2 Weeks

Today was Eli's 2 week follow up appointment (he's 2 weeks and 4 days old- wow time flies). Can't time just slow down so I can keep my tiny newborn baby just the way he is? Eli is a great eater, so that's not going to happen. At his first check up he had already gained 4oz. Today he weighed 8lbs 4 oz. and is 21 1/8in long. So overall he's gained a pound and grown a little bit longer. He's long and lean and just the cutest! He had his second set of blood work done, and my mama powers out weighed my I-faint-when-I-see-blood powers and we both made it through just fine. Eli is a bit cranky from it though so we will just have to cuddle up in bed the rest of the day like THIS. No need to twist my arm, it's my favorite!

Today It's Snowing

Winter just won't give up on us this year. I know it's Alaska and these things happen, but I've had spring fever for a while and I could go for some leaves on the trees and sun on my face. That's not how the cookie is crumbling though, so I thought I'd make the best of the snow (Eli's first snow!) and get a picture. I put him in one of his many snow suits that are too big. He's like a tiny little peanut in the top of that thing, before the legs start. He stayed asleep the whole time and obviously doesn't know what it's like outside, but it's these small moments that get a mama excited you know?! Then we went back inside for some more cuddle time, because Eli is a cuddly baby and just wants to be close all the time. Also, because he's the cutest, and it's cold outside, so getting under the covers with my snuggly baby is obviously the best thing to do.

10 Things I Love About Eli

Eli at 4 days old

1. His big beautiful eyes
2. His super soft baby skin and fuzzy head
3. How he loves to stare out the window
4. His super serious face, and furrowed brow that just make me laugh
5. His little ears and their soft tufts of hair
6. His dimples! Both cheeks, oh they melt my heart!
7. His super strong neck. His ability to lift his head and move it already is crazy
8. His long fingers and feet that are too big for gloves and socks
9. The squeaky baby noises he makes when he's asleep
10. The way he waves his arms around like a little wizard casting spells

If you can believe it I could have posted a wayyy longer list and wayyy more photos. Oh I love this boy!

A Babe & A Name

Eli: High, ascended, or 'My God." In Hebrew the name Eli means the offering or lifting up. My God; my God.

Jensen: For Dan's Grandpa John Jensen. 

Last week our baby boy finally joined us! Eli Jensen Hill. It's hard to find the motivation to post when I've got baby snuggles to take in, but I think I'm ready to get back to documenting life. We are learning the ins and outs of having a newborn and ooo-ing and awww-ing over his every move. I've never been happier! Our new family of three is the sweetest and we are enjoying every last second we have together. Thanks for all the love and support everyone has shown us! xoxo

The Ginger Tea Experiment

40 weeks + 5 days pregnant. Oy!

It's 5 days overdue Anne here reporting for duty. Didn't mean to not post for so long and confuse everyone about baby Hill's arrival. He has yet to come and I am still pregnant, which is more pregnant than I want to be. I prefer my baby on the outside! So we've been trying the different ways to get labor started (within the confines of bed rest), the old wives tales if you will, because I'm desperate. Primrose oil, acupressure, vitamin Dan- ha!, spicy foods, sitting on a birth ball. I was most convinced on one from the Dominican Republic/Puerto Rico where you boil down a chopped ginger root until it's a crazy strong tea. Enter the ginger tea experiment.

Peel and chop a fresh ginger root, boil in water until you've got a super strong tea, so strong it's practically undrinkable. Next add copious amounts of sugar until it becomes slightly drinkable and try to chug it down. Try to ignore the horrible burning sensation in your throat. Oh the burning! It will be terrible! But you keep going because you reallllly want to have this baby. Drink the entire cup of tea. Don't be like me. Do not get half way through, only to begin throwing it up again. Stupid strong gag reflex! I couldn't finish. Post tea night I did have some contractions, but only really sporadic and pretty light. I'll never know if the ginger tea experiment could have been successful. 

So send all your baby having thoughts and well wishes my way! I really need it!

Due Date

Today is the day! Both Dan and I feel like baby Hill is just too comfortable though and won't be joining us quite yet. Guess we will have to wait and see. He does have...oh 13 hours to prove us wrong. Until then we will be in bed playing old board games and reading books, living the bed rest life. It's kind of annoying how arbitrary due dates are. One of the biggest moments of your life just hangs in the air, waiting to come, but you just don't know when. Does not do wonders for my impatient soul. I'll just try to soak up these last moments of pregnancy, like eating chocolate or drinking juice so people in my family can feel baby dance around. Or savor the full nights sleep we have been getting together at night. That one is sure to be a precious memory.

Maternity Photos

I had maternity photos taken when we were back in Idaho by the wonderful Aly Willis Photography. I couldn't have chosen a yuckier weather week but she made it look amazing out! Dan had class so it was another solo show for me and the bump, but I'm happy to have these to look back on for this wonderfully happy time in both of our lives. I'm really relating with the last photo in this post this week too. Ready to POP! You feel me ladies?!

38 Weeks

I could regale you all with a story about how boring bed rest is, but it wouldn't be regaling at all. Really it's a lot of sleeping, and then restlessness, followed by some bed rest insomnia, baby kicks, repeat cycle. It's much better with Dan back though because we can work on stuff together even with me in bed. Plus he takes me on jail breaks like THIS even though it's bed rest illegal! We have all the baby stuff put together, hospital bag packed, and car seat in the car. So now we are playing the waiting game. When will baby Hill come?! According to my midwife definitely not until next week. Maybe he will be extremely punctual and come right on his due date. Only time will tell, but until then I'm really uncomfortable AND really anxious to meet our little guy!

Jail Break

We had a little bed rest jail break after my doctor's appointment this week. I guess that makes me the worst patient ever, but I promise I went home and got in bed right after. We just couldn't resist the allure of delicious Bear's Tooth food plus going on an actual date after a month apart! The calamari alone is worth it, no lie. I ordered everything spicy because they say that's one way to get the baby out of you. Guess what? THEY are liars. Still pregnant over here ;) But seriously even my dessert was spicy, I had the ancho chile brownie. Chocolate goodness to start, burning tongue to finish. There was not enough ice cream on that bad boy to put out that fire. Whew!

He's Back!

Insert sigh of relief here. Our biggest worry with our moving back to Alaska plan was Dan not making it home in time for baby boy's arrival. (Which is just silly now that we are playing the waiting game). He's back and he's graduated! Congratulations my love.

Dan and Bryan rocked the trip out in less than three days and with only one "incident" if you will. So they spent some extra time in Whitehorse getting some new tires to replace a shredded one, and had an interesting / cold time trying to find somewhere to sleep until morning. Way to go you road warriors. I can hardly believe our little car has driven the Alcan four times now, four! It's got the mileage to prove it. Anyways, If I don't get to come on the adventure it's always requisite that I get photos from along the way. Here's a bit of the journey.