Our First Week with Russell!

Well, it has now been a week since I had Russell. Things really couldn't be better.

My labor was short and pretty easy, and my recovery has been much the same. I feel great and we are all doing well. When we were dismissed from the hospital, I was anxious to give my baby girl some loves too, but when we arrived home, she only wanted to see one person, her new brother. 

The hospital had a policy that no one under 14 could visit, so I hadn't seen my daughter for over 2 days. The first thing Kel asked me is if she could hold him. That first time lasted about 30 seconds and then she was done with him. She still wants to hold him lots and she wants to give him hugs and kisses all the time. There have been a few times when she told me to put him down and come be with her, but overall, she is adjusting well.

We have had lots of fun visitors. Russell is quite an attraction.  We've had a few meals brought in by family and sisters in the ward, for which we are all grateful. 

Seeing Matt with Russell just makes me smile. Nothing the same as a dad with his boy. Matt keeps calling him "brother", I have caught myself calling him "little man" and Keldrie has stuck with "Baby Russell". 

As you can tell from the watermark on these pictures, we've had some pictures taken already. These were actually taken at the hospital and are now on their way here! Hooray! 

The thing I was most worried about was breast-feeding. I gave up with Keldrie when she was only 3 days old and I had some days of regret about that. I told myself that this time I would give it at least a few weeks and not let the pain be the reason I give up. After all, I got through childbirth so I should be able to endure that, right? I am very happy to report that we are still at it. It has been hard at times, but we are doing so much better than I could have hoped at this point. Everyone told me that the first two weeks are the hardest, so I've got that light at the end of the tunnel. 

Overall, I'm happy to say that we love him and are happy that he is a part of our family forever. Having him has made me remember and appreciate so much that we are a forever family and that we have the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives. I am so happy that I have a supportive and appreciative husband who loves me unconditionally. I now have 2 little miracles in my life and I am so grateful for them both. I'd say that I can't wait to get to know Russell better, but I'm quite enjoying him in the infant stage. I don't want him to grow up very fast at all. I want to enjoy and remember every day.