In Daddy's Words...

Tom wrote this email to his family, so rather than rewrite everything he said, I figured it best to just use it *smile. We continue to be doing very well around here. Saturday and Sunday were busy with guests and figuring out her schedule (ha - what schedule?) We enjoyed showing her off to a few friends who stopped by, taking naps and showers when possible and my mom even babysat while Tom and I ran some errands. It was nice to get out of the house. Monday was rough - Tom returned to work and I definitely experienced typical I-just-gave-birth emotions that went along with saying good-bye to him. We missed him so much, but he hurried home and enjoyed a few hours with his daughter before heading to bed (at an earlier than normal hour *smile.) He took some pictures to work to show her off, and received lots of compliments on our sweet little girl. The first two nights were interesting - I pretty much stayed in her room all night and went between sleeping on the floor and in the glider (not so comfy.) The third night was better - Tom, my mom and I decided that I would return to our bed even if it was only for 20 minutes at a time. That helped a ton. Last night was even better. She slept for two 2-hour stretches and one 1.5-hour stretch and wow - what a difference that made! Praise the Lord! Between that and regular naps, I am feeling really good. She's figuring her days and nights out - woohoo.

Gwen honestly doesn't cry unless she's hungry, so we are very aware of what we need to do if she starts to squirm (or flail her arms or root or stick her tongue out or turn her head to the side among several other easy-to-read signs *smile.) She is nursing like an absolute champ and was even back up to her birth weight at her one week doctor's appointment today - yay! That made mommy so happy. She's becoming more awake and alert, but mostly spent the first couple days resting comfortably in someone's arms. Who doesn't love that?!

Stats: 

Height: 90%

Weight: 75%

Head: 55%

Ok, and now for daddy's words...which was the point of this post. We've learned a lot in the last six days!

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Hey Family,

I started typing this in response to an email from Natalie, and then I
thought you all might want to read it. So here's the latest with the Barntsen family:

Gwen is awesome. We learned that she needs to be awake more so she feeds
for longer periods of time (removing her clothes, rubbing cool washcloth on
her body, etc are supposed to help). We didn't read all the informational
handouts they gave us in the hospital, so we didn't really pay attention to
the stuff we were supposed to be watching (i.e. pooping and peeing - though
she is very regular  :). Do they really expect you to have time to read
that when you have five visitors, checkups every 2-4 hours, breast-feeding
class, acupuncture, checking out of the hospital, you're trying to sleep
when you can, and the list goes on...? Now we know we need to pay closer attention.

Sarah is doing well, but emotional, which is to be expected considering
everything her body has/is going through. She's commented a few times about
how she doesn't want Gwen to grow up and how she feels like time is flying
by. (I don't blame her - Grant is going to be starting kindergarten soon!?)
Hopefully some sleep and her hormones coming back to normal will help in the coming week.

Having visitors and help is nice, though it makes our days very busy. I
told Sarah yesterday I don't feel like we've even really talked in the past
five days. She and I both made a trip to baby Gap and Babies R Us, so it
was nice for the two of us to get out of the house and spend some time
together. I am excited for mom and dad to come and for mom to be with us
for a week. At the same time, I am really looking forward to the week after
that when I'm going to take that time off and it can be just the three of us (plus Leo, of course).

We are so grateful for the help and the generosity of friends and family.
Trisha bought a billion outfits for Gwen, which was too nice. Considering
we had very few clothes for her, we really appreciate the large budget she
allocated for Gwen's arrival ;). We may exchange the three newborn outfits
she bought us and get them in 0-3 month size instead, so they last longer.
But the colors and patterns were definitely Sarah's style. (We also found that having zipper sleepers 
is helpful for changing in the middle of the night. :)

Sarah's parents have been so helpful too - her mom and dad chipped off ice
from our sidewalk that was at least an inch thick, picked up groceries for
us, and her mom has been making every meal for us.

And our new church family has been so amazing. We have 9 families who
signed up to bring us meals until May. And that's on top of all the food
mom made us, as well as the food Sarah's mom brought and is making.

God is good, and we are so blessed!

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And now what you probably really want to see....pics from the last few days....


Love her being burped face.

Tom is becoming a pro at changing diapers.

I could kiss her all day long. Love her sweet smell and skin.

Aunt Trisha and John stopped over for a visit.

(This was Sunday when I was veeeery tired *smile.)

In daddy's hands...

First bath - didn't go so well *smile.

Meeting cousin Jacob for the first time.

He's going to be such a great big brother come June!

Still lovin' life as a family of three!