I’m 35 weeks pregnant this week — and we got to bring our precious baby boy that we’re fostering home from the NICU on Wednesday!!
All three kids have anxiously been waiting for two weeks to get to meet this very loved baby boy! They have willingly stayed home 24/7 to protect our home from germs, done the bulk of the laundry, cooking, and cleaning while I was taking care of this little guy at the NICU, and have talked incessantly about the day we would get to bring him to our house!
It brought tears to my eyes to see my husband and kids loving on this tiny boy whom I have fallen so in love with the past two and a half weeks. (See a video here.)
Welcome to our home, Champ. We already love you more than you can imagine. Our heart and hope is for you to have reunification with your mama, but we promise to love you, care for you, and advocate for you as long as we get to be your foster family.
(Note: We debated over what “internet name” to give this sweet guy and finally all decided on Champ. Because though he is little, he is so strong. And I kept finding myself reporting to people that he did this or that “like a champ”. I realized it was the perfect moniker for him online! Also, thank you for your understanding that there’s a lot we can’t share when it comes to photos and details. While everything in my mama heart wants to show the world how cute and amazing he is and how proud I am of how much progress he is making, protecting his privacy and story is much more important to us.)
Highlights:
It’s pretty surreal and special to get the opportunity to love on a tiny little newborn during the last few weeks of my pregnancy. Since I’m the only one who is trained to feed him right now (and he eats every 3 hours) and he’s still adjusting to being in a different bed/place after weeks in the NICU, my sleep has been a little on the short side this week.
However, God has been so faithful to carry me through — through the 24-hour stay with him at the hospital so the nurses could observe my care of him and make sure I was ready to bring him home, through a few relatively sleepless nights, and through so many meetings/appointments with various medical professionals about his long term medical needs.
I’m learning so much and feel like I add new words and terms to my vocabulary every day! Also, this whole having babies with older kids is just about the best.thing.ever!!! Jesse and the kids have done SO much this week and the transition has honestly felt so smooth and easy, thanks to them!
Notable:
I feel like my belly popped yet again this week and I outgrew more clothes! Baby has been SO active and seems very healthy.
I’m also having much more intense contractions — which is very common for me in the last month. I get to start weekly ultrasounds next week and I’m excited to get to see our little babe on the screen again! We’re also hoping maybe just maybe baby will cooperate and we’ll be able confirm the gender with the DNA test.
We have almost everything ready except we need to buy another car seat, finalize a few things for the birth, and pack the hospital bags. I also am hoping to get Champ all adjusted to sleeping in his bed in our room and need to get Jesse and Kathrynne trained on making bottles and feeding/caring for him. (We’re supposed to have a nurse come stay at our house to care for him during my birth, but I still want to have some backup!) I don’t expect to go early, so I should have time!
Katy in Africa says
I just want to say, even though I know it’s difficult, I think it’s really wise that you’re being careful about sharing details of his story to the public. Keep up the good work!
Crystal Paine says
Thanks for your encouragement!
Sarah E Thompson says
You might be nursing two babies!!
Crystal Paine says
Due to foster care rules, that is not allowed, but I will definitely be likely doing a lot of nursing one and bottle feeding the other at the same time — if I can work that out!
Alerie says
You look so healthy, vibrant, and content!
Crystal Paine says
Aw, thank you!!
Melissa says
So sweet. God bless you as you love and nurture little Champ, and prepare to give birth as well. Blessings and prayers.
Crystal Paine says
Thank you so much!
Adrienne says
Champ is the perfect name! 🙂
Crystal Paine says
🙂
Julie Swihart says
So precious!!! What a beautiful thing.
Jeanne says
Truly amazing at any time, but during this period it’s even more important. Thank you and thank your entire family. Here’s to your next crazy, sleepless few months.
Crystal Paine says
Thank you for your encouragement!
Celeste says
You are truly a God blesses woman. A beautiful family, caring for a “ new” member of your family while preparing for the birth of another newborn and posting for us.. you’re amazing. May you have a smooth and quick delivery and God bless you and yours.
Celeste
Crystal Paine says
Thank you so much for your sweet encouragement!
Patricia says
You are an amazing mama and I’m so thankful for people like you and your family take in and to care for these tiny and precious little ones with even your own little one coming soon. It looks like these precious “gifts” from God will be loved so much and cared for by your whole family. Cherish these moments and God bless you all. Prayers for this big transition time and another one to come.
Crystal Paine says
Thank you so much!
Rachel says
This is so beautiful, and such a precious story! I can’t imagine giving him up after all this, but you are so loving to wish him reunited with his mama.
And, btw, you are absolutely glowing and gorgeous at 35 weeks!
Thank you for sharing this side of your life with all of us. I’m over here loving and gushing over all the smooshy newborn stuff!
Hugs!
Crystal Paine says
Thank you so much for your encouragement!
Casey Smith says
As much as you feel lucky to have him, he is very lucky to have you and your family to care for such a sweet little angel!
I’m 27 weeks with my second and just started to get her nursery ready. It’s fun to look at all of my son’s baby things again that we’ll get to reuse!
Crystal Paine says
Congratulations on being 27 weeks — that’s SO exciting!!
Melissa says
Wow you look great. I am a look on the bright side kind of person. For you the bright side of this virus is you have all your kids at home during this time of adjustment. What a blessing and what a blessing for them to be able to school at home and spend time with Champ and the new baby coming. They will truly never forget these times. The memories being made are so special.
Crystal Paine says
I’m a bright side kind of person, too, so have been looking for all of the blessings!
Patti says
Warmed my heart and you are so beautiful inside and out!!!!
Denise says
So thrilled that Champ is home with you guys!
Crystal Paine says
Thank you for your encouragement!
Andrea Bell says
You are a beautiful pregnant woman, you absolutely glow. The ways of God are amazing, to go from longing for a baby for years to having two in a matter of weeks 🙂 Keep up being awesome!!
Crystal Paine says
Yes! God does work in ways that we just never dream or imagine, doesn’t He??
Lydia says
Absolutely amazing how God has worked! You were told there was almost no chance you could have another baby and not you will have TWO infants in your house!❤️
Crystal Paine says
It still never ceases to amaze me! God’s plans are truly far beyond what we could dream or imagine!
Svitlana says
Hi Crystal,
I’ve learned so much over the years following your blog. Thank you, you such an encouragement.
I have noticed in one of the previous posts that you drink raspberry leave tea. I did, too when I was pregnant with my baby #3 ( I have 4 now). And I also experienced intense contractions starting about 6th month in. I delivered her 3 weeks early. Later though I’ve learned that raspberry leaves have properties that promote uterine contractions. It is usually suggested for women who tend to go over their due date.
Research it for yourself though.
Thank you again, I am your biggest fan.
Crystal Paine says
Yes! I drank it with all of my pregnancies — I usually go over my due date (the only time I went early was when I was induced due to health issues) and have found that the contractions in the last 4 weeks seem to make my labors much easier. However, if you start drinking it earlier and you experience intense contractions, you definitely should stop. I’ve heard that some women are super sensitive to RRL so I always tell people to talk to your midwife/dr first and make sure that you pay close to attention to how it affects your body.
Karen Lindsey says
Precious!! So happy to hear he is home. Praying for all of you! Thank you for the updates.
Crystal Paine says
We are so grateful to have him home!
Becky says
You. Are. Incredible. God bless you and your family.
Crystal Paine says
Thank you so much! So grateful for my amazing family who are helping out so much to make this all happen!
Jerelyn says
Yes Crystal you are a very special person. May God Bless you, your family, and Little Champ always.
Thank you for all you do. I’m so touched by your goodness and strength.
Sincerely,