Life with Kaleb

Its been a week since Kaleb was born. He'll officially be a week old in about 20 minutes... and it seems hard to believe! After such a long wait, we finally have our little guy, and he is (of course) just perfect.

I had all intentions of giving more updates, but as those of you who have kids probably could have told me before I figured it out for myself, there is little time left in the day when you have a little one to care for.

Kaleb did not want to make his grand entrance easy... there is that hard headed nature again! But he made it here safe after just over 12 hours of labor. Scott and I were very lucky to have WONDERFUL nursing staff and a phenomenal midwife. They made what could have been a very stressful situation easy (relatively, of course) on us.

Kaleb decided that he did not want to turn into the correct position. He was supposed to be facing up or down, but instead he was facing sideways. Turns out he cannot fit out sideways! Made for extra work on the part of himself, his mommy, as well as his medical team, but he finally straitened out. We also had a little scare of a dropped heart rate, but again the nursing and midwife team handled it without a word and got our little guy here safe. No worries besides some stitches for mommy (ouch) and he was in the world safe and sound. I don't think I've ever seen Scott Griffin as happy as he was when Kaleb arrived. Biggest smile I've ever seen on that mans face... watching his little boy be born and knowing we were all healthy!

Kaleb Scott Griffin was born at 6:30, Wednesday September 2, 2009. He weighed 7 lbs. 14 oz, had a big ol' 13 3/4 inches head, and was right about 20 inches long.

We spent a few days in the hospital and then came home Friday afternoon. My mom came and spent the rest of the week with us, which was a God-send. Amidst visitors, doctors appointments, phone calls about paternity leave for Scott, setting up Kaleb's insurance and trips to the hospital... we tried to learn how to care for a baby. Luckily my mom was there to help and Scott was an old pro from the days of being a big brother to 3! They've been very patient with me as I learned to change diapers, feed a baby, and do all those other little things that need to be taken care of.

We did have a little setback as Kaleb was jaundice. He spent a good 4 days or so on a bili blanket to get rid of his yellow color... something to do with his liver processing things that I used to do for him?!?!? Not really sure, I just know that the doctor called today and said his latest blood work showed he was better! So after 5 trips to the hospital to have his heel pricked for blood work, he's home for good!

After a week I'm starting to heal. Moving around is getting easier, although I'm still slow. Scott and I are doing our best to nap when we can... but we still look like the walking dead! We are getting better and better at taking care of our little guy. And we love him more than we ever could have thought possible!

I am continually amazed at how much more God knows than I do! I can't imagine not wanting this little man in our lives. In a week he has already enhanced our lives more that I'd ever have thought possible. How anyone could watch their tummy grown for 9 months... see pictures on ultrasounds that look like nothing more than a bean... and then give birth to a perfect little baby and not believe there is a God is beyond me. Only He could have done this... this is no accident of nature!

So with a sleepy 1 week old cuddled in my lap, I'll leave you for now. As I learn my new routine as a mom and find some extra time, I'll be back to share more. In the meantime, I'll leave you with a picture of our precious Kaleb.

Sarah