After a long journey, our bundle of joy has finally arrived.  David Nicholas Crundwell arrived early in the morning on December 5, 2009.  A small turkey, he weighed in at 8 lbs. 6 oz. and a power forward in the making at 21 inches.  We spent two days at the hospital, he was healthy and was able to come home on Monday.

Sandy and I were so happy to have him home and to start the next chapter in our life.  It’s amazing what little things you notice.  Right away, I saw that David’s lower lip quivers when he cries.  How small the fingers and toes are.  The sharp finger nails, and how he has nearly as much hair on his head as his father.   It’s been interesting to see the dog’s reaction and how he’s still not so sure about David.  He doesn’t like it when Dave is in daddy’s lap.  Casey thinks that belongs to him.

The only issue was eating.  It took a long time to get him to feed.  Sandy’s milk wasn’t yet in so that was the challenge.  Our first night was a very long one, not knowing he was hungry was the issue.  He wouldn’t breastfeed so we initially thought he wasn’t hungry. He was up all night crying and two parents who took turns consoling him. 

As a new father, I have to say it was one of the toughest nights emotionally I’ve ever had.  I can see how new parents who aren’t mature enough can do things to their little ones to hurt them.  You definitely feel helpless not being able to get a crying baby to stop.  David likes it when I sang to him…all that church choir training came in handy.   Singing to him didn’t even console him.  It was tough.  Since he wouldn’t breastfeed, off to Marsh I went for a bottle of formula.  That helped a bit, but he still wasn’t happy.

So after a very long night and a visit to the pedetrician first thing in the morning we got the answers we were looking for.  She got us through our concerns and sent us on our way.  So after feeding him a second time, we finally got him to sleep.  (Then we got some as well.)  The other good news is Sandy is now producing milk so, if we have to bottle feed him breast milk, that’s still better than formula.

Best part, he sleeps in his car seat.  So if that works then great.  Even changing diapers hasn’t been that bad.

I think the Lord tested us last night, but we passed.  I’m sure we’ll have many more sleepless nights, but like last night we’ll pass the test.   In the end, it will all be worth it.