One Month Today!

My Dearest Judah -

Today you are one month old. I have enjoyed meeting you and getting to know you this last month. Looking back, I can't imagine life without you or even remember what it was like before you arrived. Daddy and I are so proud to have you a part of our family and we love you very much. Thanks for making us parents. You are truly a blessing to us.

I am so thankful everything went well with you during delivery and birth. After 9 months of wondering about you and the anticipation of your arrival, you arrived on May 29, 2009, at 12:15pm, a full 7 pounds and 7 ounces. What a beautiful boy, Judah Amos Rittgers! God be praised....Let me tell you my part of the story.

I woke up on Wednesday morning feel overall crummy and achy all over. I tried to go about a normal routine but after the afternoon nap, I starting experiencing regular contractions about 15-20 minutes apart at around 4:00pm. Believe or not, Maestro knew you were coming as the few days before he was acting crazy whining all the time and be ornery. Looking back I also had a little bit of energy the day before and cleaned a little around the house. At any rate, I called your dad to make sure to come home right after work. Once he got home, we started timing the contractions and noticed that they were pretty regular at 8 minutes apart throughout the evening.

We spent the evening watching movies to pass the time and because it kept me relaxed. I think we even ate snacks cause I knew once we went to the hospital I would not be able to eat anything. Your dad was so cute in that he had the computer and was keeping track of the contractions on contraction master. He would run and get me a heat pad and then run back in anticipation of another contraction and when one came he anxiously would start the timer until it was done.

(Stayed tuned...interrupted for feeding)

Did you know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. From your head to your toes, you are like your parents in every way but at the same time also your own person. Did you know that you get the hiccups like your mom: hard and lengthy? Sorry buddy. Did you you know that you sneeze like your dad, three times? As for looks, you have your dad's receding hairline but my color of hair. You do have the cutest mullet and rat tail though. Daddy believes you have mommy's eyes (green) but I think they are blue. You definitely have your dad's cheeks and cleft chin. Your ears are well defined and so little as well as your long fingers and toes. We think you will be left handed as you like to have it up near your head; you even scream some times to have your arms out from the swaddle. Do you know that your pinkie fingers are sort of crooked like mine! However, you certainly have your dad's long toes and feet. Overall you have also have a long torso and long legs.

You are starting to develop a personality and it is cute to watch develop into that person. You have the cutest personality quirks. For example, you shake your hands when you are mad. You coo, laugh, and smile when you are satisfied and your tummy is full. And you like to be held by your dad or to lay on his chest. Both of you often sit in front of the television just hanging out. You even lay like your dad and have the same mannerisms. You certainly like to look at your giraffe toy, hear your glow worm, and stare at the black iron head board in our room during play time. I enjoy rocking you in the glider listening to music and lullabies. We even listen to Bible songs and classical music to change it up a bit.

We are proud of the accomplishments you have made this month. The other day you grabbed your Binky out of your mouth and held in your hand tightly for a long time. You have also started rolling to your side on your own. It love it when you recognize my voice and turn to look at me. You have also been awake more often to enjoy some play time. You often startle yourself in your sleep but you are good to comfort yourself back to sleep. I also appreciate the efforts you have made in feeding from a bottle to breast; we have learned to work together. Then you started sleeping in four-five hour stretches at night allowing your dad and I to get much needed sleep. For the most part you are a great eater, weighing 9 pounds now.

Happy 1 month Birthday Judah! We look forward to many more and pray that God will continue to keep you safe and healthy as you develop into the little guy that God has in mind. We also pray for us as parents that we continue to "not have a spirit of fear, but of love, patience, and a sound mind (wisdom and discernment)" in raising you. We love you buddy!

A Step in the Right Direction

What a difference a week can make as we slowly move in the right direction. This third week at home began with a trip to Target last Tuesday. We headed out Tuesday evening to get some new comfortable clothes for me to wear with my incision. Before we made it to the store, we dropped off Judah at some friends house for the hour while we shopped. This was my first real outing other than a doctor's office. It was nice to walk around but oh I was so worn out at the end of the hour.

The next day I was so sore from the outing. Fortunately I had called for another prescription of pain medication after going some time without anything. This time they put me on Tylenol with codeine, a step down, from what I had been taking. The good news is that as this week progressed, I was able take less and less medication and even none in the last few days. I do continue to keep walking and even take the stairs a bit more now. Also, I have been sleeping more comfortably on my side now instead of flat on my back. It is nice to finally see some progress in recovery.

