Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Our Day in Numbers

Our Day in Numbers:

4: as in AM, which is when we woke up today.

2: the number of times I had to change my outfit due to baby blowouts.

8: the number of times James Robert rolled over! I know I'm his mother, but at 7 weeks old, that seems pretty darn impressive.  He is a master of tummy time!

10+: the number of diapers we went through (I say 10+ because I started to lose count).

1: the number of walks around the neighborhood we took to look at the flowers and trees (a new favorite activity).

12: the number of times Major tried to steal James Roberts wubba.  We have a feeling that Major may have trouble "sharing" toys.

8- the number of times James Robert ate today.

25: the approximate number of times he smiled at his family when prompted. James Robert is a loquacious baby, likely taking after his momma.

42313- number of times I pinched myself for the gift of a happy (most of the time), healthy baby.  I love our little family. 

Monday, April 15, 2013

The Big 3-0

We're acutely aware of the passage of time with a newborn. It seems we're rapidly counting the weeks since James Robert was born [how is it 6 already?] so a landmark 30th Birthday felt especially impressive- 30 years!? Wow!

Mat turned 30 on the 12th and was lucky to have his family travel to Charlotte to celebrate with him. James Robert met Uncle Ben, Aunt Kristen and cousin Kate for the first time!

 
And he was spoiled with love by his visitors.

The weather couldn't have been more perfect to celebrate with a golf themed weekend. Since the occasion coincided with The Masters tournament, it inspired pimento cheese sandwiches, green jackets and of course a full day of golfing.
The little guy also got into the golfing spirit...
More pictures from the weekend here.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

One Month

Happy 1 month birthday, James Robert! 

Weight: 11 lbs and 6 oz.  He is in the 90% for his weight earning him the continued nickname chunky monkey.

Health: He received an exemplary checkup.  He only cried for a few minutes after his hepB shot!

Sleep:  He sleeps better during the day, however, with each passing week has gotten a bit better sleeping at night.  The longest stretch he has slept is 5 hours. He loves to nap with his Daddy and in his swing!

Social: James Robert had SO many visitors in his first month! Both sets of Grandparents, Aunt Nikki and Great Aunt Jan and Uncle Bill traveled to Charlotte.  He also had friends visit from Chicago and Indianapolis- Erin McMahon and Maggie Michaelis.  His first play date was with Julia Culp; and we also hosted Jack Brown for a play date.  A busy social calendar indeed!


Diet: You could set your watch that he wakes up every 2-3 hours to nurse... the boy loves to eat.

Clothes: James Robert is already growing out of his newborn clothes.  Many of his onsies are very tight so we have graduated to 0-3 sizes and some 3 month sizes! Our favorite outfit is this adorable smocked gown that he wore for Easter!


Baby Gear Love: James Robert loves his swing and bouncy seat, both have been invaluable for the first month.  Other favorites have been his magnolia baby swaddle blanket and newfound love for his pacifier.

Crying: The boy has a set of lungs on him!  He came out of the womb kicking and screaming and he likes to exercise that daily.  He usually just fusses when he is woken up or when he is hungry, but in general is a very happy baby.

Likes: Milk, milk and milk.  Oh, and sometimes taking a walk.

Milestones: This month was full of milestones as everything was a first.  Losing his umbilical cord, taking his first bath and first walks were among the most memorable.  He also celebrated his first St. Patty's day and first Easter.

For more pictures from his first month, click here.  

Reflections on the first month

The duration of my labor coupled with a last-minute c-section seems all but a memory now.  After all, when I hold all 11 lbs. and 6 oz of James Robert in my arms, I can't fathom him fitting in my belly.  I also can't fathom our lives without him.

Paramount and perhaps indicative of the joy he has brought to our lives, Mat and I reflected to each other a few days ago how much laughter we have shared since James Robert came into this world.  He is our light and life- he has brought tears of joy and induced tears laughter.  A few memories stand out:

exhibit A
The morning after his birth, I was still practically immobile in the hospital bed so it was Mat's opportunity to change his first diaper.  I looked over just in time to see a panic flash across Mat's face- a combination of all bodily fluid was flowing from the bassinet.  Deemed a code red situation, Mat furiously buzzed the nurse into the room for assistance.  It was all I could do to not bust a stitch with laughter as he listened to the nurse with laser-like focus for instructions.  That moment proved my first inkling of what an incredible father Mat is.

While in the hospital, we were introduced to James Robert's colorful personality.  Purple crying, as we call it, was terrifying at first.  During one of those episodes, a nurse gingerly picked him up, patted him on the back and chuckled under her breath that we had "one of those babies".  Once we got over the initial concern of thinking he had stopped breathing, we realized that he just has a temper.  The boy wants what he wants when he wants it. We have laughed innumerable times about where he may or may not get that from.  Jury is still out.  The joke continues.

Once we came home, James Robert proved to be a party animal.  Like a fraternity boy during Little 500, he slept well into the day only to become lively [read crazy] at night.  We devised a plan to work the night in shifts. Mat would take 7pm-1am and I would take 1am-7am.  Divide and conquer we thought!  I was roused from a semi-sleep one night by singing coming from downstairs.  It was Mat, walking laps around the first floor singing "all the burping babies" to the tune of Beyonce's All the Single Ladies.  Lyrical genius, perhaps not, but forever a memory.  Moral of the story, anything is less painful [including the hysteria of a newborn] when put to song.

Countless moments have been punctuated with the alarmingly adult-like flatulence of James Robert.  It is with both marvel and pride that Mat encourages him to perform his baby duties of eat, sleep and poop.  Coupled with the audible cue, there are facial contortions that provide a warning of what is to come that have us in stitches [exhibit A]. We have never had to worry that he isn't having enough dirty diapers and there is no shortage of laugher to share over bathroom humor.

Motherhood has proved to be a survivor sport.  Without detail needed [this is a family blog after all]  I would like to note that no one could have prepared me for the demands of feeding an infant.  We have had a few if-you-don't-laugh-you'll-cry moments in that department.  Case in point, is facetime while I'm learning to nurse really the best timing?  Modesty and motherhood are not synonymous as I've quickly come to learn.

Beyond the first-month jitters that accompany new parenthood, we have survived and perhaps even thrived through the perpetually bleary-eyed status bestowed upon us.  With laughter, and a immense appreciation for god's blessings, we look back on this first month with fondness.  If laughter is the best medicine, James Robert is sure to bring us healthy abundance.