3 Weeks, 5 days old

Hello everyone. So we're getting close to a month old now - can't believe it! One more week and she'll be a month! Wow. Well we've learned a lot about each other during that time. Naomi continues to be cute and taking up a lot of space on our camera's memory card...Nanook is a bit jealous that someone else is taking all the shutter time I think. She managed to sneak into one shot though, she's been a very good "big sister", keeping an eye on Naomi. Nanook's been very good with the addition to the family, but does get a bit attention starved at times. There's been many a time where she's wanted her toy thrown for her when mom's busy feeding Naomi or someone is enjoying a nice cuddle with Naomi. But usually there's someone else around that can give Nanook attention instead.


Anyhow, we seem to be getting into a bit of a rhythm. Dad's been a great help, taking a feeding with a bottle either before he goes to work or before going to bed, letting mom get a couple more hours of much needed sleep. 7 hours a day between that stretch and naps seems to be about the norm.


We haven't gone out too much yet, only about 2 or three times, but will be trying a big adventure in a couple days by going to a friend's wedding. So we'll see how that goes! Currently it's a bit challenging for mom to even get stuff done around the house, even tough to squeeze in a shower, so outings are being postponed for now. We're just getting used to schedules.


Well enjoy the couple of pictures - feel free for those of you on facebook to continue to check out the photo albums Adam and I are continuing to update relatively regularly.


Anna signing off again, with Adam back at work, Nanook on guard and Grandma and Grandpa Kouwenberg taking turns cuddling with Naomi...

16 days old

Hello everyone! So time is just flying by! Adam will have to go back to work next week - as much as he wants to stay home with the new baby - and Anna wants the help with the new baby! But it's been a good couple of weeks getting to know the newest member of the family. Jeni, Anna's sister, has been here since Aug. 5th, and Adam's mom was also here for a good week or so helping out with things. The help has been amazing, but Anna's starting to wonder how she'll manage without it!

We're starting to figure out how things work with a little baby...most of the time. Starting to know what different cries mean. She's also still cute when she cries, so obviously doesn't cry THAT much.

Anyhow, Naomi's healthy, mom's recovering well and we're all still trying to catch up on sleep but getting there...and she's cute as ever.

Anna signing off for now...with everyone starting to stir now that it's getting to be afternoon... :)

5 days old

We've made it to 5 days! Can't believe this time last week there was no Naomi!

Had a visit from the nurse today, and weight is finally going back up again, almost birth weight already! Anna got some more tips to help with breast feeding. Naomi is still working on latching consistantly but seems to prefer the left side, already a lefty like mom!

Naomi's days are routine, sleeping, pooping, and then eating every three hours. When she is awake, she smiles and blinks at us. She is generally a very happy baby, not very fussy.

Our days, on the other hand, are far from routine! Breakfast is usually around 10am or 11am since that's when we find our self finally waking up! During the day we've been putting together playpen and play mat and bathtub etc. We're trying to learn what Naomi's body language means! Anna's milk has come in, so feedings have been a lot easier. She can have enough milk left over to actually be able to sleep through a feeding instead of being up every 2 or 3 hours.

We've enjoyed having a few visitors and watching the Olympic coverage.

If you're interested in visiting, drop us a line! We are working on putting together a few family get togethers, kinda like an open house style.

Jeni for Anna, Adam and Naomi, with Grandma Elaine near by, all watching the Olympics, and Nanook wondering why she can't jump on the couch as much anymore.

Pictures

Many people have been wanting to see pictures, so far the easiest way is to go to http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=142261&l=ee318&id=729810553 I will try and get more pics up here on the blog, but for now...

Day 2

Naomi has been an angel, I would have to say she seems to be making up for putting mommy through a rough couple days!

Mom is doing good. things are still a little sore but everything seems to be healing well - doctor even agrees with that after an assessment not that long ago. We'll still be here until tomorrow though.

Anyhow, my lunch is here so I'll sign off for now...

Anna - with Naomi taking a snooze & Adam off to get food...

