Back to Work...

After 6 weeks home on maternity leave, I'm heading back to work tomorrow a bit earlier than anticipated. In an effort to both ease back into work, and also to compensate for all the work I did while on leave, JJ and I will be heading into the office one day a week for the next 3 weeks. From there, I'll be working 4 days a week through November. I'll be in the office with JJ 1 day a week, working 1 day from home. He'll go hang out with Grammy 1 day, and with Daddy when I work on Sundays.


I've got the all the gear ready to go... space saver swing, diapers, wipes warmer, and Baby Bjorn (though I think JJ is still too small for it). Rabbi Kinberg is loaning us her co-sleeper bassinet (which apparently has a 4th side) and her baby monitor. As you can see, my office will quickly be doubling at the Temple B'nai Torah nursery. Check out all the gear:

Swing n' Seat Space Saver

Co-Sleeper Bassinet

Baby Bjorn

Wipes Warmer

I'm actually looking forward to ging back to work for the day. I'm certain I'll be exhausted by the end of the day, but hopefully, I'll still be glad to be getting back to "normal."

4 Weeks

So after 4 weeks of motherhood, I am in heaven. I could never have imagined that I would be so functional on so little sleep. I really haven't slept well in the last 3 years, which definitely helped prepare me for the all night marathon of having a newborn. Thankfully (or maybe not?) Paul sleeps like a rock. We usually start the night with JJ in his crib and me attempting to sleep in bed. He sleeps for 2-3 hours and I get up to feed him. We usually move out to the living room for some Nick at Night and quality snuggling time together. JJ will either sleep in his Pack n' Play or with me on the couch.

I am not one to toot my own horn, but I will say that I am a very compassionate and loving person. Even with that, I will say, I never knew I was capable of so much love. I have killed 4 spiders because they were in JJ's room and I was afraid they would get near him. Anyone who knows me at all, knows that I don't go near spiders. I am usually dancing on the bed waiting for Paul to remove it. Although JJ is still in preemie clothes, I do laundry every day. They are often the tiniest loads known to man, but they still get done every day. Again, I hate laundry, but somehow I stopped minding doing it.

So, with 4 weeks under his belt, little JJ is now up to 6 pounds, 6 ounces. He has officially surpassed my birth weight by an entire ounce! He is an awesome little guy and brings us so much happiness. I'll be heading back to work with JJ one day a week pretty soon, and haven't decided if I'm looking forward to it or not. Thankfully, it's only one day a week. Then I go back 4 days a week, with one day from home through November. I am looking forward to my new schedule and my new job upon my return.

Below are some pictures of the little man's first month.

 

And Then There Were Three...

On July 21st at 5:10 in the evening, our little miracle, Jeremy Jonah Kleinstein made his arrival. After 48 hours of contractions two trips to triage, 1 epidural, 12 hours of active labor and one hour of pushing – all 5 pounds 7.5 ounces of the little man can into our lives. He is absolutely perfect in every way and Paul and I are loving parenthood.

JJ is the most incredible baby. He is super calm, sleeps great, and has finally figured out the whole nursing thing. We had some initial challenges, and he wasn’t gaining weight, but in the last 3 days he gained 4 ounces! We’re confident he’ll be back up to birth weight at his two week check up tomorrow.

It’s hard to believe that for 38 weeks and 6 days this perfect little being was inside of me, and now he’s here brightening our lives. Every time look at him, I am overcome with joy. There are truly no words to describe the amount of love I have for him. Everyone tells you that the love you have for your children is inexplicable. I never doubted that to be true, I just never could have anticipated how powerful it would be.

It’s been a fabulous 2 weeks for us. Yes, we’re tired. Yes, there are things that we are learning. Yes, I’m sure we are doing lots of things wrong. But the truth is, neither one of us cares. Our son is happy, healthy and amazing.

We spent a fabulous week with Paul’s mom. She flew out from New Jersey on the 26th and stayed for a week. She and JJ spent lots of time together bonding and enjoying each other’s company. Of course he is special regardless, but JJ is the first grandson on Paul’s side and the “last hope” to carry on the Kleinstein family name. Combined with the fact that he is named after my dad and Paul's dad, the boy truly is a blessing to our family.

Yesterday we spent time over at my mom’s house with Grammy, Auntie Jenny and big cousin Aaron. Aaron is adorable with JJ. He is so sweet and loving , and extremely interested in everything involved in his care. From the diapers, to the breastfeeding, Aaron needs to be sure his baby cousin is in good hands. Its adorable to see him in a protective role, and for the most part, he is handling the transition well. For 3 ½ years Aaron has been the one and only, and the center of all our universes. I love him as if he were my own, and would do anything for him. It’s fantastic to see him with JJ and everyone is ensuring Aaron knows that he is still the best and just as loved as ever before.

I’m sure there is a whole ton of details I left off, but I think I covered the important stuff. Hopefully I’ll be able to find a few minutes to update the few people who actually read this. The little guy seems to change every day, and we want to be sure to have some sort of record. There are lots more pictures floating around in cyberspace, but below are a few of my favorites. I think if you click on it, the collage gets bigger...