My Punkin' :)

My big boy!

I went to the doctor's office today to weigh Stephen and he had gained 12 ounces in 9 days. He weighs almost 8 pounds now. Here is a video and pictures of my big boy.

Times it is not good to not have a home phone

Stephen and I, like many people now days, do not have a home phone. We only have cell phones. Most of the time this works fine. But there are a few instances when it is not good. One is when the power is out because you can't charge your phone. (We found that out in the ice storm a few years ago when we didn't have power for 4 days).

Today we have a situation that also was not good for not having a house phone.

Stephen's cell phone completely died a yesterday. It won't even turn on. So today I made a little outing to the Verizon store to see if I could use my credit to get him a new phone. I found out I could but even after the credit, all of the descent phones were still at least $99.00 with a 2 year contract. You can get a mail in rebate for like $50.00 but it takes a month to get it. So I went home and went on www.verizonwireless.com and found a phone for the same quality that I could get for free without having to send a rebate in. It should be here tomorrow.

So, Stephen has had no phone all day. Then today when he got home he needed to make a few phone calls so he asked to use my phone. So I went to get it for him but couldn't find it. We looked everywhere. In the car, in my purse, in all the rooms, and in the diaper bag. And because we had no home phone we couldn't call it to see if we could hear it. I finally instant messaged my friend Kelly and got her to call my phone. I didn't hear anything. So all of the sudden we have no phone. Finally after I fed the baby, I decided that I should go back and retrace my steps. The only places I went today were the Verizon Store, and the Post Office. So I ran out to the Verizon Store before it closed. The same lady was still working there and as soon as she saw me she said, "You left something here today" and pulled out my phone. Praise the Lord. I guess I haven't gotten good at juggling a baby carrier, diaper bag, and purse. I guess I will get a lot of practice. :)

My Boys

Free Sample of Dunkin Donut Coffee

I saw this on www.moneysavingmom.com today. Just click on that link and you can sign up for a free sample of coffee.

Transitioning Home

I have been home from my parent's house for about a week now. The transition has gone well so far. Stephen has been sleeping good at night between feedings and during the day for his naps so that has helped. It gives me lots of time to get things done. I have also been blessed to have our church bring meals the past 5 nights so I haven't had to cook.

Baby Stephen has started smiling a little this week. He also took his first real bath (not just a sponge bath) in the baby tub. He looks a little different every day and I can tell he has gained weight. I am going to swing by the doctors office next week and weigh him.

I have gone on a few outings with him. I like to take him in the baby sling so that he is up close to me and not exposed to people or germs. He has ridden with me to Target and Walmart. Today we went to Rite Aid and printed out his pictures for the baby book. We also go on walks when it is sunny. Last night we took him to Gran and Grandpa's house for a few hours so my husband and I could go on a little date. It was nice for us and the grandparents loved babysitting. I think this is an arrangement that everyone will enjoy:)

Yesterday my friend Kelly, her husband Scott, and son Seth came to visit. We had a great time seeing them. Kelly was my roommate in college and we have known each other since high school. I don't get to see her a lot but it is always great to catch up with her when we have the chance.

Today I took this little video of Stephen looking at his mobile for the first time. Sorry that it is sideways.

Farm Animals

This is how Stephen spent almost an hour today. I put these farm animals on his carrier and he starred at them like they were the most interesting thing in the world.Then he realized that if he touched them they would move and he was fascinated by that. This is one of the first times he has been interested in a toy. I would just walk by him from time to time and laugh. It was so cute. I know this is totally lame, first time mommy stuff:) But at least the grandparents will enjoy it! haha.

Tag, I'm It

Ok, I didn't even realize until a few days ago that Sarah tagged me in her blog. She tagged me the day before Stephen was born so needless to say I have been pretty busy since then and haven't been reading people's blogs. But better late than never:) I am going to be like Sarah and only tag 2 people. I will tag Joy and Kelley.

The rules of the tag are as follows:1.Post the rules on your blog.2.Write six random things about yourself.3.Tag six people at the end of your post.4. If you are tagged, JUST DO IT, and pass the tag along.

1. I can now fit back into my pre-pregnancy jeans but I still cannot get my wedding rings back on my fingers.

2. I love "Phantom of the Opera" and have seen it in London, Toronto, and New York.

3. I drove a small cruise boat off the coast of Greece. (the driver asked if I wanted to try when I was there for a trip).

4. My front left tooth is fake. I broke it out playing church basketball when I was 12.

5. I hate the sound of metal scraping on metal.

6. I am for some reason fanatical about checking the door at night to see if it is locked and checking the oven to make sure it is off. I check both several times.

