It's been a busy few weeks.
Fifteen days ago, I gave birth to a perfect little yard gnome. And in the meantime, have been recovering from the c-section and (with Husband) have been figuring out what to do on all counts. Overall, it's been all good and loads of fun, even when you figure in the sleep deprivation.
(He's not really, really a yard gnome.)
People keep sending emails and notes asking what happened during delivery, especially since I was so anxious about it beforehand. It's not that I am keeping it totally secret, it's just that it's over with and I am almost over it as well. One day, I will write about all of the details of what happened, but not until everyone I know who intends to give birth in Norway, has. I don't want to scare them.
(So what if it was scary, look what I got. I would and will do it again...just not here.)
In short, we went to the hospital pretty late in the process. Everything happened really fast, especially for a first time delivery. Towards the end, Elliot's (the baby formally known as Pickle) heart rate began dropping by more than half with each contraction, so he was delivered via c-sections. And everyone was tired, healthy and well. We stayed four days in the hospital, then came home.
Elliot has been eating like he's in a competition he intends to win. Husband has been a total workhorse handling every single thing from changing diapers to fetching to cooking to laundry. I've been sleeping and feeding and making requests. (And all of it takes much more time than it would seem.)
So, I've been a little neglectful of my blogging, but, I've not abandoned it. I just working on learning a little balance, which is really only code for figuring out how to deal with it all...
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15 comments:
He's a lovely gnome :-) Don't worry about the blog, that's something to do once you're back on top, settled into a routine and the baby sleeps for more than 20 minutes at a time :-)
My goodness, Elliot looks so much like Papa Twan!
Congrats & hope you're both doing well!
Note to self: heed warning and don't give birth in Norway. :-)
Eeeh. Uhhh, I plan on having kids in Norway, so don't tell me I guess? Now I want to know though... my girlfriend just had a traumatic delivery recently here in Canada. They induced her incorrectly, she spent 4 days in the hospital before finally going into labour for 15 hours and then they did a c-section. Sounded horrible, and she said she won't do it again. So, I don't know... does the country matter?
But, like you said... he is beautiful and wonderful, and I hope you are enjoying every moment with him. Congrats again!
I am glad to see one of the pictures turned out to your liking :-) He is so precious sleeping on you like that!
That picture where he looks so serious is funny. He looks like he is thinking about an intense math problems. Perhaps you've got a future genius on your hands. :-)
Glad you guys are doing well!
I'm sorry the Norwegian birth experience was sub-par. Maybe we anxious Americans aren't so far off the mark in treating childbirth like a serious medical event! But your little gnome is beyond adorable. Can't wait to talk soon!
The yard gnome pic is priceless. He'll probably hate you for it some day. Good job! *long distance high five*
In the last pic of you holding him, he looks sooooo much like his dad. So much.
Hey Elizabeth!
Can I just say that I get so excited whenever I see new pictures of your sweet, sweet baby? He's just so tiny and cute and I wanna kiss his little cheeks!
As for your birth experience, you are 100% right. It's yours and no one needs to know about it unless you feel like telling them.
Every new mom I know has had something disappointing happen to her with her newborn. For some, it was a bad birth experience. For others, like me, it was having trouble breastfeeding. There are rashes and colic and a host of other issues. And then there's the lovely PPDepression to make it even more fun.
But as you're finding out, the disappointment fades over time and before you know it, it's just a blip on the screen. You're instinct to put it behind you is dead on.
Congratulations!!
As a norwegian who has lived in the states and has given birth both threre and in Norway and in Malaysia. I think its a bit unfair to blame a bad birth experience on the country. When I gave birth to my son in the States, the birth took 48 hours. It was horrible and there was no way they would give me a c-section but they gave me a lot of drugs and treated me as if I had a medical condition - as if I was sick. I gave birth to my daugther in Malaysia. It was an easy birth, over within 3 hours and I could get up an walk an hour after she was born. All natural and no drugs. Then I gave birth to my second son in Norway. I ended up like you having a c-section because the baby was in stress. I think a natural birth is best for both mom and baby.
The hospital in Malaysia was by far the worst hospital, but there I had the best experience!!!
So anyway, I believe its a bit wrong to warn people about the norwegian hospitals and that you shouldnt give birth in Norway. Its perfectly safe. It's the birth itself that makes you feel the way you do, and what happend would have happend anyway.
