The Trimble's Game of Life: Lochlan James Trimble has arrived!

Our son is here!

Lochlan James Trimble, arrived via c-section at 11:37 a.m. on April 20, 2011. We call him Loch for short.

He's a big boy! At 9 lbs, 15 oz & 21 inches long with a head circumference of 15-1/2", I don't think that I would have wanted to labor with him and deliver him vaginally anyway. My thought is that if he would have been head down that he would've come early. For the 2 months leading up to my due date, I was always measuring about 2 weeks ahead anyway.

I know I'm biased, but I think he is beautiful!! He was born with dark, bluish-grey eyes and brownish hair. Sean and I were both surprised that he had any hair at all! Usually the babies in my family don't have much hair to begin with, but I am pretty sure his hair will stay a light brown color.

Since I had a c-section, I was able to stay in the hospital up to 4 days, so Sean and I took full advantage of that! I guess some new parents don't like the hospital and especially dislike all the interruptions from Doctor's and Nurse's coming in the room all the time, but we didn't mind it. It felt good knowing that there were so many people there to make sure that both me and the baby were doing well. And since I had some issues with the spinal block and epidural procedures prior to the c-section, it was good to know that they were checking up on me often. Plus their food menu was actually pretty good. Having all my meals prepared and brought to me was great. =) We got a lot of help from different nurses regarding breastfeeding and also met with the lactation consultant one day as well. By the time we left the hospital we both felt pretty good about it and felt like we were ready to be on our own.

But, then we got home. Unfortunately, I had a little trouble the last night in the hospital with Lochlan feeding. I realize now that it was because my milk was coming in and my breasts were getting harder and so he was having a little more trouble latching on. However, I did feed him before we left the hospital, but it took forever for the person to come with the wheelchair, and then we had to drive to the pharmacy to get my pain medication, so by the time we got home, Lochlan hadn't eaten in about 4 hours and was frustrated. By the time we got home my breasts were completely engorged and rock hard. I tried to find a comfortable place on the couch, but it was different than the hospital. I couldn't get my positioning right and I just couldn't get him to latch on! He was getting more and more hungry and frustrated. He was crying hysterically and neither of us could calm him down! And at that point, my hormones were also going crazy, so of course I was crying hysterically too. We were all frustrated. I didn't know what to do. Thankfully, I remembered that our neighbor, Laura, had offered to help if we had any breastfeeding issues, so I sent Sean to go get her. She came over and really helped us a lot! She brought me some nipple shields. They go over the nipple and are shaped to stimulate the sucking reflex in the baby's mouth. Even though we still had to struggle with Lochlan to get him to stop pushing me away, we finally were able to get him to relax and latch on.

It was horrible to feel so inadequate and helpless while our child threw a fit and could not be consoled. Thankfully we were able to get the situation solved and after that I felt much better. Laura, also talked to me about massaging my breasts and pumping a little bit to soften them up before feedings. I used the nipple shield for a little while, but I'm trying not to use it anymore. I am getting better about learning what position he needs to be in for a proper latch, and we seem to be nursing well together now. I am also going to start going to go to a nursing support group which meets on Tuesdays. I think that will be really helpful.

We have been home now for about 9 days. Lochlan is 12 days old today. Sean has been off work since the 20th. He stayed with me in the hospital the whole time we were there. He unfortunately has to go back to work starting on Thursday this week. That makes me sad. It's been so great to have him home with me and Loch. He's such a great daddy and love's his little man so much. It makes me so happy and proud to be married to such a wonderful man. Since I had a c-section and was confined to the bed for a lot of the time we were in the hospital and for the first few days we were home, Sean had to do most of the diaper changes, meal preparation,, dog walks etc. He has done a superb job taking care of his family. The dogs are also doing great with the baby. We had them at doggie-daycare while we were in the hospital, and didn't go and get them until the second day we were home. By then we felt a little more comfortable and settled. When we introduced the dogs they were very curious, but also very gentle. The first day they were very quiet as if they understood that they should be. They are back to normal now, but they still very interested in the baby and I think they understand that he is part of the family.

I'm recovering pretty nicely from the surgery. The first few days we were home were definitely the hardest. Thankfully we had some really great people make us some dinners and bring them over. Big Thank You's to Mom Bradford (Sean's mom), Michelle & Brian, Riann & Ian, and Corey & Bethany!! Sean's mom was able to come down and visit us in the hospital and then she ended up staying a couple of days in a hotel and came over to visit a few times. On Easter Sunday, Lochlan's actual due date, she made us dinner and went and got us some groceries too! Gotta love mom's! We also skyped with my family in Southern California that day so that they could all see Loch and talk to us. It was great to get to introduce Loch to his cousin's Ethan, Natalie, Mia and Wil.

My parent's are coming to visit soon too. They come in on May 4th, the day before Sean has to go back to work. It was perfect timing! Also, it will be really nice because my mom will be here for Mother's Day. I think it will be a very special Mother's day since it will be my first and my mom will be here to celebrate too.

Pictures:

Birthday Photos: April 20th