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Baby Birch: The First Days

Hello my friends! I have written 26 blog posts in my head this week and have so much to share and say but no time to sit down and type out my thoughts! I also can’t wait to find some time to write out Birch’s birth story, but as I promised myself, I’m taking off the pressure to be online and focusing on enjoying this time as much as I can. Birch is currently napping on Thomas in the Boba wrap, so I have a few minutes to check in with you all.

I love this photo that Thomas took of us when B was just hours old. I spent the whole first day in awe of the fact that this perfect little baby was INSIDE OF ME the day before. Pregnancy is nothing short of a miracle. I also must have said 100 times on Monday “I am so glad I am not pregnant anymore!” Those last few weeks were soooo uncomfortable, and it’s crazy how immediate the relief is as soon as they come out! It’s also crazy to me how much time I spent thinking about going into labor, preparing for labor, timing false labor contractions, etc and then all of a sudden none of that matters any more. My recovery has been great, and I’m feeling so much like my normal self.

After that first million dollar shower! We’re wearing our matching outfits. I loved them, but I have one big regret: do not buy a light colored postpartum outfit. Let’s just say that I wished my pants were navy or black or gray as the day went on.

We had sweet visits from Mr. Mazen and Matt both days. Mazen is very proud of his little bro! He is hesitant to do too much touching, and he seemed nervous to hold him, but he’s warming up bit by bit. He thinks everything Birch does is hilarious!

B’s doting grandparents came to visit (and brought us delicious pizza and Kohr Brothers!!) and Uncle Clay and Aunt Melissa as well.

Birch had some bilirubin concerns on our second day (apparently Thomas and I have a blood type incompatibility that raises his risk) and the pediatrician ordered a few additional tests to monitor his levels, but thankfully once that first sleepy day passed his levels returned to normal.

The air smelled so fresh when we headed home on the most beautiful, sunny, fall day on Wednesday!

It was so great to be home, and I am having fun doing all the fun mom things like using our pretty swaddle blankies and trying on cute new outfits! So far B thinks the dock a tot is “just ok” and totally dislikes his Halo Bassinet. He loves being held, so we’ve started baby wearing a lot of the time.

Coming home on a holiday was a bit overwhelming. I couldn’t wait to see Mazen and wanted to share the excitement of Halloween, but it was a lot all at once since we were going on such little sleep and had a lot of unpacking and adjusting to do. We got him set up for trick or treating, and Matt took him out. We put a big bowl of candy on our porch with a note that said “please take one” and so we didn’t have to open the door all night.

Mazen came home late and I ended up nursing Birch while doing Where’s Waldo and letting Mazen eat Skittles in bed. It was chaotic but also a fun night to look back on.

T’s mom brought us dinner our first night – quiche, salad, and desserts. I’ve been really hungry!! Our first night was long and quite hard, but we made it. T ended up holding Birch in an armchair while he slept on his chest for most of the night and sleeping when I was nursing. We made a lot of progress on night two though, so hopefully things will get better on the sleep front!

This photo is captioned: “That moment when all of your dad dreams come true.” Thomas was up in our room at 7am on day 2 with a baby carrier strapped on! I had to tell him B was too small for that one, and we switched to the Boba Wrap. He’s been loving it, and B sleeps so well in there. Gussie is adjusting well too. He doesn’t seem to notice the baby unless he has the squeaky hiccups! Gus’s ears get all perky and he looks around to find the noise. We are being careful not to leave Birch alone with him for now, as we know dogs can act strangely with new babies. We gave T’s parents a onesie to take home from the hospital and help Gus get used to baby smell.

On night two we had Mona Lisa Pasta and canned green beans with goat cheese because we desperately need some groceries! Going to the store today for all the fresh food staples. I also had a small glass of red wine – it was epic!!

It’s hard to believe this was me a week ago:

I am SO EXCITED to wear normal clothes again! While I’m sure it will be a while until I’m ready for pants that button, my shirts fit right away. Until I realized that none of them are nursing friendly! I have some nursing clothes from last time, and the layered nursing tank + pull up shirt is always easy to do with what you have, but I’d love to get a few cute, stylish tops and staples. Share your favorite brands and go-to items in the comments!

