Another Family-Filled Weekend

My dad and step-mom came to visit our new family over the weekend. It was nice to share our little blessing with more family.

We enjoyed time talking together and a nice ham dinner here at home. The weather has gotten cold already. I'm not looking forward to another Minnesota winter especially now having another person to load into the car.

Joshua didn't mind company. He stuck to his routine. On Saturday I did get a little concerned about how much Joshua was sleeping. I guess we should be counting our blessings since he's such a good sleeper. He would sleep all day and all night if I would let him. Michael looked up more information about sleepy babies. The main thing that we found out was that the concern with sleepy babies is that they don't get enough to eat because they would rather sleep than eat. I have been waking Joshua up to feed him every three hours during the day if he doesn't wake himself. At night time all the sources that we read said to leave him be. He sleeps for roughly 6 hours at a time at night. I wake up to check on him and/or pump in the middle of the night otherwise I'm too uncomfortable by morning.

Bath Time!

Joshua's umbilical cord fell off which meant that now he was ready to take a real bath! I think that I was more excited about it than he was. He screeched just like he does when I wash him up. He did get to spend some time without a diaper which he enjoyed. (It's pretty dangerous for me though, the little boy thinks that he is a sprinkler...)

Joshua calmed down and enjoyed getting out of the tub. While getting dried off he made pleasant coos instead of screaming. He shivered while I put his clothes on, but I sang to him and by the time the whole experience was over he was ready to drift back to sleep.

December 1: Two Weeks Old

Joshua is two weeks old already! Yesterday the Brown County Family Services came and checked Joshua's weight and development. He is still gaining weight and growing. When the nurse put him on his belly for tummy time he turned his head to both sides when I called his name and talked to him.

Joshua's umbilical cord fell off this morning. He also is beginning to enjoy getting cleaned up and having his hair washed. Because he has so much hair, it needs to be washed pretty much everyday. Up until this point, he would scream and yell when we washed his hair.

Joshua's First Thanksgiving

My Mom, step-dad, and little brother came to New Ulm to celebrate Thanksgiving with Michael, Joshua, and I. They arrived Wednesday night and hurried to get here to meet our little man.

The next day my family picked up a Thanksgiving Feast from the local grocery store. The turkey needed to go in the oven for 2 hours and all the sides just needed to be heated. It was very handy considering Michael and I weren't in the best position to be making a big feast with such a new blessing among us.

We snacked and played games as we waited to the food to heat. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday and it was even better this year. The food was good, the company was great! Later that night we watched a movie, ate the pie, and called it a night. It was a long day with lots of excitement for Joshua, but he did very well. He wore a special Thanksgiving outfit complete with turkey bib.

One Week!

Back to the hospital for a one week well being check...

Again we were scrambling to get out of the house. I'm sure with time we will have a better idea how long it takes to get ready and leave.

At the doctor's office the nurse checked Joshua's weight and height and asked Michael and I a variety of questions about Joshua's development so far.

He had already gained weight! 7lbs 2oz! I had been worried about how well Joshua was eating and I could tell that his color still wasn't what it should be. His weight was in the 34 percentile based on length-for-age! It was a great relief! The pediatrician said Joshua was still yellow/orange, but based on how alert and active he was he was sure that Joshua did not have Jandice! Our little boy is healthy and growing.

Shortly before we left the pediatrician gave Michael and I one of the best compliments we have ever received. The doctor asked Michael and I about MLC and we told him that I am planning to put my name on the call list in May. He was excited for us and for what the future holds, but he was also disappointed. He said, "It is a shame to lose a well-adjusted, 'normal' family." Michael and I took those words to heart and were proud of all that the Lord has accomplished through us.

Our First Family Outing

We went to church together as a family on Sunday morning. We were anxious about being "those" late parents. We scrambled out of the house to make sure we were there early. Considering we only live one block from church it shouldn't have been hard, but babies come with lots of stuff. It had been a long time since we went to early church, but having a baby made sure that we were awake fairly early. It was nice to see the friendly faces of our congregation including Joshua's pediatrician.

On Monday Michael, Joshua and I ran errands together (post office, grocery store, bank...) I was nervous about being out of the house for more than an hour. I got some much needed fresh air and a chance to show off my handsome little boy. Joshua slept for most of the time. He made one or two squeaks when we were at the grocery store, but we were very proud of our sleeping baby.

The First Few Days

During the first days of Joshua's life at the hospital we had lots of visitors and enjoyed the company as we healed enough to be able to head home.

The pediatrician was concerned about Joshua's yellow skin. I was given the ok to go home Wednesday night, but because of Joshua's color and the fact that breastfeeding is easier said than done we stayed in the hospital until Thursday morning.

Thursday morning Joshua's Billy Rueben levels were ok so the doctor said he was not worry about Jandice.

