1 Certainly eventually it gets easier, right?

2

yes, it's different.  Yes, it's taking some adjustment......but don't you just LOVE IT!!!!

Eventually you'll get into a new rythm.  Then she'll become mobile and it will change again.  You'll learn to roll with the punches and adapt quickly.  And smell her fuzzy, sweet little head!  Isn't she heavenly?

3 This is why I am such a fan of interweb phones.  I don't hardly ever comment on blogs but I can at least read some stuff while feeding and holding in the dark.  At anytime really. 

And I hadn't read The Corner at all today and I guess there is some ta-ta brouhaha.  Jeez. 

I hope you get in a groove that works (or at least feel acceptance for the non-groove if that is the case).  And most especially I hope her tummy settles down and that stops.  It is no fun getting yakked on and it is even worse getting used to smelling like eau de spit up. 

4 As my wife Tracey will post as soon as she reads this, Acid Reflux.  It is a common cause of projectile vomiting in babies.  Diagnosing it can be tricky as babies are noticeably reticent to open up around doctors.

5 I changed the info to me, but I guess that preview blanked it out so now it looks like I'm married to myself. 

6 Agree on the reflux, zantac worked with the girl-child.
As for learning to use a laptop one-handed, congrats, you've mastered the same skill as every pubescent teen boy since al gore invented the internets.
Finally, if you only have time in your day to read one blog, I fully expect you will make it mine.  I will forgive this transgression, this time, as I attribute it to being baby crazy until your hormones can re-stabilize; pray you do not make this mistake again.
But trust me on the zantac.

7 I also had projectile-vomiting issues as a baby.  Mine stemmed from using hand-me-down bottles; Mom didn't know my aunt had used them for cereal and therefore cut larger holes in the nipples.  I would suck down the bottle in no time flat and then promptly spew it at the nearest wall.  I don't suppose Baby Grok could have the same problem?

8 Lissa -- She's not using bottles, but let's just say that she's treating breastfeeding like a college beer chugging contest.  I know that's part of the problem...  We are working on fixing it together.

9 Do you have a baby carrier? Those would help hold her upright without requiring both hands all the time. I couldn't do anything without them! My favorites: http://www.babyhawk.com/ http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ http://www.mobywrap.com/ http://www.mayawrap.com/ These are all safe and awesome for newborns on up.

10 Tara -- I do have a Moby and a ring sling, but she wants to be over my shoulder to relieve gas pressure.  She's not as comfy on my chest/belly right now.

11 When beer foams at the tap, there's usually too much pressure in the line, or the tap/line is dirty.

Since I assume you wash your boobs, try to turn down the pressure in the system.  It may help to bleed off tap pressure prior to pouring.

Just a thought.  And no, It doesn't make sense.

12 I think what Chuck is trying to say is to pump a little of the foremilk out (by hand or with a pump) and achieve letdown (if you can) before she latches on.  Forceful letdown and sugary foremilk can cause all sorts of digestive issues.  Ian used to choke, even with nursing shields, because my letdown was so strong.  Then he would arch and scream because of the bubbles it caused immediately in his little tummy . . .  It was pretty horrid.

That's just one factor, though.  Reflux from some digestive disagreement and/or being overfull can cause the same issues.  There are numerous other reasons.

Invest in burp cloths and bibs.  Receiving blankets make really great large burp cloths for spit-uppy babies.   Good luck!  You'll see this through!

1

I think infant mortality rates might actually increase. The US has more pre-term births than many other countries, and we have a lower mortality rate than most European countries for babies born before 37 weeks.

The argument is that preterm births are the cause of our higher infant mortality rate, and these can be avoided by improved prenatal care.

They may or may not. But I wonder if any cuts will be made to how preterm babies are cared for. I remember finding the blog of a woman who gave birth at 25 weeks while on vacation in FL. She was thanking her lucky stars that she went to one hospital's ER over another one, because the other hospital had a non-intervention clause/rule if the baby was born before 26 weeks. Luckily the hospital she went to didn't....and he received all the medical care he needed. And fast forward a few years later, he had no deficiencies at all, no hearing issues, no sight issues, no internal issues. Nada. But the other hospital wouldn't have tried to keep him alive. Crazy.

There will be some rules made, and I doubt it will be a carte blanche to do whatever is necessary.

2 Sarah, I'm glad you've been able to find time to read. What was the other article? CVG, I agree that "here will be some rules made." The government is all about adding rules. The 3,000-page bill is just the beginning.

1

More love, too. I didn't know it was possible to love someone as much as I love my babies. There are no words strong enough. You know you're going to love them, but more.

 

2 Surely there are positives, too?!  Please oh please oh please share the positives too!!!!  What am I getting myself into?!

3 The first 6 weeks for me were hard.  Beautiful, but hard.  I totally agree about the labor and breastfeeding and all of that.  And the love, as Amber said.  But aside from baby still being alive and seeming relatively content, it's hard sometimes to not have much in the way of positive reinforcement from the baby.  Most of the noises and faces newborns make are in the way of complaints or sleeping.  But at about 6 weeks - for my son, 6 weeks to the day - that beautiful little bundle of joy will smile for the first time, and your whole world will seem to be bathed in sunlight.  And then they will do it again, and again, and more often.

My son, at 6 months old now, gives me these looks like I am everything wonderful in the entire world and it just melts me every time.  There is nothing better than that feeling, I think.  It is A-MAZ-ING. 

4 I second what Amber said. The love... And the first smile... and when she laughs for the first time! Its the most beautiful sound you've ever heard!!!

5 I was absolutely amazed how much laundry a 7 lb baby could make. It is hard to fathom. But my kids are in their 20's and they still sometimes bring their laundry home, and it is STILL more than I can fathom. So maybe it's just a mystery.

Breastfeeding gets easier. Can't say the fatigue goes away that quickly though.
Hang in there. Post more pictures. Then you will get lots of comments about how adorable she is and that will be like a shot of adrenaline. (and we will love the pictures)

6 You want positives?  Try these:
First (non-gas) smile.
First roll-over.
First giggle.
First time they stop crying just because you picked them up.
First time the fall asleep on your shoulder.
First time they pull themselves up to stand.
First steps.
First time they use pull-ups.
Last time they use pull-ups.
First time they feed themselves.
First time they give YOU a kiss and hug.
First day of kindergarten.
First day of summer vacation.
First time their fever breaks.
First time they run naked through the house.
First lost tooth.
First tooth.
First haircut.
And every time they need something fixed, they bring it to you.

