Sum-sum-summa time: Weeks 10-13

Hola friends!

The last few weeks have been absolutely fantastic! Nathan finally wrapped up his 3 month tour with Third Day and has been around the house helping out. I started back to work full-time last week and it went very well. I dont like being away from Jude all the time, but since he is at home with Daddy, I dont mind. Plus, its nice to use my brain again!!

Jude has hit several milestones over the last several week too. Starting Week 8, he began sleeping through the night and is now consistently speeling at least 7 hours between feedings. He actually slepts 9.5 hours between feedings on Sunday and then went back to sleep for another 2 hours! We keep him up until around 10:30-11PM, so we usually arent waking up till about 7:30. Its amazing!

Jude Cole - 9 Weeks and counting!

Well, I admit that I am a bad blogger but I blame it on motherhood! The last 9 weeks have been fantastic watching Jude grow and blossom into a little person. Where do I even begin... how about the beginning?!

So after we came home from the hospital, we had three days uninterrupted as a family. As I mentioned in my last blog, Nathan left on day 5 and I had a really rough time with it. Its such a strange feeling not being in control of your emotions. Your hormones completely take over and you can do little to change how you feel. Although he was only gone for 4 days, it was so different from the other times we were apart. To remedy the sadness I was having, I traveled to Illinois with Nathan since the band had a rehearsal day before the tour started. It was amazing to get out of the house, go for a walk around the U of I campus, stay in a hotel, and introduce Jude to Nathan's peers and the Band. 

The next few weeks were great and consisted of many sleepy nights and diaper changes. We were feeding every 2-2.5 hours so the longest stretch at night was no more than 3.5 hours, and when he was in between feedings, he would be "talking" or grunting trying to poo! Poor little thing had such a new little digestive track. He continued nursing SO well and started "tracking" just before his one month checkup. We could shake a rattle near his head and he would slowly turn his head to find it. Then, when we moved it, he would follow its movement. It was choppy, but he still tracked it! 

He would also lay on his belly, lift his head and turn it to the other side to find the rattle. It was incredible to see him do these things after only a month of life! Then, his hair started to fall out and he developed baby acne pretty badly! At his 1 month check up, he weighed 9 pounds 10 ounces - having gained exactly 2 lbs since birth. He also had grown a whole inch to 22"! These new measurements put him on the 75% for length/height and the 50% for weight. 

Jude's first social smile was on Wednesday, March 25. We had just dropped Nathan off at the airport and headed to my mom's house for dinner. When we go there, mom and I started cooing and being silly and low and behold - a huge grin spread across his face! We nearly fainted. Its been non stop ever since. He smiles and giggles and "ooohs" at himself constantly throughout the day especially when you talk to him in a high-pitched voice. His obsession (even now at 9 weeks) are lights and ceiling fans. He will just sit for hours watching them!!

During week 6, Jude and I packed up and drove to Florida with Nathan's parents and brother. Nathan had a week off (Third Day observes Spring Break every year with their kids) and flew down to meet us. We stayed in a gorgeous condo just off the beach in Ft. Myers. The sun was hot and weather gorgeous. Although Jude couldn't wear sunscreen or get in salt/chlorinated water, he still sat out by the pool with us most days - just under the umbrella with Papaw. Nathan and I enjoyed a date night and we even got to sleep till 10 most days because Nathan's parents would take Jude after his morning feeding - SO NICE! 

We also made a very big family decision - We are moving to Atlanta, GA!  Third Day is based out of there and Nathan would be able to spend more time at home when off the road. Currently, he has to drive to and from Nashville for each bus call which takes away a lot of time he could be spending at home with Jude and me. Although it means leaving family and friends, we have been wanting to relocate for a while to spread our wings as a family. We've never been completely "on our own" and we feel like its time! 

As soon as we retuned from Spring Break, we started cleaning out the house and put it on the market. Despite the terrible condition of the market, we feel like the Lord is telling us that its time. I spent every waking moment

 last week cleaning the house, trying to make it look like two bulldogs don't live here. Honestly, don't ever try to list your house with an 8 week old and your husband traveling full time!! We don't have a scheduled move date - it will be once we sell the house. Once that happens, we will house hunt in ATL.