Thank you all for all of your comments and messages!! <3

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Comments

  3. SO excited for you all! I’m glad you all seem to be adjusting fairly quickly and I hope you continue to get more sleep as time goes on! He’s a cutie and looks so much like Mazen! Also, that’s so great that Matt was able to have fun with Mazen trick-or-treating and that Mazen was still able to have a great Halloween. 🙂

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  4. Aw I teared up at the image of Thomas with Birch in a baby carrier! So lovely, congrats to the both of you and I hope sleeping gets easier!

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  5. Glad you are all doing well! His cheeks are so so cute! Thomas looks so much like his Dad. Hope you all have a great weekend!

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  9. Latched Mama for the best nursing clothes. The lightweight hoodie is what I live in with my nursing babies. They’re local (out of Richmond I think). And stuff has always arrived super fast to me when I’ve ordered.

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  10. You guys are so darn precious!! That’s wonderful that Mazen was able to go trick or treating with Matt, and while I know there will be rough patches at times, it seems that you all are adjusting beautifully. Congratulations again, and I look forward to reading more about your amazing family. XO

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  11. From a longtime reader and occasional commenter, I want to wish a big congrats to you, Thomas, and big brother Mazen on baby Birch!

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    • He hasn’t been able to officially take time off but he is working from home and is on as low power mode as possible this week. He will probably ease back in next week.

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  14. Congratulations Kath on your addition to your family. Baby Birch is precious. Sooooo cute.
    Hoping you have your morning coffee. Still using your vue? Coffee pot? Brand? You always know what’s best. Sending lots of hugs to baby B.

    Reply

    • Thomas is a coffee lover and makes it in a classic coffeemaker with a locally roasted really good brand (either Traeger Bros or Shenandoah Joe). We still use our Nespresso for cappuccinos and decaf coffee or anytime we need a cup later in the day

      Reply

  15. I love Au Fait Mama for awesome nursing tops- pull down style so nothing to unclip, don’t have to do both sides, and can do it one handed. I own 4 tanks and t shorts. The other brand is Seraphine which has beautiful casual pieces and is awesome quality.

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  16. I just have to say how cool it is that Matt is supporting you guys and Mazen during this time. What a model modern family you guys are! What about Grandma Buzz and Peepaw?? Are they coming too?

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  17. Baby Birch is precious, and the pics are beautiful! Love the one of Thomas baby wearing, and Halloween with Mazen and Birch. Not a nursing momma, but I have this Old Navy top and noticed positive reviews as nursing friendly. Will be 50% off before Black Friday.

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  18. Congratulations! I love baby Birch’s chubby cheeks. I’m sure Mazen will be an awesome brother.

    My favorite, most indispensable nursing clothing was the Glamourmom full bust tank. I bought one after I had my first and wore it out, then bought two before I had my second. It is super supportive and still has coverage when you are nursing. Hopefully still on Amazon!

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  19. I’m not much help on the nursing top front – Gap, Target and Old Navy were my staples! And loose sports bra’s. I didn’t want to spend a ton of money on things I would only wear for about a year! And genius – goat cheese on canned green beans! Elevation on point!

    If you haven’t already, I’d invest in re-useable nursing pads. I bought the Nuk brand from Target. My youngest is 2.5 and I still use them in my sports bra’s! Oh, children … the things you do to our bodies!

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  21. Birch is gorgeous! What a gift from heaven! I’m so excited to hear your birth story and hear how your settling in. So excited for you all!! God bless, Cindy

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  22. Awwwwww such a cutie! Omg your so right about the immediate relief it’s crazy! Ilive said a thousand times that I’m so glad I’m not pregnant anymore too!!!! Watching my stomach go down every day has been weirdly amazing too! Amazon nursing tanks! I’m basically living in them right now!!!

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  23. Birch is absolutely adorable!! Hope you are able to get enough rest and recovery over the next few weeks. Congratulations!

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  24. Thomas’s excitement and the photos of him with Birch are absolutely precious. You can tell just how excited he is to be a dad. I may tear up a little. So sweet. Reminds me of my husband when our first son was born 🙂

    Reply

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