Eventually, they will try to do things for themselves, but until that time, YOU are their whole existence.  They depend on YOU for everything.  You never know just how able a person you are until you've provided for someone's every need and want. 

1 I'm glad you're getting the chance to just be with your little girl. But I know having waited long for these moments doesn't make the hard ones any easier now. Hang in there!

2

Take a break Sarah!  You have more important things to do.  The world will still be turning even if you're not paying attention all the time.  ;o)

 

I just started back to school this week for the first time in 20+ years and my attention span to the web is very constricted.  I miss it, and squeeze it in when I can (this is the first place I went today--and every day), it's an adjustment in my time I have to make right now.

 

Baby Time is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much more important than school, so believe me, no one here begrudges you at all!  [Cheers from the crowd!]  Infancy goes so incredibly fast, soak up every Blessed second of it you can get.

 

I've been holding off 'til the right time, and since I'm posting, this must be it.  The BEST advice I got being a 1st time mom was this:

 

Night time feedings are just that.  Just feeding.  Don't turn on the lights, don't play and talk with your angel.  Just feed.  Full tummy, back to sleep.  (I always did it in the recliner, just so I wouldn't be tempted to fall back asleep with baby.)  The very first day I started my boy on cereal he slept through the night.  (3 mos.?)  My sister had her kid sleeping in Mom & Dad's bed until he was five.  Didn't want to go there at all.  Bed time was never an issue from the get go for me and mine.

Thanks for taking the time to share what you have.  I wouldn't have been disappointed if you didn't post for weeks at a time.

Bless all of you!  Enjoy this wonderful beginning of your family!

3 When I first saw the title, I thought, "Who's Mia?"

Then I realized you're Mia.

You haven't missed out of much. I'm sure that if the USA became the USSA, your husband would have told you.

4 Ditto what everyone else said.  Good advise about feeding and back to sleep for nighttime.  Really, you'll look back on this time and realize just how fast it went by...you are doing the most important thing for now!  Continued best wishes for your family.

5

MIA stands for "Mom in action," right?

6 Above all, DO NOT WATCH THE NEWS, it might spoil your milk.

7 Trust me, it will all be there when you finally do have time to get back to it.  Not to worry. If anything hugely major happens you'll find out without having to watch anything - someone will call or email you. 

I think I missed most of the 1980's because of the kids.  Heh.

8

Wow this is what I get for finishing grad school and not touching a blog for almost a year?  Maybe I should stay away from blogging a little more often.

Congrats to you and dad!  What a beautiful little chub chub.  I'm so very happy for you all.

Household6

1 She is an actor!

I hope she makes all your dreams come true ... and more.

2 LOL Cute pic. She is, of course, adorable!

3 NOM NOM NOM!!!!!!

4 Perfect!

5 It's fabulous!

6 That is sooo funny.  No wonder I like your blog, you have a sense of humor as weird as mine, or my mother's.  I'm just sitting here laughing. I would think the octopus is hugging the baby except for the fact that I watched the science channel last night and saw the really, ugly predator octopi.

But I still love the picture.

7 I love it.  

8

ROFLMAO

That's perfect.

My son was born with a dislocated hip and had to wear a harness for the first year of his life.  Of course, I dyed one OD Green and we have a picture of him looking like a little paratrooper.

9 Ooh! She's so adorable!

10 Barely born and already fighting deadly krakens! ;-)

11 LOL....I've looked at this 6 times now and laugh every time.....fun with baby.

12 Help Mom! This yarny blue octomonster is trying to EAT me!! Waaa!

13 I have a lot of baby pictures like this.  I love them but for some reason my kids don't like looking at them.  I tell them that they will be enthusiastic about their own kids baby pictures.... Of course I also tell them that they can warp them any way they please if they don't like our own parental warping....

14 Too funny! And she is so stinkin' cute!

15 Love it!!

16 "Way to make mommy's dreams come true" Literally snorted. So funny!

17 My only objection is that BabyGrok looks as if she were losing the battle! We need periodic updates where she grows big enough to vanquish HIM!  Bwaa ha ha!

18 That is so freakin' CUTE!!!  And she's beautiful!!! I am sooooo happy for you!

19 so happy for you. she is so cute !!!!

20 I'm sure you are busy taking lots more pictures of her.  (They get big WAAAAYYY too fast!)  But I also wanted to let you know that I left something for you at The Lemon Stand

1

And penguins!  That kid's on the road to geekdom!  Woot!

She really is adorable.  I can't tell you how happy I am for the entire Grok family.  

2 She's so pretty, Sarah.

3

Next ... her cute hands! She's trying to hide them, but I can see them!

Her cheeks are so rosy. Are they always like that?

She seems to be sleeping. I hope you can find such peace.

I'm glad your husband's back to father her.

I wrote this comment in Google Chrome which isn't compatible with the paragraphing function of your blog. So I switched to MSIE (argh) to post it ... only to discover I had closed the Chrome tab with this text in it. ARGH.

I hope you're composing your new post outside a browser. One reason why I usually type comments within a browser is that it's annoying to paste plain text comments and add formatting (bold, italic) and links by hand later - it's easier to format as I type.

4 Oh, she's beautiful! Congratulations again!

5 What a beautiful child! Glad you got some sleep so you can enjoy your family more. I'm so glad your husband got to get home for her birth and is able to share in the baby duties and joys. In the military, that's not always possible, but I'm glad he got there. It means a lot.

6 Aww... sweet little baby feet.  Thanks.

7 absolutely adorable!

8 I can't look at that picture for too long, or I'll end up with massive baby fever! She's so adorable.  Ditto what everyone has been saying about slowing down, focusing on yourself and the baby, and letting go of all but the most essential jobs (eating, sleeping, feeding). The two of you will eventually settle into a rhythm, and life will take on some semblance of normalcy. For now, try to rest and kiss those little toes frequently! :-)

9 She is sooo cute! Congrats!

10 She 'almost' makes me want to have another baby.  Till I see my kids current college tuition bills...  Sigh.  Still, I adore them when they are still so little.  Glad to see your husband is treating you so nicely.  They are both definitely keepers and I can see why you didn't throw either of them back. 