Jude is growing so quickly, he began wearing 3-6 month onsies this week. We had his 2 month doctor appointment this week too and he got all his vaccinations. It was not as bad as the HepB vac he got at his one month appointment. He cried a little bit after the first shot and then wailed after the second... and then he quieted down and started smiling again! He has grown 1 1/4 inches (now 23 1/2") and 10 pounds 9 ounces. He only gained one pound. Doc said we need to try to get one more feeding in each day, so I've been trying to do that without interrupting the progress he is making with sleep at night. On the eve of his 8 week birthday, Jude went 7 hours and 20 minutes between feedings!! I couldn't even believe it... Since then, he is consistently going 6 hours each night, of which, I sleep about 5. 

In the mean time, I have been slowly easing back into work. I am very excited getting back into work and exercising my brain, but I don't want to be away from Jude (of course!). Since he is nursing and sleeping so well, I pray that we do not have to supplement his food. I trust that the Lord will provide me with the milk he needs!!

I can tell you, Jude is the happiest baby on the planet. I am posting a video and pictures for you all to see. The photos are in a gallery titled by week. Enjoy!!

Bonnie's Mobile Me Gallery

Jude Cole: Week 1

Hello Family and Friends!

Thank you for following this incredible time in our lives. Our first week with Jude has been unfathomable. He is nursing like a cha

mp, pooping like a grown man, and sleeping like a 3 month old. Several people have told me that I shouldn't tell others about his sleep cycle, but I am a proud mother who has to brag. M

ost evenings, Jude will wake us up at 2:30 and 7; after feeding at those times, he will go back to sleep until 9:45... he is just like his mother! 

We had his first pediatrician appointment on Thursday and he received a glowing report. He was back up to his birth weight by 5 days old and doesn't need to go back to the doctor for a month - usually they like to see babies back after 2 weeks! 

Also this week, Jude met the bulldogs, which went so well! Niles has found a new best friend and Fiona (surprisingly) doesn't mind the crying! We also went on a walk around the neighborhood on an unseasonably warm day. Yesterday, we had a photo shoot with Jessica Strickland, who did our pregnancy photos and she made some fantastic photos with all three of us! I cannot wait to share them...

Nathan left town on Friday and that was very hard for us both. Although we have been very independent and "apart" for years, it is so different when you have a 6 day old at home! He begins a tour tomorrow but Jude and I are going to go with him to the rehearsal and first show in Champaign, Illinois. Its Jude's first official road trip and concert! 

Well, We are off to give him his first bath. Enjoy some new photos and we'll post more soon!

Our love, 

Bonnie, Nathan, Jude and the pups

A Life Begins

Hello Everybody!  This is Nathan (for the second time ever).  Thank you for following Bonnie and me on this 40 week, 4 day journey.  We are proud to announce the birth of our son:

Jude Cole Ehman  7 lbs, 10 oz & 21 inches

This is how it all went down:

Bonnie and I made the drive to Carmel St. Vincent's Hospital on Friday February 20th at 4:30 p.m.  By the following morning around 5:30, Bonnie's body was ready to rock and roll--and by rock and roll I mean we cranked up the Elvis and Kings of Leon in the labor room.  I think the combination of anesthesia and music was all it took to make her labor a short and sweet experience. (the previous sentence is evidence that it is in fact me Nathan writing this blog) Our son took his first breath at 7:34, February 21st.

After visits from almost our entire family--and a little time for rest and recovery, we were ready to leave the hospital.  We introduced Jude to our home on Monday evening.  He has been a perfect baby so far! He communicates with us well and has begun a healthy routine of eating, sleeping, and potty-ing.  I'll spare you all the dirty details for now as it is much more fun to exaggerate in person than on a blog; Plus I'm not sure if everyone reading this knows us well enough to follow our sense of humor. 

