Monday, November 14, 2011

Perfect



Derek Alexander Robert Eugene Symmes was born on 11/10/11 at 6:03 PM. He weighed 8 lbs 8 oz and was 21.25 inches long. His APGAR score was a perfect 10.
Amanda is healing well, but definitely doing the post-partum emotions. Nursing is difficult, but improving slowly. Derek screams, a high, piercing scream, any time he isn't absolutely happy. So we have long, quiet hours, punctuated by sudden wild screaming... and then gas. Or a feeding. Or a diaper change. And sometimes it just takes some walking and bouncing or sitting and rocking to get him calm.
Even with all this, Amanda said last night that this is better than being pregnant and itching intensely. Good perspective!
As for the birth itself... that story needs to wait until I've had some sleep. Short version is that she had over an hour of hard contractions and was NOT pleasant to be around. And then they gave her drugs and an epidural, and the rest was a piece of cake. Seriously, she giggled when they told her it was time to push.
I think he's adorable, but the photos don't seem to show that. Maybe I'm just prejudiced?

Tuesday, November 08, 2011

39 weeks



Aren't they beautiful together? This really has been a textbook pregnancy. The little glitch here in the last two weeks is called PUPPP, and basically means itchy red bumps all over her belly. The up side is that the doctor won't let her be pregnant more than two more weeks. She is nearly done, one way or the other.


The church ladies gave her a shower. Friends and family have also showered her with love and gifts. Our little Derek is well-provided for! Just today, he got a bathtub in the mail, something we still didn't have! God must love this little guy.


So do I.