11 She is SO beautiful!  You and Russ make pretty babies!

12 Sarah and Russ,  Oh, she is so beautiful.  I know you must be totally exhausted but that will change so save lots of pictures so you can go back and appreciate those first few days.  I know your mom, Sarah, will be crying all the way home.  Jane

13 She has a delicious nose too! Not just feet ... thought I'd point out the obvious for you ...

1 (patting you on the shoulder)  I think we've all done that...

2 Exhaustion will do that to you.  Maybe you should just take a nap when she does.  We all value you posts but you need to take care of yourself.  We can wait. (easy to say as I check your site every single time I sit down at the computer.)
Have fun with the baby, relax when she does and get back to us when your can.

3

I agree with Ruth. I did not listen when people told me to nap when baby napped. I wound up literally sick from exhaustion. The computer will still be there, none of us is going anywhere, laundry will wait, the vacuum won't run away.

Enjoy this time with baby. 

4

I wind up doing some of my longer posts in Word and then paste them over because of just that...  Then I get lazy and forget and the blog eats one and then I start the cautious plan all over again.

You do realize that you could put up a close up picture of BabyGrok's toes and everyone here would love you all that much more for it.  Baby toes are 11 on the cute meter.

If we could incorporate smell-o-vision and get the new baby smell on the blog, you'd have more hits than Glenn Reynolds.

I'm going to go see if there's a smell-o-vision plug in out there.  I'll make Chuck's blog smell like bacon while I'm at it.  

5

*giggles @ codemonkey*

BabyGrock better have a bazzilion toes 'cuz everyone here is going into hormornal overdrive to nibble baby toes!

And, jealous, oh hell yes, so YOU have to nibble toes for us!

Bacon smell?  Cover his ass (Chucks) in bacon!  Will smell much better, I'm sure, and preserve his ass .  Why didn't he think of that a-for he got blowed up?  ;-)

1 Yes, it can be overwhelming, but just focus on feeding yourself and the baby.  Kiss and snuggle your girl, tomorrow is another day!

2

Absolutely nothing has been going on - let alone anything more important than taking care of your littlest sweetie.  

I totally sympathize on the constantly beginning-continuing-ending-cleaning-up a feeding thing!!!  That was why I didn't eat or drink much of anything, let alone get more than a wink of sleep, for DAYS... and it was a bad idea.  All sorts of unpleasantness. 

You might try setting a timer for your meds; inspired by the hospital's charts, keeping a chart that someone more mobile can review helped me, too... seriously, have someone else keep your "brain" documented outside of your body for a while.     Once I was through with *some* of the very early, made-me-want-to-just-die, rigamarole, I'd feed Kiddo; then just sit there holding him until we both fell asleep.  Wake up & feed him again. Then fall back asleep.  (Not sure how much of that was painkillers, and how much was sheer exhaustion...)  Every few minutes helps, and I promise it'll get better... these first few days really are rough.

Timing-wise for a bath, the best time would be right after a feeding so she's happy & you can hand her off to whoever's helping; OR... you could probably even nurse her *during* the bath, once you got settled...  not sure how slick that would work, but it occurred to me just now, so I figured I'd mention it.  But yeah, you'll probably have to really, intentionally, schedule the most mundane things for a little while.

Anyway, we're totally pulling for you & hoping it gets just that much easier, that much sooner... *hugs*

3 I agree on  focusing on feeding the baby. It will get better. The more she feeds now the more milk you will make and it will eventually get on a schedule. Not a perfect one but a do-able one. Having a baby the first time is HARD. No one tells you because its something you just have to experience. But she will only be 1 week old once and 2 weeks old once, and so on. Enjoy it even though it sucks. If that makes sense. I've followed your blog for fourish years now and realized at some point that I had met you. The hubs and I were stationed in Germany the same time ya'll were. What I am trying to say is that after all you have been through I am so happy for you to be a mom. I'll be emailing to find out her name. I HAVE to know what you named the baby you waited so long for! Cheers -gina

4 Oh, Sarah - I well remember days when at 5 in the afternoon, I still hadn't managed to shower or get dressed, or eat anything. It bothered me until I realized that my only responsibility was to snuggle with my kids, feed them, change them, and snuggle some more. The first couple of weeks, everything seems overwhelming, then you two will develop a routine, and everything will fall into place. Really, it will. I don't blame you for not posting her name publicly - although it really is BabyGrok, right? Sending much love & many prayers for you and your family.

5 Congrats!

6 Sarah,
Mine are late teenagers now.  I well remember and cherish the newborn days. We bottle fed from the beginning, so as a dad I was able to feed them too.  One big thing to know and remember.  There is NOTHING going on in the world that is even close to important as snuggling with your baby girl.  Cherish every single moment. And take lots of pictures.  Those pictures will be cherished keepsakes.
Congratulations again! She is a cutie!
Jim

7 LOL, it gets much better soon. I call the first weeks home with the baby the "survival" period. Don't worry about anything that's not directly related to your or her survival. Everything else is secondary and optional. :-D

Except, sitz baths and pain pills. You need those, girl. Believe me, I speak from experience. The sitz baths will help you heal much, much faster.

1 Wow! Sounds like it was scary for a minute there, I'm so happy everything came out perfect in the end. I'm just so thrilled for all 3 of you (Charlie too!). She is just beautiful!

2 Oh my goodness...She does look just like Daddy. I'm so glad all of your hard work paid off, Sarah. I'm so happy for you.

3 BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL! You are blessed. I am so happy for you. <3

4 Long time lurker just calling in to say she's simply beautiful. Congratulations Sarah! I do hope you'll share the name you've picked for her, but I completely understand if you choose not to. All the luck in the world as you get to know your little one and get used to being a family complete with bub.

5 You are a beautiful family.  

6 She's absolutely beautiful!  Congratulations! 

7 Wow, that sounds like a super-fast, super-scary delivery! She's beautiful. Thank you for posting pictures. Congratulations!!! :-)

8 Happy Babymoon!

9 She is so perfectly gorgeous! Congratulations.

10 An exciting delivery, and worth every minute of it.  What a wonderful baby. She looks so pretty and chubby, I would love to give her a hug.  No wonder Charlie wants to lick her! It's doggie kisses and he's feeling maternal.What a treat to see your baby and you at such a blessed time.  Thanks for sharing.

