Nighty night...

I figured you would want your naptime/bedtime song Mama made up for you recorded, so here it is- I sing it to you while I'm swaddling you for sleep. Here you are, all tucked in your cradleboard (on loan from the Fivecrows) and a captive audience.  These moments are some of my favorite of the day, you almost always smile and coo when you are all snug.  We've yet to catch you "singing" along on video- but you do it sometimes, it melts our hearts. Next time I'll record your "I can fly" song your Daddy made up for you.

11 weeks of fun!

Everyone said time would fly- it feels like a I've been in a time-vacuum for 11 weeks.  Next Monday I go back to work, I'm feeling very sad to miss the time with you, but at the same time excited to go back and happy that you and your dad will get to spend so much time together one on one. That is something not every girl gets and it is a pretty special thing!  I have loved all the moments- the challenging ones and the happy ones and being your mom is the most amazing experience of my life thus far- every day it feels like I will burst with love when I look at you!

Who is Virginia Beth?

What fun it has been getting to know you over the last 11 weeks! There are lots of little things that make you Ginny- some of these might be "every baby" sort of things, but they are special to us!

• You are very quick to smile! You started smiling at about 4.5 weeks old and haven't stopped since.  You have a smile for everyone you meet as long as you have been fed and aren't tired!
• You have very strong opinions about wet or messy diapers- they are intolerable to you. You like to be dry and comfy.  I think you are sensitive to touch- you love soft things and being massaged too.
• When we sing to you, sometimes you coo along, it is adorable.  You won't do it for the video camera though!.  I'm thinking you are going to like music a lot as you grow.
• You like people- one of your favorite things to look at is our refrigerator door.  You get so entranced looking at all the faces of your cousins and our friends. 
• You feel like you are lighthearted and like to have fun to me, I'm excited to see how you play in the months to come!

9 week wonder!

OK, so although I said I was going to put the books away and stop worrying about your sleep- truthfully I haven't.  So at my wits end, some good friends lent us a cradleboard and guess what? It works! You're sleeping so well outside of your sling I feel like I don't even know what to do with all the time I have.  You seem to love being all tight and bundled and get to sleep pretty easy.

Sweet dreams baby girl!

Ginny at 7 weeks.

This seems to be the only way you will nap if not being held by someone these days- on your tummy on your nursing pillow! Hey- we'll take it. This last week you have gotten even SMILIER (is that a word?).  You grin all the time and last night you didn't even cry in the bathtub- a major accomplishment.  You seem to be very social, we took you to a party and you had a smile for everyone.  Very heartwarming.

Your momma is the queen of....

Unnecessary worrying.

It is true! It is almost as if I look for things to be worried about.

Current worry- are you sleeping enough Ginny? Why should I worry about such a thing? You are, after all, SIX WEEKS OLD, and there isn't a lot I can do besides put you down to nap when you are tired. I can't make you sleep MORE or make you sleep in the places that are culturally acceptable (i.e. your crib), so from here on out I resolve to stop worrying about this!

Yesterday- you hardly slept during your naps, but today, you are sleeping double. Silly mama. Nothing stays the same-this is an important lesson.

Really, the problem comes from reading too many books about babies and sleep. They all say different things and my head is in a spin. So basically- I think what is best is to stop all the worrying and just follow your lead.

6 weeks old!

Our little bean is six weeks old! She started smiling at 4.5 weeks and it has been increasingly easy to entice little grins and the start of coos from her- such a blast. Ginny is for sure a morning girl- so happy and chatting in the morning from 5am on.

Sage wisdom from those who have gone before....

We just got back from visiting Utah for Uncle Wayne's wedding reception- while there you had the chance to be cuddled and loved by your whole Nielson family! In this video, your cousins Sadie and Madelyn give you some advice about living life on this planet....

4 weeks old!

Ginny at 1 month old! My, how she's growing, already 8lbs, 9oz!

Awake time!

Ginny is growing like a weed- holy cow! To me she looks rounder every day and more and more kissable, though I didn't think that was possible. Here is a video of her at 3 weeks and 4 days old playing on her infant gym (a gift from my boss Michelle). She loved trying to grab things and cooing at the colors. We are so excited to see more of her open eyes :).

Ginny's First Bath

Ok, so I didn't know how to use the one button video camera and all we have recorded is the "after bath" glory ofGinny's first tub bath- Grandma did the honors! She is 2 weeks and 2 days old in this video, and growing so fast- at checkup yesterday she had gained 15 oz in a week and a half- those cheeks are getting so darn cute and chubby.

