Many Thanks to Friends and Loved Ones

Collin & I would like to thank everyone for all of your support during this time in our lives. It's very easy to get overwhelmed with the day to day of having a newborn but it's been made so much easier with advice and help from all of you. We are thinking of everyone often but it's just so hard to get to the phone like we used to. The hugs, congratulations, quick questions answered about breastfeeding and sleeping, gifts, and food have help us to navigate all of this territory that was so foreign just a couple of weeks ago. So, to our family, friends, neighbors and co-workers who have been so important in our lives, know that we deeply appreciate all the help you've given. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.:)

5 Weeks Old

Justin has hit the 5 week mark and I can hardly believe we've made it this far. I was talking with a friend last night about the first days of having a baby and how much anxiety there was. Wondering if he's eating enough, cold or hot, does he have gas, why is he crying, will I ever sleep again? It's nice to feel like things are calming down and we are getting to know each other better every day.

We had a big week here. Collin had to go out of town for the night and Justin and I were on our own...ALL NIGHT! I was scared out of my mind and did a lot of crying/worrying, but with many phone calls and visits with friends, I found the courage and made it through. So did Justin. :)

Little Monkey also had his first bottle of breast milk last week and has had two more since. I was really difficult for me to watch him sucking on a bottle for the first time, but Collin and Justin got to do some bonding which was great to see. He took to it like he didn't even know the difference between bottle and breast. I understand that it's a good thing so he will be able to eat even when I'm not here, however it pulled at my heart. I guess it's a first time mommy thing.

The simultaneously loved and hated bottle


It also appears that Justin has started to discover his hands this week. When I put him on the playmat he starts reaching (or at least I think he's reaching) for the toys dangling above him. I even found him staring at his hand the other day. It's really cute!


Who's the Boss? Isn't that Mommy & Daddy's bed?!




There's my thumb

 

 

 

What day is it? Week 4 1/2

So, as you can tell by the title of this post, I officially don't know what day it is anymore. This little boy is keeping me busy...and keeping me from posting more often. :) Justin is napping right now which is something I should be doing too, but I really needed a shower and to get a few things accomplished today. The good news is that we try not to keep it quiet around here at nap time and that means I still get to listen to Colbie Caillat, Rascal Flats, and whatever else is popping up on the ipod.

Zzzzzz...
Little Monkey is starting to nap in his crib right now

 

We had a busy weekend and went to a party at a friends house (by "busy" I mean that we had one activity planned). There were a ton of people there and it was fun to be out in the world. However, we were 2 1/2hours late getting there since Justin decided he wanted to eat, poop, and sleep before we could hit the road. Once we were there we only stayed for about 2 hours before I needed to go home. I was having sensory overload with all of that activity swirling around me. We left the party just as a tournament of beer pong was getting started. Too bad we couldn't enter this year. Times they are a changing.

Justin has started having daily exercise and play time on his play mat. He really likes to be there kicking his little legs and moving his arms. Yesterday it seemed like he might even be reaching for one of the toys. It's a parrot that hangs down and the tail feathers make crinkle noises and have different textures. I helped him reach it and rubbed the different textures on his skin. He just cooed away kicking a bunch. The mat has a mirror in the corner for him to look at and little lights with music that plays under the mirror. It's really fun to watch him learn to play and make noises.








And a few more pics

Day 21, Three Weeks Old

Today marks Justin's third week of life and we couldn't be more proud. There have been a few things that have changed since the last post, so lets see if I can remember them.

1. Last week at his two week appointment Justin was up to 7lbs 10oz which was pretty amazing since only four days earlier he weighed in at 7lbs 2oz. I was a little nervous that he wouldn't make weight for Dr. Khanna, but he packed on the ounces with ease. He's finally starting to fill out all of that loose skin and his cheeks are growing plumper.

2. Justin had is first shot at the doctor's office. I cried more than he did which everyone else thought was really funny. I just felt the hormones rushing through me once again. :) When it was time to take the little bandage off I thought it would be a good idea to do it while he was nursing so that he would be comforted if it hurt. Once again, I cried more than he did when I saw the little red circle of irritated skin.

3. We gave our little monkey his first bath that he enjoyed. All the other ones have included screaming and shivering. He just looked around and let his Grandma T and me pour warm water all over him. Maybe we finally got the water temperature right. HA HA!!

Those are the key things I can remember for now. Each day is passing so quickly now and I'm so engrossed with his needs that I don't even know what day it is most of the time. I'm lucky to shower and get dressed by 11am. I hear that changes after a while and I hope it's true. Justin would probably appreciate a clean smelling mom a little earlier in the day. It's all worth every moment.

My Boys



Better than milk

Day 14, Two Weeks Old!!!

These have been the most emotional, exhausting and exhilarating two weeks of my life. Our little monkey has made it to day 14 and the most amazing part is that we have too! Collin, Justin and I have been falling into a routine at night where I get Justin up and nurse him, Collin changes his diaper and then we try to eat some more. When he is full, I put him on my chest and drift off while Collin waits a few minutes and then puts Justin in his bassinet. So far so good, but it's definitely getting harder to open up my eyes in the dark when I start to hear the squawking. If he could only sleep just a little longer...oh wishful thinking.

The biggest news since our last post is that on day 10 Justin lost his little belly button. We were on a walk and stopped by our friends house to catch up when Collin saw a little something on the sidewalk. To our surprise, it was the button! It must have come off when we were picking him out of his car seat and passing him around. As soon as we got home, I put it in a little baggie not knowing what to do with it and I wasn't willing to let it go yet. It's still in that baggie.

So, now that there is no belly button, we got to give Justin his first real bath last night. He didn't scream nearly as much as I thought he would. I think he might have actually liked it a little. We did learn a few lessons. Next time we will have warmer water and a better set up for the tub since it doesn't really fit in the sink very well and it made for an interesting splash during the tubby.

Things just keep moving along and I can't believe it's already been two weeks. Tomorrow is his two week appointment with Dr. Khanna so we are hoping all goes well.

Here are some more pics...

Little Monkey






Big Guy and Justin




After a good meal




Snuggle time with Mommy




My first bath