We've been able to get a great amount of sleep at night!  Niles and Fiona have begun to get used to the idea of another human being in the house.  They are quite curious individuals and have thoroughly sniffed Jude from top to bottom. I believe they will learn to share their owners and maybe even a couple of their toys.

Today we took our whole family for a walk for the first time, because the weather was gorgeous.  Its a good thing we have wide walking paths around here because the five of us form a pretty intense front.  

Please enjoy the following photo gallery by pointing your mouse at the blue text and clicking.  

Photos of Jude

Thanks again for your support and prayers!

Our Love,

Nathan, Bonnie, Jude, Niles, and Fiona   

Week 40 1/2: Its about that time!

Well faithful followers, its looks like we have made it to the end of the road! Over the last two weeks, I have become HUGE - at least that's how I feel! We met with the Doctor on Monday and he told us that I was still only 80% effaced and still had not dilated at all. I was devastated. Tuesday, February 17 was my due date which came and went in a blaze of glory. It was so hard to keep my spirits up. 

So we went to the doctor again today and saw a different doctor. He is on call this weekend and actually offered to induce us! So, as of 4:30 tomorrow, we will be at St. Vincent's Carmel. I wont go into the details of how the induction occurs, but

 many of you are familiar due to personal experience. Incase you want to read up on it, see this link: Labor Induction.

Please send your prayers through the night tomorrow and all day Saturday. We expect to meet Jude sometime Saturday afternoon. Nathan will post an announcement later that day.

Thank you all for your prayers and support through our pregnancy. Please send more over the next two days, specifically for Jude's health, my stamina and pain, and Nathan's energy. Love you all!

Here is the last pic of pregnant Bonnie; next photo - baby Jude!!...

Week 38: "I am the walrus, goo goo gajoob ga goo goo gajoob"

Well Team, here we are in the home stretch. From this moment, we are 13 days and 2 hours from my official "due date" (2/17). As much as we prayed for Little Jude to be born yesterday or today and despite the bowling, snow shoveling, bouncing (on the exercise ball), walking, foot rubs, raspberry leaf tea, and thai food, here I sit at work going through the motions.

As of Monday, I am 50% effaced and still completely closed. Plus Jude still needs to drop a bit more into my pelvic bowl. Hooray! The doctor said I should plan on going past my due date because I'm a first-timer AND I have had a perfect, textbook pregnancy. Bittersweet. So, in that case, we will have him no later than February 24.

The last week was rather uneventful, with exception of the most wonderful baby shower, thrown by my best friend from HS, Christin and her incredible family. Here is a link to her blog with a few pictures: http://cptwo.blogspot.com/2009/01/mama-bird-baby-bird.html

It was so fantastic to see my best friends - three of which traveled over 2 hours! We invited several of my friends' moms and it was a blessing to see them all and gain knowledge and advice from them.
Once specific piece of advice - agreed upon by ALL moms present had something to do with "toughening" up my nursing 'tools' (aka - my boobs). Although I was supposed to refer to them as my jellybeans on this blog, I suspect that is a bit obvious. Plus, I have a FANTASTIC article to share with all moms out there who have nursed. A good friend shared this with me the other day and it made me so much MORE excited to meet my son and feed him naturally (are you sensing the sarcasm!?)... So if you are offended by the "n" word (nipple) or you are squeamish at the thought of someone (preferably an infant) relying on your boobs for survival, turn back now. This is not for the faint of heart...

Suck It! The REAL Way To Prep For Breastfeeding

Forget that old advice about "gently rubbing your nipples with a towel." If you really want to feel ready to nurse, here's what to do.

By Melissa Balmain, Parenting.com

Day 1
Gently rub your nipples with sandpaper.

Day 2
At bedtime set your alarm clock to go off every two hours. Each time it rings, spend 20 minutes sitting in a rocking chair with your nipples clamped by a pair of chip clips.

Day 3
Draw branching lines all over your chest with a blue-green marker, then stand in front of your bathroom mirror and sing "I Feel Pretty."

Day 4
Open your already-crowded freezer and make room for five dozen plastic milk bags.

