It seems like it’s been about a month since I posted…not a week. And with the amount of pictures I’m about to upload you’d probably think so too! It has been both an amazing and a challenging week for our family. It is taking me multiple sittings to get this post done…I can’t quite get the hang of having two kids even with Daddy home….and with both boys napping earlier, I just had to stop and take a nap too. We’ll all adjust in time.
I am recovering well from surgery. I laugh when I think about how much more I am doing at six days after surgery than I was doing six days after Elias was born. It’s a necessity…and it’s good…but hopefully it won’t slow the recovery overall if I am pushing it now. Simon is doing really well. He weighed 9 pounds, 15 ounces at birth, and today at his appointment weighed 10 pounds 5 ounces! The doctors are amazed that he surpassed his birth weight so quickly. He keeps me up often at night, but is generally very sweet and mild tempered.
Elias is taking the transition roughly. He has so much anxiety surrounding Simon’s crying. It’s not attention getting or jealousy. He truly is scared. He sweats and clasps his hands and sobs inconsolably. It is something he is working through. Yesterday morning, though, he invited Simon into his room to look at his old crib, and he talks about Simon constantly even though he doesn’t really want to be near him much. Lots of people say that Elias will eventually work through this and that it’ll all be fine. I know that. Sometimes I feel I am walking through a dark forest. I know I will make it through to the other side. But people telling me that the light is there doesn’t make it any easier to walk in the dark. I just love both my boys and sometimes feel that I have to sacrifice the good of one when I am with the other. This is our new reality. We are a family of four. I thank God all the time for Nathan’s job and that he is home right now!
Now for the fun part…the pictures!
Wednesday, February 13th
Simon was born on Ash Wednesday, 2/13/13, at 8:10 in the morning. He was a healthy little boy…9 on the Apgar scale at both times. Elias was the first to meet Simon, but lots of other family came to meet him as well! I was amazed at how much Simon looks like Elias when Elias was born.
Elias opens his present from Simon…a train set!
Uncle Scott and Ama look on as Auntie Kristy meets Simon.
Nana and Simon
Ama and Baba hold their two grandsons!
Happy Valentines Day! One Day Old!
We celebrated Valentines Day in the hospital with our new little one. My parents offered to bring us a nice dinner…but I didn’t feel like eating much so Nathan just chose a favorite from Red Robin to go and I ate some hospital soup. It all worked out. I got to see all three of my favorite boys so I was happy.
My new valentine…Simon Kealoha…One Day Old
We got Elias a plane and helicopter set to play with for Valentines Day. He is driving them on Nathan.
All my boys.
Friday, Feb. 15th – Two Days Old
Friday was our last day at the hospital. We just hung out recovering and enjoyed our new family member!
Mommy, feed me!
Simon and Daddy
Coming Home! – Three Days Old
On Saturday we got to come home. Simon got to meet the kitties…or rather…they got to meet him. We finally got to be home with both our sons. We also got to spend some time with family in the evening. Ama, Baba, Nana, Auntie Erin, and cousin Audrey all came over to visit.
Simon and Daddy while we waited to be discharged
Olive was the first to come give Simon a good whiff. She stared at him whenever he moved or made a sound.
Then Hermione took her turn.
Simon’s first nap in the bouncer.
Olive is the typical jealous child. She always wants to be in the center of everything. Here are Simon and Olive napping on Daddy.
Auntie Erin meets Simon
Sunday, Feb 17th – 4 Days Old
Sunday was spent with family. We saw Auntie Erin, cousin Audrey, and Nana in the morning. Elias absolutely loves Audrey! It was so fun to see him play with her and act like such a little boy. Yelling and running and laughing. In the evening, we celebrated Baba’s birthday. Uncle Greg got to meet Simon for the first time, and Elias played hide and seek with Uncle Scott.
The first morning we all woke up at home Elias wanted to play with his train set from baby Simon.
Elias and Audrey playing together.
Nathan showing Simon himself in the mirror
Uncle Greg is happy to meet his new nephew.
President’s Day – Five Days Old
On Monday, we had our appointment at the postpartum clinic. Then in the evening we got to see Auntie Erin, Audrey, and Nana one more time. Elias enjoyed Audrey’s company very much. Simon also stayed awake more starting on this day. We got to see his eyes!
Elias and Audrey playing trains.
Elias and Audrey playing with the cats.
Simon enjoying the kick and crawl gym
Simon enjoying some awake time.
No Visitors – Six Days Old
Tuesday was our first day with no visitors. Just for the record…we love visitors, and we’ve greatly enjoyed and appreciated all the help. But it was nice to just have the four of us for a day. It was also trying at times. Elias is still very nervous around Simon, and Nathan and I were both exhausted at the end of the day. But we got out and had some family fun too. We walked to a nearby park and played “bat and ball.” Elias got to go out on a special grocery store outing with Daddy, and both boys napped at the same time!
This was the closest I could get Elias to go to Simon…but you can see they are both wearing Lighting McQueen clothes.
Mommy’s turn to hit the ball at the park.
A Homerun!
Daddy’s Turn
Elias loved retrieving the ball…especially if it went into the wet grass or a muddy patch of bark chips. Boys will be boys.
Elias was very proud to carry his tee all the way home…almost
Elias telling Daddy to draw a triceratops on the chalkboard
Elias and Daddy having some fun time together.
Wednesday, February 20th – One Week Old!
Simon is one week old today! He had his newborn doctor appointment, and his first bath in the actual tub (as opposed to sponge baths). He is doing really well. He’s a healthy boy! Elias got to play at Ama and Baba’s while we went to the doctor so he had a blast. Now we are home for the afternoon and both boys are napping…so I’d better hurry and go nap myself! It has been an amazing and emotional week. We love our two boys!
Simon Kealoha – One Week Old
Simon’s first bath in the tub
Elias playing with Ama and Baba. He was yelling “I’m flying!”
Because of that darn c-section I am unable to lift anything heavier than Simon for 6 weeks or so. This includes Elias. Unfortunately, he has a very hard time understanding this. We’ve had to teach him how to climb onto the changing table himself (we may regret this later…). The hardest part, though, is when he needs to be comforted and I can’t pick him up. I’ve tried cuddling him on the floor, but it’s just not the same.
I had thought that his requests to be picked up were just part of his every day routine, but the other day I had some insight that made me think he may feel left out or jealous a bit. Elias told his Daddy that “Mommy snuggles Simon.” I realized that I never explained to Elias why I can hold Simon all the time. I only tried to explain why I couldn’t hold Elias.
