Saturday, January 06, 2007

what a difference a week makes!

40 weeks



Showing the limits of just how far your skin can stretch!








41 weeks



I adored pregnancy, but I'm loving this even more.







Life is wonderful these days. I wish I could hold onto every moment, because I look down at Gabriel's tiny hands and feet and skinny legs and know that someday I will blink and wonder where my sweet newborn went. He is an absolute joy.

Thursday was a difficult day for me. As many of you know, Josh is Jewish, as is Gabriel, so at 8 days after birth, we had his brit milah (circumcision) at Josh's aunt's house. Before I got pregnant, I swore I'd only have girls because I dreaded this day so very much. Now, of course, it is almost funny to think that I said that, because I can't imagine having anyone but Gabriel as my baby. I couldn't wish for anything different, because he is my perfect boy. Still,
in the days leading up to Thursday, it was always in the back of my mind that the time was rapidly approaching.

Gabriel is fine now, and to tell you the truth, he didn't cry very much. He has cried more during diaper changes that take too long or when he has to poop and it doesn't happen as fast as he hopes. That made no difference to this new mama, though. I sobbed on the couch before I had to hand him over. I thought I would leave the room when the actual circumcision took place, but I found that I couldn't fathom the thought of leaving him alone, even if I stood several feet away. I found myself involuntarily gagging during the procedure, at the thought that Gabriel was in pain.

It makes it worse, of course, that in my family, circumcisions just don't happen. In Argentina, it is extraordinarily rare for anyone to do a circumcision (for non-religious reasons, of course). I was somewhat reassured because we ended up being fortunate enough to have an ob/gyn perform the ceremony, and he was really great. He gave Gabriel topical anesthetic and was very sensitive to how upset I was. He talked us through it before and during and was very helpful and kind and offered to take our calls anytime we needed him.

It's over, at least, and now I can go back to focusing on how beautiful and wonderful Gabriel is. He is still eating like a little piggy and letting us sleep in 3-4 hour stretches at night. We take a nap a day, snuggled together in bed, the only time that I allow myself the luxury of letting him sleep in my arms. At night, I put him down in his bassinet next to my bed because we're nervous about having him in bed with us when we're so tired and so that he is used to sleeping on his own some of the time.

Yesterday we ventured out for our first adventure to Starbucks! I even breastfed there! Today we made it through a whole breakfast at our local diner without a peep from Gabriel. We've taken a couple of walks to enjoy the unbelievably warm weather we're having. The rest of the time we spend at home, eating and pooping and singing and staring at our new lovebug. Life is truly wonderful. We are so very blessed.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

He sounds like a perfect little peanut!

Montreal Mama said...

Love the new belly shot!

Yankee, Transferred said...

AAAAAW, poor little Gabe. And poor Mama. He is beautiful. Stunning, really.

Anonymous said...

Awww, he is so cute! It's great that he's already sleeping so well.

Anonymous said...

Starbucks is one of the few places I haven't got around to breastfeeding yet - I would have, but they never have room for me to sit with the stroller, so bah!

Kudos to you for being so comfy with it so fast, though!! And Kudos for not fainting ;)

a/k/a Nadine said...

So glad to hear how well everything is going!

Lisanne said...

You look great! I *love* that new belly shot ~ I wish that I'd done something like that when Meredith arrived! Maybe for baby #3, haha :) Glad to hear that things are going *so* well. Motherhood is the BEST!

Anonymous said...

Didn't we tell you that it would all come so naturally? See?!? Would we lie to you?

I know what you mean, that you were petrified to witness his circumcision. It's terrible to have to see your baby in pain, andf be able to do nothing about it. I'm glad that we did well, and did not seem to suffer too much. Yay for the OB/GYN who kept all of you comfortable during the ceremony.

He's sure a sweetie. I'm glad that you keep posting pics. I can't wait to watch him grow up.

Anonymous said...

Oh, he sounds so fabulous! And yay you for nursing in public so soon - I wasn't comfortable doing it until about 5 weeks in, even though a couple months later I was an old hand at it. Hooray for you and your family.

The belly shot is such a cool idea.

Anonymous said...

He is darling. Just darling.

I'm so happy for you. :)

ccw said...

I'm glad you made it through the ceremony. Baby Gabriel won't remember a thing.

Yeah for you for public bf already. It gets easier each time.

If you do opt to put him in bed I swear you won't roll on him. Somehow you develop baby sensors and don't roll or smother them. However, if he will sleep alone I would enjoy that. 8 months later I am longing for a night alone.

Crunchy Domestic Goddess said...

Aww. I can only imagine how hard that was for you. Glad you had a good person to do it though and that he was sensitive to you. Hugs.

Good for you on nursing in public already. You go, girl! :) Glad all is going so well.

Crunchy Domestic Goddess said...

btw, if you do want to bring him into your bed but are worried about rolling on him (which really shouldn't happen because you would feel him and babies make noises, etc.), there's a thing called a snuggle nest - http://www.babyant.com/bn024046.html. we got one used to try with julian, but honestly never got around to using it as we've been able to sleep fine w/ him right on the bed w/ us. but it could give you peace of mind if you do want to cosleep in the same bed. :)

Anonymous said...

You are a beautiful Momma. How blessed you all are.

Liz Miller said...

Love the belly shot! He is so beautiful and you are doing a great job.

Now is a great time to go out to restaurants and things, since newborns can sleep through anything. Just be prepped to leave if he's not into it.

Anonymous said...

That's a great shot!

I know the circumcision was tough, but it is over now and I think in many ways it's good for Gabriel!

Mazel Tof! (I hope that is spelled right?)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!!!!! Mom....
You have a beautiful baby!!!! I know your mom & dad before you were born and I can't think that now you have a baby. I guess time goes more than fast. From my family to yours, the best of the best to Gabriel, you and Josh.
Enjoy your baby every minute, time with them is never enough.
Love you,
Maria Elena and family.

PS: tell your mother that I missed her.

Rev Dr Mom said...

Great belly shot :)

Glad you made it through the bris okay.

Meika said...

That belly shot is brilliant! I love it.

K said...

Those comparison shots are so cool! :) I'm glad you're enjoying mommyhood so much.

purple_kangaroo said...

I'm so glad things are going wonderfully for you and the little guy.

Anonymous said...

Wow ... love the belly shots!

Gabe is such a beautiful little boy, and more beautiful every day! Keep those pictures and stories coming! Glad you made it through the ceremony!

susan said...

a family milestone in so many ways. Glad he's growing and a happy, happy boy. He is utterly gorgeous!

Fairion said...

I love the belly shots. A perfect way to capture those tremendous special feelings.

Maria's Space said...

What a beautiful picture comparison. I love the belly and then the baby shot. So cute.