7. I have had 2 surprise birthday parties and both times I was completely surprised!

Good Doctors Report

Today Stephen went to the doctor and he had a good report. I was so glad! He had gained 6 ounces, and his jaundice is a lot better. We will still need to put him in the sun until it is gone but he is on the upswing. Thanks for your prayers! And I LOVE his doctor! He is so nice. His name is Dr. Stafford and he is in downtown Greer. If you are looking for a doctor I would recommend him.

Finally Awake :)

Sleepy Head, and some Visitors

Yesterday I had some more guests come to visit. My friend Holly came to visit and brought me this cool baby sling that her friend makes. I will put a picture of me using it sometime on here. I put baby Stephen in it when I was in Babys R Us today and he loved it. Also Holly's sister Emily came to visit. It was a complete surprise when she showed up at the door! I haven't seen her in years. We all went to college together and it is fun to catch up other than just through email and phone calls.

Then my friend Shari came over around lunchtime and brought lunch. Shari was a youth worker when I was in high school and became kind of a mentor of mine when I was a teenager. Throughout the years we have remained friends and get together from time to time. I love fellowshiping with her.

Today we have been mostly at home (trying to get this baby to eat:) but we did take a little trip to Babys R Us today and used a gift certificate my aunt Becky and Uncle Steve brought me a few days ago. I got lot of things I needed for the baby.

Stephen has been eating better today and for that I am very thankful. We just have to try really hard to keep him awake. He only wants to sleep (as you can see in the video). There was no sun out today so we couldn't put him in the sun. But I am hoping he is on the upswing. He is such a sweet laid back baby. I am enjoying getting to know him better everyday.

More pictures

The grandfathers

3 generations: Stephen with his dad and son

So sweet

Little cutie

Exhausted Mom

I feel better today

Today we had our first appointment with Stephen's pediatrician. It was just what this new mama needed to reassure me that everything is ok. He was so nice. He kept telling me that Stephen is going to be ok and that if we continue with frequent feedings and supplementing a little formula that in a few days Stephen should gain the weight he needs. Also he didn't think his jaundice was bad enough for the blood test. He said to keep and eye on it but unless it gets worse to just keep putting him in the sun. He also said not to worry about his bowel movements. That if he gets enough food then they will work themselves out. He said the worst thing was for me to worry because that would hinder my milk supply. So we are going back Monday for Stephen to be weighed and for him to check the jaundice. But just having those reassuring words from this fatherly-like doctor was wonderful for me. And Stephen did good with the circumcision. He didn't cry as much as I thought he would. In fact he slept most of the way home. So that is the update. Thanks for the prayers and comments. I will post more pictures soon. I know that is what you really want to see:)

Say a little prayer for baby Stephen

If you don't mind, say a little prayer for our baby. There is nothing serious but when he went to his 1 week checkup today they said his jaundice is worse. I am going to have to nurse him every 2 hours around the clock and my mom is going to have to top him off with formula for a few days to try and wash everything out of his body. Also we have to put him in the sun 3 times a day for 15 minutes. All of this has made him really tired today. He has hardly made a peep for hours. Also it makes it hard to feed him because he only wants to sleep. But he has lost weight so he needs to seat. So please pray that all of this would get better soon. Pray he will eat well and have some good poops. Pray for me to have grace as I will be exhausted feeding him this much. Also our poor little fellow has his circumcision tomorrow on top of all of this and will have a blood test for his jaundice. Thank you for your prayers.

Chillin' with the family

Finally getting to celebrate Mom's birthday. Here she is with her favorite gift!

Tara and Baby Stephen

Getting ready for a walk!

Jennifer and baby

Dad, Mom, Jennifer and Baby

Cuteness!

Birth Story - Stephen Richard Burch

Well as many of you may know by now my contractions were real and our son was born on Tuesday night at 9:07pm. He was 7 lbs and 10 ounces and 20 inches. We named him Stephen Richard Burch. Richard is Tara's dad's name. And Stephen is also Stephen's dad's name. We were able to honor both of the grandfather's in this way and the godly legacy they have given to us.

Anyway I know many of you wanted to hear the birth story and now that I have a little time I will try to write about it briefly.

I did not go the traditional route with my pregnancy and my delivery. I have done the whole process with a midwife and the birthing center called "Blessed Births" near downtown Greenville.

I have really enjoyed the personal prenatal care of a midwife throughout my pregnancy and all of nutrition information they have given me. I really wanted to try and have a natural pregnancy and delivery and they have been so wonderful in all the care they have given me. I really wanted to have a completely natural delivery and really trusted my midwife (She is amazing. She has delivered 1000s of babies) but I knew there is always a possibility things may not turn out the way I had desired so I had to give that to the Lord.

