Her first smile was March 23rd right after her early morning feeding.
These were taken a couple of days later again early morning.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
The First Month: Humbled
I came home from the hospital feeling pretty good all things considered. I had an easier recovery this time. I had cleaned the house as best I could. The closets were organized. We spent the first four days home together just the five of us. The boys stayed in their routine. Their behavior was pretty good. Breastfeeding was going well. We learned that Faith is a pretty easy going baby. We were sleeping pretty well.
A week before delivery I had what I thought were the symptoms of Mastitis. I went to the doctor about it but it looked as though their was no infection so I took Tylenol and used cold and warm compresses and the red feverish spots went away. The cold symptoms did not go away but I thought since the boys and Nathan had a cold I must too. But looking back, I think I was never really rid of the Mastitis. It was masked with the pain medicine from delivery.
Anyway, one week after delivery I had what seemed like classic Mastitis: high fever, burning streaks on one side, lethargy...Mastitis. I called my OB and was put on an antibiotic. Days went by and my symptoms grew increasingly worse. I ended up with an abscess. A huge abscess that had to be lanced, drained, and dressed, and is still having to be changed daily. I ended up in the hospital for a total of five days. I've never been so helpless with so much responsibility. All my efforts unraveled and I was helpless to do motherhood and take care of my family. Nathan had to take off work an extra week. In all this helplessness there was a sweetness of God's presence.
Our Church small group rallied around us like I have never experienced. They brought food, stuffed our refrigerator, freezer, and pantry with food. They sat with me once I came home because I was unable to care for the boys alone for a while. They called, texted, and prayed for us. Our family took care of the kids a good bit. Nathan took care of me.
I recently read an article written by a mother who spoke of how she was the glue that held everyone together...the backbone of her home. You know what? I am not. This past month has shown me how helpless I am to do anything. Like our pastor says, "Life is paper thin." I do not hold our little world together. Jesus does. And the Lord has provided! He has shown Himself to be strong.
I left the hospital thankful for His presence and for the three little sweethearts we get to raise.
Here are some pictures that highlight the past month:
The pink flowers are from Nathan to Faith. He brought them to the hospital...said he was making sure he was the first to give her flowers. :)
Confession: I don't take as many pictures of the boys right now because I feel like I'm doing well to get them out of bed, fed, and entertained. They rarely are dressed for a picture. What I mean by that is, they rarely are dressed. ;)
While I was back at Fayette Piedmont they had me on the third floor in the maternity center which was so nice. I had the sweetest nurses and was able to have Faith with me as much as I wanted. We opted not to keep her there all of the time, but Nathan did go get her in the evenings.
A week before delivery I had what I thought were the symptoms of Mastitis. I went to the doctor about it but it looked as though their was no infection so I took Tylenol and used cold and warm compresses and the red feverish spots went away. The cold symptoms did not go away but I thought since the boys and Nathan had a cold I must too. But looking back, I think I was never really rid of the Mastitis. It was masked with the pain medicine from delivery.
Anyway, one week after delivery I had what seemed like classic Mastitis: high fever, burning streaks on one side, lethargy...Mastitis. I called my OB and was put on an antibiotic. Days went by and my symptoms grew increasingly worse. I ended up with an abscess. A huge abscess that had to be lanced, drained, and dressed, and is still having to be changed daily. I ended up in the hospital for a total of five days. I've never been so helpless with so much responsibility. All my efforts unraveled and I was helpless to do motherhood and take care of my family. Nathan had to take off work an extra week. In all this helplessness there was a sweetness of God's presence.
Our Church small group rallied around us like I have never experienced. They brought food, stuffed our refrigerator, freezer, and pantry with food. They sat with me once I came home because I was unable to care for the boys alone for a while. They called, texted, and prayed for us. Our family took care of the kids a good bit. Nathan took care of me.
I recently read an article written by a mother who spoke of how she was the glue that held everyone together...the backbone of her home. You know what? I am not. This past month has shown me how helpless I am to do anything. Like our pastor says, "Life is paper thin." I do not hold our little world together. Jesus does. And the Lord has provided! He has shown Himself to be strong.
I left the hospital thankful for His presence and for the three little sweethearts we get to raise.
Here are some pictures that highlight the past month:
The pink flowers are from Nathan to Faith. He brought them to the hospital...said he was making sure he was the first to give her flowers. :)
Confession: I don't take as many pictures of the boys right now because I feel like I'm doing well to get them out of bed, fed, and entertained. They rarely are dressed for a picture. What I mean by that is, they rarely are dressed. ;)
While I was back at Fayette Piedmont they had me on the third floor in the maternity center which was so nice. I had the sweetest nurses and was able to have Faith with me as much as I wanted. We opted not to keep her there all of the time, but Nathan did go get her in the evenings.
This is how they boys play outside with Nathan.
One month birthday
Friday, March 27, 2015
Faith Massey Thompson
My how life has changed in the past month! Faith turned one month last Monday and I haven't posted about her delivery yet. I'm now almost recovered from a terrible case of Mastitis. God always keeps His promises and He has indeed drawn near to me as I've surrendered to Him.
In early February I was so excited to find out that I was finally dilating enough for my OB to schedule an elective induction. They are becoming more and more uncommon, but it was for us exactly what I hoped for. We live 45 minutes from our chosen hospital or any hospital. I have two toddlers and our family live out of state. The last thing I wanted to do was labor at home. I pictured myself lying on the floor screaming while my boys either ran crazy through the house or lay screaming by my side terrified. All that to say I was SO excited about scheduling this. We packed our bags, called family, situated everyone, cleaned the house, bought daisies for our princess, and on Sunday February 15th went to bed early and as my doctor put it "got ready for a birthday party." It was the coldest week we'd had all winter.
I went to bed at 7:00 with my alarm set to take a shower at 3:30. We were to be at the hospital very early. Just after I dozed off we received a call from the maternity center saying that their rooms were full so the induction was postponed at a later time the 16th to be determined. Knowing that we live so far from the hospital Nathan and I decided that we'd spend the day in Fayetteville ready for the call that there was a delivery room available. Nathan's parents and some good friends took care of the boys. We ended up in the hospital cafeteria which actually is quite nice. We sat in a cushy booth, chatted, and read books. It ended up being such a sweet time of visiting and resting. My parents ended up joining us. At 2:00 in the afternoon we received a call that they were ready for us to come up. I bolted out of my seat and took off leaving poor Nathan running after me.
I could not wait to meet our baby girl! Honestly, it was the sweetest evening. They gave me the IV and epidural and Nathan and I basically slept until it was time for me to push! I went from 2 cm to 5 cm in 6 hours so we anticipated labor being long. Then 1 hour later I awoke from my nap and tried to yell at Nathan that I was ready to push but I couldn't catch my breath. He was in a deep sleep...I honestly looked for something to throw in his direction because I could not get my breath. Finally I woke him up and he slowly got up, sleepily patted my leg, and said I think you're just having a contraction. At that moment the doctor and nurse rushed in, checked, me and saw her head!
I pushed for 12 minutes! I was able to curl up and watch her coming out. I cannot imagine a sweeter labor and delivery. I didn't even break a sweat. And she nursed right away...it was so so sweet!
Faith Massey Thompson
8 Pounds 10 Ounces
20 Inches
Nathan's parents kept the boys for us. They came to meet their sister the next day. Nathan took them to the hospital gift shop and let them pick out a gift for Faith. We brought presents for them as well. They were adorable meeting their baby sister.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)