The hosital offers a chair massage before we headed home. It was much needed. No one ever told me about all the muscles that I would use during labor. My shoulders, back, and arms were all sore... who knew?!?

Michael brought in the car seat and we dressed Joshua to take him home. We put shoes on his feet. The first thing that I bought after I found out we were having a boy was a pair of blue shoes with a frog on the Velcro.

We got home around 11 on Thursday. It was good to be home!

Joshua David Schottey

SOMETHING TO BE THANKFUL FOR!

On Sunday morning I could tell that the contractions were getting intense and that it wouldn't be long before our baby would be born. I called the hospital at 3:30AM they told me that I should try to hold out at home, where it was more comfortable, until the contractions were 5 minutes apart consistently.
Monday a Law and Order marathon which helped me get through the day. At about 2 o'clock in the afternoon the contractions were intense and getting to be consistently 5 minutes apart. At 4 o'clock Michael told me that I should get in the shower so that he could shower too and that it was time and we should get to the hospital.
When we arrived at the hospital, roughly 5 o'clock, they put the monitor on to check the contractions and the baby's heartbeat. The doctor was there he said I was at 4 cm and that I would not be going home pregnant. A wave of emotions washed over me.
We were moved into a labor and delivery room where I answered a million questions and received IV fluids. I got an epidural shortly before the doctor broke my water. I was at 6 cm when the doctor realized that the lighting needed for delivery didn't work. Michael packed up everything that we had brought and the doctor and nurse wheeled me to a new labor and delivery room.
It was two hours later when the doctor check me again. He said I was at 10 cm but not quite ready to push yet. Half an hour later it was time to the pushing to start. It was 10:45 and we began to debate if the baby would be born on Monday or Tuesday. It took a little while to get into the rhythm of pushing. The gulps of air and the pressure behind my eyes from pushing made me sick. After throwing up, we were back in business. Michael and I were joking between contractions when he wasn't running to refill his coffee. The epidural made everything bearable.
At 12:19 Joshua David Schottey was born. He entered the world with a yelp. The umbilical cord was around his neck, but not tight enough for it to be dangerous. The doctor handed Michael the scissors to cut the umbilical cord. His response was, "I want no part of that." The doctor responded, "My hands are full. You have to cut it." Michael cut the cord and the doctor told him, "You know, I could have done it." It made us smile.
Joshua was placed on my chest where he and I spent his first moments of life bonding. What an amazing blessing! The nurse came to get him cleaned up and take his measurements. Michael watched and took pictures as the nurse examined him. Perfect: 7.09 pounds, 19 inches long, full head of hair.
At 3:30AM the epidural had worn off enough that it was time for me to shower. It was interesting for me to be on the other side of giving a bath. (At the nursing home I'm used to helping people to the bathroom and take a bath, but I was the one being helped.) I was given the ok to walk around and use the bathroom independantly.
In the morning (5ish) I was awake and anxious to have my baby back from the nursery. I was ready for our first full day together.

Maternity Pictures!

For my birthday Michael prepared a super secret surprise Maternity Photo shoot. The pictures are great! check them out:

Source: catmanchackphotography.zenfolio.com

What an Amazing Week

This week has been a roller coaster of emotions. During student teaching, I chose to adopt their theme for myself. Proverbs 16:9 "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."

On Friday I finished student teaching. It was an amazing blessing. The last day I was there my students put on a play. I directed it and it was amazing. The students chose the play. I picked parts and they memorized their lines, prepared a dance number, and put together sets and props. The students did a fabulous job.

On Monday I went to the doctor for the first time. They drew lots of blood, and took some tests and Michael and I got to hear our baby's heartbeat for the first time!

Tuesday I gave my portfolio review. Mr. Wiechman was my reviewer... which was fun. He was my principal in high school and now got to listen to me defend my work towards my teaching profession.

Wednesday, I got to go to Karaoke to hear my husband and his best friend sing together for the last time. It was great to see best friends sharing final memories together.

Today Michael and I got to see our baby! SEE! We are 13 weeks into our pregnancy and the baby looks wonderful. The baby was far enough along to see head, spine, arms, fingers, a belly, a heartbeat, legs, knees and feet! Seeing our baby made pregnancy so much more real for me. God has blessed me so much!

Tonight we practiced our graduation for Saturday! Already some of those closest to me have gotten calls to far away places to serve the Lord in the public ministry.

What a blessing! The LORD has been guiding my steps

Student Teaching

Student teaching starts tomorrow.
Nine weeks of student teaching before graduation. Considering student teaching I did not go as well as expected, I am trying to get excited and the courage to start fresh. I new start and a better outlook is in need.
Things that I have learned about myself so far:
1. I need to be able to tell people honestly how I am feeling.
2. Confidence is key. When I start to get frustrated it looked like I'm unprepared and unprofessional.
3. Finding one success everyday is a building block for making things better the next day.