A day at the park

Dan and Selah have enjoyed playing at the park quite a bit since Eli was born. It allows them to have some daddy-daughter time and get out of the house. It allows Eli and I some peace and quiet! Well this trip Eli and I tagged along. I was tired of being cooped up inside, and it was a beautiful fall day. Here are a few pictures of my sweet girl having a blast, and Eli...well sleeping.

One week later

With my two beautiful babies!

Selah thought this was very comfortable.

Daddy watching a blazer game with his son in the hospital.

Eli's bed when we were in the hospital.

Going home! This is nurse Lois. She was the best nurse I've ever had!

Sister and brother meet for the first time!

*sigh* Oh I just love him so!

Little piggies!

Things are going quite well in the Newcomer house! Tomorrow Eli will be one week old. It is hard to believe that one week ago already we welcomed our son into this world. It has been a week that has been nothing less than amazing! We had our first outing on Wednesday to see the lactation consultant. Eli has had no trouble latching on. He took to breastfeeding the first day he was born. The main reason we went is to see how much he was eating, which we found out he is quite the little chow hound. Also, in the hospital we found out he has a frenulum (sp?) under his tongue. The connective tissue under his tongue does not allow him to extend his tongue past his gum line. This poses no problems for him eating, but it does cause me pain. Next week we will see a specialist who will clip this. Thankfully it will cause no pain to him, because there are no nerves in this tissue. They also weighed him, and he has gained back his birth weight.
Eli is such a sweet baby boy! Thus far, the only time he cries is when he is hungry or has a little gas bubble. And when he wants food he wants it now! Goodness, the wee one eats every hour from 7-10 in the evening, and the rest of the day every 2-3 hours. He loves to be cuddled as well, and I don't mind that one bit. He has a special fondness for his sister and responds positively to her voice. We have had quite the experience with diaper changes. One of my fears with having a boy was that his little wee wee would spray everywhere. Well, that came true! But it's okay. I just feel bad when he pees on himself. But I learned quickly to cover it as soon as it is exposed to the air. I realized I just referred to his penis as it. Hmm...:)
Selah has shown to be affectionate, curious, and cautious. She will bring her brother his hats or his Thumper bunny she got for him. She will casually come up to give him love pats and just stare at him. She also reminds us that, "Eli sleeps a really, really long time!" I pray that they will have a strong bond with one another.
Dan has been a huge help around the house. He and Selah have gone to the park quite a bit. He said to me today that he feels closer to her and is enjoying seeing all sides of Selah. I think it is difficult for dads to see their children as the moms see them, because they only spend a short amount of time with them in the evenings and on the weekends. I think this time is such a blessing for the two of them to spend one on one time together. Dads are so incredibly important for their daughter's well being as they get older. I am glad Dan and Selah are building a solid relationship now.
As for me, I am recovering well. I tried to stop taking the pain medication, but realized I wasn't ready. So, after being lectured by Dan and a friend of mine I am taking it again. Emotionally I am doing well. I have only had a couple of times where I spontaneously cried over something silly. Dan just says that he understands something is going on inside me, and it's okay. Other than that I am very overjoyed with our sons arrival and seeing him and Selah together. To sum up my feelings as of late...Praise God for allowing me to be a mom!
Thank you to those of you who have brought meals over to us. They have been such a blessing and oh so delicious!

Eli Daniel Newcomer

Our son has arrived! He weighs 7 lbs. 6 oz. and is 20 inches long. He was born at 9:14 a.m. on November 6.
More pics to come...

Pumpkin Patch

Selah and I were pulled by a
tractor out to the pumpkin patch.
Dan was following us, as he was just coming
out of the bathroom as the hayride left.

Selah was pointing out the little bugs and 'broken pumpkins' as we walked along.

We took a trip to the pumpkin patch out in Damascus, OR. this past Saturday. Beautiful weather for the occasion! We found three pumpkins to bring home (one of which Dan made a delicious pumpkin pie with)! Selah also found a mud puddle! Since the rain has arrived she has been quite fascinated by mud puddles. When we are driving along she insists that the car drive through the puddle. Anyways, we could not get her out of the puddle at the farm. After 10 minutes or more Dan finally swept her up so we could go look at other things.

That night we had a lovely night out with some good friends of ours! My last outing before baby comes. Had chinese food at Hong Kong 97, went on a group shopping trip to Fred Meyers, and had dessert at Claim Jumpers Restaurant. Thank you Rod, Elaine, Sally, and Bryan for a fantastic evening out! Selah enjoyed her night with her little friends as well. She started the evening by joining her best buddy Samantha in the bath (They are so cute together!), feasted on pizza, and played with toys. What could be better than that for a toddler! Thank you Jenni for watching all 5 kids for the evening. I asked Selah if she had fun the next morning and she said, "I have fun with Jenni!" So, there you go! ;)
Alright I better get to work! Thank You cards have been beckoning for quite some time now.

baby snail

Selah and I found this tiny snail when playing outside today.

I have never seen one so small. The shell was very transparent.
Selah kept coming back to it saying, "Hello little snail! You want chocolate milk?"

Funny girl

Selah wearing her new shirt and purse that
Aunt Jenny and Uncle Dustin got her from Paris.

Toting her beloved Yellow Bear around in her new purse.

Just thought I would give a quick update on what has been going on with the family. So, here goes...
Selah has moved up to the 2-3 year old class at church, and enjoys it quite a bit. She is also in a class on Wednesday nights called Caravan. Her particular group is called Papoose. She loves it! Every night on our drive home she tells me what she learned in class, and then tells me she had fun with all her friends and teachers, naming each one of them. She can say the Papoose motto, which is, "A Papoose loves Jesus, a Papoose loves her friends, and a Papoose shares with her friends." Next Wednesday will be the first ceremony of the year, and she will earn our scarf, rank, and physical bead. It's all just too cute! I am sure I will snap a thousand pictures, so I will update next week after Selah's big night.
I had my 36 week check up yesterday. My blood pressure, weight gain, and my measurements continue to progress just right. I definitely have been experiencing more discomfort this time around, as I hear is common in subsequent pregnancies. Our boy is doing good. He is a strong little bugger! Sometimes he's moving so much I feel that he is going to bust out right then and there.
Some of you know that we have elected for a second cesarean. But for those who did not know...there you go. I have peace with this decision, and both my doctor and I feel it is the best decision for my particular situation. So, baby boy will be born on November 6. That means I have 3 weeks left!!! Yippy!
Dan is doing well. He had his annual review with his boss and passed with flying colors. His boss even took him to lunch after that. We are so thankful for this job he has. Dan enjoys his work and I am able to stay home with my sweet Selah (and soon to arrive son). He also has enjoyed commuting to work on his bike. Praise God for his many blessings in our life!

The following video is of Selah telling her first joke.

Sweet words

Selah's latest painting experience.
One of her favorite activities!

When I ask her to smile this is what she does. Just hilarious!

Highlight of the day...Selah hugged me and said, "I love you mommy!" *sigh* Somehow those sweet words coming from my daughter just melted away all of the stress I've been feeling lately. Thank you God for blessing my life with my precious Selah, and reminding me of what really matters with her joyful presence.