Judah is starting to get a little personality. I had mentioned last time that he likes to laugh, smile, and coo after he eats. And boy does he like to eat. He has already outgrew most of the newborn clothes and diapers making me feel like he is a big boy now. It is so cute to watch him with his "full face" as he looks content. He also likes to be held and rocked. Will this week we noticed that he shakes his hands and arms when he gets mad. We also sense that he can be stubborn and impatient at times. Often he stirs in his sleep too making sounds and grunts only to fall back to asleep by himself (which is good for us).

Slowly we are getting back to a normal routine. Tim has been working more half days at the office, leaving Judah and I alone more and more at home. And we started cooking some meals again like our traditional pizza night on Sundays and doing small chores around the house. Even Maestro is starting to return to normal and is playing fetch again. Still we have accepted some offers of help. Grandma Kreis came last weekend to help around the house and we have had a few friends here during the week to help with laundry and dishes.

Today (Tuesday) we also gave Judah another bath. I always feel bad to see him shiver from the sponge bath. We even wrap him up in what Tim calls a "baby burrito" to warm him up afterwards. The funny thing is Judah never fails to make a mess soon after the bath. I wonder why we even give him a bath because like clockwork he makes a mess. I will also mention here that Judah quite frequently wets when daddy is changing him (as opposed to me). He must save those special moments for dad! :)

Today (Tuesday) we went to the Mommy and Me support group at Mercy hospital. Here lactation consultants were on hand to offer assistance on all feeding related concerns and questions. When you get there you strip the baby down to a clean diaper and then weigh them in on a scale. Judah weighed 8 pounds and .83 ounces. The group was very worthwhile for us as Judah and I finally learned the cradle style (instead of playing football). After the feeding, I weighed him back in and he ate a total of 3 ounces. Tim and I had been saying lately that he is a very big eater and he certainly proved us right.

Will I am thankful for the many improvements this week. Course we are still tired from night feedings and being cooped up from the heat advisories. Overall, I must remember to enjoy this season but it is nice to be moving in the right direction.

Happy Fathers Day

Happy fathers day to everyone! Judah sends kisses.

Week Number Two!

We have been home two weeks now from the hospital. Slowly we are adjusting to being a family of three as we get to know Judah, our little man, more each day. It is not always easy taking care of a newborn (especially as we discover how grating crying can be to some one's nerves who is sleep deprived) but we cherish our time with him and love him dearly.

Judah had his first doctor's appointment last Friday. He even gained more weight (which is good news to a mom who wonders if he is eating enough) to eight pounds. He messed his diaper twice at the doctor's office but other than that his first outing went smoothly and he got a good bill of health from the doctor. Since he is putting on weight, the doctor told us we could let him set his eating schedule instead of feeding every three hours. So far, though feedings have gotten harder with the schedule change and we are just trying to find the right niche.

Since Judah is having trouble knowing night from day, we have been trying to keep him awake a little more during the day. To do this, we got out his new play mat for a little bit of tummy and play time. Judah also likes to watch his elephant mobile and listen to music especially the Bible songs while being rocked. We even took Judah on his first walk around the neighborhood in his stroller (course he slept during that). Finally, though we discovered last night that the swing is a great way to put him to sleep at night. He slept for almost five hours before the next feeding.

I must mention that Maestro for the most part completely ignores Judah. Only occasionally does Maestro look at him like who are you. Maestro has been very protective of me though. Every time I lay in bed, Maestro has to lay next to my feet with his paw out touching me. Only when we did have Judah down on his play mat, Maestro did keep the little guy company.

We have had a number of visitors this last week who have brought meals, cleaned, or just visited. Grandma Rittgers stayed with us all last week bonding with Judah and helping around the house. Then Cousin Jacob came to visit his new play mate for the first time. Jacob did not like not being the center of attention though. Also, over the weekend, my friends from high school (Beth, Nicole, and Christy) came to visit as it was our annual get together. Not only was it good to see them, but they actually cleaned the down stairs of our house and cooked meals.