Day 5
Fit the hose of a vacuum cleaner over one breast and set on "medium pile." Turn off vacuum when nipple is three inches long. Switch breasts.

Day 6
Obtain "DO NOT CROSS" tape from your local police station, then wrap firmly around your chest. When your spouse asks about it, say, "Get used to it."

Day 7
Tape a water balloon to each breast and squeeze into a maternity bra. Repeatedly hook and unhook the nursing flaps with one hand while using the other to balance a sack of squirming puppies.

Day 8
Dine in the fanciest, snootiest restaurant you can afford, making sure to arrive with a big wet spot directly over each nipple.

Day 9
Record your mother proclaiming, "Just give the baby some cereal like God intended, and she'll sleep right through the night." Play in an endless loop at 1 a.m., 3 a.m., and 5 a.m.

Day 10
Slather your breasts with peanut butter, top with birdseed and stand very still in your backyard.

Day 11
Go someplace public -- a museum, a courthouse, the steps of your office building -- and stuff a lifelike baby doll under your shirt. Use the doll's arm to suddenly hike the shirt up past your collar bone. Lower shirt. Feign nonchalant smile.

Day 12
Suckle a wolverine.

Congratulations! You are now ready to nurse a baby. Maybe.

So, that is what I am anxiously awaiting... ;-) I don't think I mentioned it during the last blog, but I am finally working only three days a week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. My last official day at the office is Friday, February 13. There is a full moon on February 9, so maybe we'll get lucky then.

Well, off to a meeting. Talk to you all very soon!

Bonnie and Jude

36 Weeks - The Last Leg

I can't believe I am typing about the beginning of my 9th MONTH of pregnancy. Wow. Well, as most of you have experienced, the weather here in Indy has been atrocious this week. Today's high is 4 degrees. I'm managing to stay warm, but poor Nathan is stuck taking the dogs out every single time. Its amazing how warm my body is with this little bun in the oven - no pun intended!

I am definitely feeling 8 months, 3 1/2 weeks pregnant. Mostly, my groin muscles, hips and knees are weakening under the strain of carrying the following weights (minus 4 more weeks of growth):

• 7 1/2 pounds is about how much the baby will weigh by the end of pregnancy. (Jude is about 5 1/2 - 6 1/2 lbs right now and is gaining 1/2lb per week)
  
• 1 1/2 pounds is how much the placenta weighs.
• 4 pounds is attributed to increased fluid volume.
• 2 pounds is the weight of the uterus.
• 2 pounds is the weight of breast tissue.
• 4 pounds is because of increased blood volume.
• 7 pounds is attributed to maternal stores of fat, protein and other nutrients.
• 2 pounds for the amniotic fluid.
• Total: 30 pounds (I am at 24 pounds gain currently - so adjust the above numbers accordingly)
  

Not much has changed since last time I wrote. Nathan arrived back from Alaska without any issues and we have been quickly preparing for Jude. We opened and put the stroller together - and when I say "we", I mean "he"... We* put the pack n' play together and the swing too. Everything else is going into a closet until he is about 6 months old. We had a baby shower at my Mother-In-Law's home, hosted by her, and two of Nathan's Aunts (Jude's great-aunts) Suzie and Jenny. As I have said a million times on this blog - we are TOO BLESSED. We received so many linens and onsies and Bumbo seats! ;-)

I will post some pictures as soon as I receive them from my sister's camera!

The main reason for this post is to share with you something very special to Nathan and me. On January 2, we spent 3 hours in our home with THE most talented photographer taking pregnancy photos. I have always loved pregnancy photos, but to me its so crucial that they are done the RIGHT way. Otherwise, they can be tacky or cheesy. Jessica Strickland, our photographer is beyond talented. She shoots in a way Nathan and I both prefer; its very artistic, natural and magazine-like. I just wish we could have had her at our wedding... A few are little risque, but don't worry, I was fully clothed! ;-)

Here is the link to her blog where OUR PICTURES ARE POSTED! Feel free to leave comments!

Yours,
Bonnie and Nathan