Hello everyone!!
Well it’s been 2-3 days (depending on when you read this!) since we got home, and we’re all doing ok!
Visions of waking up in the middle of the night every hour, on the hour, have only partially come to fruition – mostly because of Mom’s ability, well non-ability, to swaddle correctly. Lincoln is too small for the standard velcro swaddles so we’re using hospital receiving blankets in the meantime. I’ll get there yet! ; )
Otherwise, baby is acclimating well to being at home, and us to having a child to take care of. My heart is so full. I never in a million years thought a love like this exists. I miss him when he’s sleeping, the scent of him makes my heart ache, and I could stare into his eyes forever – even when they’re teary eyed. Now I know why people say they want to have 100 babies!!
It’s not all fun and games, of course, and Dr. Google and Nurse YouTube have been a Godsend to look up everything from how to sponge bathe an infant to how to soothe the hiccups, but I’m really proud of the way we’re working as a team to take care of Lincoln. Ben, as I knew he would be, is an incredible Dad.
The first night home he was on monitor watch and happened to turn on an episode of The Office, which happened to be the one where Jim and Pam had their first baby. He rewound and recorded so he could show me in the morning as it was basically the exact same experience we had just gone through 48 hours before. I laughed until I nearly exploded. Oh, love it!
We’ve been very lucky to have some delicious meals delivered to us from friends and family. I have NEVER, let me emphasize this –Â ever –Â been a person who “forgets” to eat (you know those people – Mom and little brother, I’m looking at you!) but it’s just the last thing on my mind right now. Thank goodness for ready made Maid Rites (demolished…)
And Caprese Lasagna Rolls from Mom. So delish!
This morning we went out for our first walk as a fam. Up until today I had been outdoors exactly three times since we delivered last Friday morning, so I was more than ready for some fresh air. We covered him all up then took a quick zip around the block. It’s a hot one today!
I’ve so enjoyed taking this week off to be with my family, and I know you understand, but when you run a small business it’s hard taking time away. At the same time I am cherishing every second of having a newborn – I’ll never get these moments back. ALL that being said, this Friday I have a fun (well, I think it’s fun…) survey for you to take, with a $100 VISA Gift Card Giveaway as an incentive to take it. This is a great time to refocus and make sure IGE is going in the right direction in the future, and the survey has some questions about what you like about the site, what you’d like to see more of, etc. I do hope you’ll take it! In the meantime I’m hoping to get back on a regular posting schedule sometime next week.
At any rate, sorry this post is full of random thoughts and reflections – there are just so many things that are running through my mind right now! Feels good to write again though, so thank you for reading. : ) Talk to you soon!
Peggy 08.08.2013
Congratulations to you all! Adorable!
Lauren 08.08.2013
Congratulations to you and your sweet little family!! So happy for you.
Abbe@This is How I Cook 08.08.2013
Take your time. I think Lincoln is just a bit more important than this blog. even though I love your blog… Your pictures bring me back. Heartfelt congratulations.
Jamie 08.08.2013
He’s so handsome! Way to go new parents, you all look happy and healthy. And very happy. Ack, you make me want another one RIGHT NOW. = )
Allison 08.08.2013
First of all, Hy-Vee had Chobani $10 for 10 plus you get 10 cents off per gallon with fuel saver!!
Second, your baby is adorable!
Since most of your readers are apparently young women (based on the comments), I think if you started a parenting-oriented blog, we would be all over it. Just a thought!
Lynn 08.08.2013
He is absolutely adorable! Babies arrive that way, so we will love them instantly and not be aware that absolutely nothing in our lives will ever be the same once they are here. It’s a great plan and it works…enjoy!
Susan 08.08.2013
I will be happy to do the survey, but I find your blog a refreshing delight to read, just as it has been. My favorite is your Friday Favorites post, but I enjoy your recipes and the mix of your trips and family life.
My best wishes to you and your husband -Lincoln will be a real joy in your life~
Debtgirl 08.08.2013
All normal! You all look wonderful! You will forever be distracted from now on! Enjoy it!
Amy S. 08.08.2013
Congratulations! Lincoln is just beautiful! Enjoy soaking up all those baby cuddles and smells – some of my favortie mommy moments :)
Karen 08.08.2013
Congratulations! You look amazing and so natural as a mom! Enjoy your little guy, and how sweet it is having Ben right by your side to share all of the precious little moments -and diaper changes- with!!
Dream Mom 08.08.2013
Lincoln is so cute! I wouldn’t worry about the swaddling…I never swaddled my son and he slept great. I love what you said about not knowing a love like that even existed; you hit the nail on the head, such a perfect description. Motherhood is pretty amazing. I can’t imagine going through life without being a Mom. It is truly a gift.
Oh, I didn’t see his stats-height, weight, etc. Will you be posting them or did I miss them? I just love to hear all the details…he is adorable.
Tracy 08.08.2013
Surreal time of life for sure!! He is really really cute!
Will you share his stats? Weight, length etc…
erin @hooleywithaz 08.08.2013
what with you with this adorable baby of yours, and my friend newly pregnant up here, i’m thinking i need to have some talks with my husband about pushing up our baby-making plans. :)
jessica g 08.08.2013
kristin,
I am just over 7 months pregnant and my hormones are raging. I read your most recent posts discussing Lincoln’s birth and this one and i break into tears, anxious for the arrival of my little boy. Congratulations, mama. i’m so happy for you and can’t wait to have my own experience with motherhood.
AbbieD 08.08.2013
Kristin he is just the most handsome of peanuts…congratulations. And btw…you look FANTASTIC! Good grief, I can’t believe you just had a baby 6 days ago!
But back to the tiny tot…what were his stats?
Gabby Bladdick 08.08.2013
Sending you so many congrats via the web! So much excitement happening in your life that even a small biz should be the last thing on your mind! While I love, LOVE, your blog and read it religiously (read: every. single. day), we completely understand you need time with your new little dude. Congrats congrats congrats!
Sara 08.08.2013
My goodness what a little stud! And his name is fantastic (My month-old nephew is a Lincoln, too!) :) Congratulations!
And that episode of The Office is one of the best…good stuff!
Caitlin T 08.08.2013
Congrats again to you and Ben! Thanks for sharing these little glimpses into your life.
Lucy 08.08.2013
What a peach! And you are doing EXACTLY the right thing by (trying) to slow down – I know it’s hard. I remember being so overwhelmed at how much I loved my first born. Just like you said, it is something that is indescribable until it happens to you. I have a great movie recommendation for you that I watched twice during my much-too-short maternity leave – “The Waitress.” To this day, that movie makes me laugh/cry through the entire thing. Maybe it was the sleep-deprived haze I was in, but nothing has since summed up that newborn love better than that movie. Plus, what else can you do some nights but just sit back, eat a dinner that someone else made for you (yay!), and watch TV. You have no idea how much you will look back on this time with a full heart – it simply is THE BEST. Sorry for the baby ramble…I, too, would love 100 more!
Jessie 08.08.2013
Such a cute boy and a great name! We have a ten month old named Lincoln who has given us quite a scare recently so I was too busy to check your blog and I missed your entire pregnancy! Such a great time to come back!
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lincolntodd