Susannah is a Sweetie and We are Exhausted

The title of this post about sums it up: Susannah is 2 weeks old today and is a sweetheart. She's not quite as mellow as when she was first born, but she is still a good-natured little baby, and generally calms down pretty well as long as she gets what she needs right away. At this stage, she pretty much needs to nurse all the time. I am spending many, many hours a day on the couch breastfeeding her. I've been making my way through episodes of The Wire, the HBO series. I keep the sound low and use subtitles, and am hoping that Susannah doesn't pick up any inappropriate Baltimore slang. I've also been reading her Anne of Green Gables at night, for a more positive influence.

I'm still really exhausted from the birth, and am really looking forward to feeling healthy enough to take Susannah on walks. We've been experimenting with different baby wearing systems and I'm hopeful that we'll figure out one that works for us. So far the Ergo seems the most comfortable and supportive for my back, but she may be a little too small for it yet.

Susannah is up to 7 lbs 11 oz as of her 2 week check-up. All the doctors and nurses are impressed with her nursing and pooping prowess, as well as her weight gain. She's waking up every 1-3 hours day and night, so Charles and I are totally exhausted all the time. It's amazing how difficult simple tasks seem when you are so sleep deprived. Charles is trying to get back to working on the house, but is struggling to get anything done on so little sleep. Still, he is managing to get the stone and sand spread and drain tile laid, in preparation for pouring the floors soon.

Now, time for some cute pictures!

The family with Susannah looking a bit silly:


Really cute picture of Susannah and Charles:


Susannah loves mama's breast:


Susannah meets the grandparents:

Jaclyn


Mike and Sally


David and Audrey

Welcome, Susannah!

Susannah Levin Harman entered the world at 1:33 pm on Thursday, July 15, 2010 at Gifford Birthing Center in Randolph, Vermont. She is beautiful and healthy, and Charles and I couldn't be more excited and happy!





The birth was the hardest thing I've ever done (harder than the Long Trail), but we made it through a natural childbirth without complications with the help of our amazing midwife Kipp and doula Laura.

Susannah is doing great and we were able to bring her home on Saturday. We are adjusting to life with her and spending a LOT of time breastfeeding. She is a championship suckler and we are loving getting to know her and her many sweet expressions.





Now I must sign off because it's time for Susannah to eat, RIGHT NOW.

Waiting Game

There have been some requests to see our tiny house and how it relates to the building site. Here's a picture:


As you can see, they are very close together indeed. Once the little house is finished, the plan is to sell the tiny house and move it off-site. Charles, ingenious man that he is, designed it to be moved on a truck. You can even fold the roof down!

In other news, my due date (July 9th) came and went yesterday, and we're still waiting for the little one to make her grand entrance. I finished up my work last week, so it's been nice to have this week to relax, read my birthing and baby books, and generally get mentally prepared for the baby. It's been incredibly hot, though, which is tough when hugely pregnant. Thank goodness for the small air conditioner which cools our tiny house (and guilt-free, as we can only run it off the solar panels when the sun is out)!

I've also been swimming almost every day at our great ponds in Calais. This is a typical afternoon at Curtis Pond with my friend Sarah and her baby Forrest:

Baby Shower

The wonderful people of North Montpelier were kind enough to welcome me into the community by including me in a lovely baby shower that they were holding for their daughters, who are also expecting babies this summer. They had only met me once before, but have known Charles since he was a little kid. It was a wonderful celebration and I was so glad my mom was able to be there to share it.

We received so many generous gifts and I am so grateful to be joining such a friendly community. Thank you!