Friday, October 30, 2009

his favorite eldest great grandson

Grandpa says you can all start being jealous now..he's here for the next week. =)

What are these people feeding him??


I just got an early Christmas present! At today's 1 month checkup, Z's doctor told us that we don't have to wake him up every 3 hours to eat. He's done such a great job of putting on weight, that he's allowed to sleep in when he feels like it. Luckily that means I can sleep in too (of course, that's only when Z feels like letting me...)


Stats from today's visit:

Weight: 8 pounds 11 ounces (1.5 pounds in two weeks!)

Height: 20 and 3/4 inches


Head Circumference: 36 cm


These measurements put him in the 25th percentile for all 3 measurements.

(My baby is proportional!)



PBandZ are definitely enjoying the visit with Great Grandma and Grandpa. They even came with to the doctor's appointment, although g-gpa left the room when Z was getting his shot.

Z has pretty much taken up permanent residence in one great grandparent or the other's lap, and he couldn't be happier.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly




Let's get the Bad and the Ugly out of the Way first.


We're getting used to this parenting thing. Slowly. Z still manages to make more of a mess while we're cleaning up his "messes" than we'd like.
I was trying to be euphemistic about Z peeing on us during diaper changes...I don't think it was very successful.

He's even upped the ante and let one rip during the change.
Why does "the change" makes it sound like he's some sort of werewolf? I've been reading too many sci-fi books. Who wants to go see the next Twilight movie with me??

Onto the Good.

When Z isn't ruining my favorite pjs, he's more alert and has started tracking things with this eyes. As you can see in the last picture, this isn't always as pretty as it should be.
Apparently babies often go cross-eyed until 3 or 4 months, as they are learning to focus each eye independently.

Z is definitely getting chubbier, We're looking forward to finding out exactly how much chubbier at his doctor's appointment on Friday.
I wonder if he'll gain extra weight on Saturday, because his Momma is sneaking into the neighborhood trick-or-treater's candy...

These days the Good the Bad and the Ugly all seem to run together...especially at 3 in the morning, when he's wide eyed awake and cooing at me, and all I want to do is get some sleep...

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

already??


I thought we'd make it to at least 4 weeks before Z decided he is too cool for my kisses...

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Oh Bloody 'ell, How Ruud!


At least we know that next week the Bucs won't have to suffer another devastating loss.

We have a bye week.


After a long day of cheering, Z is now cuddling with his Daddy in the rocking chair. Mommy is stealing a moment of peace to post these pictures. We're hoping that tonight, Z starts to learn that night time is for sleeping.There's about as good a chance of that happening, as there is for the Bucs to make it to the Super Bowl this year...

good show old boy, good show

It was a good day for the Patriots, and for the half of Zachary that was cheering for them! We watched the Patriots basically destroy the Bucs today at Wembley Stadium in London. Zach took turns wearing his Patriots Gear, and his Buccaneers Jersey (as will be shown in the next post).

a touch of Urkel


little man is still too little for most of his clothes...

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Nursing 101



It looks like Z is giving us all a lesson on proper air nursing technique.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

your guess is as good as mine.


Z's eyes are lightening up...but I can't quite decide what direction they are heading. Brown? Blue? some sort of hazel-y green? This picture makes me think we might be heading to something in the blue spectrum. Maybe that's wishful thinking on my part, I wouldn't mind something on him to be strikingly mine. (although I have been told he has my nose...)

I am happy to report, we are seeing more of his beautiful eyes, whatever color they are. He's more alert every day, and will track things in his sight. He's also making noises like a billy goat. Really. Some babies coo. Mine makes billy goat noises.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

3 bonus weeks

Z has been here for 3 weeks now. And technically, he's not even supposed to be here until tomorrow. His due date was
October 22nd. He's been home from the hospital for 2.5 weeks. Despite the sleepless nights, and dirty diapers, I'm so glad I got these bonus weeks.

chubby-er cheeks

I think every time he puts this outfit on, his cheeks get even more chubba. He's definitely filling out, and since he eats like a champ, I'm not even a little surprised. We're still struggling at night though...it's even harder because he's such a charmer during the day. He'll go all day eating and sleeping and happily pooping. He doesn't even protest when I lay him down in his bassinet during the day. 3 in the morning comes, and suddenly he thinks his bassinet is a medieval torture device, and screams as soon as he realizes he's in there. (I can usually milk him up enough that it takes him 10 or so minutes to recognize his location). Then 6am comes, and he's ready to sleep again. I like it when he sleeps again.

Monday, October 19, 2009

who wants to break the news to zach?

I just can't bring myself to tell him that it isn't appropriate to spend all of TummyTime making out with a blue whale.


Thanks to the Cohen/Berman clan for providing my son with the Baby Neptune Ocean Adventure Play Gym. Apparently we're going to have TONS of fun playing with it! hehe...

this kid is going to break hearts..





Saturday, October 17, 2009

Auntie Christine!



This little boy has no idea just how loved he really is.

some days are worth repeating


I wish every day was so peaceful, and complete as yesterday. My couch was full. Elektra stole my pillow, and Z stole my heart, but at least I still have custody of the recliner. It's probably temporary custody, but I'll enjoy it while I can.

Afternoons are meant to be spent napping.


Friday, October 16, 2009

Z's Way...or else

Z has his own opinions about which way he should be placed in his bassinet. And don't even try to have a conversation with him about keeping his arms under the covers, that's just not up for discussion.

We have to double up on the blankets every night, because we swaddle him up in the first blanket, and he inevitably kicks his way out. At least if there's a second blanket, we stand a chance of keeping him covered.

Last night was rough. Z woke up at least every 2 hours.
Appetite On.

