How Sweet It Is!

Laura snuggling lil' Christopher
Tummy Nap

Daddy and Christopher watching fishing shows. They both had their right arms up, I thought it was cute.

Snoozin'

The next 5 pictures are from Lola during our visit this past weekend. Christopher obviously loves being in Daddy's arms.
So wonderfully sweet...

Gran and Pop's first meeting with our little guy.

New motherhood has it's ups and downs. Christopher has started his predicted 2 week old feeding frenzy, which means he cluster feeds as often as every 30 minutes to an hour. This is a little taxing on my sleep schedule. But just as I feel exhausted beyond words, Christopher will smile, or even laugh and this makes the long hours invested well worth it. I am looking forward to initiating some sort of schedule into our home life, but I'm afraid its a bit too early for this 2 week old. Our day goes something like this: Midnight to 7am are filled with nursing sessions and numerous diaper changes, 7 - 10am we're snuggled in for a nice nap, the mid morning and afternoons are dappled with more feedings and naps for Christopher, by 2 or 3pm we head outside for a stroll around the neighborhood, and finally evening arrives to find an fussy Christopher just in time for Daddy's return home, then Ryan takes over for me until bedtime, which is usually 11pm.

The hard work pays off though. Monday morning Christopher had a doctor appointment which revealed that our little man is growing like a weed. He has grown 3/4" and gained a pound in just 2 weeks! His doctor said he is a picture of health. But of course we knew this.

Christopher amazes me with his strength, his arms fight me when I dress him and his neck holds his head up for minutes at a time. We practice with his neck muscles by putting him on his stomach over a pillow a couple times a day. A little baby workout never hurt anyone. We are looking forward to the months ahead, when Christopher becomes more social. Until then we just enjoy his soft, sighing newness.

Photos Galore!

Trying to catch one of Christopher's many smiles is like waiting for a shooting star

This sweater was a gift from one of Ryan's clients.

Another smile caught a little too late.
The following photos are courtesy of Grandma Lola
Happy feet!

Grandma's new favorite subject.

Grandma taught him how to suck his hand.

"Enough already! This photo session has worn me out!"

On Tuesday, Grandma Lola spent the day with Christopher and me. She was in her glory, taking picture after picture of her new grandson. She placed him on the bed under a window in the office, where natural light poured over him. I think Christopher had fun in the beginning, but as we kept him awake all afternoon, I believe he had had enough! After the photo session, Lola spent the evening prepping the pics on Adobe so that I can use them for Christopher's birth announcements. They should be coming to you soon!

Monday was Ryan's last day of paternity leave. We took advantage of the beautiful weather. After dropping off our taxes, we headed to Honeygo Park. There, we strolled around and took in the fresh spring air. We saw a bald eagle soaring overhead. The playground was alive with many kids and moms, who were enjoying the warm day. It felt so good to get out, after being indoors for eight days. The little bit of exercise did my achy body wonders. I was very sad on Tuesday morning when Ryan returned to work. Our special week as a new family ended so abruptly. I enjoyed being together; loved learning together about our new little man.

I have been fortunate enough to have plenty of helping hands this week since Ryan's return to work. On Tuesday we had visits from Grandma Lola and Aunt Lisa, on Wednesday Laura C. came by and today Oma Sue stayed with us. Many hands make light work, and the help of friends and family proved this to be true. Because of the help received this week, I am well rested and just about fully recovered from delivery. I thank everyone!

Christopher is just amazing. He is still sleeping through the night, only waking two times for feedings. During the day he sleeps often, wakes to nurse, then has an alert period (my favorite time). When he sleeps, he dreams! He makes so many noises and funny faces. His breathing pattern changes from calm to the pattern of a freight train. He even laughs in his sleep. I am glad Ryan talked me into using his crib for night-time sleep. If he roomed in with us, I doubt we'd get a wink of sleep. He is nursing well, and he has chubby cheeks and a stack of dirty diapers to prove it! It is amazing how fast the day goes: it's nurse, burp, diaper change, sleep, entertain, then repeat cycle. When Ryan comes home, it is daddy time for the evening, as Ryan won't put Christopher down till bedtime.

Gotta go now, Christopher is letting me know it's time for him to eat.

A Weekend of Visitors

Christopher prepared for his long weekend by getting a little spa treatment by Mom and Dad.

As well as a baby manicure...

After the bath Christopher and Ryan spent some one-on-one time. Christopher couldn't stop staring at his Daddy.

Here is the proud Grandfather, he can't wait to start teasing him of course! Jonathan loved the baby, he held him a few times, and told me "I'm going to have a baby too". His Mama is due at the end of March.

So Sweet!

This sling is quickly one of Christopher's favorite things. No matter what mood he is in, as soon as he gets in this thing he is so content! He is too cute for words!

Christopher surprised Ryan and I with several smiles in a row during his sleep. Unfortunately the flash kinda washed the pics out. He also gave us a few belly laughs in his sleep yesterday. I had never heard this from a newborn before!

Christopher has been pretty popular since his arrival. This past weekend he had a visit from Grandparents Winterstein, Aunt Kristi, Matt, Kim, Noah, Jonathan, Karen, Steve, Grant, Uncle Jason, Aunt Laura, Cousin Leif, Aunt Amy and Great-Greatparents Winterstein. Phew, he was exhausted! It has been nice seeing everyone and showing him off. The first few nights home, Christopher only slept 30-90 minutes at at time, waking often to nurse. Last night, though, he slept 3 1/2 hours, woke to nurse, then slept another 3 1/2 hours. What a wonderful sleep we had!
On Friday, Christopher had his first doctor's appointment, and he his the picture of health. He has returned to his birth weight, his baby jaundice is practically gone, he is nursing like a champ and his umbilical cord and circumcision is healing wonderfully.

