Over the New Parenting Hump

In one of the Dr. Sears/Martha Sears books, they say that the first month of new parenting is the most difficult time. With recouperating and changing lives as well as bonding I think that we have just come over a big hump. Breastfeeding is smooth, pumping and bottlefeeding is a success, night parenting is familiar and we have all gotten to know each other quite well.

Now we are all settling into a routine (if you can even call it that) and I am beginning to pick up where I left off (sort of - I don't expect to do all I could before Jonas). A little yoga, a little exercise, baking bread, working on the documentary, returning emails, paying bills etc etc. Jonas really seems to be comfortable and enjoy being in the sling and peering out as I go about the house and yard. He usually falls asleep after awhile - but the problem I am finding at the moment is that when I put him down (with the sling) in his bassinette while he is asleep, he wakes up within ten minutes. He won't stay down for his nap, he gets used to the motion and when he is still he wakes up. When we nap together in the morning he will always sleep soundly, but if he falls asleep in my arms and I put him down on his own he will wake up soon. Maybe I should be waiting until he is through his REM/light sleep state to put him down and that means sitting for LONGER than I already do (because of breastfeeding). I guess I am still figuring things out. We are borrowing a mechanical swing tommorow, so maybe that will work out. One aspect of being a new, first time parent includes figuring things out for yourself, using intuition and sifting through the ooodles of parenting advice from books and well meaning friends and family. And of course listening closely to what the little one has to say!

Another aspect of first time parenting, for me, is reaching out to other parents. It's a whole new world out there. Last week Lisa, Marussia and Lily came for a visit and to meet Jonas. He slept almost the whole time and missed all the little kisses from Lily. It was so nice to hang out with the girls and just sit around drinking tea and chatting - time went too quickly that afternoon. I think Jonas and I will go and visit them again really soon!

Lisa, Marussia, Lily (13months), me and Jonas (4weeks)

Rebecca Spit

Spring is finally here and I am hoping for some nice sunny weather to come our way. I love our little Island most in the Spring and Fall, well, and Summer too! We are definitely sick of the Winter rains.

Valerye and Jonas, 1 month old

Cousin Taagen

These are some pictures of Jonas's cousin. Taagen, taken on Jan 29,07 - three weeks before Jonas was born! This was Taagen's first trip to Quadra Island - he is a Victoria boy. The boys will meet on Taagen's 1st birthday which is April 6 - this will be Jonas's first (small) trip!

Taagen has been very sick lately with Wilms Tumour and will be undergoing chemo over the next several months. We are very positive for a full recovery and a return to a normal and healthy life. He has 11 months over Jonas and much to teach his 'little' cousin!


Taagen and the VERY pregnant Chara, Jan 29,07

Grandpa Jerry, Taagen, Chara and Jill

Mum, Natalie and Taagen, posing on the elephant that Uncle Jordan carved with his chainsaw

Four Weeks

Jonas, chilling out on the blanket Great Grandma Johnstone made (and wearing cousin Livia's pink pants - pink is in for men these days! Already a stylish boy!)

This has been a month of huge adjustments in my life. From the first three days of my giddy adrenalin rush following Jonas's birth to learning the art of breastfeeding to total exhaustion; its been a real trip. Aside from three weeks of sore nipples, there was not alot of physical recovery - I bounced back quite easily and am only a few pounds (7 lbs) more than my original prepreggo weight.
After being totally independent and carefree for 13 years, I have now become a parent. Wow. That is huge, it really is. I love it, but its a real adjustment. It feels as if Jordan and I have been on this honeymoon for the past 5 years. I didn't think of it that way until now, but now our high quality times together are fewer and farther apart. This may sound abit depressing, but I don't mean it to be. We were ready for this next big thing in life and here we are! I am still getting over the fact that this little person, this little Jonas, was created by Jordan and I and I think that that is one of the most wonderful things in the world.

Jonas, you are now 9lbs 5 oz. This is great because it means my milk is satisfying your hunger and that you are thriving. You are amazing. You now sleep with us in our bed; now the family bed. We love skin on skin contact. You love staring out our huge windows. You are a very noisy sleeper.

I don't think you like your bassinet much anymore. You usually nap in the big bed or in our arms and you always fall asleep in the sling and the Baby Bjorn carrier. I love wearing you in the sling; we spend time every morning dancing (with you in sling). We still swaddle you occasionally because your arms are still really wild. You like to suck alot; last week we introduced a soother to you and I know that its not as great as the boob, but I was getting too sore. Fortunately the soother has worked out and you are able to take out any stress on it and I am no longer sore! Also we introduced the bottle to you last night for the first time. I felt like a cow when I was pumping my milk, but I want you to be able to take a bottle of my milk on occasion so that your dad and others may feed you.

Two Weeks

It's been just over two weeks since your arrival and yet it feels alot longer. Getting to know you, learning about you and bonding with you has taken up all of our time!

You were born content and aware. Your little kitten noises intensified to your first cry on our third night together, when my milk came in. You are a big big feeder. You love nursing. You are a vigorous eater around the clock and your rapid weight gain is a result of your every two hour feedings (sometimes more!). You started out at 6lbs 14oz and by two weeks you were 7lbs 12oz. phew, that was alot of work for both of us! I am very dedicated to nursing you, but I am quite sore still...with your intense sucking. But we are working on that.

The midwives have come to visit you and I several times now. As you can see in the picture below, your arms are very active and they get you really excited sometimes. This is why we have to swaddle you so much; your dad is a master at swaddling. Also, this is the midwife who caught you!

Although you sleep most of the time, we have discovered some things you enjoy while you are awake. You love hanging out on your belly and you love to push with your feet against my hands.

You also love to bathe with your dad. This is your first bath. Look at those wild hands!

We are new parents and are totally thankful that you have had so much patience with us. You don't cry much and when you do it is a little shriek to be fed! And then louder if we haven't heard. I do feel like a milking station and its abit frustrating especially with the sore nipples, but that will pass and I am hoping to enjoy it more as time goes on.

We are all abit tired and we all like to sleep together in the big bed.

So, dear Jonas, this is a recording of your early life. As my mother did for me and her mother for her, I will continue the tradition of baby book making, modern style. It will begin as a blog so that our friends and family can keep updated - but eventually I will print it out into a book and give it to you so that you can one day enjoy it and share it with the people close to you. This is the beginning of your precious and incredible life. We love you.