And then in addition to waking every 2 hours, he thought it would be fun to not go back to sleep for at least an hour and a half every time he got up. For those that are good at math, that doesn't leave much time for Z's Momma to sleep...

little man

Big Hat.

He may be over his birth weight, but he still doesn't fit in most of his clothes...but considering he wasn't even supposed to be here for another week, I think we're doing pretty good!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Chubby Cheeks***


Z had his 2 week doctor's appointment today, and we are happy to report he is now over his birth weight:

7 pounds 3 ounces!

Mysteriously he seems to have shrunk in height by a quarter of an inch though...

Height, Weight and Head Circumference were all in the 25th percentile, which is pretty good considering his early arrival.

No signs of jaundice left, and little man flirted his way through the nurses, charming them all into thinking he sleeps through the night, and his smiles aren't caused by gas.


***Should also disclose Double Chin

welcome to life with a newborn


My shoe budget is being otherwise spent these days....

not much of a haul for $50 is it?

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

smells like delicious

Z had his first real bath today, not that you could tell by the looks of his hair. He actually seemed to enjoy the bath, especially compared to the screaming that he unleashed during the earlier sponge baths. I think he just liked that it was warm.

I love how soft he is...and how sweet he smells. I'm such a mush these days. =)

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

before, after, and the result



We certainly have come a long way!

For the more observant among you, if you think it looks like Z is wearing the same clothes in all these pictures, he is. We have to keep rewashing the same couple of outfits, because little Z doesn't fit in anything else yet! Everyone keeps saying it won't be long...and we're looking forward to it. He's cute in stripes, but has so many other cool outfits to wear! Grow baby Z, grow!

Monday, October 12, 2009

My son has a belly button!


We're very proud. =P

Actually, I'm more proud of him for evening up the score, and peeing on his Daddy.

Z is definitely the boss around here. We might be settling into a schedule, but more likely we're just getting used to catering to Z's whims.

Sleep.
Eat.
Diaper Change.
Eat.
Diaper Change.
Eat.
Repeat.

At least we're getting better at the eating thing. He still occasionally decides to eat like a baby bird, instead of a baby t-rex like he's supposed to, but it's not as much of a fight to get him to latch and stay latched. But as you can see in the last post, the feedings are definitely satisfying the little bugger.

Before and After: Story of a Milk Coma


Sunday, October 11, 2009

A Perfect Sunday

I crawled back into bed early this morning, after nursing Z and snuggling him back up in his bassinet. Laying there I could hear both of my boys sleeping. Right then it didn't matter that we'd had a rough night, and between 1AM and 3AM Paul changed his diaper 4 times, and I fed him twice. I couldn't help but smile.

Then I went back to sleep.

Paul is happy happy right now, as you can see in the picture. He's holding his son, while watching the Patriot's game in high definition. He claims he's also glad to have his wife around.

Here's a baby update for today: it looks like Z's going to lose his umbilical cord stump soon. I'll keep everyone posted. (soon we'll be saying so long, sponge baths!)

I still can't believe I cut the cord myself. Isn't it great when you can surprise even yourself?

Friday, October 9, 2009

hiccups



Here is Z...starring in his first video.

Still working out the kinks in the new camcorder...look forward to more edge-of-your-seat entertainment later!

Swing, batter, batter, swing!

Some days are more awake than others. And some days we discover how much we love to be in the swing. I know I love when Z is in the swing, so I have a free moment to eat the meals I keep forgetting about. Mostly quiet here today, Z had his first visitor. We invited my friend Terri over, so we could show Z off to someone other than his Grandparents. Nothing better than hearing how cute everyone thinks he is.

Z also wants to say: Go Red Sox!!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

in the list of firsts


Well. Sponge Baths.

What can I say? Z wasn't exactly a big fan. Don't get me wrong, he certainly didn't hate the bath as much as he hates having his diaper changed, but there was no small amount of glaring at Mommy, and yelling for Daddy to come to his rescue. Luckily, we found a nice patch of sunshine, and a warm, cuddly hooded towel, and all was better.

I'm sure there will be other chances, but I wish I could have captured this in a picture. After his bath his hair stuck up all over the place, and I totally see a fauxhawk in his future.

Had a followup appointment today for me. BP is still high, but that's apparently typical of pre-eclampsia. The pregnancy hormones stay with you for 6-8 weeks, so they are going to put me on meds for a few weeks, until my body gets back to normal. Or as normal as I can be, with no sleep and no social life.

Also, I'm pretty sure I forgot to eat lunch today.


Wednesday, October 7, 2009

the grandness is missing.


Grandma Ann, GrandMomma and GrandPoppa have all gone back home, and Z is voicing his discontent. Come back! We miss you!

and the score is...


Mama 2
Z 2

We've tied up the score in the battle for supremacy at night.

He wins the first night home, where he was up every hour all night. Burping and farting were prevalent, along with a healthy dose of screaming. His second win was a 3AM pee-all-over, where he tagged both mama, and his bassinet. I won the nights where we eat, change a diaper and go right back to sleep for 2-3 hours at a time! Go me!

I'm still winless for the daytime games...How can I even compete with a face like that?

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Vulcan or Elf?

Tonight, over our clean-out-the-fridge dinner, we debated the origin of Z's pointy ears. My dad suggested that if it's a maternal inheritance, it's Elfkin. But if Paul is to blame, it would be Vulcan. Paul agrees he shares the logical traits of the Vulcans, but doesn't quite feel the grace and agility of the Elf were passed down on my side. I just think they're cute!

after 42 hours of labor...

I'm glad caffeine is back on the menu.

We finally came home from the hospital Saturday night. I'd been there since Monday. The in between is a little less than clear. Maybe that's something I can work on with all this new freetime I have....

Back to Z for me. He just had his first ride in the swing, but is apparently hungry (again), more later.