Weeks Five and Six

So while Judah sleeps in my arms, I thought I would take a minute to update you the home front. The last couple of weeks have been a whirl wind of ups, downs, and lots of firsts for all of us. Somehow God has gotten us through each moment and day with just enough grace. And to top it all off, Judah celebrated six weeks this last Friday.

Judah has had experienced a lot of firsts: first restaurant (Mustards), first holiday (4th of July), first visit to Bible Study, first visit to HyVee, etc. We have trying to get out of the house more and our first family outing was to the Des Moines Arts Festival. Judah does a good job riding in the car and often sleeps during the drive. We did take Judah to the fireworks on the 4th of July. This year we went to see fireworks in Windsor Heights since it was so close to a feeding time and it was only five minutes or so from home. Little did we know that they actually set off the fireworks in the Walmart parking lot. We discovered we were in the third row when the first one went off and Judah levitated out of Tim's lap, wet his diaper, and then fell back asleep. Worrying that it was too loud and we would get stuck in traffic, we left shortly thereafter. Judah slept through his first grocery errand although he just grinned in the milk aisle and frowned in the baby aisle when we bought diapers (I guess he knows). Judah also got his first big boy bath and he liked it!

To some degree, Judah has settled into a routine (course it will change as I write this). Judah has started sleeping from 11pm to 4pm or 5pm every night. Tim and Judah have moved to the nursery so that I can actually sleep. I usually put him to bed and do the early morning feeding while Tim will then take the 6pm feeding. Occasionally, Judah has had us up at 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm for feedings and as a result, Tim and I have learned to survive by doing alternate feedings. Feedings have gotten better for both Judah and I. During the day, Judah and I have been taking a walk in the morning. He usually gets sleepy around 11am, otherwise we spend time on the play mat. Then we try to take a late afternoon nap before we do evening activities. Judah is again awake in the evening before the last feeding and so usually we spend time playing then too. Tim and I have learned though that before that last feeding, we all need to get ready for bed so that as soon as Judah is laid in his cradle, we are off to bed ourselves. I guess you could say it is the routine of survival.

Judah's personality has really blossomed and he has so many cute quirks. Judah is very social as he likes to talk to you or be held especially on daddy's chest. He has started really cooing and talking to you. He stays awake more often now and makes happy faces which are almost a full grin especially at momma (or when daddy tries tickling him). Judah also takes some time during the day to play on his play mat as he really likes to look at his elephant and giraffe toys. When we give him tummy time, he can hold his head up really good on his own. He has also starting squirming all the time; I like to call him Herman my squirming worming. He arches his back now, rolls on his side, and uses his feet to scoot that we now have to make sure to strap him into the swing and bouncy seats lest he falls out. Whenever we get him up and after feedings he curls his feet and just stretches his arms with his back arched again. He then makes hand gestures that resemble gang symbols. He also likes to make noises in his sleep and often grunts like an old man; in fact he will be sleeping soundly and all the sudden we will hear this full fledged chuckle. And Judah just keeps growing; our friend Shareen (who is a nurse) brought her scale during her visit last week and Judah weighed 9 pounds and 8 ounces.

While mom has experienced some anxiety over the last couple of weeks, Judah has overall been easy going making it a blessing for mom and dad. A lot of people have been over to help us as we are still trying to get on our feet and recover from the hospital visit and lifestyle change and so Tim can go back to work. We are so thankful for those who have come over to babysit so that I can nap, do our dishes or laundry, or simply offered encouragement. We have had more visits from both Grandmas who like to cuddle and play with Judah.

Guardian Angel

My first trip to HyVee!

Another Phase...

Just when things seem to be getting easier, we enter a new phase. This is the fussy stage. I guess you could say that God gives you just the right amount of energy at 4 weeks to deal with the next phase.

Monday we took Judah to the doctor's office for concerns about vomiting. It seems like over the weekend the little man has starting spitting up more frequently in an almost forceful, projectile way. Being up most of Sunday night, we had experienced this 4 times in the last 24 hours. On top of that, Judah has been either fussy or falling asleep during feedings. Since he is gaining weight (now weighs 9 pounds) and everything looks fine, the doctor says he is just going through a phase. For mom though this is the worry or try my patience phase. I better get used to it.

Then on Monday night, Judah had a little constipation. If he only knew that I was writing about it! Anyways, thank God for gas drops and a vibrating bouncy seat. After several hours of being up during the night, we all finally got some sleep the next day.

This week started out on the right foot though. Grandma Kreis came down to help again doing laundry and dishes. Then we seemed to get into more of routine with night time feedings going well. Tim has been slowly making his way back to work and I was feeling better enough to do more around the house. And the weather has been more bearable for us to be out on walks and sitting on the porch.

Sunday we officially took our first family outing in public. Unfortunately we missed church due to the feeding schedule but since the weather was nice we decided to go to the Des Moines Arts Festival to walk around (one of our favorite summer events). Everything went well for the two hour round trip and it was nice to be out. I think it will be funny to tell Judah that his first family outing was to look at art. Why not start exposing him to the arts and culture him early, right? Also, this week was not only the first family outing, but we have been out of the house three days in a row.

I am still getting used to being responsible for a child. For example, when we went to the doctor's office, it took a second to register when they called for Judah to go back, that they meant us. The same was true when we had to fill out his paper work at the two week appointment. In addition, today Judah got his first piece of mail with his name on it (other than all the cards from friends): his social security card. I guess you could say he is officially recognized now by the government.

The funniest thing happened this week. If you have seen Maestro play fetch, he brings over the twisty tie to you and expects you to throw it. Well, when Judah was on his play mat, I caught Maestro bring over the toy and drop it right by Judah. I guess Judah will have a play mate.

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.