Isa's first playdate

It's tempting to blog about Isa's every little "firsts." Like her first spit up that made mommy cry, first poop on mommy's shirt in a gas station parking lot in Fillmore, the first time she found her thumb, and first appointment with the pediatrician (the "two-week check-up") where she learned that she has gained almost a pound and has grown two inches since birth.

I could become one of those moms that blog about all the “firsts” and other very cool and interesting stuff about her kid and make a decent living from the advertising revenue. I think they are called “mommy/SAHM blogs.”

The problem of course is that ALL moms believe that EVERYTHING about her kid is VERY interesting. I too fall into that category of delusional moms and will warn you that I will unabashedly post all-things-too-cute-and-MUST-share-with-world about Isabel.

Surprisingly, I have LESS time to blog and be online in general as a SAHM. Not sure what that means about my work ethics as a professional… Right now, I am convinced that the authors of those successful mommy/SAHM blogs that boast millions in viewership do not really have children. I mean, how do they find the time to be so engaging? Perhaps they have jobs in advertising or work for the government.

Maybe with a few more weeks “on the job” as a SAHM, I’d find the balance needed to be a better blogger, mom, wife, cook, gardener, and fitness buff. Or maybe I return to work in 9 to 10 weeks and always have an excuse as a “working mom” to be barely adequate in all things.

One person who has helped me transition into motherhood is Christina. She’s a SAHM and has provided great insights and perspective about this new identity she embraced six months ago when her son Theo was born. She came over yesterday with Theo for Isa’s first playdate, and I was amazed and super impressed when she showed up at the house arms full with her son in car seat, diaper bag, purse, gift, AND lunch! Perhaps with patience and practice, I will also grow more arms…

Isa and Theo clearly enjoying their first playdate together.

Had to share this adorable photo of her wrapped up in pink butterfly towel after bath.

Day 14 as temp-SAHM

I cannot believe that Isa is already two weeks old.

More surreal is the fact that I’ve been a MAMA for two weeks, and no one has come to the door to say that there’s been a mistake.

The last 14 days have been a blessing and a blur…

On Friday evening, February 6th, I went into early stages of labor. I had contractions 5 to 7 minutes apart and at the time, I was convinced that I would deliver by Saturday. We went out for meals believing with each meal that it would be our last “date” alone, but by Saturday evening, I was still only 1 cm dilated. On Sunday morning, I was completely exhausted from not sleeping for several consecutive nights. We went to the hospital so that I could at least get a morphine shot for temporary relief. After the shot, I was able to nap for about 4 hours which gave me enough energy to go on a 2-hour walk around the neighborhood with Mike. By Sunday evening, my contractions were 3 to 5 minutes apart and excruciatingly painful. I thought part of my body was going to fall off, and it was again impossible to relax or sleep that night. By 5 a.m. Monday morning, I was finally 4 cm dilated and able to check into the hospital. We checked in at 6:30 a.m., and my water broke. I was given the epidural at 7 a.m. and was able to sleep until the nurses woke me up at 1 p.m. and told me I was ready to push. I pushed for half an hour before Isabel came out to our world screaming at 1:47 p.m. I broke down sobbing when I heard her voice.

One other small but very important detail that I should mention - while breathing techniques and certain positions learned in yoga helped me through the three days of labor/contractions, I would say that the only thing that really mattered was having Mike with me and holding his hand.

Since her arrival, we’ve been busy with visits from friends and family, STARING at her, and taking several hundred photos of her. Plus, there are the feedings every 2 to 3 hours, diaper changes, more laundry than imaginable for such a small creature, and naps (taking friends’ advice and sleeping when she sleeps). Somehow in the last two weeks, we’ve managed to go out for sushi like six times and drive down to St. George for a quick three-day visit with Isa’s great grandmother. I’ve also had a pedicure and co-hosted a baby shower for our friend Kara.

Today is the second day that Mike has returned to work, and I hope to stay as active without his help and make the most of my temporary gig as a SAHM. My training for the Salt Lake City half-marathon starts – um, SOON.

Getting ready to leave the hospital.
Isa with great grandmother Larson.
Isa and Duncan.
Isa with grandpa and grandma Adams.
Isa with cousins Alex and Sam and aunt Sandi.
Isa with uncle James.

Click here for more adorable photos of Isa posted on Flickr.

Happy Birthday Isabel

Isabel B Adams

Born February 9, 2009 | 1:47 p.m.

6 pounds 14 ounces | 19 inches

Healthy, beautiful, and perfect.

Photos of her first hours posted here on Flickr.

More details to come once mom recovers...

100 jumping jacks later

Today is the official DUE DATE, but still no signs of “real” labor. I’m told by friends who are infinitely wiser with babies of their own that I should enjoy the pre-baby time and sleep, relax, watch movies, and get a pedicure. I’m taking their advice but ALSO trying to get this labor thing going…

Last Sunday, we had bit of a scare. I felt a sudden jerky movement in the belly and had Mike check to make sure the baby was still in head-down position. He didn’t think she was, so I went in on Monday to verify by ultrasound. She did in fact just FOUR days before her due date flip and was in transverse position. A little concerned that this happened so late in the pregnancy, we scheduled an ECV and possible cervical ripening (for my “unfavorable” cervix) and an induction for the following morning.

I felt like I was in a bad dream. Granted I didn’t have an elaborate birth plan and was open to any and all medical intervention for the health of the baby, I wasn’t expecting THIS. Aside from morning sickness during the first trimester, my pregnancy has been relatively normal and healthy. On my 38-week check-up, she was head-down, firmly engaged. Even my doctor has not seen anything like this before. I mean, how did she find the room to move at all?

On Tuesday morning, we checked into the hospital at 7 a.m. I was being prepped for the ECV when the ultrasound showed that she had found her way back to head-down position!

She must take after me… I have a horrible sense of direction but eventually find my way.

We were able to check-out of the hospital with the only painful procedure being the IV insertion. I am now absolutely determined to go into labor as soon as possible before she changes her mind and flips again.

Duncan waiting for his new BFF to arrive.
The changing table finally arrived and assembled with baskets filled with her toys, diapers, etc. I'm still working on finishing the painting hanging above the table.

No, I am not in labor

And no dilation as of my last appointment on January 26th.

Part of me is really okay with that.

Then I have moments when I consider doing jumping jacks, eating spicy Indian food, and seducing the husband - ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

Yesterday, we went for a nice long walk at Tanner Park/Parley's Gulch with Duncan. And I mean a LONG walk. Normally, the loop takes less than an hour, and that's with extra "pool time" for Duncan. At the waddle-pace, the walk took almost two hours.

A gorgeous Saturday afternoon.
We've decided that our dog DOES have the
longest tongue of any dog we know.
I could be a MOM this week!