Slowly Tim is making his way back to work. He has been working half days either at home or in the office. Judah and I spent some time by ourselves for the first time yesterday at home while daddy went to the office. For the most part we managed just fine and really just hung out and took a nap.

Judah is still a cutie. He likes to make his little faces and coos giving me almost a smile and a laugh at times. He is starting to look more like my side of the family except he has Tim's hairline and cleft chin. I think in particular he is starting to resemble a baby picture of Philip. You can tell Judah is gaining weight as he is getting a double chin. Also, his mullet is so long in the back, I think it could easily become a rat tail. Watch out for the new baby trend!

Out cold

Settling In...

Well it was a week ago today that we finally came home from the hospital. How time flies (especially from one feeding to the next). And what a difference one week can make in recovery and adjustments. I am sitting outside enjoying the sunshine as I write this, Judah is in the swing being watched by Grandma Rittgers, and Tim is spending the afternoon at work.

So much has happened this last week that it all seems like a blur (either that or I was asleep). I do know that we could not have gotten through it except with everyone's help, support, and prayers.

Judah had his first babysitter this week at six days old...Uncle Phil. Uncle Philip came over for a visit only to be left with baby sitting duties when mom and dad had to rush to the emergency care clinic for fear of infection. Uncle Phil did great though and even gave Judah a bottle. Now he just needs to work on the diaper.

Then both my mother and mother-in-law have been here in Des Moines to help with dishes, laundry, errands, and even taking a night feeding shift or two so that we could get some much needed rest. They have actually done a good job helping especially on all the baby clothes that seemed to pile up real fast.

Numerous people have dropped off food (which is good because hospital food tastes nasty). And I finally got my long awaited sub with cold lunch meat and pasta dishes. The food has tasted so good that we have literally had no leftovers. My favorite was the day we heard the door bell at 9:00am one morning (and we were still in bed sleeping off the night feedings) only to receive a call from Tim's boss telling us the bagels were left on our Escape in the garage. In all his craziness and sleep deprivation, Tim had forgotten to close the garage door the night before. Good thing he could tell his boss that no the work projector was not stolen out of his unlocked vehicle and thanks for the bagels.

Then we discovered Hulu TV for night feedings to help pass the time (or so we stop griping at each other). It does help with the tension and keeps us all relaxed. Oh and since I can't do stairs because of my C-section, we have been having picnics upstairs in the nursery. We even set up a little fridge in the office area stocked with yogurt and midnight snacks.

Among all the nice gifts, we have received much needed advice. In particular, Tim's students gave us an album full of advice on how to raise kids. It is great to see from a teen's perspective what to do and not to do. Some say to use a leash and others say to ditch the leash. Rest assured though that they have confidence in our parenting which makes me feel better knowing that they turned out just fine despite their parents mistakes.

Even more so, I will treasure the handwritten journal of advice and memories from my friend Brooke. Amidst her humor, she has proceeded to record some priceless advice. And I want to let her know that yes we have taken her up on it....the gas drops did work! Thank God or it would have been a long night indeed.

Despite the learning curve and lack of sleep, I would not change this week for anything. I am so thankful to be with Tim and now baby Judah and that we can experience it together, as a new family. I will treasure these memories (and later laugh at them even if I can't now). But then again you might remember us in your prayers.

Coming Home!

After six long days in the hospital, it was finally time for us to come home on Tuesday! I was so excited to get outside for the first time and then have my daddy drive to my house! I met a cat named Maestro, but he wasn't really interested in me. He was more excited to see mommy and daddy.


We have been adjusting to our new lives together and we've had visits from lots of family members. I even had my first baby-sitter: Uncle Philip! He looked kind of scared when mommy and daddy left but I think he did a great job. He even gave me a bottle when mommy and daddy were stuck at the doctor's office longer than they wanted to be gone.


We are finally settling into a routine and mommy is very glad for that. I can't wait to meet all of my new friends and family! Thanks for all of your help that you've given mommy and daddy during these stressful days.


Now if I could just figure out how to take less than an hour to eat every time my parents would actually be able to get some sleep! But they assure me that I'm sweet and they love me anyway.


Home sweet home!

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This is my full face. Tummy's full!

Last night in the hospital

For my last night in the hospital, I wanted to cuddle up to a new friend who sings me to sleep. Rumor has it that my dad also loved his glow worm when he was little like me. Tomorrow I get to go home!