11 So very glad she's safely born. What a cutie! Is it being in the military that makes us so SS# conscious? We got that taken care of way, way, way before a birth certificate. Like, months =). 

12 She is beautiful! Love the blond hair

13 Okay, you are good!  I STILL haven't written about when Rusty was born!   

I am so glad it went so quickly for you...a little jealous, I have to admit it, but also GLAD!  She is gorgeous, you look beautiful and you are a family!  A BEAUTIFUL family of four!  AWESOME!

14 A very hearty congratulations! What a beautiful little girl you have there! Best of luck and take good care.

15 Third most beautiful baby I've ever seen (after my own).

I am so happy all went well.

16 The baby story has just begun! May her tale be long and exciting. She's already had quite a prologue.

I hope to see her in a photo with her big brother Charlie!

17 Just beautiful!!

18 She is beautiful! And you rarely see that white blonde hair on newborns.

My oldest was born via vacuum. It took 30 minutes to stitch me back together. Ouch, ouch, ouch!!

19 Congratulations, Sarah!!!!   She's gorgeous!

I never wrote my birth story, though I intended to.  My husband did it for me, and did such a great job that I just linked to his blog.

20 Congratulations to the both of you!!! What a beautiful baby girl you guys have produced Well worth the wait and drama i'd say.. May you enjoy this wonderful time together

21 Congrats again! I love when people have accidental natural births! Glad your baby is here and in your arms. Keep up the good work with breastfeeding, it hurts like hell for two weeks but then its so worth it!

22

Thanks for sharing....she's wonderful.  My son was a forcep delivery back in the olden days, so I had the wacky episiotomy.....all I can say is that Tucks are your friend!!!

Blessings to you all.

23 She's adorable! Congratulations to both of you

24

Sarah, she's adorable. You look great too. I want to squeeze her little pink cheeks. And hooray for you going natural!

CONGRATS!

PS - I hope your stitches are healing - yikes! Yeah for icepacks!

25 looks like a viking baby!  She is beautiful, God is good....

26 *tear*  I'm so glad she's perfect!

27 She's beautiful! I'm so happy for you and your family. Congratulations!

28 So full of joy for you, Mr. Grok, baby and Charlie. Thank you for sharing your story and pix with us.
If you don't want to share her 'real' name with us, can you pick a 'blog name' to refer to her by? She seems so anonymous. Maybe you should have a naming contest.....  I suggest BG for 'baby grok'.

At any rate, enjoy your babymoon, be patient with the breastfeeding, and just revel in this new beginning. So wonderful!

29 I'm not sure when I started reading your blog, but I always knew Baby Grok would become a reality. Internet people know this stuff, you know Congrats, again!

30

She's gorgeous.  Her blond hair is just precious.  Make sure you use the analgesic spray they gave you on your stitches.  If you didn't get any, go get some.  Its called Dermoplast. 

http://www.dermoplast.com/

It was a life saver for me.  And be sure to take it easy so you are completely healed.

Good luck with breastfeeding.  Don't be shy about using your finger to break the suction and try again if she doesn't latch properly.  I was the first time around and nursed for 3 weeks with a poor latch, which caused major nipple pain that I thought was normal.  Proper latch fixed everything.

Enjoy your new family.

31 Dermoplast is of the gods.


As for BG, she's absolutely beautiful!! Congratulations!!!

32 What a cutie! Congratulations!

33

Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful.

God Bless her!

34 Congrats!! So happy for you!

35 She is beautiful and look at all that blond hair!  Congratulations on a job well done.  Take it easy and let everyone do things for you.

36 Congratulations!! 

37 Mom and Baby are so beautiful!  Congratulations!

38

Sarah - she is so beautiful, and you looked radiant!  Congratulations and God Bless your family!  I am so thrilled for you all!

Hugs,

Mary

39 Yay.

So much happiness.

I don't have words to say what this means to me. But your story has given me hope, and I am sure it has given hope to countless other people.

Congratulations

40 Sarah, I had tears as I read this. A MILLION times congratulations on your beautiful daughter! I know you waited for her and wish you and your family all the happiness in the world. You deserve it so much.

1 I could not be more thrilled if it were my own grandchild.
Bless you all.
 May I be the first to say," I knew you had it  in you?"  ;D

2 That's wonderful news !!  Best wishes to the new family !!

3 Congratulations on your wonderful news~!!!! So thrilled for you all.

4 Congratulations! Yay!

5 yipee...delurking to say congratulations.

6 Congratulations!! 

7 CONGRATULATIONS....I have been following your blog for months now and have thoroughly enjoyed the way you have kept everyone up to date. :-) 

8 I am so happy for you and your husband, Sarah. I've been following your blog for over a year now and even though I don't know you IRL, I feel like a friend just received a wonderful blessing. God Bless you, your husband, and your new baby girl.

9

No way  . . . can't wait to hear ALL the  details.  It has been long overdue and I am sure you are enjoying every second!  Take care and keep smiling because she is all yours.

Heidi

10 Have been reading your blog for about 2 years now. I've been waiting for this day ever since I started reading. CONGRATS and enjoy your bundle of joy!

11 Congratulations!!! God Bless you all!! Take it easy while you can, Mommy.

12 Huzzah!!!

13 Congratulations! And ditto to Heather's comment. I'm so excited for you and Mr. Grok, and smile knowing how happy you must be at this very moment.

14 Congratulations!!!  God Bless you all.

15 CONGRATS!!! Enjoy all the ups and downs that this new little one will bring you, parenthood is an amazing, amazing ride.

and no more writers block, kids are fantastic blog fodder.

16 I am so glad this day has finally came.  You two seem as though you will be the absolute best parents. Ever.  Happy tears of joy! Congratulations to your family on this awesome addition!

17 Congratulations!!!

18 Happy birthday, BabyGrock! So glad you are here!

19 Congrats!

Enjoy the little stuff... time flies. 

Nicki

20 Congratulations!  What a welcome that child had waiting for her. It's amazing how such a tiny little person can so change your world. She's a very blessed child to have such a loving family to cherish her.

