September 2007 Archives

So, I've watched half of the first season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Many of my friends have watched and loved the show, so I figured I'd give it a shot. Problem is, I'm not really into it. Occasionally there is a funny moment, or some neat acrobatics. Apart from that, I'm just not getting into the plot.

Josh says that he thinks we need to just "hold on a little longer" and trust that it will get better. I feel ready to stop watching it altogether. I'm confused. Should I continue watching or stop? Will it get better? Is it just not my type of show?

I can't wait for Heroes and Battlestar Galactica to start up again.

I LOVE BEING A MOM! Seriously, look at that baby. He's so easy to love! Even when crying or peeing on me or his new favorite - spitting up on Mommy after she just showered and put on clean clothes. The more time I spend with him, the more I learn that he has different kinds of cries. He also has ways that he communicates before he starts to cry that I'm picking up on as well. It helps me to comfort and love him better and overall makes our relationship better. It's like a detective game! "What does Caleb need now? Let's look at the clues!"

Caleb's latest issue has been getting all fussy right when we are about to eat dinner. Even if we eat at a different time each night, it's as though he can sense us putting hot food on the table. I figured out that he needs to eat more during that time, but prefers to eat for 10 minutes, then sleep for 20 minutes... repeat for about two hours. But he's super happy and content then. I'm guessing he's hit one of those growth spurt times again, so he needs the extra food and love.

My daily goals currently include (in no particular order): Feed Caleb, clean Caleb, change Caleb's diaper, hold and love Caleb, and basically keep Caleb happy. I also have personal goals to daily shower and put on clean clothes, get sleep, connect with Josh, and to not forget to feed myself. On a good day I also pick up the house and maybe briefly entertain some guests, run an errand, or do some computer work. Sometimes that doesn't work out, but I'm okay with it.

People have asked me if I'm "all stressed out" or look at me all concerned because, apparently, beginning motherhood is supposed to be all stressful. I haven't found it to be that. In fact, it seems kind of like a vacation after I finished working full time while getting my master's degree in the evenings, getting my National Board certification and CLAD credential, and all that other stuff I've been doing. I've been reading books (BOOKS!) of my own choosing here and there. I basically just love having my personal tasks be more simplified and under one roof. It rocks.

This will be my first full week of no Josh at home. I'm glad he got to stay home for as long as he did. His love and care helped to make this transition to motherhood so much easier on me. My husband rocks. My baby rocks. Life is good.

Today was Caleb's first day at church. It was so joyful to walk in with him and see the faces of our church family light up with joy. Many of these people have been praying for us for years, so I just felt blessed beyond belief to be holding God's provision in my hands.

I had my first mom-reaction when the greeter told me where the nursery was. Without even thinking, I clutched Caleb and turned my body as if to say, "I'm not putting him in the NURSERY!" Then I thought, "Wow, that was smooth, Stephanie. Now she thinks you're a clingy, obsessive mother." I countered by saying that he was only eleven days old and I wasn't ready to leave him in a nursery yet. She understood.

Caleb was pretty good during the service. He slept in his sling through worship and prayer time. Then, half way through the sermon, he let out this loud shreak. Pastor Mark said, "Just let him scream, Stephanie, I appreciate the feedback."

I took him to the baby room and fed him. He was having a hard time latching on (breastfeeding) and the lady who ran the room kept on giving me advice about how to get him to latch on. I finally said, "He's usualy really good at latching on, only this time he's having to compete with two crying children, a musical monkey, and some kids banging on pots." Man that room was loud. After the pot-bangers got taken on a stroller walk, Caleb settled in and was fine. Josh was wandering around looking for us after the service until he finally discovered that churches have nurseries! I heard him in the hall say, "Oh, that would make sense that she'd go in here." Ah, the joys of new parenthood.

We finished off our evening with some McDonald's (Steph's healthy suggestions include the grilled ranch chicken snack wrap and the fruit & walnut salad). Now, we might watch a movie! Wow-wee!

He's finally here. I'm sure I'll write more later about my experiences, but right now Josh and I are just excited about getting to know him. You can check this blog, my Flickr photos, and Josh's blog for updates.

I will also remove the freaky "space baby" countdown from the sidebar at this point.

Oh, by the way, his name is Caleb Stephen Lewis, and he's beautiful.

I told Josh the other day that I am so ready to give birth that I'm not afraid of any of the pain involved. In fact, I said, if women had to get hit by semi-trucks on the freeway in order to give birth, I'd be out there right now jumping in front of the huge, fast-moving ones. He apparently thinks I'm crazy. Perhaps I am, but I also think that I'm carrying the world's largest baby. If not the largest, then definitely the strongest. I already have him signed up for a couple of human truck pulls next month.

I also feel like I am the hugest person alive. A few months ago, people would smile at me in stores like, "Oh, look at the cute pregnant lady." Now they look at me horrified as though I'm going to fall on the floor and give birth at any moment. Even my biggest shirts need to get pulled down regularly to cover my belly. My mom got me a tank top a long time ago and, upon receiving it, I thought, "I'll never be that big!" Well, I'm bigger than that. I'm thinking of designing some kind of downward suspenders that pull shirts down instead of keeping pants up. They'd be a big hit with pregnant ladies and plumbers. *sigh*

Tonight, when we were leaving Target, I told Josh to just walk ahead of me and get our stuff loaded in the car because I walk too slow. A with-child couple walking by us must have heard me because I overheard the guy say to his wife, "Sweet! That lady lets her husband walk ahead! You always forced me to stay back and walk slow with you..." Then she slapped him.

I had a dream the other night that I went to the doctor for a check-up and she looked at me and said, "Wow! You're already 7 centimeters dilated! Haven't you been feeling any contractions?" And I was like, "No." And she sent me over to the hospital where I promptly gave birth with zero pain involved. Sweet. I go to the doctor tomorrow so hopefully that will happen. I realize that all women in the world would hate me for having a completely painless childbirth, but that is a hatred I am willing to endure. :-)

On another note, Josh mentioned the other day all of the "safety nets" he was going to set up on our home computer systems to protect our child from all of the evils of the world. To which I said, "You know that will only teach him to be a hacker, right?" He responded, "I know, but hackers make bank!" It made sense in Josh's mind, so who am I to argue?