Jonah's Fan Club

We have been trying to capture pictures of as many of Jonah's new BFFs as possible.  He has absolutely loved being held by all of you (it's his favorite activity!) and can't wait to meet more friends and family!  Here's what we've got so far!

 

Happy 1 Month Birthday to Jonah!

Our first month with Jonah was amazing and we have had an unforgettable time getting to know him.  It has been an adventure in which we have learned lots, been challenged, and fallen madly in love with him.  We certainly couldn’t have done it without the help of our friends and family.  Thanks for all the ways that you supported us, from stopping by with meals and friendship, to advice and adoration, to facebook comments, and gifts of baby gear that have helped tremendously.  We thought we would share a few things about Jonah with you! 

Growth: Jonah was born on May 2^nd at 5 lbs, 1 ounce. On May 6^th he weighted 5 lbs, 2 ounces at the pediatrician’s office. As of his appointment with the pediatrician Friday, he is up to 7 lbs, 6 ounces.  We checked in a few times along the way on our digital kitchen scale (Lindsay’s crazy idea) and it was pretty accurate!  He is still pretty darn little, but he is starting to look less ridiculously small in his car seat and bouncer.  His fingers and feet look longer, but he still doesn’t have much pudge on him.  He was so small at first, we took him along to Whole Foods and a shopper made the funniest comment yet, “That’s fresh!”

Sleep: He does a little sleeping during the day, and is generally pretty good about sleeping at night when he is not eating- thank goodness!   He loves being swaddled and listens to ocean waves at night.  We had no idea how many sounds babies make when the sleep, and how much they flail their arms and legs.  Between his asleep and awake time, we think he sounds like he has swallowed a puppy, goat, pig, lamb, velociraptor, elephant, horse, and whoopee cushion.  Now if we can just get him to make the sounds on command when we read him animal books…

Eating: According to one of our parenting books, Jonah is a combination of 3 eating styles- excited ineffective, rester, and barracuda.  We are getting it down though.  He makes it pretty obvious when he is in the mood to eat; don’t get too close if you don’t want him to latch onto you when he’s hungry!  Generally he is eating every 3 hours, but he has been into “baby tapas” the past week or two, where he will ask desperately to eat, go for 6 minutes, decide he is most definitely finished, then ask to eat again in a half hour, several hours in a row.   Thankfully this isn’t happening too often, and sometimes gas drops help.

Jonah's "Excited to eat" face

Personality: We might have the most chillaxed baby ever. He just started genuinely crying this week, and even at that, it is in short bouts and we can usually figure out what is wrong and get him to stop quickly.  He is not a big fan of diaper changes, being put down flat without a swaddle, or gas.  He loves the bath and looks around calmly while we get him all soapy.  He also loves snuggles, making noises, flailing his arms, The Beatles, “dancing,” moving, the sound of the hair dryer, taking walks, spending time on his tummy on our tummies, and car rides.  He took his first shopping trip to Easton with Lindsay and Lisa and slept soundly through 5 stores.  He also went to his first Arts Fest and got lots of adoring glances.  We think he is starting to notice Alton and Olive, but not sure. They enjoy being around him, but don’t mess with him much.  So far, it has been suggested that he will one day be a conductor, violinist, dancer, Harvard student, hand model, and swimmer.

First walk

Getting ready for his first bath

Clean baby!

Chilling on his changing table

Milestones: Jonah can lift his head up for brief periods when on his tummy and can hold it on his own for about 5 seconds when upright and wide awake.  He has been looking at us when we are talking and looks like he is listening.  He can roll from side to side when on his play mat and doesn’t seem to like being on his back.  He can get his hands to his mouth and occasionally sucks on his wrist or fist, and looks like he will probably be a thumb sucker once he can figure out the technique. He is starting to stretch out his legs, but still prefers them curled up like a frog.  Friday, right before Julian left for work, Jonah was getting tucked in and he looked up at us and smiled.  It was a beautiful and peaceful expression.

Events: On Jonah’s 8^th day here on the outside world, he had his bris, which is a Jewish circumcision ceremony that also represents his entry into the Jewish faith.  Julian’s parents and grandparents came to town, Lisa and Bill hosted, Judy baked, Alana and Lauren were named co-godparents, Julian’s grandpa, Merrill, was the Sandek, and Julian made the actual cut!  Jonah was so good he didn’t even cry, and neither did we! 