21 Congratulations! I am so happy for all of you! Now, get down to business kissing baby toes!

22 Congratulations.  May you grok nothing but happiness.

23 March 1st, 2010.  The beginning of a new era for the Grok family.  Congratulations to You and Your's.  This is wonderful news.  I have been following avidly, just waiting for this day. 

24 Hooray!!! Congrats to you both!!

25 WHOOT!  Congratulations a million times over!! 

26 Congratulations!

27 One long journey has come to an end, and another begins. Thank you for sharing the ride so far. We've learned from you - and felt so much for you. I've never been happier for you!

28 Yay!  Congratulations!

29 omagosh! congratufrickinlations! I'm very happy for you both.

30 Congratulations!!! Hope everyone is doing great.

31 Congratulations!!

32 Congratulations on your new arrival. Best to you and yours at this amazing time!

33 So happy for you, let the fun begin!

34 What a great birthday - the meteorological  (as opposed to the astronomical which is the 20th) first day of Spring! 

Was there a full moon?  I think yesterday there was...

35

I am so happy and excited for all of you!!!!!!  I can't think of another baby so eagerly anticipated and wanted and worked for--and now she's finally here!!!!!!  I recall crying at the news of your last miscarraige, but now they are tears of sheer JOY!

God Bless you all and welcome to the world Baby Grok.  You are one lucky little girl!

36 Congrats Grok Family. May you enjoy every second!!! WOO HOO

37 'Bout damn time.

38 Love and prayers. Congratulations!

39 Congratulations!!!!

40

Congratulation!  I am so happy that everything worked out.  I was pretty worried that Husband wouldn't make it back in time.  Best of luck to all three of you.  You'll do great!

41 CONGRATULATIONS!  But wait...no liveblogging? What's up with that??

42 How wonderful! Congratulations to you, Mr. Grok on the addition of your beautiful baby grok. 

43 Win!

44 Yay, indeed!!!

45

Yipeeeeeee!  Good wishes from Alaska!

Hey, I just realized something.  We are in D.C., hubby is on detail here.  I took the boys to the Chineese New Year's parade a few weeks ago.  Not only is Babygrok born in the year of the tiger......she is born in the year of the white tiger.  That only happens every 60 years.  Very cool!

cindy h.

46 Wonderful news!  So happy for the Grok family!

47 HURRAY!  I knew you could do it.  Can't wait to see her pictures, I'm sure she is beautiful!  I'm so proud of you, Sarah!

48 So happy for the three of you!

49

YAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!

I'm SOOO happy for you!!!   (And I KNEW I should've checked in here last night!!! )

Oh, I am just overjoyed!!!!!   *hugs* to all of you!!!  And CONGRATULATIONS!!! 

50 So very pleased and happy for you all!  Enjoy!

51 Congratulations!!!  ) 

52   <--- insert this instead of the shocked face, haha

53 I've been reading for the past couple of years and am just thrilled for you!  Many congratulations!

54 I am so over-the-moon happy for you!!!

55 Welcome to the world, BabyGrok!  Congratulations, Sarah and hubby!!

56 I've followed your blog for years and am FINALLY delurking. Sososososososososo excited for you. Congrats and best wishes!

57 YYYAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!

SOOO proud of you!  Congratulations!  Hooray!!!

x1,000,000!!!

58 I am soooooo happy for you!!!  I've been struggling with bronchitis and didn't check in at your blog like I should have or I would have already known about your little bundle of miracle.  I remember counting fingers and toes and looking at my husband with a look that said, "We couldn't possibly have made something this precious, could we?"  We were amazed, happy, scared, wondering, blessed and terrified all at the same time.

Bless you both and your baby with good health and happiness, always.

1 wooot!

2 I don't think I was *this* excited over the birth of my own children. YAY!!! Go Sarah!

3 airforcewife,

I initially thought you wrote ""best contractions in the world." That wouldn't surprise me! Sarah is a living superlative.

Please keep up the reports!

4 Woohoo!!!  Praying it all goes well!

5 looking forward to hearing the great news! Push Sarah Push!

6 Woooo Hoooo!

7

Yayyyy! GoSarahGoSarahGoSarah!  Woooohooo! GoMr.GrokGoMr.Grok!

Welcome to the world BabyGrok!

What a beautiful thing this is!

8 So happy for the Groks! Keep us posted!

9 Och, I have CHILLS reading that. So exciting...some prayers, quickly, now!!

10 Push her out, push her out, way out!

11 Oh yay! I'm glad =).

12 YAYAYAYAY! You can do it, Sarah! :-)

13 Yahooooooooooo!!!! Can't wait for the "She's Here!!!" Post.

14 Woohoo!!!

15 Woohoo!!!!  Fantastic news!

16 I just read a mutual FB friend's post that Baby Grok is here and they are doing well.....I'm so thrilled for The Groks...they deserve this and so much more.

17 Congratulations from this side of the pond!!
Now, breathe out, relax and enjoy!!
Baby Grok has a fantastic start in life, she has two loving parents. She is so blessed.

1 it is totally normal to panic and worry!  If it makes you feel any better, you'll probably spend a good amount of time once she's here in panic and worry mode about all kinds of things....maybe that doesn't help!

2

Don't worry!  Your ducks are in a row.  You and the babe are more important now.  Chores and projects can wait!  Try to enjoy these last days of having a baby without all the work at the moment...do you get what I mean?

As far as labor goes you can handle it.  Have hubby remind you that there is a very wonderful result of this labor.  (hint: hubby, encourage but don't be too pollyannish! pick your moments,you'll get what I mean.)

Last but not least do what is good and right for you and don't listen too much to all of us.  Not everyone has 80 hour labors!  They just like to tell stories, kinda like fish stories. I liked the shower and I had a rocking chair in the room that I spent most of my time in.  You will know what you need when you need it.

Eat you favorite things, read a good book, watch Dick Van Dyke reruns whatever...enjoy.

cindy h.

3 Ian arrived so quickly that the phrase "muzzle velocity" was bandied about. No drugs, not TOO much pain (she says). Sometimes it's easy. Sig

4 You got all the important stuff done already.  It's fine.  I promise.  The rest of it will all get done one day.  You can always assign those jobs to people who come over and ask you what you need help with,  And labor, honestly, it's different for everyone, but you'll handle any pain that comes your way.  I promise, none of it will matter to you in the long run.  

