Monday Aug 31 Day 18

We got a visit from our friend Karen who is pregnant due in February. Thank you to Karen for letting us just talk and talk about what we learned/think we learned.

Today was the first time Henry fell asleep on my chest. When he was just born and after they counted his fingers and toes, cleared his throat and nose and wiped him off, they put him on my chest. It was our first skin to skin time. Today, we were both wearing more clothes, but he slept on my chest. It was wonderful.

Sunday Aug 30, day 17

Our first tub bath. Henry, so far, loves the water and he loves the warm bathroom. The overhead fan noise is a fan favorite as well.

Sat Aug 29 Day 16

Tony and Rachel visited us today and they brought the most delicious frozen yogurt. Thanks guys!

It is always nice to visit with people. We have not been getting out much at all so when people come to us, it has been just wonderful.

Today Henry and I found a new talent. I can put Henry to sleep if I sing to him. It could be classic rock, the Indigo Girls or G n R, it doesn't matter. Henry can be calmed with singing. He likes it when Phillip sings too! There really is something to a baby recognizing his mother and father's voices. Henry actually looks around when he hears me talking. I can't wait until he can recognize me by sight as well.

I can't explain how much I love this baby. When I look at him, he is so small and so smooth and he smells so good and I love him and I tell him all the time and I can't wait for him to know me. I can't wait to hear his voice.

Fri Aug 28--Two Weeks Old!

Grandma Janet and Grandpa Ted left today. I'm going to be honest and tell you that I cried my eyes out when the door closed. I was inconsolable. I just got overwhelmed again at how alone we are and how far away our families really are.

We are trying a new feeding schedule based on talking with the doctor yesterday. Since Henry is gaining weight, we should now feed him every two hours during the day and let him sleep as long as he wants at night. Going from every three hours to every two is hard and it feels even more like I am feeding him all the time.

Also because of our doctor's visit, we are now practicing Tummy Time multiple times during the day. Henry favors one side of his face, so his head is always turned one way. What's funny is that he favors one side while awake and the other while he sleeps. Anyway, while he is on his tummy, we can get him to turn his head when Phillip talks to him. There's just something about daddy's voice, I guess.

Thu Aug 27 Day 14

Our second doctor's appointment:

Ted and Janet went with us and helped, Thank God. The more hands, the better. Seriously, I do not know how anyone does this alone. My heart and prayers are with them.

All I could think about when we parked and walked to the building was how I felt the last time we were here. I felt terrible. So ten days later, I am feeling better. I'm not 100%, I still can't sit on chairs without cushions, but I feel better.

They weighed Henry and he is 8lbs 11oz! The doctor is happy, so we are happy. This means that he is eating and gaining weight. Thank God again. Breastfeeding is very challenging. Janet and Emily (via telephone) have been helping me a lot.

Dr. Lubin also says that Henry should not go on any plane trips until after he is at least three months old. This is not working out with our plans to go back to Knox for my 10th reunion, but keeping Henry healthy and safe is the priority.

Wednesday Aug 26 Day 13

Our first stroller walk! The Snap and Go works great!

It has been SO hot here, that we don't get out that often. So today we took advantage of a sort of early morning and went for a walk. I wondered about putting sun block on Henry's face and decided that I would ask the doctor about it tomorrow.

AND Henry's umbilical cord fell off today!! It was weird. I went to change his diaper and it was gone. It wasn't in his diaper or in his clothes so I looked around me and there it was on the floor. EW! Phillip wouldn't let me keep it.

Tuesday Aug 25 Day 12

Today everyone came with me to school to help me unpack art supplies. I shouldn't do it by myself because I am still recovering and I wanted to have as many hands help me as possible. Thank God for grandparents! This means that this was Henry's first trip to DP! I thought he wouldn't get to meet a lot of people since we are still out on break, but I was wrong. He got to meet Vaca, Ben, Martin, Betty, Coach, Sheryl and Emily. A few students were even around. It was pretty exciting.

Then we went to buy diapers at Sam's Club. Guess what? They don't sell newborn size diapers at Sam's. What a bunch of BS. So we had to be happy with a huge box of wipes. I am happy.