Jan 9 12
at 4:39 PM
Introducing….
Shepherd Asher Apple
(nn Shep, Slingshot)
Born Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 1:59pm
6 pounds, 5 ounces. Â 18 1/2 inches
Home at last!
Thoughts on Shepherd’s birth, his name, and our first few days….
- Shepherd: We wanted another slightly unusual name. Â One that was distinctly masculine, one with a good nickname (in this case, “Shep”). Â Shepherd is not a family name, just one we like.
- Asher:  As for the middle name, we didn’t pick that until the night before he was born!  Asher means: “fortunate, blessed, happy one” and we certainly feel blessed to have Shepherd after all we’ve been through the last few years.  We wanted something he could fall back on that was a bit more common, and Asher was #139 in 2010.  We love that it’s got the “sh” like Shepherd and the  “a” like Apple, uniting the first and last name.
- It was SUCH a different c-section experience this time around walking in to the operating room and being fully aware of what was happening the entire time. Â And having my husband there with me this time too! Â I think my recovery this time is going a little quicker as well.
- Breastfeeding is not going particularly well, but I’m determined to stick with it. Â The first two nights (at the hospital) were rough, and by the end of the second day, Shepherd was down to 5 pounds 8 ounces. Â Most babies lose weight at birth, but he lost over 10% of his birth weight. Â After several meetings with a lactation consultant, I started pumping and feeding him via syringe (all this after I attempt to nurse him for 20-30 mins). Â Doing that over and over again every 2-3 hours has been draining, but our third night at the hospital was much better, and when we left the hospital he was up to 5 pounds 10 ounces. (Thank goodness I saved some of Finn’s preemie clothes!)
- Coming home was/is a HUGE adjustment. Â Last night was rough all over again, and I feel like we took 10 steps backwards in the breastfeeding department. Â I’m feeling more pain at the site of my incision because I’ve got a 2 story house to move around instead of a tiny hospital room, and I’ve been moving around MUCH more. Â We’ve also got a VERY energetic and noisy 4 year old who is a little too excited to “play” with his baby brother. Â We’re a little overwhelmed at the moment, but I know we’ll get used to our new family of four!
- I’m amazed at how much Shepherd resembles Finley when he was a baby. Â They’ve got the same lips, nose, hairline, tiny little bodies. Â They make the same faces, and they have similar fussiness!
Things may be a little quiet around here for the next few days as we settle in at home, but rest assured, I’ll be back with some new posts soon! Â Thanks for all of your well wishes on Facebook!
Congrats! Â Those first few weeks…whew they are a doozy! Â Adjusting to a family of four with the lack of sleep and the frustration you must feel with the breastfeeding is quite a lot. Â It gets easier…
Yay, congratulations!
Don’t give up on the breastfeeding!! It’s challenging but so worth it!! Find a good lactation consultant I. Your area. The one I had at the hospital wasn’t super helpful but the private one I had come to the house made a huge difference. Congratulations!!
Congrats!!! So exciting! (my second/elective c-section was SO much easier than my first, too)
Best wishes as you work through those earliest days breastfeeding. Sending lots of happy babymoon vibes your way!
Congratulation! I’m hoping you guys adjust well to each other. Can’t wait to read all about your adventures as a mom of two!
Congratulations – love the name. He is precious
What a fantastically handsome boy he is, Cara, and I LOVE his name!! Congratulations to your sweet little family of four!
Thanks Leslie! Â
Thanks, Jennifer!
Don’t worry, I’m going to stick with the breastfeeding. Â I know how important it is! Â I’ve got lots of books on breastfeeding and phone numbers for lactation consultants. Â The consultants from the hospital were actually really helpful, but if things don’t improve, we may se about a private one. Â Thanks for your encouragement!
Thanks so much! Â
Thanks, Stephanie! Â I have a whole new respect for moms of two, three, four or more kids…
Thanks!
Thanks, Cassie! Â
Oh my goodness, what a cutie! Love his name!
Congratulations to you and your family. You are one glowing mama! Savor the moments.
Asia (You’re newest blog fan!)
Thanks, Courtney!
Thanks, Asia! Â
Aww, Cara – he is beautiful and what an amazing name. Congratulations! I’m right behind you, ready to pop w/ baby girl #2 any day now – enjoy all those newborn snuggles 🙂
Amy (Roccaforte) Nordhausen