The Story So Far

Just one day shy of three weeks as a family of three, I guess it's time to take a look back and record a bit of what's been happening lately. Thomas Elijah Pruitt was born on February 18, 2009 at 10:00 PM. Initially we had some concerns because of the lack of "liquid output" over the first 24 hours. We might have had to stay an extra day at the hospital if not for just a little bit of pee about 32 hours in. (Blogging about pee... how mature)

We took him home on February 20th, Danielles birthday, and began the process of getting used to living as a family of three (Sample 1 | Sample 2). The 21st & 22nd both brought doctors visits over the "output" issue. A little supplemental fluids and everything was back on track.

I spent the first week at home with Danielle and it was a valuable, but trying time. Sleep wasn't exactly something in large supply, despite Eli's generally quiet / calm behavior. Learning to feed was a difficult thing. Eli would (and still does) fall asleep many times almost as soon as he would begin eating. We were blessed to have about 2 weeks of dinner dropped of by family & friends. It's amazing what a difference something as simple as not having to cook dinner can make. Grandma & Grandaddy came by several times and Grammie and Papa did as well. Those brief times of having someone watch Eli while we got to sleep meant more than I think they knew.

And now, today is our second wedding anniversary. As we look around the house, we suddenly look like those "people with kids". Car seat parts sit on the floor beside a rocking swing. Breastfeeding pullows sit on the floor under a coffee table littered with everything from pacifiers and booklets from the pediatrician, to comfort foods like Slim Jims and a chocolate orange. (Yes, Slim Jims are comfort food. Don't argue.) The other couch is perpetually decorated with a towel for Eli because... well... it's not microfiber and pee soaks in. Two years into this thing and suddenly we're a family. Sometimes I look at Danielle and see a mom. Sometimes, like now, I look and make it a point to see my wife.

The past three weeks have been a blur on one hand and the longest three weeks ever on the other, but I can't imagine anything being more amazing for our family than having the Lord give us Elijah to care for. In some ways these are some of the hardest times Danielle and I have ever known, but I know we'll eventually look back on them with grateful hearts toward the God who walked through them with us. Even now, I wouldn't trade her or Eli for all the ease in the world.

Happy anniversary Danielle. I took you for better or worse, but I kind of cheated. I knew going into it that with you, there was no chance of "worse".

Happy Birthday

At 10:00 p.m., after 13 1/2 hours of labor (only 20 minutes active labor), Danielle delivered our son, Thomas Elijah Pruitt. At birth he was 7 pounds 1 ounce / 20 inches long.

He's absolutely amazing. He's been so quiet. The one thing is... He has really big feet!!!

*NOTE: This post was published just after Elijah's birth, but was uploaded with an incorrect publish date.

Twitter Update

OK twitter seems to no longer updating on the site. See twitter.com/cpruitt

Twitter on Delivery Day

So tomorrow we're scheduled to be induced and deliver our son. Generally our tweets live in the Twitter section of the sidebar but tomorrow they'll be taking center stage (at least that's the plan... It's not so much working this second). The tweets will be posted as regular blog entries and perhaps I'll kick out the occasional short blog and photo from the WordPress app on my iPhone. The goal here really isn't to keep the masses informed, as much as it is to give ourselves a bit of a record of the day. So if things work well and the Twitter Powers cooperate, hopefully tomorrow will be a day that's fun to look back on.

Thornhammer Merch

Danielle has always been irritated by my attempts to name our son Thornhammer, so I've decided that "Thornhammer" will now be his band. Like any good ex-rock-star knows, the secret to a stellar band is not musical talent, inspiration, determination, or even the "big break". No, the secret to an epic rock band is something far deeper and integral to the very soul of the band itself... merchandise.

To that end I've decided to give my son's career a massive jump start by creating this totally rad "Thornhammer" tee shirt, sized specifically for the 6 month old rocker.

True fans can download the desktop wallpaper too.

(Incidentally Danielle was far less excited about this than I was)

He’s a comin’

Cliff and I went to our weekly doctors appointment today. I was hooked up to a heart monitor and the doctor says that the baby is perfectly healthy. After much poking and prodding, he also informed us that the baby has dropped into the pelvis and is in perfect position for birth.

Since I've been taking the Lovenox injections, the doctor is talking about inducing me 3 or 4 days before my due date. Apparently, the Lovenox must be stopped 2 weeks prior to the delivery to control bleeding (since it's a blood thinner). They will be switching me to another injection called Heprin which is supposed to be stopped 24 hours before delivery. We were pretty set on not being induced, but apparently the doctor would prefer to have things more controlled. He is supportive to our wishes though and understands if we do not want the induction as long as the pregnancy doesn't go past 40 weeks. We didn't have a whole lot of time to talk to the doctor today as Cliff had to get to work, but we will be talking with him more on the subject next week and will make our decision from there.

It's crazy to think that our little man is going to be with us in the next three weeks. I love to put it into perspective by thinking about where we were at just three weeks ago... New Years Day. He's going to be here so soon! I can't wait! I feel like a little kid anticipating Christmas, lol.

Rolley Things for Christmas (A Little Early)

Danielle with our new stroller. Thornhammer's ridin' in style!

Registries

So we're getting closer and closer to meeting our little man which also means we're getting closer and closer to the baby shower. We still haven't registered for anything yet, knowing that stores change their products often but we only have about a month to go. Both of us are so unsure of what to expect, we thought we'd talk to those of you who have some experience with this parenting stuff to get some suggestions. What are some things that you wish you would have put on your registry or things that you received for your child that were most helpful that we might overlook? What are some things that you registered for that you got but didn't find to be of any use once you actually became a parent? Any input is greatly appreciated! =)

We have to PAY for this stuff?

So on our first "let's go look at baby stuff" trip I've come to the conclusion that it must be quite difficult to make anything for babies that is not loud, ugly, or just plain gross. No wonder my parents always seemed cranky...

Lovenox (Part III)

For about a week now I've been giving Danielle her injections of Lovenox (blood thinner). She still doesn't like it very much but apparently it feels better to have me do it for her. I'm not a huge fan of doing it, but I'm happy to do what I can to make it easier for her. Really the biggest problem is that I try not to hurt her so I don't try to jab her hard enough. Trying to be "gentle" seems to make the needle go in slower and those are usually the times it hurts her. When I really stick her (you know... pretend I'm aiming for a kidney or something) it seems to be OK.

Fun Facts:

For Danielle injections hurt worse on her right side

They hurt least closer to the front

Syringes still work when you pull the cap off badly and bend the needle

Inserting a needle half way and pulling out because you thought you missed is not the start of a romantic evening

Pregnancy is exciting in some ways and quite a strain in others. Right now, Danielle is sleeping on the couch with a heating pack on her face. Something started making her tooth hurt very badly at church this morning. Because of the pregnancy she can't take anything but Tylenol (which is basically a placebo). I end up feeling guilty because she seems to always be the one hurting.

At least as we sit down each night to give Danielle her injection, we can find joy in the fact that we're doing it together, and that there's a little love in every dose of Lovenox. (Barf.)