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Maternity Leave 2

(Look hard, there IS a newborn in the stroller)

Maternity leave is going well. Most days I manage to get in some exercise and at least one nap. I'm going to try to get back into jogging this week. Benjamin is doing well, still pretty much a blob, but a nice cuddly blob. Nathan is doing better at his self-care skills. He's regained some progress potty training and can get himself dressed better than ever.

We've gotten inundated with presents and I'm concerned about Nathan going into gift withdrawal after his birthday. Between new baby presents, Hannuka, Christmas, and his birthday in January, I think Nathan might start expecting dozens of gifts every week.

Hannuka 09

Happy Hannuka everyone. We've enjoyed quite a few latkes as well as kugel. Yummy. It's been nice to have family and friends over too.

Nathan is still being an affectionate big brother. Benjamin is eating more and sleeping less. As is normal for a newborn, he breastfeeds every 2-3 hours. Which means I get very little sleep. But I try to remember that this phase will not last forever and to enjoy those little baby moments while they last.

Recovery

The bris went well. Benjamin did great, only crying when he made an enormous poop at the end of the ceremony. We had about a dozen people over on a pretty rainy afternoon. Beth took some nice photos.

Recovery is going okay. I'm still taking pain meds, but I can do most everything I used to do in the third trimester. I think it'll be a few more weeks before I try jogging though.

Benjamin is a good baby. He breastfeeds well and has pretty decent sleeps.

Nathan is having a rough time though. Athough he is still very affectionate with the baby, we can really tell his self-confidence is taking a hit. He gives up on tasks he used to do fine before, including potty training. He is much more easily frustrated and whines a lot. He is definitely regressing. Hopefully he'll adjust to the new family member soon.

Welcome Benjamin

Welcome Benjamin William Parkhurst Hoggatt. My water broke at 10:30pm on 11/29/09. I was in bed trying to fall asleep as the kid was doing some vigorous fetal punching. I knew that once my water broke I had to go the the hospital and there was a pretty high likelyhood I'd end up with a C-section. My mom came over quick to spend the night with Nathan and Gary and I drove to Kaiser.

The doctors told me I could still try for a vaginal birth, but after about 12 hours of labor, not very far progressed and some fetal distress (the baby's heart kept slowing down and occasionally stopping), it was time for the C-section.

Benjamin was born Monday, 11/30/09 at 10:30am with a weight of 7 lb 2 oz and a length 20.5 inches.

Compared to the first week with Nathan, things are going much smoother. He is a champion breast-feeder and a decent sleeper. I am of course exhausted and in pain, but since this is my second go round, I keep it in perspective. I try to remind myself that Benjamin is his own person, but I find it is impossible not to compare him to newborn Nathan. I keep thinking things like "Oh Nathan's fingernails looked just like that" or "I remember Nathan making those same cooing sounds in the hospital" and "Benjamin feeds much better than Nathan did."

Speaking of Nathan, he is taking the change pretty well. He is affectionate and fascinated. He likes to hug and kiss the baby and hold his hands. He hasn't shown any jealousy ... yet.

Gary and my parents are being a big help - doing chores, playing with Nathan, and helping keeping me sane. Thank goodness for family.