Week Two

Some updates from the past week...

 We've made it a habit to get out of the house as a family (including Kiah) at least once a day, mostly for my own sanity.  The first week I didn't step outside for four days straight and was way too stir-crazy after that.  So whether it's just heading out on the tundra for some Kiah playtime or running to the AC or Swanson's to pick up a few things, we still get out.  

Growing boy

 We finally have a baby for the Moby Wrap!

 And Zeke finally has a belly button!  His cord stump fell off just short of two weeks.

 Bedtime story with Daddy

 Two weeks old on Sunday!

We had Zeke's two-week appointment today, and he is now 9 lbs. and 21.5 in., so he is growing and all is well!  Multiple people commented on how active he is already.  He can roll from his back to his side.  If you try to straighten his legs, he'll try to bend them.  If you try to bend his legs, he'll try to straighten them.  He also raises his head fairly well for a newborn.  I think he'll be one of those babies who does everything early and will give us a run for our money sooner than later.

Visitors will begin to arrive this week, so we're preparing for the spoiling to begin!

The Postpartum Phase

Forty Weeks

 One Week Postpartum

I can't believe how much room that little guy took up just a few weeks ago.  The difference is crazy.  My swelling has gone down almost completely now, and I have already lost 20 of the 30 pounds total that I gained.  The human body is pretty amazing.  It adjusts so quickly, efficiently, and seamlessly to changes as dramatic as labor, delivery, and entry into the postpartum stage without you even having to think about it.  After a postpartum full body massage, I'm feeling pretty good and plan on continuing healthy exercise, stretching, and relaxation techniques to continue recovery.  I'm excited to practice some infant massage too, in order to help our little guy recover too.  

First Week at Home

We have been home for almost a week!  Zeke was born on Sunday, and we came home on Tuesday.  Zeke is doing great with adjusting to life.  He's not a fussy baby unless he needs something, which we hope is a continuing pattern.  Otherwise he is content to be snuggled up close and sleeping or simply looking around wide-eyed and alert as a newborn can be.  It's hard to believe he is already a week old!  He's so loved by so many already, and we're so thankful for our first precious week with him.

Minutes old, healthy as can be 

 Going home!  

Took it like a champ 

And it was a beautiful, warm, sunny day

Kiah's first peak

I think it's safe to say she'll be just fine

 Great Oma's knitted long socks to keep those little feet and legs warm

Captured moments from the week

First sponge bath, not a fan

 Lots of daddy and son time to get to know each other

First family outing!  An ordinary trip to the store, post office, and play area for Kiah made special with a new family member.

Two redheads in the fam?

First story.  Since Zeke and I didn't go to church this morning so he could build up his little immune system before we go out and about too much, we had some quality awake time together to read a story about how God created him as a blessing for us.

Indeed he has been a blessing already.  We have enough pictures to fill an album from just one week because I want to remember every moment.  Our family life is changing, but we are so happy for this new gift in our lives.

Moose Hunting Trip on the Yukon River

A friend and I decided to take a trip to the Yukon River in hopes of finding a moose about 2 weeks ago. We left early Friday morning with our snow machines, around 6:30 am, in order to be in our hunting area by daylight. Before we left we prayed that God would keep us safe and that we would be blessed with a moose if it be God’s will.  The trip itself is about 70 miles one way, with about 40 of it being wide open, wind swept tundra, which can be treacherous, add to that traveling in darkness. Fortunately for me, my friend works as a game warden and makes this trip on a regular basis. We also decided that we would only take one moose and split it between our families, especially since we were doing this trip in a day. Many times people will set up camp and spend the night on the Yukon, but we decided to try to do it in a day, only planning on spending the night if necessary. It took about three hours to get from Bethel to the tree line of the Yukon, where we could hunt, about 10:00. It didn't take long to find our first moose standing a ways away in a thicket of trees, a big cow. We decided to track the moose by foot. After spending a short period of time following its tracks we spotted it about 800 yards across a meadow. We were eventually able to set up on it at about 300 yards, but never able to get within a reasonable range to take a clean shot. After about an hour of effort we decided to move on and try to find another moose. The rest of the day was incredibly enjoyable, beautiful mountains, warm temperatures, and wildlife. At one point we had a pair of foxes running in front of our snow machines and playing for about 30 minutes, it was fun to watch. The day was winding down, still with no moose, when my friend saw some movement in some really thick willows. We pulled up and stood on the back of our snow machines to see over the top of the willows and saw three big bulls. You could hear them racking there antlers against the willows. Two of them were a little smaller (still big) and one very large.  What was surprising was that they still had there antlers, normally they shed those way earlier. They were moving towards a creek or slough that was on the other side of the willows so we followed. When we noticed that all three were standing out on the slough in the open, we got off our snow machines and worked our way to the edge of the willows in order to get a shot. To our surprise, the big bull, which made the others look small, doubled back towards us and came within 15 yards of us, but the willows were too thick to shoot. After a couple seconds of trying to find a lane to shoot through the willows, I decided to take one of the two bulls standing across the slough, around 120 yards or so.  It was so exciting to be so close to such big and beautiful animals, especially 15 yards from one that had at least a 60 in spread. The one we got was estimated to be around 1100 to 1200 pounds, and had a spread of 54.5 inches on its antlers. Most importantly, it had plenty of meat to provide for both our families for a long time. What a blessing! Goodbye beef and hello moose! The good Lord provided for us, that is for sure. It took about 2 hours to skin, quarter and get in the sled and it took about 4 hours to get home. Between the weight in the sled and the snow storm that blew in, it took a little longer to navigate home, but it just added to the adventure. I was in my own bed by midnight! It was a wonderful day and we were so thankful and blessed. Here are some pictures for you to enjoy if you are interested.