5 Honestly, I think you're right where you need to be.  Life isn't life without "what ifs" and second guessing.  I believe it's what gives us our second nature.  4 hours before we were supposed to leave for China to bring Olivia home, I had not yet been to bed, was blogging and then finished packing. 

You're going to be a fantastic mom...the internets will back me on this one.

6

Heh... Ron Paul works his way into a parenting conversation. Sweet.

On the chores note, you'll be asking yourself, "why did I think I was so busy back ___?" for the next few decades... so no worries.   Gotta leave something home-chore-ish for you to do with her!   Kids LOVE to help (especially when they're little)!

FWIW, I had an OB PA (who's had kids) tell me that if I could handle those "clean it out now" tablets, I can definitely handle labor.  I haven't been through anything to test that hypothesis yet, but I like to believe her.   You'll do great. 

1

You've been quiet....Have you looked her in the eyes yet?  I remember...well, that is my story. I wanted to be super mom so when my babe slept I used that time to get chores done.  What I learned was to be a super mom I needed to nap(at least take a break) when he did so at night when it was just the two of us it was also a time for snuggling and learning about each other. You know...I think I am feeling jealouse! 

Cindy H.

1

I'm part of the 14% on this poll.  What is this world coming to--a Playboy centerfold as our president?  I guess they think he's cute!  Everyone thought Obama was, and look at what we got!  Ugh!

Mama

2 I'm actually relieved the Brown figure is only 4%. I would have guessed that it was higher. Nonetheless, I'm glad you and your mother are speaking out against the Scott Brown craze. As somebody asked, how many Scott Brown supporters knew anything about the guy? At least Romney, Palin, and McCain are known quantities.

Right now, I support no one on that list. And I still think the wrong Sarah is running for president.

3 Was this poll taken before that jobs vote? And before Romney endorsed McCain? I think Romney is a little too slick. I have no idea who I really  trust as president, I'm still waiting for the man on the white horse.

4 Totally a barren field.  I'm frustrated about that beyond belief. 

And I'm with AWTM - every time I see Scott Brown on tv the J.  Geils Band starts rotating through my head.

5 I just read earlier that Romney endorsed McCain.  What's with that?  Honestly, there are no really good candidates in the poll, but I hate to get someone else again who nobody knows.  Scarey!

6 They better find someone who is not polling more than 1% on that list.  Otherwise we are guaranteed four more years of His Highness.  PIMM.

7 Nancy,

Palin and pro-Porkulus II Scott Brown campaigned for McCain. So one could consider the top four to be one bloc. Or five, given that Huckabee endorsed McCain in 2008.

Do Republican leaders want a McParty?

Is the elephant obsolete? Soon Meghan McCain will declare its new symbol to be the rhino. Her kind of animal. A meek creature with a plastic horn. No real threat to the Democrats. Token opposition.

8 Why so little love for Bobby Jindal?

9 Gina,

Why should Republicans love Bobby Jindal? Not saying he's a bad guy, but what advantages does he have over the others?

1 Sounds to me like you are right where every first time mother is before the birth, feeling overwhelmed.  You are going to have complete responsibility for a new person. It is an awesome responsibility and if anyone is prepared it, you are. Its not the books you read, it what is in your heart.

2 I remember reading up mere hours before checking into the hospital like I was cramming for a test. You're never "ready," just willing. Like Ruth H writes, "what is in your heart" matters more than what you know.

3 If you can feel the weight of motherhood mentally as well as physically, your heart has what it takes.

4 I'm just so happy for you that all is in place and ready to go.  So looking forward to reading that She has arrived.  Welcome your hubby home from those of us that have been following this journey that the three of you have been on.

5

I was so happy to hear that he made it home in time!  I know less than zero about how deployment works, but I was wondering when he has to go back, if he does.

You never feel ready, but the most important thing is that when she comes all she'll really want is you, a clean onesie and a dry diaper.  So, if you have those things covered, the rest is gravy.

I remember with my first feeling that first day home from the hospital that he was a stranger to me, this new little person I was getting to know for the first time.  Once I realized that it was a relationship (meaning, two-way) and that we both needed to get to know the other, (what he liked and didn't; for him to know he could depend on me) it seemed much easier.

Good luck!  And although it will likely be the last thing you'll be worrying about, do you think you could leave the keys to your blog to a friend who could give us an update when the time does come?

Thanks!

6 Christa -- The absolute soonest he'd deploy again is November.  And that's not so likely.  Hopefully we'll have him home for a while.

And AirForceWife is already prepped to spread the word on my blog once I'm in the hospital!

7 Just wait until you carry her out of the hospital! I remember feeling like it was all surreal and couldn't believe they actually trusted me to take my baby home. By myself. To care of all alone. Hee-hee!

You're never really "ready", IMO. It's so much awesomer (yes, I said awesomer), profound, and breath-taking than you can possibly understand or expect ahead of time.

I'm smiling thinking about the joy that lays ahead of you and your husband. I'm so happy for you. :-)

8 If you are feeling like you aren't ready to be a mom, you're a little late in the planning cycle.

Just follow the instruction booklet they give you when you leave the hospital and everything will be fine.

If you weren't worried, I'd be worried.  It's natural.  You are just as equipped as every other woman to be a mother,  but your are phenomenally more qualified for motherhood and parenting than most of the folks dragging their brood around between peopleofwalmart photo shoots.

Really, what's the worst that can happen?  This is a mutant baby.  It will survive anything.  She already overcame your (apparently) tremendously recessive genes; genes that are so recessive and hate reproducing so much that I'm in awe that you actually heal from minor scrapes!  She will be fine, if not exposed to green kryptonite, and you manage to lay off the crack pipe and not huff paint while breast feeding.

As fare as raising her goes, given her parents--she'll be winning the hearts and minds of the other kids in preschool and building them a new, better and state of the art playground as soon as they inform on who ate all the paste, then blogging about how much she misses charlie when she is away at school and he's at home.  I can see it now--Twying to gwok.

Or maybe you'll be on a "Very Special Episode" of Springer with me and my family.  Either way, you do the best you can with what you've got and hope for the best.

