she loves her bath

It has been a while since I posted here. Life has been busy. Two is a million times harder than one, and finding time for myself is a bit complicated...BUT, im getting used to things now, and I am trying to get back into my groove.
Long story short- tali was in the hospital for a couple days last week because she had a fever, and now everything is fine, but it was stressful and just when i thought i was getting back to myself, this threw me for a loop (and levi too, which is a whole other story).
but now i have the two most beautiful and perfect children in the world, and i couldnt be happier.
im discovering many things as i get to know my baby girl. she absolutely LOVES to be held, but she's starting to sleep better as the days and weeks pass. she only likes the pacifiers they give out at the hospital (the ugly turquoise soothie ones) even though ive tried just about every single other brand out there...and, she loves the swing (which levi HATED).
i wanted to post a couple pictures below of tali's favorite time of day- the bath. she LOVES the bath- loves the water swishing over her little body, loves looking at herself in the mirror, and could stay in there forever without fussing!!!!

On the Mom Side of Life

Well, it's here.  Or I suppose I should now say that he is here, making it very official - I am now a mom.  It's weird how in a matter of minutes, between the baby being in you and then out of you, you go from being the person you've been all along - a friend, sister, wife, professional, to a whole new version of you.  Even though it comes at you for months, the moment it all changes seems to happen all of a sudden.

After a slow beginning to my labor induction - it took about 16 hours to go from 0 to 2cm - things went pretty quickly.  By late afternoon on delivery day I had made it to 4cm.  By early evening I was 5 and in active labor.  My doctor predicted that I would move along at about 1cm an hour, probably starting delivery at about 11pm.  Well, within an hour and a half I was 8cm.  Then, after two additional contractions I was 10cm and Elliot was ready to go.  My doctor had a patient all ready for her c-section but ended up delivering me first because my pushing went so well.  After just a few contractions worth of pushing for a total of about 30 minutes, Elliot just popped right out.  I guess my mom was right - I would be thankful for my "good birthing hips" one day.

Now we're home, and my hormones are going nuts and I feel like a crazy person at times.   I think we have now established breastfeeding, just tweaking certain things.  Although, that didn't happen without a lot of tears, conversations with lactation consultants, and some emergency pumping.  Man, I thought reading books and taking a class would prepare me for the challenge, but there were definitely unexpected hurdles. 

While my body and my mind return to normal we are just trying to figure out how to take care of this new little person.  Luckily, he seems to be a very peaceful and easily contented baby.  Hopefully this will last.  If you can see early signs of personality at this stage, I would have to guess that Elliot will take after Bobby in his laid back manner- thank goodness for us and for Elliot.  

I look forward to what is ahead - and I also look forward to my hormones returning to normal because I feel like a blubbering crazy person a good deal of the time.

Elliot looks forward to playing with all his new friends on the street like Levi, Tali, and baby Klein!!!  

Introducing Elliot Isaac

Our son, Elliot Isaac, was born on March 31,2009 at 8:05pm weighing 7lbs 10oz and measuring 20 inches in length. He is absolutely lovely and we are so thrilled to finally meet him! Pictures will come soon!!!

All Eyes on Me

I had to sit through a conference call this afternoon with corporate HR on new FMLA regulations. I felt extremely uncomfortable throughout the call. Every time someone said 'maternity leave' all eyes were on me. How embarrassing!?! It also made me mad. Just because I am the only married woman under the age of 40 in the HR department of my office does not mean that everyone should look at me. Do they know something I do not?