramatic and needy a few times, but he loves holding her and understands when we need to leave and take care of her. Today I put "E-may" on his lap and he rocked her when she started crying. He got a proud grin when she grew quiet and fell asleep.

11/5 Meeting his sister for the first time-he was excited to show her his toys in the car.

11/5 Holding his sister for the first time-he likes to point out how small everything is on her.

11/10 We try and have her join in on his activities-storytime before bed.

Another Labor Story

I listened to the doctor when she said #2 usually goes twice as fast. It was actually 5 times as fast, 4 hours.

Brian was home sick, sleeping, while Eli and I worked on a Lincoln Log cabin when the first contraction came. I didn't tell Brian for an hour since only two came, but then things picked up and it was time to figure out what to do with Eli. For an hour and a half between contractions I bossed Brian to do important things like pack my bag, clean the toilet for possible guests, and get Eli ready while I did crucial things like sterilizing bottles and nipples.

Eli went to his friend Curt's house to wait for his over-night babysitter (Amanda, a saint who drove from Farmington to spend the night with him) and we could finally leave. On the drive to LDS hospital I cursed the construction workers that left the freeway so bumpy and Brian for driving too fast, making dumb turns, and for trying to use his blackberry to find the way when I knew the address. I was also scared because I felt the NEED to push that my sister told me she had when her kids came really fast. Natural was not in my plans... 3 hours down.

I slowly made my way up to labor and delivery where there must've been 10 ladies standing around behind the counter. I was annoyed at their calmness when I asked if they were going to do the usual 1-hour watch before admitting me, "we have to make sure you're in labor." My nurse grew a little less chill when she checked me and declared "9." Is that labor enough for them? She started scrambling to get my doctor, a back-up doctor, and the anesthesiologist called. The last person being the most important to me.

I was not pleasant with Brian or the nurses, but they had tough skin, not exactly being sweet back. I also felt the constant need during bad contractions to let everyone know what I was feeling (the baby's head coming down), which we all know translates to "I have to poo!" Brian said the nurses would smirk at him. "Please No" came out more frequently and intensely after my water broke and he wasn't there yet. Luckily my contractions never get too close together and there was just enough time for the saint to work his magic. He gave me a big dose after my frantic plea "I just don't want to feel her head come out." My doctor arrived and after 10 minutes of pushing Esme arrived within one hour of getting to the hospital. I was overwhelmed with shock and joy when they placed her on my belly.

Before

11/3 Just before going to the hospital

After

11/5 Getting home, a little thinner and a LOT happier

Happy Birthday Esme!

Esme Simone Corrales

11/3/09

6 lb. 2 oz.

Well, today was her due date, but she came 3 days early!