2 Weeks Old

Hi everybody!

I am two weeks old today. I think that makes my mommy sad, but daddy told her that I don't want to be in diapers the rest of my life.

What I've been up to:

• My favorite thing to do most recently is eat and snuggle with whomever will hold me.

• I like to look around and take in all the sights and noises. When I'm not sleeping.

• My first doctor's appointment went very well. Everyone was so excited that I was back up to my birth weight after only six days. I guess that is a really big deal.

• I toot and fill my pantaloons very loudly, which always makes my mommy and daddy laugh.

• My mommy took me to a women's Bible study yesterday, but we both left in tears so I don't think you could say it was a success (except for getting fresh air and sunshine and being around friends). We both took really long naps when we got home *smile.

• My Mimi Barntsen is here now and I love to sleep on her chest.

• I was "sleeping" in my crib, but mommy and daddy decided to try to have me sleep in the co-sleeper in their room. I am not sure what I think about it so mostly my mom just holds me at night. We both sleep very well this way, and for this stage in our lives we've decided that it works. 

• My parents kiss me a lot. Like, a lot. And they love talking about how soft my skin is. And they say funny things like "I could just eat you". I think they think I'm pretty cute.

• I went on my first walk this past weekend. It was really fun!

• I am getting more used to my swing, but still deciding what I think about my play mat.

• The lactation consultant said I may have a 0 to 10 personality and called me "theatrical." I will take that as a compliment.

As you can see, I've been pretty busy for only being two weeks old!

I am well loved.

Love,

Gwen

Yesterday...

I didn't get my teeth brushed.

Or a shower.

And I am pretty sure I forgot to take my vitamins in the morning.

But daddy and I got to snuggle with our daughter.

And give her lots of kisses.

And enjoy her sweet baby-ness.

So I'd say it was a pretty fabulous day.

I Love...

The way your short hair sticks up when you wake up...

Your tiny, itty bitty little finger nails...

The way you sneeze just like your daddy - 3 to 4 times in a row...

Your "being burped" face...

How ladylike you are when you eat...

How unladylike you are when you fill your sweet newborn diaper...

The way your newborn skin is flaking off in little pieces...

Your "smiles" at 3 a.m...

How quickly you respond to your daddy's voice...

Your sweet hiccups...

How easy you are to console...

The way you like to have your hands up by your face...

Poopy and wet diapers that mean all is well...
Your adorable double chin...

Praying for you in the middle of the night when all is quiet...

Your perfectly formed lips...

and chin..

and sweet button nose...

How satiny soft your skin is...

Your raised eyebrows when we "brush your hair"...

Your long fingers and toes that could only come from your daddy...

Your squeaks...

The way you move your fingers in and out when you're eating...

All the pink and frilly outfits that are quickly filling your drawers and closet...

The way you wrinkle your forehead when I burp you...

How strongly you detest baths...

and getting your diaper changed if it's cold...

When it's just the two of us in the middle of the night...

The way you so easily curl up in a tiny little baby ball...

How sweet you were at your one week doctor's appointment...

How alert you are when your tummy is full and your world is alright...

That you are back up to your birth weight after only six days...go girl!

The way you look in your daddy's arms when he gets home from work...

The way your daddy doesn't even change out of his work clothes before he wants to hold you...

How tiny your arms and legs are...

Your big, dark eyes that look around...

The way I can put my thumb and point finger all the way around your thigh...

How light your eyebrows are...

The way your right ear is a little flatter than your left...

The fine hairs on your back...

That you are so content sometimes that we have to use a cold wash cloth to wake you up...

Your sweet baby bum...

The way you are so eager for your feedings and get really excited...

The way you love to snuggle and be close to us...

Playing "who am I ?" with your dad when we mimic your expressions and movements...

Hearing your daddy talk about "his girls"...

Hearing the birds chirping together in the early morning hours...

Being so excited about a two and a half hour sleeping stretch...

Your adorable toes that still curl under...

