Sara Ellen just did the most adorable thing! Her grandmommy was holding her up to her face while waiting for her mommy to come feed her. When wanting to be fed she usually starts rooting around, opening her mouth and trying to eat anything close by. That “thing” happened to be Grandmommy’s face so she started giving her baby kisses. It was so cute!!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
We had a really nice Christmas morning in our home, showed the family Vigeland’s sculpture garden, had a great dinner at their apartment and took lots more pictures. Next year will have even more new traditions, besides probably starting in our own home (depending on where we’re living then) instead of my parents’.
This New Year’s Eve we are three. Emily and Mom are also with us to ring in the new year. As it’s a bus ride between our apartments, and Tim and I did not bring overnight things to Mom’s place where we had dinner, Mom and Emily came back with us. We’ve rented Miss Congeniality 2 and Batman Begins. We have a good view of the sky from our skylights and last year enjoyed various fireworks displays. One neighbor, a few windows down, even shot off a few from their apartment.
Dad and Michael flew back home yesterday after about a week. I know Dad had a great time doing touristy things and taking some train rides. Michael hopefully had a decent vacation before school starts back on the 2nd and still enjoyed the visit. There are a few things Emily wants to do and I hope I can join in without wearing myself out like I did a bit this past week.
By the way, sometime I hope to write about my hospital stay and more. You can read Tim’s impressions here and here.
My family is here, all of them. Wahoo! 
Mom, Tim, and I met Dad, Emily, and Michael at our nearest train station around noon. We went to the apartment they are renting and then had a late lunch at Gio’s, our “place”. Besides going there for random dinners ourselves and with friends, it was our choice for our anniversary, Tim’s sister’s first night here, as well as my mom’s when she arrived 3 weeks ago. Hard to believe Mom has been here that long.
In a couple days Sara Ellen will be three weeks. Three days before she is three months, March 3rd, we’re coming home to the USA! 
Right now we’re sitting in the family’s apartment waiting for them to return from Christmas food shopping, then we’ll finally go out. Tim just changed our plane tickets to 3/3/06 and got the ticket for Sara Ellen. She and I have been getting accustomed to going out using the sling. I was really nervous but a couple of days ago we made our first trip out to the grocery store. She isn’t always happy getting in but once I start moving she falls asleep. She’s all squished but she’s only been out in the world two weeks so it’s not like she’s forgotten how comfortable she was inside. I am really happy how well going out and breastfeeding, while out and in general is going. It’s so convenient, nothing to pack or prepare. It did take some getting used to. The sling works well but at times, especially when my shoulder hurts, I’d like to get a stroller sooner than later.
Happy Birthday Dad. 
Would you believe I already look like I did back in May and June?!
When we watched a nursing video at our birth course, a speaker said nursing made the fat, etc. melt away. I didn’t believe it but Sara Ellen isn’t yet two weeks and I’ve melted away! I read I’d look about 5 months pregnant after birth, and I did, for the first few days in the hospital. When I came home I was a little bit smaller and now I’m even smaller! I’ve been wearing my maternity jeans when I actually put on real clothes but I think I can wear my normal clothes! I never did wear pants tight though it’s easier if I wear cardigans or zip-up sweaters.
Also, we made a milestone this evening. Sara Ellen and I just left the apartment for the first time since Sunday to go grocery shopping. I was really nervous about her crying and wasn’t sure the sling we’d bought would work but she was already asleep and I guess because she prefers movement (i.e. walking) anyway, she slept the whole time. Phew! She was so cute bundled up in hat and bunting Mom made her! I was also concerned about how I’d feel physically while walking more but that was just fine too. I think the episiotomy stitches have disappeared so now I’m just dealing with a little soreness.
We have a beautiful little girl. It’s amazing. Sunday night Mom, Tim and I sat on the couch watching something on tv. All was quiet and suddenly little gurgles filled the air. We all looked suddenly towards the sound, not having forgotten but remembering an incredible little creature now exists. I have felt her living for months now but to see her and have her in my arms defies description.
I’ve already lost 22 pounds/10 kilograms!
8lb baby
massive placenta (probably have to be held in both my hands)
plenty of water
Just 15-20 lbs more and I’ll be my ideal weight. 
Though I already feel small and near normal. I can wear normal shirts. My bathrobe and towel fit better. I can be nearer those I’m hugging and not so near or bumping strangers. I can bend and twist. I am still a bit sore but getting up isn’t nearly the challenge it used to be.
No, this is not about New Years Eve.
We just brilliantly got through our first night as a family. I had been a bit worried as the last two nights in the hospital didn’t include much sleep. I guess that’s what happens when baby won’t sleep for whatever reason at 3 or 4 AM and midwives are waking you up to feed because the blood sugar test is as such and such a time.
I’m so glad we’re home!
We did wake up around 3 but I fed her and we snuggled a bit, Tim had her on his chest for a while, SO cute! Not too much later we drifted back to sleep. I’d become accustomed to all her baby noises, sleeping deeply until needed and Tim mentioned how it was different to have this little person making all these noises. We all woke up together around 7:30. She had breakfast, got a change, and then slightly fussy before I extended her breakfast. She’s napping peacefully now.
Grandmommy Helms comes over soon with our first diaper supply. We didn’t have *any* except for three from the hospital (grocery isn’t open on Sunday either) but that number has been just fine for this space of time.
Now what I really need is a place to put all her clothes, including those also being picked up by G.H. this morning. Thank God for Mom! I’ll also be able to get a shower while they visit.
She is soooo cute!!
Most, if not all of you know that our I delivered our little one, Sara Ellen Juliana Altman, Tuesday December 6th in the afternoon (3:49 CET). After an extended hospital stay (nothing major) we’re finally home today!
I just wanted to post *something* before writing what I imagine will be a semi-lengthy account of my hospital stay.
Back from the hospital, water definitely broke.
Actually, I think it broke a few days ago and as those few days have passed, labor needs to begin. I’m going back in tomorrow morning to take a tablet that should help get it started if it hasn’t already on its own. They/we will wait to see what happens for about six hours and move onto a drip if necessary. A midwife took my temperature and we’ll monitorit for fever as this time has passed, just to make sure there is no infection.
It could intimidating to be told what’s going to happen but I don’t feel ordered around at all and the midwives (and the doctor I saw) are so calm. It’s great! Am I seriously going to be a parent this week?!
Since Friday, I’ve experienced some of the possible signs of early labor (possibly “water breaking” and some irregular pains ). We just saw our midwife and I told her about them. She suggested I get checked out at the hospital because it could mean the membranes have begun to rupture and that I’m starting to open up a bit. Kari Janne said they expect labor to start a few days after this happens and since it happened Friday, she wants me to get checked out to see for sure. Would you believe I just packed my bag last night?! I’d had this image of it happening and not being ready. I don’t know if it’s really happening but we’ll see and I’ll do my best to remember to update here. I tend to be a bit forgetful now especially but I don’t want you to wait too long wondering.
