Two Weeks Today!

Today I turned two weeks old! It is hard to believe. At my pediatricians visit on Friday I weighed in at 8lbs 5oz - over a pound heavier than I was born! I got a clean bill of health in addition to that. My favorite activities at the moment include... eating, sleeping, and getting changed. So far so good at letting my parents get some sleep at night. I usually just wake up once per night (their fingers remained crossed).

Visitors

Delia is pleased to announce that a steady stream of visitors have come by to meet her. She wows everybody by being extra sweet and alert when company is over. Last weekend she met her Great Grandma and Grandpa Enright as well as her Mama's very excited cousin Megan.

Tonight Mama's friends Dasha and Nate came by (they had just landed from Kenya!). Also Adam came by to try and put Delia to sleep again, but her parents said it was too early for bedtime, and kept her awake and be social. In addition Jessica and Isaac came by too. Jessica and Delia share the same birthday!

Home Sweet Home

To all of our excitement, we came home from the hospital on Wednesday. Delia has proven to be a good sleeper (or as good as we could ask for). With a multitude of naps during the day and a couple three hour chunks between feedings at night. Which brings us to feedings... as of Friday's pediatric appointment she is 7lb 9oz! In other words her appetite is good and hardy. After losing 4oz postpartum she has reversed the trend and has put on 9oz. This is no doubt a tribute to the fact that her and Tara definitely get along, if you know what I mean.

She has had a few visitors so far. Great Aunt Alice was working at Georgetown Hospital while we were there, so she got first honors to say hi. Then on Thursday Mama's friend Adam stopped by. He was of great help as he held Delia for two hours while she slept on his chest! Mama and Daddy took the opportunity to eat dinner as semi-civilized adults at the table while conversing about things other than poop with Adam (well we probably talked about poop some).

This evening Elva and James stopped by with their pride and joy Ramona. Both Delia and Ramona slept the majority of the visit, while both sets of parents enjoyed catching up and having conversation. We met E&J in one of our G'Town birthing classes and hit it off quickly. They had a similar mindset as to their wishes for the birth and we quickly began to share literature, information, etc. Elva and Tara took prenatal yoga together and they were very supportive of Tara as Josh was away.

A highlight of the day (although the little things: sounds, faces, gestures, movements, are in and of themselves quite extraordinary) was the photographer that came to take photos this morning. Team Gill spent an hour taking photos in the house and in the nearby Eastern Market area. It was great fun, though Delia was worn out by its end, and we look forward to sharing photos in the near future.

Speaking of photos: here are a couple from our time in the hospital and being at home.

Delia has arrived

Delia Marie Gill was born into this world on August, 2nd at 5:13am at Georgetown Hospital. Mom and Baby D are doing exceptional. Delia weighed in at 7lbs4oz and was 20.25in long. Mom labored for around 24hrs in total with half at home and the last stretch at the hospital. The staff in the Georgetown labor and delivery ward were great. Particular kudos must be extended to our labor/delivery nurse, Pam. She was an old hat at traditional birthing and fully supported, defended, and assisted Tara and I in achieving a natural delivery. Tara was at her determined best throughout the labor and really shined in the final stages delivering Delia to a full-house of medical onlookers in awe of her seeing through a drug free birth. She also wowed all the nurses with her sense of maternity style (thanks Elva and James!) sporting a sassy lil gown throughout the process.

I remain in awe of the entire process and the strength, determination, and perseverance of my lovely wife. Seeing Tara and Delia together for the first time humbled and touched me in a way that I frankly do not have adequate enough vocabulary to describe. Neither of these things rarely afflict me so I am quite sure that this was a watershed event.

Delia is adjusting nicely to life on the "outside." As this is my first rodeo with birthing babies I am not sure how other babies typically react in their first few hours of life on Planet Earth. Perhaps it is a result of a drug free delivery but, Baby D is an extremely aware baby. She opened her eyes early after birth and has had them open ever since, save a cat nap or two. She has not went into a deep, multi-hour sleep rather has spent her first 12 hours on earth looking to and fro as well as feeding with mama. I have been able to attract her attention and maintain sustained eye contact with her on multiple occasions. An awe inspiring set of circumstances for those yet unaware of the deceptive strength that a baby possesses, particularly your own! She is also remarkable settled meaning she is not overly fussy and cries very little and only for small periods. She truly is a remarkable addition to Team Gill!