The way you barely fill out your newborn clothes. For now...

How happy and healthy you are...

Your angelic personality, that I pray continues to unfold...

The way you are so loved by so many people...
Stroking your soft cheeks to try and awaken you. Or just to touch you...
And one of my absolute favorites...kissing your whole face...over and over and over again!

Gwen, you are one week old today! It's hard for me to believe that one week ago today I didn't even know you, and now I feel so close to you. I know you are growing and changing every single day and I don't want to take any moment or day with you for granted. (But maybe slow down just a little bit *smile.) You have changed us so much for the better in ways I had no idea you would. 

My heart overflows with joy when I see your sweet face, observe your facial expressions, sporadic newborn movements, watch you look around and make eye contact, and hear your "voice." I feel so honored and blessed to be your mommy, and that God would pick your daddy and me to raise you for the time He sees fit.

We have learned a lot in just one week! I can only imagine the joy you will bring us in the weeks to come. Happy one week "birthday" baby girl! I think you are incredible and I know you will leave your mark on this world. I can't believe you are all mine! 

I love you to the moon and back,
Mommy

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!

--------------------------------

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!

--------------------------------

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!

Our lives are forever changed....

In the most amazing way!

Gwendolyn Rebecca was born on March 23rd, 2011 at 7:17 pm

8 lbs, 1 oz; 20" long

----------------------------

I can't respond to all of the text messages and emails even though I wish I could. I so appreciate everyone's care and concern and love for our sweet little girl. I can't even begin to describe the feelings I am experiencing right now. I was up with her from 1 am until about 5 am and it didn't bother me one bit b/c she just melts my heart (ask me come tomorrow:)). It was tiring, but not frustrating. She was sleeping or eating pretty much the entire time - she's very consolable and honestly rarely cries unless she needs something, which we're pretty quick to meet her needs. :) We're taking the advice of a nurse who said that you can't spoil a baby - at least not in the first two months. We'll just go with it. :)

We had a great time in the hospital (not great as in "laying on a beach great", but our nurses and midwives were ah-mazing. Everyone was incredible.) We got home around 4:30 yesterday after showering/taking a bath, going to a breast feeding class (during which the pediatrician came, so Tom went with him back to our room so he could check her out - when he didn't return with her and I heard other babies crying I thought for sure she was in there having a meltdown and I couldn't figure out why he wasn't coming to get me. I kept trying to make eye contact with one of the nurses to motion for her to go check on them, but wasn't able to. Finally the class was over and I hurried (as hurried as you can after giving birth - ha) back to our room expecting to find a very sad daughter and she was snuggling with her daddy completely content. I saw them and instantly started crying. Talk about a wave of emotions right now!), meeting with the lactation consultant, getting acupuncture to help my milk come in, packing up, getting my DTaP shot and last round of meds (I.love.Advil.), Tom and Grandpa loading the car, getting Gwen fed, changed and in her car seat and finally checking out. What a day!

Overall, we are doing very well - trying to figure out a schedule and feeding and all of that. She is so precious though and I miss her when I'm away for even a bit. My parents are here helping and it's wonderful (mom made a delicious pork chop, scalloped potato and asparagus dinner last night and dad is quite eager to hold his granddaughter when the need arises, which is often). Speaking of which, Gwen was just able to stay in her vibrating chair for longer than 5 minutes without needing to be held - yay!! And I got a shower. And I ate breakfast and had coffee (at 11:30, not too bad!). Tom is an amazing daddy - it's so precious to see him hold her and change her and burp her. We're a good team, but like my mom said - isn't it funny how it takes 4 adults to care for one 8 lbs gorgeous little girl. :) I wouldn't have it any other way...

It's a beautiful day. God is good.

A few pics from yesterday to tide you over....

Her incredible birth story coming soon!

Multitude Monday

Counting my way to 1,000 blessings...

