Welcome tiny overlord!

I have meant so many times to sit down and write up a post about all the things we've had going on recently.  We traveled to Peru, to Iceland, finished our landscaping and remodeled our kitchen.  But the biggest news for us is the news that our life was changing permanently - we were becoming a family of three!  We were so thrilled (and terrified) when we found that we were expecting.  I settled down into what was a mostly routine pregnancy.  Since I was 39 when we found that our baby was coming, and turned 40, the pregnancy was classified as high risk.  However, all the genetic screening and perinatologist exams showed that our little boy was developing perfectly.  We also found out that I am homozygous for the MTHFR mutation - meaning that I am deficient in the enzyme that converts homocysteine to methionine.  I was taking a modified pre-natal vitamin that contained a pre-modifed version of folic acid to make up for this deficiency, and all seemed well.

However, another side effect of this mutation is an increased risk for pre-term birth; this particular risk was realized and our tiny overlord joined us 5 weeks early.  We welcomed Nathaniel Seals Hall on January 24, 2017.  He picked a beautiful day to be born, blue skies with big white clouds.  He was in a rush, and was born in less than 12 hours once my labor began, at 7:39 pm.  He weighed 5 pounds, 15 oz, and was 18 3/4 inches long.  He spent the first night next to me in recovery, but the next morning had to be admitted to NICU.  His blood sugar never stabilized, and he required a dextrose IV and monitoring, along with supplemental formula.  The staff at Simi Valley Hospital were fantastic, supporting us completely through it all.  He only had to stay 48 hours, and then he was discharged.  We took him home that Friday.

We've now had him home a little over a week, and our tiny overlord has indeed changed everything.  I never thought I could love my husband that much more, and that I could feel how much my heart has grown with Tate's entrance into the world.  As I keep telling Jay, it has clarified so many things for me.  I am even happy during our 3 am feedings, getting to hold this little person close to me while the rest of the world sleeps.  Caring for him is both terrifying and the greatest pleasure.  I feel entirely unqualified, but determined to do my very best for him.

Getting a bottle from Dad, showing off the cutest baby toes I have ever seen!