9 sarah, like the others have said, I think it's natural to feel nervous, anxious, excited. PLUS, you've had quite a ride over the last few years getting to this point PLUS your husband has been deployed for the better part of the year... I'd say that qualifies to feeling a little unsure of all of this. I think you just do what feels 'right'. Consult the books, doctors, friends and parents when you need to (and everyone will have a different opinion), but at the end of the day, just give her alot of hugs, and make sure she's fed. She will thrive and so will you.

10 You are going to do great!  You can do all the reading in the world, but then your instincts just kick in and you figure things out!  You and your man will do a great job and she will know she is soooo loved!

11 Think of this; throughout most of history women haven't had books or doctors to help them. It would never occur to husbands that they should help with the baby or to wives to expect help. Women relied on their Moms, other female relatives and friends for answers to parenting questions and even though a lot of those answers were just old wives tales, most of the new Mamas and babies managed just fine.

Then think of  the resources you have at your finger tips, any question you have can be answered either by doctors or books or bing. But, my guess is that most of your questions will be answered by your Mom, your female relatives and your friends. Because, they've already been there, done that, and have the drool on their best clothes to prove it. Plus, you have a husband who is ready, willing and able to help with the baby any time (as soon as you show him which end to burp and which end to diaper). You are both intensely focused on doing everything possible to make your new baby know she is welcome and loved. Mama, daddy and baby are gonna be just fine!!

12 P. S.    My granddaughter is 15 months old, when she was 12 months she weaned herself. My mother said when a baby weans herself like that she's getting out of the way for the next one. My daughter is 9 weeks pregnant with their second. It was not planned. Could be something to those old wives tales!!

13 You will figure it out, and then she'll change the rules.  You'll figure out the new game, and she'll change it again.  But you're a smart woman.  You will always figure it out, or know the right person to ask.  

1 WOO HOOOOOOOOOOO. Cant wait to read the post when the little one is born. Enjoy your time together before babygrok arrives. 

2 Wooohoo!!!!  I am so glad to see this post!  Enjoy your time together and I'll be sending thoughts and prayers your way for an uneventful labor and delivery!  I'm so happy for you two!

3 Yay! So glad you two are going to get to share this experience in the same room! As Stephanie said, prayers for a safe, healthy labour and delivery.

4 So happy for the (soon to be) three of you!

5 I'm so glad it's all working out now!!  Watch her hang in there for another week :-)  

6 YAYAYAYAYAY!

I'm so happy he's home, safe and sound and that you're sweet little girl has managed to wait for him.  :-)

7 Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! I'm so glad he made it home before she arrived.  I'm so happy you will be able to share that experience with each other!

8 Sorry sweetie, but your new nickname is  lightning crotch.

9 I vaguely remember the term "lightening" (with the e) but I can guaran-double-damn-tee you I never heard it referred to a crotch.  Course, ladies in my day didn't use that word, at least if we weren't sewing up some pants. ;D
We did refer to babies as having dropped and I know some still do. 
Only because I live on the Gulf coast and know people in the business do I know that an oil tanker sits offshore until it is lightered.  I suspect there is something to grammar of the lightening crotch akin to a ship lightering.
TMI?
Lightering - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaLightering is the process of transferring cargo between vessels of different sizes, usually between a barge and a bulker or oil tanker.

10

As much as I love having these updates I DO hope this is the last we hear until the baby is about 72 hrs old. Enjoy these precious QUIET moments together.

And congratulations!! I am so very VERY happy for you guys!!

11 Cheers from Virginia ~ so happy for the three of you!  Deployment gremlins ha - no more!  *poof*

12 Yay Yay Yay!!!!

13 I'm so thankful that he made it home safely, before the birth of Baby Grok!  Now, finally, you can relax and enjoy! 

14 SWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

15 Oh yay! I'm so happy to hear that everything worked out for you!

16 I'm so glad!!! So glad he's home, so glad he's gotten to see you pregnant. I hope all continues to go smoothly for you (and I'm sorry you're not feeling super physically).

17 Three cheers for your husband! I'm so very glad he's home! And that you've gotten out of bed once! And I hope Charlie starts feeling better! Take care ... that baby will be bouncing around and causing sleepless nights before you know it!

18 Thank goodness. You guys have been on my mind a lot lately. I'm glad he's home and getting to experience some of the pregnancy with you. He's there for the really important stuff. I'm sorry your legs are so weak. Sounds like you're doing the right thing though.

19 So happy for y'all.

Go make some wonderful memories!

Nicki

20 FANTASTIC!  Now I just can't wait to see baby grok

21 Welcome home! I'm thrilled for you and can't wait for the next bit of shining news....baby grok!

22 So glad he made it home safely!!!

1 Prayers for safe travels, a perfectly timed birth, and a peaceful beginning for your new family.

I am so appreciative of the sacrifices of not only those deployed, but the families supporting them from home.

Abundant blessings to you!

Nicki

2

Sarah - WOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I hope you'll be able to meet him. I hope the baby holds out until he arrives!!! Great news!

 

1 The idea that government spending creates jobs makes sense only if you never ask where the government got the money.

We educators make sure that no one ever asks such questions. Question authority only when Republicans are in power!

It didn’t fall from the sky.

Of course not. The money comes from eeeevil rich people who won't share their wealth with you! Demand your fair share! Vote Democrat! (At least until Communists are on the ballot. Who keeps them off? McCarthyism lives - even in modern Omerica!)

The only way Congress can inject spending into the economy is by first taxing or borrowing it out of the economy.

But at least Congress is doing something, unlike the Republicans who can only say no, or the lazy libertarians who believe the economy runs itself - hah!

However, the private sector now has $300 billion less to spend

Good. The more money in government hands, the better. The government has collective wisdom lacking in unwise greedy individuals.

The stimulus has not created new jobs. It has merely moved them to a new town.

A more deserving town. Redistribution is righteous.

2

Well, as a business owner I agree completely that the accounting doesn't add up.  BUT!  It does have an affect on public opinion and empty statements like "we've created jobs" actually do help to improve people's spending habits.  

I've seen it first hand.  The whole thing doesn't make a lick of sense on a rational level, but it seems to be serving an emotional need.  I'm not educated enough on economics to understand what that emotional satisfaction is "worth" but it seems to be working from my (admittedly low-level) experience.

