Thursday, May 14, 2009

We're Still Alive...

So we've hit the 2 wk mark...and we're feeling pretty good about it. After a long struggle with healing stitches, general breastfeeding discomforts, and mastitis, I am finally starting to feel like myself again. All I can say is, thank goodness for mothers. My mom was here for 9 days and took care of all three of us. My dad even came for a long weekend and did his share of running errands, fixing things around the house, and just helping in any way he could. I could not have survived without them! It was such a blessing for me to have them here. I was also blessed to receive dinners from several of our friends around here. I will forever have a greater appreciation for service in the way of prepared meals! This is the first time in my life where I was in need of them and they were so helpful! Thanks to the love and support of friends and family, we are still alive :).

As far as Sawyer is concerned, he has been so great! I know that babies are often mild and even-tempered the first couple weeks...so we have not disillusioned ourselves into thinking that he will always be this good...but we sure are grateful that he has been thus far. He pretty much only fusses when he has to poop or when he is hungry. He rarely bursts out into a full on cry and when he does it's short-lived. We're crossing our fingers that at least some of his attributes continue on past week 2. Sawyer had a check-up with his pediatrician at 6 days and rather than losing weight (as most babies do the first week), he gained 1/2 an ounce! I guess we know he's getting something when he eats!

While my parents were out here we figured it would be a good time to have Sawyer blessed, since a majority of Nathan's family is out here anyways. He was only 11 days old so we didn't want to do the public church blessing yet. We got permission to hold it at Nathan's sister Brooke's house in Mesa. It was a very intimate and sweet experience for our little family. And what a wonderful Mother's Day gift!

For the past 3 days we've been on our own. My mom left us more than enough casseroles to last the next couple weeks. And now that I'm feeling so much better...I'm almost ready to tackle this apartment and start packing things up. We're planning on heading out on May 27th or 28th, so that leaves me just under 2 weeks to get everything done. I'm so excited to go to VA for the summer...it will be nice to have my family around for a bit. I will admit that I'm dreading the 3 day drive with a newborn. Good thing they still sleep a lot. It will definitely be an adventure, I'm sure.

I think that's about it for now. Things are going well here and we are so grateful to have little Sawyer in our home. I can't guarantee that I'll post anything else before we move, so if not I'll see you all in VA! We love you and thanks again for all your support!
Sawyer's Blessing Day--May 10, 2009



We're starting to see more 'open-eyes' Sawyer...I love it!

Nathan's favorite thing to do with Sawyer...nap
I randomly discovered this picture on our camera card! Note the remote control in his left hand,
Nathan is having way too much fun with this kid already!
I just love the squishy sleeping face...
Our first official use of the stroller...a little trip to the mall

15 comments:

Jerai Moulton said...

Jess, I'm so glad that you posted! I was beginning to wonder if you guys were hanging in there. I'm so glad that you are doing well. I'm so sorry about the mastitis. I never had it, but I've heard it's horrible! I'm glad that you're starting to feel a bit like yourself again. It's such a good feeling! And you look amazing! You look like you didn't just have a baby! Congrats! I'm so glad that your mom was able to stay for so long! Mom's are amazing! I'm also a little jealous that you get to be so close to your mom over the summer! Yesterday, I was so sick, and just wished my mom was near by so that I could have a little break so take a nap! Take advantage while you're there with your family!

Lastly, the "open eyes" picture of Sawyer is SO DANG CUTE! What a handsome guy! I love him so much. I can't wait to meet him.

Oh, I just got back from Oregon and stayed at Mutti's while I was there. My mom has a piece of paper that says you guys just had a baby boy and that you named him Sawyer Rafe Larson. Every day she would show me the paper and point to "Rafe." I would say it for her and she would say, "What kind of a name is that?" Then I would tell her that it means Ralph and she would say, "Well nobody told me that." It was pretty hilarious! Love you guys! Can't wait for even MORE pictures of the little guy!

Megan said...

Oh he is cute! Good luck packing up and moving!

Kristie said...

you look so tiny already! holy smokes! you are my idol. also, i am so jealous that you get to go back to VA all summer. good luck with all the moving and i'll talk to you later today probly.

Andrea Forsyth said...

i may or may not have been checking your blog multiple times a day...so thanks for posting:)

as always, you look FANTASTIC! i just got home from mom-walking, so i'm in stretchy pants and i look, well, amazing (but not in the good way...) anyway, he's adorable, jess! and so blond! so different from dallin! he's such a big, dark, hairy guy...wow.

have fun in VA! i'm excited to be living w/ my parents for 6 weeks while jonathan is in alabama - so many helping hands!!!

The Thelins said...

I love the new pictures! I'm so happy you guys are doing well. Sawyer is really darling. Congratulations on the blessing- that would have been a great mother's day present. I love that Nathan is taking pictures of Sawyer, without you knowing about it. You can tell he really loves the little guy. Did I mention how cute he is? We can't wait to meet him. I hope you have a great trip to VA. I really am optimistic for you- I have a feeling he'll just sleep the whole entire time and be peaceful and mellow. (Use "the Secret")

Marianne Thelin said...

Jessica,
Your baby is beautiful! You look great! The hard parts (physically) are over:) What a great chance to go to Virginia for the summer, while Jerai was here, we started a little "package" but Jerai said to mail it to Viginia, so you don't have to pack it! I love the pictures of your parents with their grandchild! Touching for me to see! Thanks for the post!

Jer, Cheronne, Brayden, Abbey, Lincoln & Beckham said...

Oh my goodness, he is so cute! And you look amazing! I love all the pictures! We moved this weekend, so I send Sawyer's gift to VA:)

Rachel said...

He is SO cute and SO big! I cannot believe he's only 2 weeks old! Wowee, he might possibly be as tall as me at two years. You have an adorable family and that's so great that so much of your family could be there for the baby blessing!

- said...

hes adorable! congrats you guys and good luck with the long drive!

Meghan and Tyler said...

oh no, I am sorry about the Mastitis. Isn't it horrible? Luckily your mom was around to help take care of the both of you while you healed. No one can really prepare you for post-pregnancy. You are looking great you little stinker! People are going to think that you adopted because you look so good.

Sawyer is such a sweetie! So cute! He can definitely date my little Kait when he gets older :) Good luck with packing up and take it easy. Don't over do things, I think I rushed into "being normal" again too fast, and should have just taken things slow. You'll do great on the trip back home...they have to learn while they are young don't they?

We love you guys!

Thelin Family said...

Jess-
It has been awhile since I checked my blog. Sawyer is beautiful. Newborns can be quite ugly ya know? Wow, cute form the get go, your in trouble :) You and Nate look great as well. I am so happy for you guys. You will be the best, most fun, wonderful parents. Can't wait to meet Sawyer.
Love you guys

Jannae said...

hey jess! long time, huh? just wanted to tell you congrats on your adorable little boy! And good luck driving - hope it goes great.
-Jannae

Sabine Schindler said...

I can't wait to see you tomorrow!!
We've been so busy traveling with your aunt and uncle, I haven't even checked blogs. Thanks for the nice update and pictures. I'm sooo glad we could visit when you needed us.
Love you!!

Elder & Sister Ellis said...

Just checked in on your blog.....what a cutie!!!! I'll have to read more and see what your doing in VA for the summer. Tell your family hello!

rnichols said...

Sawyer is adorable! Ahhh, such sweet pictures of him and all the baby blessing pics. Congrats!