How it all came down

I've been meaning to write down the story of how you came into this world- already it is fading and it was only a couple weeks ago! So, right now while you are in the carrier staring up at me and chilling out seems like a good time.

On the night of Wednesday, May 18th, I woke up with contractions, they were 5 minutes apart for a few hours and your dad and I got so excited! We got out of bed and called the midwife, who informed us that we were still in "early labor" to our great disappointment. So we tried to go back to bed and by 5 am they had subsided. Darn it! These same shenanigans continued Thursday and Friday night, with contractions during the day off and on. Come Saturday, we were trying everything we could to bring on the labor! We went for a big long walk at Powell Butte, went to see Alice in Wonderland at the Academy to keep our mind off things, and then another walk. That evening I took the midwife's advice to take a bath and have a glass of wine (as medicine to help sleep) and went to bed.

We woke up as contractions became stronger and stronger- your dad helping me get through the strong sensations of every one, often by doing the "hip squeeze" we learned in our Birthing from Within class, and by 3am I couldn't function any more and it was off to the hospital!

When we first arrived, they put us on a monitor to see how you were doing. Instantly our plans for waterbirth were out the window because every time I had a contraction- your heart rate went all crazy! With a distinct possibility of C-section looming over us at all times, we did squats and lunges for a long time trying to move you into a good position for your heart rate. It worked! Things started looking up, I made it through every powerful wave with your dad behind me as the ultimate support and love, and our doula Rita in front of me speaking kind words of encouragement and coaching me through. A midwifery student named Annie was with us the whole time, as was the midwife who delivered you, Michelle. The other amazing person we had in attendance was a nurse named Caron- she was the most amazing pushing coach ever!

Once we got to the pushing stage is where we had more issues, as we found out later that you were turned sunny side up (the wrong way) and brow presentation, one of the most difficult ways to push a baby out. It took me a little over three hours of pushing until we finally saw your beautiful head. You were worth every drop of energy, though.

When you came out, your head looked square (says your dad) and they had to rush you across the room to help you breathe and make sure you were ok. I was so relieved it was over, and so impatient to get you in my arms, I could hardly stand it! I heard your cries from across the room and I needed to hold you! Your dad got to hold you first, and you tried to latch on to his shoulder. When I finally got you, you latched on right away like a champ! I was so proud of you.

When I sang you your song, you instantly opened your eyes and looked at me the whole time I was singing, it was magical. It felt like my whole heart had stretched so big to include the entire world with you at the center of it- so much love!

Our midwife says it was one of the most difficult births she had ever attended, and that you gave her a grey hair, but I'd do it all again to have you in my arms.

Ginny 1 week old

Ginny Bean-
You arrived on Sunday, 5-23-10 at 3:33pm weighing 6lbs 11oz and 19 3/4 inches long. I can't believe it- what a wild ride it was. I'll post the whole story soon, but until then, here is a video of you at one week old!

Ginny Isabell 5-23-2010

Could it be?

Oh Ginny Bean!
Your birthday is coming soon, we are so very very very excited and happy to meet you! It is amazing to think back on that one September morning when I woke up Steve with a freshly peed-on stick in my hand and said "Good morning, Daddy!", and can hardly believe we are this close.

I've been keeping up with my exercising, yoga, meditation and acupuncture to make sure my body and spirit are as ready as possible for whatever comes our way. Yesterday I got an amazing pedicure and foot massage- courtesy of your aunties Franny and Christine- and am having so much fun imagining my bright toes in the waterbirth tub!

Last night throughout the night I had some pretty amazing contractions, they continue today but not at any regularity! My body is warming up for the marathon, I think.

Every morning in the shower I sing you your song, courtesy of Townes Van Zandt with a few extra lyrics from your mom:

If you needed me
I would come to you
I would come to you for to ease your pain
If you needed me
I would come to you
I would swim the seas for to ease your pain

In the night forlorn
Oh the morning's born
and the morning shines with the light of love
You will miss the sunrise
If you close your eyes
and that would break my heart in two

Ginny is with me now
'cause I showed her how
to lay her little hand in mine
Steve and Pepp agree
She's a sight to see
and a treasure for the poor to find.


The other song I sing to you everyday has long been one of my very favorites!

Everybody's talking at me
I can't hear a word they're saying
Only the echoes of my mind
People stop and stare and
I can't see their faces
Only the shadows of their eyes

I'm going where the sun keeps shining
Through the pouring rain
Going where the weather suits my clothes
Stepping off of the northeast wind and
Sailing on a summer breeze
Skipping over the ocean
Like a storm

We love you! It's ok with us whenever you decide to come!

Love,
Mom and Dad