I just wanted to post an update about some of Holden’s first experiences since coming home with us!  We’ve already done so much more than I thought would be possible.  As Rob mentioned in the previous post, having a baby changes things, but not really in the way that everyone seems to suggest.  I had envisioned the first few weeks home with a baby as a nightmarish experience in which I would be chained to the house, unable to leave or resume any of our normal activities.  While the first few days were definitely an adjustment period, things have really been great and have gone much better than I think either of us anticipated.  When we first came home, we were still really struggling with breastfeeding.  We still have some hurdles to overcome, but by and large we are past the worst of it.  Holden was apparently a ridiculous tongue sucker in utero and did lots of tongue thrusting when we first started to nurse him.  It took the help of two lactation consultants, many many nurses, and a breastpump to help him get to where he is now.  I know that people say that breastfeeding is natural, and when he latches on perfectly, I would have to agree with that.  Problem is, he rarely latches on perfectly.  We’ve had to do lots of training with our fingers in his mouth to push his tongue back in and down.  We started him off with finger feeding while he was still in the hospital to help him use his tongue properly and to position his lips where they should be.  We still have to use a nipple shield, but we are trying to also nurse him without it on occasion.  It’s definitely been a trial and error process, but I feel confident that he will master it one day soon and all of the effort and sleepless nights will be a distant memory.  He has already come a long way.  My advice to anyone planning on breastfeeding is to anticipate some hurdles, but not to give up when it gets tough!!!  It can be very frustrating, but within a few short weeks, you will likely be on the path to a satisfying breastfeeding relationship.  Think about any other thing you’ve had to learn—you probably lost sleep over it, and it probably took you at least a few weeks to master it.  Breastfeeding is no different!  I think about how Holden had to learn to breathe on his own just two short weeks ago—this thought alone restores my patience with the whole process because I know he has so much to learn in such a short time.

 

Enough breastfeeding talk!  Some of Holden’s notable firsts include his first bath at home, his first trip to the garden, first walk around town, first time going out to eat, and first time meeting his Oma and Grandpa Friesel.  Rob gave Holden his first bath.  Holden LOVES to get a bath.  He smiles and laughs the whole time, and when you lay him on his tummy, he will push up from his arms and lift his little head up off the counter (Here is Holden’s first bath at home, 7 days of age):

Holden has been to the garden three times already.  He sleeps the entire time we are there.  I’m sure the fresh air is good for him! Here is his first trip to the garden, at 7 days of age:

Here is Holden’s first walk around town once his Momma was feeling up to it.  Holden was 9 days old here:

Holden has been out to eat three times already!  Here is his first trip to Halvorson’s, where Momma ate a metric f-ton of veggie wraps during her second trimester.  Holden was 10 days old here:

Holden meets his Oma and Grandpa Friesel at 12 days old:

Grandad and Grandma Chess will meet Holden soon!

To round out this post of first experiences, I should also add that this is the first time I have ever blogged with a baby sleeping on my chest.  It’s kind of nice!  I still promise to do a post about our protracted time in the hospital—there’s a lot to say, but I wanted to get some pictures up of Holden first!