Bauer Mark Smith

It is almost exactly two months since my last post, and life has changed so drastically I don't know where to begin!!

First, our beautiful son Bauer was born on Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 12:10am. He was 8lbs, 8oz and 21 inches long. I laugh when I re-read my last post, because I was so sure he would come that day. But, he definitely wanted to make me work for it!! After having contractions ranging from 3-15 minutes apart for 26 hours straight, I finally called my doctor Wednesday morning to ask what to do. I definitely wasn't getting any sleep and knew I was in labor, but was frustrated because my contractions weren't consistent enough to go to the hospital. She encouraged me to go on in, if only to get something that would help me sleep through some contractions. But when Tim and I got there around 8:30am and the nurse checked me, I was already 4cm dilated and 90% effaced...I wasn't going anywhere! At least all those hours of contractions were doing something!! :) After a LOOONG day of walking circles in the maternity wing, eating only one bowl of soup and a couple pudding cups, not actually getting into a room until 4pm, pushing for a miserable hour and a half, and having an episiotomy, Bauer Mark Smith made his grand entrance into this world! 46 hours after labor began, I was finally holding my son.



What a surreal thing it is to be a Mommy. Bauer will be two months old tomorrow and I still sometimes just stare at him, in awe that he is really my own. God created such a perfect little boy and just handed him to Tim and me to enjoy...what an incredible blessing! The past two months have been so fun and Bauer is growing into such a big boy! He is over 12 lbs now, smiles alot (he has the most adorable smile, by the way) and loves to talk and coo at his Daddy and Mommy. He is fascinated by colors and lights and loves music. If he is fussy, the minute I start singing "You are my Sunshine" he will get completely still and just calmly listen. Needless to say, that's made me tear up more than once! Bauer has always been very strong- something I noticed when he was still in my tummy- and has been holding his head up and trying to roll over since he was only 3.5 weeks old. Mostly though, he is just a sweet, sweet little love bug- loves to cuddle and be held. I can't get enough of my little lovey boy!!



One of the most precious things about having Bauer here, I think, is watching Tim be a Daddy. There is nothing so wonderful as seeing your husband loving his new son- changing his diapers, comforting him, making him smile, and whispering "I love yous." Who knew diaper-changing could be sexy?! Haha. Tim has become so confident and strong with Bauer and it is obvious how much Bauer adores his Daddy. I love my boys!!



So now, we're adjusting to our new life. I am working again- just Mondays and Thursdays- and leaving Bauer with Tim on those days. Bauer is on a good schedule- still eats a LOT (which can be a challenge for me since he is only eating breastmilk at this point) and has been sleeping about 6-7 hours straight since he was 4 weeks old. We are so excited to celebrate his first Christmas in a few weeks and can't wait to spend the holidays with our families. We are so blessed to be at such a precious and wonderful time of life, and are trying to enjoy every minute as it flies by. Praise the Lord!