Meet Eli

New Birth Company takes a family photo a few hours after your birth to announce the birth on social media…here we are 

(THANK YOU to my sister who made me cute)

Eli has met a LOT of new people in a very short amount of time. His grandparents came to the birth center and met him within the first hours of his life. 

So did my sister-  he really took to her quickly.

So did Rico's brother, his wife, and their daughter (Eli's cousin)

Eli had his first diaper change- with more assistance than any baby ever needed.

He was weighed and measured:8 lbs 13 oz and 20 inches long

He got his APGAR scores somewhere in there too- we saw later: he got 9 every time- was to go Eli!

They sing happy birthday to the new moms at New Birth Company...I'll admit that I thought this was weird, but ultimately decided to embrace it because

 #1- my birthday was only hours before, and while 3 or 4 people SANG me happy birthday- this was the first candle I got to blow out.

#2- they make you a cake. Mine was chocolate- and it was VERY good

We left the birth center by 8:30 on the night Eli was born. I was surprised at how ready Rico was to go.  He was tapping hs toes to leave by 6 pm. 

I had to stay a bit longer than we had planned because I passed out when I got up to go to the bathroom after birth. That meant I had to get an iv.

That iv can suck it.

Because I am a baby, I refused to acknowledge the arm that had the iv- so I just laid there in the bed with a bum arm. This REALLY sucked for bonding with my child...BUT  it did mean that Rico got him full time, and watching him go into daddy mode so quickly and seamlessly was priceless.

Eli wore a bow-tie home.

When we got home and settled, we introduced Eli to Max. It was VERY anti-climactic…even though this picture makes it look adorable.

Please note- the GIANT co-sleeper EMPTY in the bed next to us

I got to sleep in my own bed that night- it was glorious. It wasn't long before Eli joined me, it seemed to be the only way to soothe him. While co-sleeping was never a part of the plan (we planned to use the rock-n-play next to our bed), and yes, I know the risks, I DO have to say that for me, I needed that time.

Eli had spent so much time meeting everyone else that I never got to just stare at him. That night, after one of our first on-our-own feelings, with Rico asleep next to me- I just stared. I stared at Eli and fell in love.

I smelled his head.

 I smelled his head a LOT.

 He smelled perfect- not just "like a baby" but like Eli. (After his first bath that smell went away- I miss it so so so so so much).

Rico woke up and I told him how obsessed I was- he was glad to hear it, because he had noticed that we hadn't bonded yet either.

Staring at him has now become a regular part of my day.

The next morning, we had family come over to meet him. His great aunt and uncle (who live about 45 minutes away we're even able to come by). I was having a lot of fun watching our niece play on the floor and watching everyone get excited to hold Eli. We had 13 people in all- yet ANOTHER reason I was glad to be home- where we could all just hang out in the living room (and I could escape to my bedroom for privacy if he needed to eat or I needed to change or attempt the 10 minute long process of going to the bathroom)

I also opened presents- yes, the sharing of the birthday celebrations has already started!

Speaking of birthday celebrations- we celebrated his 24 hour birthday by singing him happy birthday. 

As we did- he showed off his dimples! What a crowd pleaser!

We all took a few million more photos.

Katie came by (joyfulbeginningskc.com) and gave me my 2 FAVORITE presents: my placenta pills (and umbilical cord- which just about made my brother in law gag, made my dog think we brought him a treat, made my husband tell me to "put it away Alli, no one wants to see that", and made me smile- because I don't care what you say, that is freaking cool)  

AND the photos she took of our delivery. I couldn't wait- I had to look. I didn't know what I might find. Would it be nudity city? I looked the first time with just my sister- and was SO excited to see each and every image. She did SUCH an amazing job of maintaining my modesty and yet still capturing the whole birth in detail.

I looked through the over 200 photos over 5 times while everyone else in the room went about life. I know it was rude- but I couldn't stop! Seriously- if you're considering a birth photographer: DO IT... Especially if it is Katie.

*while I am at it- I could also go on a rant about being sure to get a doula too. These two ladies were priceless to me. 

PRICELESS.