Happy Birthday, Daddy!

My first mother's group

Well, it has been nearly three weeks since Kjersten entered the world and in ways it seems like she has been here forever. She is doing well and her temperment is pretty mellow and easy going. Mike and I are actually getting rest as she has been pretty good about sleeping through the night with a quick "snack" around 3am and generally falls right back to sleep. I am still somewhat exhausted physically as my body still has a way to go before I start to feel like my old self again. I am also starting to enjoy being home during the day with her and I have a feeling that going back to work may be harder for me than I would have guessed.

Today, I went to my first Mom's group held at Wisconsin's only Birthcenter and I had a great time. I wasn't sure what to expect since I have never participated in a Mom's group and I was kind of afraid that it would be a flop and I would have absolutely nothing in common with these women. Most of the women were about my age with babies less than 8 months old and while some were first time moms, many were also the mothers of older children starting over again as a new blended family. I actually felt like I was in an environment amongst other mothers who shared similar life experiences and current family challenges. They were all very friendly and inclusive and the moms who were there for the first time were instantly welcomed as members of the group. After the 90 minute meeting, we went to the cafe next door for lunch and hung out for another hour or so just talking.

A majority of these women had given birth at the birthcenter and many of them are crunchy "granola" moms. They all breastfeed, most use cloth diapers, "wear" their babies, make their own baby food, co-sleep, communicate with their babies using sign language and one actually was practicing EC (elimination communication). Some of these things I had read about, but never really knew anyone doing these things. It's pretty neat to see a 7 month old baby able to communicate with simple sign language to let their mother know that they need a diaper change, to nurse, go to sleep, etc. Who would of thought a baby that young would be capable of that?

Elimination communication is something totally bizarre to me, but one mother was working with her 6 month old daughter to master this skill they started the week before. Basically, they do not use a diaper and the parents learn to identify the baby's cues as to when it needs to urinate or have a BM. They actually sell baby size potty seats that they sit the baby on to do what it needs to do. Most people that practice EC actually begin working with their babies at birth and most are completely potty trained by 6 months old. I know that I don't have the patience for that and I really wouldn't want to carry around a plastic toilet. I'll stick with diapers for now.

Our Daughter

Please join us in welcoming Kjersten Mariet into the world! She was born on Friday, February 2nd at 8:13 pm, weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces, and was 20.5 inches long (3.8 kilos, 52 cm).

Jenny and Kjersten are doing well, and Dad (Mike) is doing fine too, albeit a little tired. Helen and John Olson (now Grandma and Grandpa) were also at the hospital for the birth. All of us came home from the hospital on Sunday and are doing great.

Thanks to everyone for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Love,

Jenny, Mike, Ashlynn, Alex, and Kjersten

End in sight......

Well, it is Thursday and the baby is now 8 days past the EDD. Mike and I went in this morning for an appointment with the midwife and have set the date for the induction for tomorrow morning. We are supposed to report first thing.

Earlier this week I was a little freaked out about this prospective thought, but now I am just ready for this baby to make its appearance into the world. My progress is encouraging as I am dilated to 3cm and conditions are optimal so that they are just planning on pumping in the pitocin. Luckily the midwife kind of explained the way they administer it nowadays that it doesn't sound as torturous as it used to be. So hopefully all will go well and be manageable so I can be successful in doing this without pain medications.

Well, I am making this short and sweet since I have a lot to do before tomorrow. I'm sure Mike will get something posted by Monday. Keep us in your prayers that everything goes well.