by oh amanda on September 30, 2008
And here’s the birth story…finally…oh, and it’s kinda long, so get comfy…
Saturday morning when Lydia woke up at 4:30, I had already been up since 2:30. I felt sure that Asa was sitting on my bladder. Then I couldn’t go back to sleep because I was listening to Lydia flail about in the bed (calling for Nora) and I was just plain old uncomfortable.
When Les finally picked Lydia up and brought her to our bed, I snuggled in with her and noticed the same heavy bladder feeling. But then I was enough awake to realize it was feeling a little more like a cramp. As I lay there breathing in my little girl, I wondered if this was the start to a new life…and the last time it would be just me and her. I enjoyed the secret of the contractions while hugging my daughter for the last time as an only child.
That morning we were helping out at a puppetry festival (explanation here, because I know, it needs one). Our team was going to perform a creative ministry piece (sans puppets) about “testimonies”. During the song, several people held up cardboard signs (a la “will work for food”) with miracles God had done in their lives. When I heard they were doing this, I wanted to do it because God has done so much for us. Here’s the signs Les, Lydia and I held.
(for dramatic effect, imagine Les’ as the only one showing.
Then Lydia flips hers to show the words.
Then I flip mine while revealing my very large stomach!)
The best part about this is the contractions started getting stronger by the time we performed. At first I wasn’t sure if I was in labor or not but by this time, I was fairly certain. So, here I am on the stage talking about God’s miracle of birth, when in fact, I am in labor!
[click to continue…]
by oh amanda on September 29, 2008
32: dishes I washed by hand because our dishwasher is broken
6: times I took Lydia to the bathroom this morning
100.5: Lydia’s temperature after her nap
1: hour we waited at the doctor
0: help they gave us on Lydia’s fever & constant need to potty
6,234: prayers I’ve prayed for her little body
4: the amount of toys Papa bought Lydia today
4,595: the smiles it brought her
5: the times I nursed Asa so far today
745: the times I winced as he latched on
42,359,399: tears I cried today
The first day alone as a sahm to a newborn and a two year old:
PricelessPainful. Par for the course.
by oh amanda on September 28, 2008
I know it’s pre-Asa, but here’s Lydia’s first attempt at vlogging. This is her recap of my final OB visit. Yes, after the organ incident.
Things to notice:
- Her shoes. I’m literally jealous of them.
- Asa’s cameo (aka my huge belly)
- My hair. Yes, I got it cut before he came. Hallelujer.
Just click here and then VIEW VIDEOS then UPLOADED VIDEOS then 2.5 YEAR OLD VLOGS.
Enjoy my vlogger in training!
by oh amanda on September 26, 2008
Asa’s first name was post-worthy. I think it’s one of the first names I loved for our son. But it took us 9 months to pick out his middle name. We literally had a list going in the hospital. So, for all of you who were wondering if I was just trying to keep any RIF* out of our lives by keeping the middle name a secret–I wasn’t. We just hadn’t decided yet.
Our precious baby boy is…
*cue trumpets*
Asa Nathanael.
(and fyi, Asa is pronounced ACE-a because any other pronunciation could be bad…)
*random internet freaky
by oh amanda on September 26, 2008
1. Newborn diapers. Is there anything sweeter? Well, when they’re unused.
2. Blue, blue and more blue.
3. Fall TV. (Sleep and breastfeeding have taken priority over Heroes and Survivor. Oh, please don’t tell me what happens.)
4. Papa. My dad missed the delivery because he was in Jamaica. But within minutes from landing in Atlanta, he was at our house with a giant pony for Asa and a princess bear for Lydia. And was back again the next day with baby clothes.
5. Snorty baby naps.
6. Itsy bitsy baby clothes that are still too big.
7. Sleep.
8. These. An absolutely fantastic invention. But kinda makes you feel like a mixture between robo-mom and a jersey cow.
9. Transition. Lydia will forget there was ever a time without Asa, right?
10. Chocolate. The gift of choice for new parents, apparently.
11. Blogging time.
12.
by oh amanda on September 23, 2008
The most exciting part about a new baby is the love. I mean the LOVE. I haven’t had the break-down crying because I love him so much. (I’m sure my hormones just need to catch up.) But I feel like I can literally see the love flowing in our house.
Lydia is so smitten with her brother.
Les is protective of both of his children and takes pride in saying, “the kids”.
I can feel my heart alternately breaking and expanding as I look at each of my family. MY FAMILY. I’m the mama of a family. I’m lovin’ that new love.
(thank you for all the sweet comments and emails. thank you. i’m honored and blessed by you. and I promise, a birth story is coming soon…)
