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.