1 Month!!

Henry is officially 4 weeks old or 1 month old today..not sure if you count it still as weeks at this point or not. I can’t believe we have already hit this milestone! Time really is flying by. Every day is a new adventure and we continue to learn more and more about one another. I am still breast feeding but also supplementing with a little formula a couple times a day too. Breast feeding really has been the most challenging part for me. It’s not that it’s uncomfortable as I am actually pretty lucky and have had zero problems in that department. The biggest obstacle for me is not knowing exactly what he is getting in regards to ounces per feeding. My son is constantly hungry. If it was up to him I swear he would eat ALL day long! It makes me wonder if he is not getting enough breast milk but when I pump without feeding him I am getting a really good amount so I am certain that he is getting a sufficient amount. Plus he is having enough wet and soiled diapers each day and even more apparent is gaining some chubby cheeks! I guess I just have a hungry boy on my hands! We go in for his one month check up on Monday and will get all his stats. This will help me know exactly how well we are doing in the weight gain department. My guess is he is about 10 lbs now – but that is strictly a guess. The other hard part with breast feeding is Henry seems to have a sensitive digestive system and reacts to foods I eat fairly easily with a lot of gas. I am trying really hard to watch what I eat to try to limit this but it’s not easy. I feel so bad for him at times as I can hear his little belly gurgling and the sounds that come out of that little body are pretty outrageous sometimes! Actually I have a funny story on that note…So it was Valentine’s dinner and Chris made us seafood fettuccine and we sat Henry in his chair on one side of the dinner table so he could join us. As we were toasting a loud sound exploded from our son. Yep, he had to add is own toast and add a whole new level of romance. It was a nice reminder that things certainly have changed! LOL

Some other highlights in the past 4 weeks:
- Within hours of birth he was constantly cooing. Most babies don’t find their voices like this for a few weeks. Pretty incredible sound! He actually even laughs in his sleep...super entertaining in the middle of the night.
- At 12 days old he folded his hands together (in his sleep) and last night he brought his hands together again while drifting off to sleep
- During week 3 he started to focus on faces..I really love this part as we really seem to be connecting.
- During week 4 mom caught him on two occasions sucking his thumb..not surprised as he will suck anything you give him! He has caught my neck a couple times and I thought he might leave a nice baby hickey...so classy! ;o)
- He can hold his head steady when upright...very impressed with his strong neck
- He smiles a lot in his sleep…still haven’t had a big smile while awake but I swear I have seen a smirk or two and I think he has at least one dimple on his right cheek...can't tell if the left one has one too or not.
- He can lift his head briefly when on his stomach but still is not a big fan of being on his stomach unless he is laying on someone (especially mom)
- Henry has had two play dates already – Ayla & Jett...so looking forward to all the new babies on the way! We will have tons of little ones to play with, not to mention a wonderful support group for all the mommies.

Overall, things are going really well. I just need to get the sleep situation figured out a bit more (what new mom doesn't?!?). He still really likes sleeping on mom and it’s hard to get him down in his own bed. But, we are getting more and more hours each week of him sleeping in his bassinet. The daytime naps are a whole different story. He simply doesn’t like to nap unless mom naps with him and even so he tends to be more of a cat napper and I get 10 – 30 minute cycles. Which you can imagine can make getting anything accomplished a hard task. At this point getting us both showered and ready for the day by noon is a good day! However, the past 3 days he has gone down for a nap around 3pm for 2 straight hours...but of course it's laying on moms chest. But, hey I need some rest too so am getting a little snooze time as well. The whole napping during the day thing has been hard for me as I have never been one to lay around but my body really needs that extra time. Even 20 minutes makes a huge difference.

Here are a couple recent pics of our little monkey:

Just the boys

Today my girlfriend Laurel came over for a play date with her son Jett. Jett is 2 months older than Henry. It was really crazy to see the difference in our boys just being 2 months apart. It reminded me to savor every minute of these newborn days as they grow up so fast! Jett is such a doll and is such a little man. His mohawk might be the cutest thing I have ever seen. He seems to be looking more and more like his mama as he gets older. The first time I met him I thought he was his daddy's mini me but I am seeing more of Laurel in him as he gets older. I can't wait for our boys to get a little older so we can watch them get into trouble together. We put them on the couch together and neither one of them noticed there was another baby laying next to them. Henry was too busy with his pacifier and Jett just stared at his mama and me. Henry still is too little to sit up so he is a bit hunched over but little Jett sits up so good when propped up on the couch. Here are some pics...

Happy Birthday!

Today is my good friend Ashley's 29th Birthday! Here's to a year filled with lots of love, laughter and good health! Enjoy your last bday without little Westyn Marie. Can't wait to meet her and celebrate all the wonderful adventures ahead with you. XOXO

And of course...our favorite picture together. :o)

Week 3

Henry is 3 weeks old today! I can't believe how fast time is flying by. I never in my life thought I could love someone as much as I love him. You always hear about the love a mother has for their child is like no other but you really can't fully understand what that means until you have a child of your own. It is the most incredible feeling. I get excited for the new adventures each day brings with him, even when I am a walking zombie without sleep! He really is the sunshine of my day and just looking at him can bring a tear of joy to my eye. I can't even imagine my life without my little monkey. He is simply perfect in every way.

As for his growth this past week we definitely think he has gained some weight as his cute little cheeks are getting chubby and he is actually starting to fit into some of the clothes that are 0 - 3 months vs. just newborn sizes. I also am fairly certain he is starting to really focus his eyes on things...at least his mama! We have some pretty amazing moments together..or staring contests! LOL

Grandpa Dan & Henry:

Kisses:

Week 2

Henry is officially 2 weeks old today! Time is flying by! We are all doing really well and enjoying each and every day. Henry's umbilical cord fell off yesterday and his wee wee is all healed. He seems to be much more comfortable. The only thing he struggles with is gas. I can't believe some of the sounds I have heard come out of such a little body. I feel bad for him as it can't be comfortable.

This past week Henry had his first play date and of course it was with Ayla Christina. Ayla is the daughter of a close family friend of ours Alicia and Brett. She is 5 months old and full of personality....such an adorable little girl. We are excited to watch them grow up together and are expecting them to be great fishing buddies and maybe even prom dates! ;o)

Few pics of the play date:

And one more of Henry...yes chicks do love you little monkey!

Precious Moments

We captured a precious moment today of Henry sleeping. He folded his hands together! Luckily I was able to run and get the camera in time to capture the moment. He is just so wonderful.

Family Outing

Yesterday Chris, Henry and I had our first full day all by ourselves. It was really nice to spend a day as a family. Chris knew I was itching to get out of the house so came up with the idea to go on a family road trip. Since it was such a beautiful day we decided to pack up the car and go for a drive to Hood Canal. We drove over the Hood Canal Bridge up to Port Townsend and back down the other side of the canal. After we got to Hood Canal Henry was hungry so we pulled off to a beach and I fed/changed our little guy while Chris skipped rocks and ate some fresh oysters off the beach. It was my first experience of trying to do our routine out in public. Everything went well and Henry did so good in the car! We were both very impressed. He only had two episodes and that was because he woke up in his car seat with his beanie down around his eyes and he couldn't see. I wouldn't like that very much either! And, to be honest it was really funny. So if I ever have some hard nights getting the little monkey to sleep you may see me driving around town as the car puts him to sleep in a flash!

Here are some Superbowl pics of Henry. Dad went out with the guys and Henry and I hung out at home with the grandparents. I put him in a little football fleece outfit. He is just too cute for words! Love him.

The "Mom I'm hungry face"