3 They could have just passed The Elevator Safety and Economic Opportunity Act of 2009.

4 The "jobs" being created are government jobs...expanding the empire. I just laugh when I hear the President or Biden or whomever bragging about job creation...it reminds me of what Romney said in one of his campaign stop talks...something about if the best hope for the future of job creation is in the government sector and not private enterprise, we're all in trouble...I agree!

1 "I always wondered why society would want only the "stupider" sort of women to raise the next generation."

I love this. I'm a stay at home, homeschooling mom to three (soon to be four) boys. I also graduated magna cum laude with degrees in honors and psychology. All the time I hear comments about "wasting my degree ... blah, blah, blah".  I think these people are absolutely nutty! Really? They'd rather my children be in a factory type daycare setting? Their minds, values, and personalities being formed by someone who barely graduated highschool and is making $7.00 an hour?

Two speeches I think you'd like:
http://www.nationalcenter.org/TRooseveltMotherhood.html
I love this whole speech!


http://www.cse.dmu.ac.uk/~mward/gkc/books/Social_Reform_B.C.html
Written in 1927, this part at the end has shown to be eerily prophetic:

The advocates of Birth Control are in revolt against the conditions of human life ....  They seem to express a sympathy with those who prefer "the right to earn outside the home" or (in other words) the right to be a wage-slave and work under the orders of a total stranger because he happens to be a richer man. By what conceivable contortions of twisted thought this ever came to be considered a freer condition than that of companionship with the man she has herself freely accepted, I never could for the life of me make out. The only sense I can make of it is that the proletarian work, though obviously more senile and subordinate than the parental, is so far safer and more irresponsible because it is not parental. I can easily believe that there are some people who do prefer working in a factory to working in a family; for there are always some people who prefer slavery to freedom, and who especially prefer being governed to governing someone else. But I think their quarrel with motherhood is not like mine, a quarrel with inhuman conditions, but simply a quarrel with life. Given an attempt to escape from the nature of things, and I can well believe that it might lead at last to something like "the nursery school for our children staffed by other mothers and single women of expert training." I will add nothing to that ghastly picture, beyond speculating pleasantly about the world in which women cannot manage their own children but can manage each other's.

2 Ching and I were talking about "life" the other night at 3 a.m. and I said I felt like I hadn't accomplished a damn thing in the past ten years.  Then I thought to myself - well, other than be a good wife.  And she said, well, you've taken good care of me.  And with the army and the moves and civilian jobs...  it hasn't been easy.  And now - with Pinhead on the way, I finally get to do the one job I've been waiting over eight years to do - be a mom.  I can't wait.

3

A friend had a conversation just the other night with a man whose son cries after school each day. He raises his hand in class, you see. He knows the answer. "Does anyone OTHER than Billy know the answer?" the teacher asks with disdain. Or parks him in an empty classroom so his intellect won't insult the others, one assumes.

Their eyes are open, now, to the other options. You can stay home, you can raise your own child and, yes, teach it. Vacation when it works for your schedules, teach through experience, and love them all day long, every day.

Anything else seems like a very poor trade-off to me.

4 My mother had seven children. At several times in her life she was asked by other, very rude, women why she had so many.  Her answer was always this, "the world needs the type people my children are."  In her later life she referred to this often and would then add to us, "what would I do now without my children?"
Yes, we are all intelligent people who are not afraid to speak out, and have raised children who are intelligent and not afraid to speak out. We are also compassionate and caring. Our mama taught us well.

5 Great post, Sarah. I agree with Ruth. I think the most important job we can have is to raise intelligent, responsible and caring children. I don't believe in leaving their development up to the random caregivers we would encounter through our frequent moves and situation changes. This truly is the greatest job we will undertake and I am so grateful I have the opportunity to stay home with my kids. I know you will make a great mom! So excited for you!

6

I <3 Abigail Adams and *I* needed this perspective today.  It is so easy to feel like I am accomplishing little.  I need to be reminded how important my job, and the gifts that I bring to my job as a mother really are. 

7 Thank you so much for posting this. On particularly tough days, I begin to question why I stay home with my children, why I homeschool, and why I'm doing everything contrary to the way everyone else seems to be doing things. It's nice to read a little affirmation from time to time.

8

I find value in all of your posts, but this one in particular spoke to me. As many others have commented, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to stay at home with children without having to justify why you do so. It always amazes me when people wonder how I could have walked away from my career, or how I could stay home all day with two small children. How crazy is that??? I did intentionally have them, you know! And now, they wonder why we are choosing to send our oldest to a university model, classical school for kinder in the fall (part-time private, part-time homeschool education). Why is it so difficult for people, especially other women, to understand why we are investing so much time, love and care in our children?

And btw, I'm a good friend of Heidi's and a faithful reader/lurker. You inspire me and I'm so thrilled for the next chapter of your journey to begin. Praying your husband is home soon and for the safe arrival of your sweet baby.

9 I completely agree with your post, parenting is such an important job... and I think that part of the fall out of feminism was the total rejection of things previously in the stereotypical women's sphere. But, I also don't agree with some of the tone of the comments prior to mine. And perhaps I'm just sensitive. I chose to return to school part time when my daughter was 3, and prior to that I was a stay at home mom. It was a very tough decision to make, I loved being at home with her, but I felt that it was the right decision for me and my family. There is something to be said for pursuing a dream outside of motherhood, and I don't like the all or nothing approach that seems to reign whenever this topic comes up. Either you are painted as a terrible mother who couldn't or wouldn't stay at home, or conversely you are seen as an unintelligent, unmotivated person without a career for investing instead in your children. It's no win. There, now I feel better having written it. I'm so excited for you to start the journey of motherhood, Sarah. You're going to love it

10

Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU.

This post, and the links, and the comments, make my heart so happy!!!  Motherhood really is the most critical occupation on the planet, and the *most worthy* of our investments of time and talents.

Dutchgirl, I didn't pick up an "all-or-nothing" vibe from these comments; we know what works for *our own families*, and I don't think your getting more education means that motherhood isn't your top priority.  FWIW, I'd like to become an ND; someday (probably at least a decade out or so, LOL...) I'll have time & money to do that while Kiddo is working on his reading or a research paper, since I'm teaching him at home, too - we can work on our HW together!