On Jonah’s 31^st day, he had a Pidyon Haben, a long-standing Jewish tradition of buying back the first-born male from a Kohen, played fabulously by Jonathon Cohen, for his priestly duties.  It’s complicated.  Rabbi Berman did a lovely job of explaining and conducting the ceremony.

Jonah has had visitors and done lots of visiting.  We love having friends over and going on outings!  He has made appearances at Lindsay’s office and assisted livings where Lindsay works and is already growing to care for and appreciate older adults.  He has been a polite guest at such dining establishments as El Vaquero, Market District, Tucci’s, Piada, Lisa and Bill’s, Lauren’s, Panera, Olive Tree, Aab, Rusty Bucket, and Cuzzin’s. 

Can’t wait to share more!  Sorry this one took so long to get to.  We started it a week ago!

Welcome to the world, Jonah Goodman!

The blog has not been forgotten! We have just been very unexpectedly busy!  Here's the somewhat pared down summary of Jonah's birth story.  Hopefully it’s not too much information to make anyone uncomfortable.  If you're not into birth stories, there will be another post soon to follow!

Wednesday, April 27th, Lindsay went to her regular visit with her obstetrician and found that her normally low blood pressure was high, so she was asked to lay low while checking urine proteins for 24 hours.  The next day she went to turn the sample in and blood pressure was much higher despite laying low, so they sent her directly to OSU labor and delivery where they informed us the proteins were ok (not pre-eclampsia) but pressures were high, so we both spend that night and the next day and evening at OSU being monitored.  Protein remained ok with pressure still up, so we convinced them to let us go home to celebrate Lindsay's birthday on Saturday, and scheduled an induction for Sunday night.

Our work crew :)

Saturday was spend eating waffles and dim sum at home, relaxing with friends and family, getting things together for the hospital and cleaning the house and finishing the nursery.  Lisa, Bill, Alana, and Julian gave the place a great once-over Saturday and Sunday while Lindsay obeyed orders to chill out.  Forever grateful to them!!

Nervously walking out our front door, headed to the hospital Sunday evening

Sunday evening, May 1st, we checked into a very nice labor and delivery room at OSU and settled in for the night for part 1 of the induction.  We did our best to get a few winks, but between frequent blood pressure checks, uncomfortable bedding, cramping, excitement, fear, monitors, noises, etc, sleep was elusive.  Monday morning, May 2nd, 37 weeks pregnant on the dot, they started part 2 of the induction.  The contractions started a few hours in, but we were able to play dice (a family game), walk around the room, and journal.  Lindsay was officially considered "in labor" at 12:30 pm, but it was still pretty tolerable.  A short while later, Lisa brought Julian Chipotle and gave him a short break.   A little after 2 pm, Lindsay's water broke and contractions started coming every 2 minutes for a minute in duration.  Julian and Lisa teamed up with comforting words and hands to squeeze and provided as much help as a person can.  Lindsay pondered "how are we still a species?!?!" and got the anesthesia team started on her epidural pronto.  It worked super well on her legs and right side, but the left was still hurting. Thankfully, she got some relief and rest for a little while, but the pain got worse so we had the nurse check. It was time to push!  

Mom helping with back pain

In came Lindsay's regular obstetrician (which was super comforting) and she got to push through about 4 or 5 contractions before Jonah's heart rate was dropping.  With his cord around his neck, they sped things up and got the little guy suctioned out asap and over to be checked out by the pediatricians.  At 6:44 pm, he made his appearance and his apgar scores were 8 and 9, he weighed 5 pounds, 1 ounce, measured 19 1/4 inches, and was healthy and cute as can be! Julian took a picture and brought it over to Lindsay to see before we got to hold him at last.  He spent a while under a heating lamp in the nursery, and was delivered to us in our post-partum room around 3am.  We got lots of help from the nurses and consultants on his care and feeding and had such a magical time bonding with him.  His body temperature remained normal and everything checked out great. 

First picture of Jonah, which Juilan brought to Lindsay

Nestled in Mommy's arms

So in love!

Proud parents

Meeting Mimi, Aunt Alana, Poppy, and Aunt Lauren

Looking up at Mommy

Wednesday, May 4^th, we received our discharged instructions and headed out the car sporting goofy perma-grins.  We arrived home to find a stork Bill made in the front yard with Jonah’s birth stats and a bottle of champagne from Lauren.  We introduced him to Alton and Olive who were interested, but neither frightened nor overly involved.  He fits in perfectly and we are so happy to have him here!

Standing in front of the hospital with little Jonah

Getting settled in his nursery with Daddy

Meeting Olive

Meeting Alton