Coming Home

Aunt Cheryl said Christopher looks like a porcelain doll

Cousins from Crazy Court came carrying gifts for Christopher.

Proud Papa

Grandma Lola's first diaper duty.

Happy family

Putting on his "going-home" outfit

Ready for his car ride home.

Home Sweet Home


Gran's first great-grandchild

Christopher slept through a visit from Grandma Mil and Oma Sue

Our gift from God

Proud Aunt Kristi


We brought Christopher Ryan home Wednesday around noon. I think he really likes his home, especially the nursery. He admired the crib that was made just for him. Immediately after arriving home, I nursed him and Ryan placed him in his crib, where he slept for three hours, letting Mommy and Daddy settle in. Ryan has taken over everything for me. My only job is to take care of myself and nurse Christopher. Fatherhood comes very easy to Ryan, and he is so good at it. His insight surprises me, and many of his parenting ideas work. The first night home was a cluster-feeding frenzy, I pretty much spent it in Christopher's room nursing him. I can't say I mind, for when I look at his sweet face, time stands still. Breastfeeding is going extremely well, despite some bumps in the road on the first two days. Tomorrow is Christopher's first doctor's appointment and I can't wait to show off his progress. This is absolutely the best time of our lives and I am savoring every second, as I have been told it flies by.

Introducing...

Our first born son arrived to us

Monday, February 25th at 5:16pm, weighing 7 pounds, 14 ounces.

My labor started early Sunday morning around 3:30am. When Ryan awoke, I informed him that our child was finally ready to make their grand appearance soon. I labored at home all day. Ryan and I took care of last minute business: grocery shopping, laundry, and light house cleaning. All the while, I kept track of my contractions; at first starting at 20 minute intervals and gradually increasing in the evening to every 5 minutes. At 10:30pm I was in active labor, so we packed the car and headed to GBMC.

Upon arrival, I was growing increasingly more uncomfortable, even holding a conversation was difficult during a contraction. The admitting nurse found me to be 3 cm dilated. I continued to labor until 2:30 am, at which point no comfort measure worked to keep me out of extreme pain. After discussing the situation with Ryan and my nurse, I decided to finally have the epidural placed. I had made it to 4 cm without it. To continue without an epidural, I would have no strength to push during delivery. Once pain free, I was able to sleep on and off. At 8 am my contractions slowed, so unfortunately, we had to resort to pitocin. My regular OB arrived and took over my care, rupturing my water and starting internal monitoring. The waters were stained lightly with meconium. So my labor progressed well until 11 am, when the contractions became so strong, and close, the little baby's heart rate would drop drastically. The pitocin was turned off and my body was left to labor on its own. The contractions slowed and weakened, which my doctor feared indicated that the baby's head was too large to fit through my pelvis. He said unfortunately, a c-section was looking very likely. Of course, this is not what we wanted, but we put it in God's hands. My doctor gave labor a few more hours, then it was OR time. Unbelievably, on his final check, I was 10 cm and ready to push! I was so happy! Ryan and my nurse held each of my legs and cheered me on through each contraction. Ryan was amazing. It was his words that kept me focused and motivated. He had a great smile on his face, and he said "great push Katie, I could see the head on that one!" He was such an integral part of the delivery. The doctor came in towards the end, and the atmosphere was so relaxed and peaceful. We would actually have conversation between contractions! At the exact right moment, the doctor became involved and instructed me to only push when he said to. A few short pushes later, out came Christopher Ryan, in all his slimy glory! Ryan cut the cord, and escorted him over to the incubator where they cleaned and prepared him for me. There are no words to describe the whole scene. It was the most casual, beautiful event I could imagine. I have replayed it over and over again in my mind. Ryan and I had the perfect birth experience. Christopher Ryan is beautiful. He has perfect features, and a peaceful personality (so far). Our hearts have found a place we never knew existed. I am so proud of Ryan, he is a natural father (as of this posting I have only changed Christopher's diaper twice). At every feeding, Ryan retrieves our son and brings him to me, he soothes him quickly every time, and his swaddling skills are perfect! This has been the easiest transition. We are truly blessed and now a complete family.

In the Words of Tom Petty, "The Waiting Is the Hardest Part"

Enjoying our completed nursery.

I baked a Valentine's message for Ryan.

The great crib-maker, Uncle Bruce.

All of Ryan's great-aunts gave us a "gift tree" filled with various gift cards for Baby. It was very generous.

February 12 came and went with no sign of Baby. My doctor states everything is moving in the right direction for me to start labor on my own. They will let me go over by one week before they take matters into their own hands. So if nothing happens this weekend, looks like it will be a sure thing by Wednesday or Thursday. Ryan said Baby is hiding inside to avoid the cold weather and maybe we should play some Jimmy Buffett and shine a flashlight on my abdomen to trick Baby into coming out!


Yesterday I had a pleasant surprise, Uncle Bruce delivered our crib! It is absolutely beautiful, better than I imagined it. He is so talented. What a special gift to give our baby; something made with love by a great-uncle. Last night Ryan and I had fun putting the sheets, skirt, bumper and mobile on the crib. Ryan decided on a whim to rearrange the furniture a little, and I really like the new way. We then sat in the nursery for a while just talking and looking at the crib and trying to imagine what this little baby is going to be like. So exciting!


We shall keep you all updated!