.... after 45 hours of contractions

WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL BABY GIRL! Naomi Elaine Monika Kouwenberg was born, in true kouwenberg form 30 mins late from her due date at 12:30am August 3, 2008 weighing 8 lbs 1 oz! every one is exhausted from the ordeal but everybody is healthy! I am going to try and upload a poor quality picture from my phone. but if that does not work, look for many more to come later!

and we wait.... more

wow! what an afternoon, when I last wrote everything was going beautifully, then shortly after that progrees just stalled out, infact if anything we went backwards a bit! Anna hit rock bottom for her energy and pain threshold. but she is my hero, and pulled through it like a trooper. the anistethiologist (sp?) took probably an hour and a half to come once Anna got drained, and the two of us fought through some pretty tough contractions together. she now has an epideral in, and for the first time in more than 40 hours is she able to sleep without pain. the OB is going to do another check at around 8 to make a decission where we go from there.

we appreciate all the thoughts and prayers that you all have.

hope to write again soon.

Adam

High as a kite!

Nitros Oxide is a wonderful thing! Anna is sucking much laughing gas to get through the increasing contractions. the doctor just came in to check and she looks to be about 7-8 centimeters so things are going just great! I got to run and hold her hand!

Later!

At the hospital: Part 1

We have made it to the hospital! things are progressing nicely. at last check Anna was dialted between 3-4 cm. Breakfast was just delivered and contractins are coming along regularly.

Stay tuned!

.... getting closer.... we think!

Good morning! it is about 5:30am, and we are just loading the car and going to the hospital.... we will see how it goes! Contractions are getting very strong and regular, about every 3-4 mins. Hopefully we won't be sent home once we get there, and hopefully things progress nicely once we do! Anna is having 'fun' coming up with, umm, descriptive adjectives to use during contractions, involving much gibberish, 'oi yoi's' and grunts and groans.

Hope to write soon with more news.....

...STILL Waiting...

And so the day continues...sans new baby, well, new'born' baby anyway. We're all pretty tired after a long, inconsistent day and hoping to soon try to get some sleep - we'll see if Peanut decides to start the contractions again as soon as mom hits the pillow, that seems to be a trigger for the most part, but managed to be far enough apart for the last sleep attempt to get a couple hours in, regularly interrupted hours, but hours non the less.

Perhaps Peanut will be an incredibly punctual baby? We'll just have to see how tomorrow goes! But thanks to those who have been by throughout the day distracting Anna, it's been nice to have the support and the helping hands to get some stuff finished off around the house!

Anna signing off for now, hoping the break in contractions lasts long enough to catch up on sleep, Adam wishing that as well, and Mommy Kouwenberg not minding the thought either...

.... still waiting....

Ok, it is now a little more than 13 hours after the initial contractions startes, and they have been comming and going, with some extended periods of nothing, then some intsense contractions... We have played a bunch of board games, been snaking lightly and just hanging out, Anna still has not had any more sleep, but periods of rest. At this momment she is trying to get a bit of sleep, but we will see how well peanut co-operates!

Untill later...

A&A&P

... waiting .....

So it is a few hours of after the last post and we have not left for the hospital yet, when we called they said stay home as long as you are 'comfortable' and after giving it a bit and relaxing the contractions have slowed right down. we are planning on having a bit of a nap to re-build the energy reserves and see how it goes from there. at the peak there were ontrctions every 2 mins lsting for almost a whole minute! Now it has been almost a half hour.

time for the mom to be to get some rest!

until later......

40 Weeks

So we potentially have a very punctual baby...due date is officially tomorrow but we'll be heading to the hospital shortly as Anna is having very regular contractions that are getting increasingly more uncomfortable. So perhaps our next blog will have a picture of peanut that isn't an ultrasound and will let everyone know the baby's name...we'll see!

Fortunately the house is realatively organized and ready to go, fridge is stocked, baby room essentially set up...so if this is the real thing then should be okay! We'll let you all know as soon as we can...

Anna signing off, getting quite uncomfortable, Adam taking a last minute shower and a very confused Nanook bouncing all over the house...