Best of luck from Linda
Batgirl--Thanks so much! Also, it may be MONTHS before that happens, so I am going to try to pop a few posts in before he's 12!
DJ Inc---NO JOKE!!! He is his daddy for sure! Thanks so much...We think we'll be in Georgia this summer and hope we'll see you guys. Papa Twan has been missing you guys, for sure!
Bethy--It all depends on how you want it to happen...if you're in line with the cultural norms and have good luck, then you'll be good to go...
Leah--I think the cultural norms matter. And I have had several friends have good luck here. I just happened to have not had good luck. Also, I think it has to do with specific caregivers, as well. I'll bet you'll be fine!
Erin---Thanks for the photo skills!
Victoria---Thanks! Clearly, he'll be a genius! Don't you know his parents??? :-)
Wendy--Preach it. Also, I think it has to do with the American open-mindedness, but more on that in person. Talk soon!
AuntJone---No joke! Wait until I get to the naked baby on the bear rug photos or when he's splashing in the bath! Thanks so much!
Anne--Thanks! Smooch him anytime at all! We'll have to have a meet up next time we're both in the Gainesvegas area. I want to see Walt make a Blue Steele face and count calories! And yeah, the whole trauma has faded a bit and has almost become funny. Sort of...Or it will in a few more months...And who knows what is to come..We've only known our little gnome for about 2.5 weeks now. But he is lovely, lovely lovely.
Linda---Thanks so much for the congratulations and good wishes! But also, I think you misunderstand what I am saying. When I was pregnant, some people lined up to tell me every single detail of their scary birth stories. And also to push their own agenda of how I should give birth. And while people have been asking about what happened to me, I don't think it's necessary to tell every scary detail, especially to people who haven't given birth yet. So suffice to say, I've left out alot of the pertinent details. And I am not warning all people off giving birth here or even questioning the safety. (I was safe, but ignored.) I am merely saying I will not again.
Congratulations on your beautiful child. I think he is so adorable and it is so cute that he is a clone of your husband!
I am also a North American in Norway who will give birth here this summer. So far I don't have any strong opinions about what I want during the birth. The only thing I know for certain is that I want to participate in making decisions about it. It is decidely outdated and anti-feminist to take that power away from a woman.
Erin
Congratulations!
Came across your blogg through a mutual friend on Facebook. And as I grew up in Stavanger I really enjoy reading your blogg. When I lived there (almost 30 years ago) I had lots of American friends. A lot of our neighbours were families who stayed in Norway because of the oil industry.
I find it very interesting to read how you experience living in Norway. And in many ways I think you're right about questioning our system. And also it's interesting to see Norway through your eyes!
I was pregnant and gave birth 16 and 17 years ago, and I was also annoyed by people being too direct and giving me too much information about their "horror"-stories. You really don't need that when your pregnant. So I totally agree with you there!
As for me I was very lucky with my midwives, they gave me lots of power to decide for myself what I wanted to do. I felt like Superwoman! And most of my friends have had similar experiences. (So Erin, I really believe there's a good chance for you to give birth and participate. My experience with giving birth was all about being in charge and feeling that I was given the opportunity to decide and that I had power).
And really, I'm Norwegian and I felt embarrased and angry when I read about your meeting with that horrible midwife.
All the best to you and your family Elizabeth!!!
I've been reading your blogg for a while, and feel that I know you a little bit. :-) So I just had to congratulate you now that you have a beautiful baby boy!
Eliabeth :-)
What a precious bundle.
Congrats and skol.
Erin- I think Eliabeth is just right. I've had lots of friends here have much better luck than I had. I really do think that there are many caregivers who are skilled and great. So keep me posted and I will send you good thoughts. I'll bet you will be just fine. And thanks, too! Sweet Elliot is lovely and it is the funniest thing to see Husband holding him!
Eliabeth---Welcome and I'm so glad you are reading. Our time in Norway has been great for a variety of reasons, including learning and appreciating such a great culture. And just because every single thing hasn't been "perfect" doesn't mean that I would trade of any of it. It's been great fodder, too! Thanks so much for your good wishes! Please comment any time, I'm so glad to hear from you!
Hilary--thanks so much!
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