But everything worked out even BETTER than I could have thought. Tuesday I started having contractions as I wrote earlier. I don't know what made me start early. I have been taking some wonderful herbs made by "Nature's Sunshine" called "5 Weeks" that my midwife recommended taking the last 5 weeks of pregnancy prepare your body for the delivery. I also had been walking a lot. Either way it was God's plan for him to come almost 2 weeks early:) On my mom's birthday!

I worked until my normal time on Tuesday but on the way home my contractions kept coming regularly. I got home and called my midwife again and she told me to wait a little longer and see if they got even harder. So I finished backing my bags and called Stephen. He decided to come home from work. Finally my contractions got so painful that I was nauseous. So Amy told me to come in so she could check me. When I got there I was dialated to 4 centameters. We tried to decide if I should stay or go home for a little while but I decided I did not want to take a chance and it is good that I didn't! We got set up in the birthing room and it was great. There were no forms to fill out, no IV to put in my arm, no machines to hook me up to, no people there except my sweet husband and Amy. The room looked like a bedroom and was quiet with only a little light. I was able to lay on my side with a pillow between my legs and just relax between contractions and was really able to concentrate because there were no distractions. Then they starting getting harder and harder. I had thought about getting in the tub but Amy said she didn't recommend it because she said I was laboring well and sometimes a tub would slow the labor down. I said "No! I don't want anything to slow it down. I want it over!" She was checking the baby's heartbeat regularly. Soon I felt like I needed to start pushing. It all happened so fast. In two hours I went from 4 to 10 centamenters! I think even Amy was surprised. I will spare all the details here but I soon was pushing. Really it was almost a relief. The pushing didn't hurt very much compared to the contractions. Stephen was so encouraging and so was Amy. Not much longer and our son was here. Amy said his ambilical chord was around his neck so she had to unwrap it but as soon as he took his first breath he turned all red and was fine. She laid him on my tummy and Stephen cut the chord.

Stephen held him while she finished examing me and taking care of me. After I fed him, our parents came and held him and took some pictures. Then we bundled him up and all tried to get a little sleep. Stephen and would just stare at him in amazment. He slept a lot of the night but I couldn't sleep much:) The next day we got all checked out and then went to my mom and dad's house to stay for a week. It has been great. Mom and Stephen have taken such good care of me. Baby Stephen is doing well and breast feeding well. I took him back to the birth center today for a check up. He only has a little jaundice but everything else looked good. He has a pediatrician appointment in a week. We are very thankful for all of our blessings during this time. Thank you for all of the text messages, voicemails, Facebook messages, and prayers. We are thankful for all of your love and encouragment as we make the transition into parenthood.

Ouch Ouch Ouch

Ok so today I have been having contractions. They started this morning about 9:30am and now it is 1:50pm. I thought they were Braxton-Hicks contractions but I just called and they may be early labor contractions. She said I should know within a few hours. Either way I guess I am getting a small taste of how labor will feel. I need a lot of grace:) I am at work and was planning on working till the end of the week but now I have no idea what will happen. Stephen likewise is in the middle of a deadlines with work. But God knows the best timing. So right now I will do what they say and try to ignore them as much as possible (yeah right) and wait to see if they get more intense. But they have been pretty regular all day. So we will see. Baby Burch may be wanting to make an early appearance, and if not my body is working real hard to practise for the real birthday. Oh speaking of birthdays, today is my mom's birthday. I wonder if she has been praying for her grandson to come on her birthday? hum...

Less than 2 weeks till due date!

I cannot believe it. But the time is getting closer and closer by the day. I still feel pretty good although I feel very large, off balance, and clumsy. I am having Braxton-Hicks contractions but they generally do not hurt. I have packed a majority of my bag to take to the delivery and for the baby plus other things to take to my mom's house. I am staying at her house for about a week after I have the baby for her to take care of me. I will try to post an update of what is going on in the Burch household soon. There are lots of changes and transitions! The baby of course being one part to that. (Stay tuned.) I am thankful the Lord goes with us through life each step of the way. I also will update the blog with baby pictures whenever our baby decides to grace us with his presence. I hope everyone had a good weekend. The Lord has really encouraged me the past few days with reminding me how he provides. He is teaching me more and more to trust Him. I hope the Lord has been teaching you some great truths as well!

I Enjoyed This Interview

I really enjoyed this interview that Mark Driscoll did with John Piper. It was so honest and transparent. It humbles me and amazes me that a man that is so well known and looked up to will be so truthful about struggles in marriage, parenting, mid-life "crisis", etc. But I also enjoyed hearing about his family growing up and just practical things from his life. It is kind of long but if you have some time it is worth listening to. If you would rather watch the video of the interview you can click on this link and scroll down to the end of the article.