#631...living with a hubby who kills spiders (definitely not my thing.)
#632...waking up to the spring-ish sound of rain.
#633...cleaning out drawers, closets and book shelves and just in general, simplifying our lives. Again.
#634...holding hands during a movie, which never gets old...
#635...text messages/calls/emails from friends who care so much.
#636...the exciting anticipation of our first child's birth day - will it be tonight? Tomorrow? Next week?!
#637...a super sweet SIL who surprises me with dinner and a much needed pedicure.
#638...the luxury of a Saturday afternoon nap.
#639...an awesome church family we love so much.
#640...Applying God's teaching through Paul to our own lives.

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. - Colossians 1:9-14

40 Weeks

I. Am. Huge.

Me and Leo taken yesterday.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: We made it to 40 weeks! 

Size of baby: 20-ish", 7.5-ish lbs

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 22 lbs 

Maternity Clothes: Absolutely. Except for sleeping wear and then I'm still in my favorite Loft pj pants and tank tops that I would only allow my husband to see me in *smile.

Gender: Can't believe we're down to hours/days before we find out!!

Movement: He/she is still somehow moving around in there. I often feel a little foot or knee on my side.Will never get sick of it.

Sleep: Friday night I didn't get up to the use the bathroom until 6:15 am. Um, that is incredible. Last night was back to being rough. Wonder what tonight will bring...

What I miss: Shopping at Loft, wearing my old clothes (my maternity clothes that actually fit are a taaaad slim right now), being able to sit comfortably, hugging my hubby without having a big tummy between us, exercising without bringing on Braxton Hicks contractions.

What I WILL miss: the crazy and exciting unknowns of what is to come.

Cravings: Nothing crazy. 

Symptoms: lots of BH contractions and other normal 40-weeks-pregnant-stuff that some of you may know about.

Best moment(s) this past week: My SIL, Nikki, surprising me with dinner and a pedicure!

Exercise: Not much exercise this past week, but when I can and feel up to it - biking, elliptical, lifting, using the stair climber and lots of stretching.

We made it to 40 weeks! I can't believe that our son/daughter will be here any hour or day! This pregnancy has been amazing and even today, I felt great and was full of energy. Sign of approaching labor?! Who knows, but I am grateful and blessed *smile.

Pregnancy Portraits

I love photography, so naturally I wanted to capture this precious time in our lives in pictures. I found inspiration online and then Trisha's boyfriend, John, who does photography as a hobby, tried to replicate the ideas.These were taken at 37 weeks. I love how beautiful a baby in a belly can look.

Thanks so much, John!

My talented hubby took some additional ones the following weekend at 38 weeks. I'll cherish the mirror portraits b/c I have spent the last almost 40 weeks looking in that mirror every day, staring in amazement at the precious gift from God that has been growing and developing. I was brought to tears while I was editing them as I reflected on these 9 months.

I'm so thankful to have these - I only wish they captured the kicks and punches that are going on as I type this *smile.

(Click on the collages to view the pictures larger.)


We're ready and waiting little baby!
We love you so much and can't wait to meet you and snuggle.

Multitude Monday

Counting my way to 1,000 blessings...

#621...Perfectly ripe bananas (difficult to get). And apples and oranges. Yum.
#622...Sweet, sweet children in the church nursery.
#623...Date night at Red Lobster and a pound of king crab legs all to myself *smile.
#624...Nightly singing/talking/praying to the baby.
#625...Quiet and productive days at work.
#626...Having lots of energy in these "finals days."
#627...Times of worship in my car with just me and the radio.
#628...A hubby who still lets me sit on his lap - extra 20+ lbs and all.
#629...A refrigerator fully stocked with my new favorite Liberte Mediterranee yogurt.
#630...Peace that surpasses all fear and anxiety.

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. - Deuteronomy 31:6

39 Weeks

Because you never know what tomorrow (or tonight) brings...

Here we are today at 39 weeks!

I honestly have no clue how huge I am until I look at myself from the side. Tom and I just laugh every night in amazement at this belly of mine. I can't WAIT to meet the little one in there!