An Amazing Journey: Ch. 22 -- A Bouncing Bundle of Boy About This Page:

[Jennifer Marx]

A Bouncing Bundle of Boy



I'm sure every mother probably thinks this, but I just KNOW I have the most wonderful, precious, beautiful baby in the world. He is amazing. He's adorable. He's everything I ever wanted and more. I'm really still beside myself. After all those years of wondering if I'd ever have a child, of then wondering if I could sustain a pregnancy, here I had actually done it and the most amazing person had come into the world.





An early photo of Alexander, approximately one day old



I recall that Alexander was wheeled back into our room in the middle of the night for his first feeding. As I'd elected to breastfeed, the nurses helped position him under my right arm (in a "football hold") and bring him in. I remembered my classes and practice, and I was able to bring him in pretty well on my first attempt. Of course, Alexander was very sleepy, and I don't recall that he really latched on well. But we kept trying.



The only health issue I can remember is that Alexander's temperature was a little low and mine a little high. They encouraged me to hold Alexander skin-to-skin against my chest to warm him up... and it worked! During our "kangaroo care" session (as they called it), he was "turtling" his head (lifting it up off my chest on his own). It was remarkable that a 12-hour old baby could do this! Allie had also done this when she was first born -- he takes after his big sister!



Alexander really looks like a cross between Dave and me, and others agree. He has the exact hair color as Dave, and his profile is very reminiscent of Dave's (well, he still has a baby's pug nose, which is nothing like Dave's). I also think he has Dave's eyes. He has my chubby cheeks (I had even chubbier cheeks when I was born, I believe) and my mouth. He has a lot of hair on his head, much of which is over an inch long (you can tuck his hair behind his ears). He even has sideburns! He's really quite adorable.



His name is significant in that it was chosen by his three immediate family members. I picked out Alexander, that being the name I'd wanted to name my child since I can remember wanting to have children. Dave chose Jonathan, as in biblical times he was friend to King David and saved David's life when King Saul would have killed him. Allie chose James, that being the middle name of one of her favorite fictional characters, Harry James Potter. We did not name Alexander after any living relatives, as that is considered bad luck in the Jewish culture.



In the first 24 hours, Alexander was content and slept most of the time, but he certainly had periods of alertness when his eyes were wide open and he'd turn his head to look around. When he was one day old, he became more interested in nursing and we continued to practice our latch-on.



After that first night when Alexander slept in the nursery, we kept him in our room with us as much as possible. The nurses would come by every four hours and whisk him away for a vitals check or for another round of his antibiotics (thanks to my fever). Oh, and the poor thing had to have his IV put in his scalp as they couldn't get it started in his arm (takes after his mom). So he had this big plastic cap on his head to protect the IV site from being bumped.



Everyone who came to visit pronounced Alexander an adorable, content, BIG baby! He continued to thrive in the hospital. I also got better with each day. I could stand within a few hours and walk within 24. My arms were horribly bruised from the failed IV attempts, and each time they needed blood the aesthetitist had to be called to draw it as no one else could get it. My legs had swollen horribly and my abdomen was so very sore. My whole body was stiff. But I'd survived and I knew it would pass. I'n the end, I'd have just a six-inch scar to show for all the battering my body took.



Being so immobile made it hard to take care of Alexander, however, and I'm grateful for the time I could spend in the hospital and the care of the nursing staff. They provided everything I needed and were very kind and caring. I had no "bad" nurses.



Allie, my sister Kim, and my sister-in-law Nikki spent a fair amount of time with us in our room, and it was good to have company. Allie is doing very well with Alexander, and held him several times at the hospital.





Big sister Allie holds Alexander



I continued to breastfeed at the hospital, and both Alexander and I became progressively better with each session. I was worried that I was not producing enough colostrum (pre-milk) and that my latch was still not quite right, so I had a lactation consultant come by to visit twice. The latch was good, but we decided to supplement with a bit of formula by syringe or cup, but not by bottle as that could lead to "nipple confusion." We're still doing that, until my milk supply is better established.



I spent three days in the hospital post-delivery, coming home around 3:00 pm on Monday. The first day at home is already a blur -- Alexander became quite fussy that evening and we spent a sleepless night trying to console him. The next morning we were at our wit's end and worried something was wrong, so we went to see the pediatrician. The doctor reassured us that all was well and Alexander was doing just fine. He gently suggested that Alexander just needs some time to adjust (as do we), and we had to learn how to read his moods and console him. And the doctor was right. The rest of the day and the next night were MUCH better, as we became more accustomed to his needs.



On Wednesday we introduced Alexander to our dog Kippi (a 55 lb. Alaskan malamute), as Kippi was becoming very curious. We set Alexander down on the floor and allowed Kippi to come over and smell him. She was quite interested, but was very gentle. She didn't even lick him, which is her preferred method of "getting to know" something. While it's been many year's since Kippi's last litter, we suspect her maternal instincts are still with her.





