Okay, it's been since FEBRUARY since I posted. So sorry!

The last time I blogged I was pregnant, and we were preparing to put our condo on the market to sell it. After that it is a blur....

Our condo sold the first day it was on the market, we househunted for a month or so before we found our new home, and we closed on it in 25 days and moved in. The moving days were crazy - I was 8 months pregnant and having Braxton-Hicks contractions like crazy. The movers left a chair in the living room for me to sit in, and set up the La-Z Boy for me in the living room in the new house. I directed traffic from the chairs.

I unpacked like a madwoman knowing that once the baby was born I'd get nothing done, and that is pretty much what happened. Seven weeks after we moved in (and one week early), Nathaniel Hudson Firemark was born. He was 6 lbs. 5 ounces and 19.5 inches long.

Giving birth was an amazing experience. I had hoped to give birth without any medications at all, but after 16 hours I had only dialated 5 cms and my blood pressure was high and Nate's heart rate kept dropping, so my OB recommended an epidural and pitocin. Given the circumstances, I was willing to do that - though I have to say I did not feel like I needed the epidural for pain management. We did a hypnobirthing class, and I found that it really worked for me! Anyway, four hours after I got the epidural I was fully dialated, and 20 minutes of pushing later, Nate was born. Incredible experience overall, and the medical staff was amazing both during and after delivery. Nate was put right on my tummy and we looked into each other's eyes for the first time. For me, it was like looking into the face of God. I was filled with awe and joy.

Since his birth, we've hardly gotten anything unpacked. Still working on a few areas of the house! Motherhood so far has been wonderful, challenging, exhausting, fulfilling, and joyful. Nate is a calm, happy baby, and I love watching him explore the world day by day. So fun!

I have lots more to share about health, the BTD, and motherhood, but I'm wiped out. I do promise to write more frequently and keep up with the blog a bit more.

In the meantime, here is a link to photos of Nate and the rest of us:

gallery.me.com/casswoman/100136

That oughta keep you busy for a while.

Cassandra