Week #1: Wow, words cannot describe the love we have for you. We are feeling emotions we did not know we even had. We came home from the hospital Sunday, Jan. 18th - had a nice quiet evening with just the 3 of us. Your doggy Max was a little scared of you at first but warmed up to you quickly and within hours was sniffing you all over and wagging his tail. He is already protective of you - Salsa was sniffing you while you were trying out your bouncy for the 1st time and Max chased her away and continued to lay next to you. So cute. You have your very own watch dog at only 2 days old! Monday we took you in for another blood draw - your poor little heels have been pricked so much. That afternoon we got a call that we had to take you back to the hospital, your jaundice level was dangerously high they said. The next 2 days were total hell, watching you endure IV's and tons of heel pricks and not being able to hold you and comfort you when you cried. We cried right along with you. You are such a brave, strong boy - we already knew that, but you were so brave during your hospital stay. You hate being naked and you had to lay there under the bili light on that hard bili "blanket" - that hard board, in only your diaper. Luckily your level came down and our 2nd night there you were able to come off the bili light and sleep with Mommy. We slept so good and it felt wonderful to have you in my arms. That next day you were discharged! Thank God you are okay and can come home now. The rest of the week were spent primarily with Mommy and Daddy, Mimi, Bapa, and K visited you also. You are amazing, we are so blessed to have you, I just can't say it enough. This is so surreal that you are ours.
Week #2: You are changing every day. Your face is becoming more full and when you are awake your eyes open so wide now. Your head has healed nicely and you get more beautiful every day, if that is possible. You had a lot of "firsts" this week. Your first outing was to Costco with Mommy, Mimi, Bapa, Aunt Kimmie, Alex, & Kyle. Alex rode in the back with you and then pushed you around the store. You 2 already have such a special bond. He was your first babysitter! Mommy & Daddy went out for about an hour and you stayed with Aunt K, Uncle David, Alex, & Kyle. You hadn't pooped in days and while we were gone you pooped. We were so happy! Alex took care of you the whole time - you watched TV with him on his lap and he fed you. He is just precious - this is a conversation he & David had... David told Alex that he looked like him when A was a baby - holding him watching TV. Alex said "Dad, did you feel like I do right now when you were holding me?" How do you feel Alex? "so so happy". It still amazes me how intelligent Alex is. He truly understands that we had a lot of scares with you - and now that long road is over and you are here. He has the kindest heart and loves you so much. Daddy went back to work this week. Mommy was very sad that your first 2 weeks of life went by so fast and that Daddy had to go back. It was the best 2 weeks of our lives. Our new family of 3. Well, family of 5 - can't leave Max & Salsa out, right? You love your swing - if you're in it and begin to cry Max comes over and stops the swing and leaves his head on you until I come over and pick you up. Today, your last day of being 2 weeks old - you and I ran errands together for the 1st time. It was surreal, absolutely awesome. Such a glimpse of what is to come - me and my baby, my precious boy. We went to Walmart, the post office, and of course Starbucks drive-thru :) I love you so much. I cried a lot today because I am so so happy and its starting to sink in that you are really OURS!!!
Week #3: This week was very special because you saw Dr. F and met his nurses Cheryl and Yolanda. They, like me, have waited so very long to meet you. Cheryl is an awesome person and was there for me every step of the way, through the good and bad she always said the right things. Never, "it will be okay" or "hang in there", always encouraging "you are doing a great job" and always focused on the positive, even when we were terrified..."wow your belly really grew this week". She is sensitive and caring - her and Dr. F make a great team. When we went to visit you were sound asleep and when the staff was passing you around you didn't even budge. As soon as you were passed to Dr. F you woke up and looked at him. It brought tears to both our eyes. This man is so important, and you recognize that. I was there so often, 3 days/week so of course you know him - but it was just so cool that you acknowledged him like that. I got some awesome pictures and left feeling elated. Being there - with you - after all these months, is just incredible. Thursday you had your very first airplane ride, to Florida. You did great! I was worried about your little ears but you sucked at each take-off and landing and didn't cry once on the both planes! Aunt Joanne's vacation was cut short so she was home! She just ate you up - held you almost all day at the beach and truly appreciates what a blessing you are to us. It was incredibly interesting - we stayed at her house for the first couple of days...in the evenings you get fussy. I was in the other room and Aunt Jo was holding you and you were fussing and she comforted you the same way I do. She had never seen how I calm you. Her and I share a special bond so this was just cool to me. You met your Great Grandma too. We got some great pictures. Friday was your first time at the beach. The warm ocean breeze put you right to sleep. We took turns holding you under the little cabana we made for you. You are so adorable!
Week 4: Your 1st Valentine's day fell on your 4 week birthday :) I count Sat's as your week changing day since you were born at 11pm Friday. We are still in Florida. Today we left Aunt Joanne's and went to see cousin Tabitha, Casey, and your big cousins Caitlin, Ethan, and Ava. Ava is around 8 months old...it is amazing to see the milestones you will go through in the next several months. I hope it doesn't go by too fast but I know it will. I'm trying to soak in every minute. I stare at you for so long every day, just admiring you. The sadness I was feeling about you growing so fast has been replaced with excitement. I see your personality blossoming and it is incredible. You are such a good baby, and full of expression. You and I have really bonded this past week while being away together. You could be crying while someone else is holding you and I take you and you immediately stop. It is the best feeling in the world, a feeling I cannot even describe. I went out for an hour with Kim & Tabitha and you slept while I was gone...totaling 3.5 hours straight! I thought you'd wake up any second when I left and when I got back you were in the same position - Mimi said you hadn't even stirred! I hope you start doing this during the night!!! 3 1/2 hours - wow what a big boy! Feb 20th: you smiled today - your 1st real smile!!! You seriously couldn't get any cuter!!!
This past month has been the happiest month of my entire life. Each moment with you fills me more and more with so much love. We first called you squeaky because when you would begin to wake up you would stretch and squeak. You still do sometimes, but we have now nicknamed you Billy...now when you begin to wake up you make this noise that sounds like a billy goat. It is hilarious! Your favorite position is being upright on someone's shoulder with your binky in your mouth, having your tush patted until you fall asleep. Everyone comments on what a beautiful baby you are. I say thank you, but its hard to not say every time "OMG I KNOW!!! Isn't he gorgeous?!" I love taking naps with you - its become one of my favorite things. You are so cuddly and sleep so long. I wake up periodically and almost need to pinch myself. Yes you are MY baby. I thank God over and over all day for you. You had your 1 month check up and are doing great! I can't believe you are 1 month old already. You now weigh 10lbs11oz and are 21.5 inches long! Your Dr. says you look nice and healthy and he gave you a little kiss :)