Kippi gets to know Alexander



As I write this, it's day five and I feel we're already settling into new patterns. Alexander is sleeping in his bassinet after having nursed for 20 minutes. I suspect he's getting hungry, though, and I expect he'll wake in less than an hour. Several months ago we moved a computer into our bedroom as my mobility declined and my need to catnap increased. Alexander's bassinet is within sight of this computer, so I can keep an eye on him and hear his gentle breathing. I know we have MANY more challenges ahead, including keeping him nourished by nursing and managing to accomplish some semblance of work while we're adjusting, but I believe we can do it. Allie is having some difficulty adjusting to his cries, but all in all is doing very well -- she's been quite helpful and engaged in his care.





Alexander snoozes on Mommy's chest during a quiet moment



My job over the next several weeks is to attend to Alexander's needs, recover from my surgery, and establish our new routines. I don't expect to post many updates on his growth unless I find the need to share or we encounter difficulties that I need to express. I promise to take plenty of photos and share them with everyone as soon as I'm able. Thank you to all for your support to this point in our adventure!!



[Dave adds: It's been really hard to be separated from our wonderful PassPorter friends over the past week. Other than a few quick phone calls to Guide Belle* (Sara) during labor and delivery (so she could keep everyone else posted), none of you have had word from us during this entire time. Thanks to all for your incredible patience and understanding as you awaited our reports, and for being such a caring, supportive community!]

[stretch2864]

Thanks for posting the photos of Alexander! He is a beautiful baby!

[Mel & Richard]

Congratulations! I'm glad everything went so well and you are all settled back home. The pictures are wonderful.

Mel

[Colexis Mom]

Love the pictures Jennifer and Dave! Those first few days can be the hardest, and sounds like you are now settling down! Continued great thoughts to all of you

[Jennifer2003]

He's so cute!!! I checked in on the other chapters...what a trek over the last week! I'm proud of you!

Allie looks SOO different than the picture in the Passporter book!!! She's so pretty, and she looks like a great big sister!

Enjoy evey moment of Alexander, and be sure to keep sending pictures! Congrats again!

Jennifer

[JoanW]

Oh we've been waiting anxiously, but patiently for those sweet photos! Congratulations and enjoy these next few months of baby bliss!

[Irenaroo]

Wow, I've just finished reading your last few chapters and am in awe. Also, I remember when I had my last baby in 2003, my neighbor and friend Michele, "Teddysmom", posted a baby announcement which resulted in a neat thread. I think it took me a month to get onto the boards and read all the kind congrats I received from the PP community. And here you are, 6 days after delivery, with several new chapters! You are an amazing woman! Now, I know you must be exhausted. Thank you for sharing your birth experience with all of us. Alexander is just beautiful. Enjoy him now; these newborn days just fly by. Don't worry about your books, the boards, or anything other than your beautiful family. We'll be here when you're ready to return. Thank you Dave for your own perspective during the L&D. Best Wishes to you all!

[Nick and Ryans Mom]

What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing!

[Shell_of_the_South]

Sounds like everyone is adjusting well to your new family! Jennifer, don't get discouraged on breastfeeding, it doesn't magically "click" like I thought it would. It took some and time and patience, but in the end it was worth it. I remember feeling frustrated in the beginning because I thought it was a natural thing, no one told me it does require some work and practice.

[BritDisFan]

I love his little chubby cheeks, Allie looks like she is going to be a fantastic big sister. The best of luck to you all .

Karen

[luvnwdwgal]

Thanks so much Jennifer and Dave for sharing your beautiful story of Alexander's arrival! Congratulations to all of you!!

[TinkMulanMickeysMom]

When my first child was born, I came to the realization that when people talk about love at first sight - It must be when mothers see their children for the first time!! (I'm sure fathers have a similar feeling, but mothers have that 9 month physical bond).
Best wishes for baby Alexander (who is absolutely adorable) and his parents and big sister!

Betty

1983/1986 off site
11/04 Beach Club (overdue Disney visit)

[HiddenMickey]

Best wishes during this difficult "getting-to-know-you" time. I hope the blues don't hit too bad and that nursing becomes second nature soon (and that no soreness/scabs develop!). You all make a lovely family and I know your lives together will be so rewarding! -Suzi

[MontiMouse]

Congratulations Jennifer, Dave and Allie. What a beautiful story. Jennifer, I am sorry things did not work out the way you planned for the delivery but I am glad Alexander is healthy. I hope all of you enjoy the all the wonderful moments that will be taking place over the next few months (and years) as you get to know Alexander. I am looking forward to seeing more beautiful pictures of him.

[karmic]

Congratulations to you all and thanks for sharing those beautiful pictures! Enjoy your "maternity leave" - you deserve it!