Daddy & Alexander

Here's a cute shot of Daddy & Alexander relaxing on a sunny Saturday afternoon

Happy Saturday...

Happy Saturday to you ...

Alexander & I are just relaxing a bit this afternoon. We had a nice visit with Grandpa & Grandma from NJ, who brought Alexander a few outfits and more importantly DIAPERS! Yay for the diapers!! Thanks Grandpa & Grandma!

Last night was also the first night we got a decent amount of sleep between breaks. I think having the doctor visit yesterday really helped us, mentally, of how to work with this schedule. And just as the doctor said, he's been sleeping well in between feedings. I also feel as though he's not constantly feeding as I did earlier in the week.

By Wednesday, I definitely felt like a feeding bag but this afternoon is starting to feel a bit like a flow has started. Let's pray this continues.

Here are also a couple of pictures from today, first one with Alexander relaxing in his pack & play and then the first family shot since he was a few hours old. Looking at the picture, I think we look a bit more tired than I feel. I'm sure we'll get sleep . . . in about 8 years!

Hope everyone has a great weekend! (I know I still need to do our hospital story)

Doctor Dan...

Doctor Dan/Daddy reporting for duty!

Let me start by saying that Dan has been absolutely incredible with this whole "becoming a daddy" situation. Not that I ever doubted him, but I was curious to see how squeamish he would be with dirty diapers, and all of the bodily noises & fluids that accompany babies. He hasn't flinched once. He's changed just as many diapers as I have - and believe me I've changed a lot! (Obviously, Dan only put on his hospital garb for the picture - he doesn't put these on every time!)

I still have to type up my thoughts on the whole delivery and hospital experience but in the meantime since Dan is portraying a doc here, I figured I'd type up our first Doctor visit.

Dr. M & his wife (who's an RN) came to our house this afternoon. Very rare these days, but extremely thoughtful. They came to check out Alexander and to answer any questions we may have. Dan has been waiting for this appt all week, to help ease the mind.

We chatted about - talked about his feeding schedule, his sleeping schedule, how to try to fix his sleeping pattern, etc. I did mention that he has his days & nights mixed up, right? Last few nights have been a ball! They gave us some great tips on how to help regulate his schedule and what queues we should look for and what to do about them. I think the biggest challenge for us has been information overload. We've gotten so much advice and "To Do's" from everyone (nurses & doctors in the hospital, family, friends, books, internet, etc..) that it's hard to know what to do. Dan & I talked and feel that although people are going to give us advice we need to do what we think is right and best for Alexander and just let the rest of the advice not affect us.

Then the doctor asked us to go against his own words. He told us to go wake up Alexander so Dr. M could exam him. Now, we don't know if all doctor's say "oh he's cute" because they want to be nice, but Dr. M commented a few times about how cute he was. Now, if the baby wasn't cute would you say it more than once, I think not. Again, I'm biased.

He measured his head, length and weighed him. He's 19 1/2 inches so he's grown 1/2 inch in 8 days. He weighs 5 lbs 12 ozs so he's just back to birth weight (he was 5 lbs 14 ozs when he was born but when we left the hospital he was 5 lbs 4 ozs). I'm glad he's gaining weight since he lost 10 ozs while we were in the hospital. So he's gained 8 ozs since Monday, and that's a good thing!

Dr. M said he's still a little jaundice in the face but because he's not jaundice in his body and he's peeing & pooping that everything looks great. He was impressed that his umbilical cord fell out on Wednesday and his belly looks great! We also got an A for taking care of his circumcision and that we no longer need to do the gauze because it has healed very well.

All in all a very good visit from the doctor and Alexander got an A+! They're going to come back next week for his 2nd week check-up and then after that we'll start to go to the office.

Week One: Home...

As promised, here are more pictures of the wee little one.

The first one was taken Tuesday morning before he started to pee on each outfit I put on him.








This was taken a little later on with a new outift. Everyone needs a crying baby shot...

It looks like a perfect "Charlie Brown" picture - you just need the tears shooting out to the sides.









This one was from Wednesday evening (3/28) after one of his many feedings. Just look how little he looks in Dan's hands. I did mention MANY feedings, right??






Here's the little fella Thursday morning before we really started our day.

And then here he is again in the morning. This was taken this morning (3/30) and we had to

make sure he was in his "Alexander" onesie that Daddy gave him.

Quick update...

Here is a picture from this morning before he fell asleep.

He doesn't quite fit in his clothes yet and his new preemie clothes are currently being washed - it's amazing how little he is yet how strong he is. The kid can throw a right jab like no ones business...

Everyone is doing very well, despite the 3 hours of sleep!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Alexander & I hope you have a wondeful birthday and that it's a very happy day.

We both love you very much!

Love,
Me & Alexander

Our Latest Arrival...

Please welcome the newest addition to our family:

Alexander Christopher

Born on Thursday, March 22nd 2007 @ 2:08 pm
He was 5 lbs 14 ounces and 19 inches

He is a gorgeous baby and Dad & Mom couldn't be happier!

Here is a link to his official hospital photo: WebNursery
(You do have to search the Month of March for him)

Lots of photos & stories to come, I promise!