Week 9 Update

We are getting a new water heater/furnace/air conditioner today. That's our spring break money this year, no joke. As I type, Matthew is sleeping on my chest despite all of the noise from the workers at the house. Yesterday was Jeff's 45th birthday and we celebrated with dinner and his favorite cake that his mom always made - crazy cake. Matthew and I also made it downtown to have lunch with him and got to see many of our work friends. We also went to his daycare, spent a little time in the room he will be in, and hung out with Eli and baby Hasle (perhaps Matthew's future girlfriend). Earlier this week, we had our second playdate with Jen K and baby Allison (another girlfriend contender) and I posted a picture of the two kids. Last time I don't think Matthew ever saw Allison because he slept the entire time, so this was a little more active social scene. I've been thinking of a few things I've learned about myself while on maternity leave...I love Panera's Orchard Harvest salad; I am getting the hang of online shopping and Amazon really does carry or link you to anything; I love Ikea! - Katy helped me find new bedroom lamps for $10 and I ate lunch for $4; I can survive on 6 hours sleep for an extended period but I break things more often (specifically glassware - another one bit the dust today); I am still a neat freak and have found that naptime for Matthew triggers the same productivity rush as the 5 minutes just before my next meeting at work; I can be at home without the TV on all day, who knew?; the living room is my favorite room in the house; and last but not least sunshine makes a huge difference in my day. Even when it's bitter cold, the sun is such a blessing and I will be much more thankful for its beauty from now on! Monday is Matthew's 2 month dr. appointment with shots and an official weigh in. This week at class he was 13 lbs 13 oz so I am rooting for him to break 14 lbs. Until next week...

Week 8 Update

The warmer weather this week is a blessing. Matthew has been on many walks outside with me, Lauren and both of us. The fresh air and exercise feel good. He now weighs 13 lbs 7 oz. He is engaging with us and his toys while he's awake, smiles throughout the day (last week just was mostly mornings), and smiles in response to someone smiling at him. I am so excited for him to start giggling. He loves when we sing to him and doesn't mind that none of us except Lauren can carry a tune. He still loves his hands and is getting better at getting them to his mouth. I watched him for 5 minutes this morning trying to get his thumb to stay in his mouth. Sometimes he would get it there and other times it would hit his forehead or eye. I learned a few infant massage techniques at our class yesterday and he seems to like getting a massage. He also let me file his fingernails today while he was awake. Matthew gets the spa treatments for free! Lauren has been enjoying "chillin" with her friends this week of spring break. We haven't heard from Lindsay yet, which I'm sure means she's having a great time in Puerto Vallarta.

Week 7 Update

Matthew is up to 13 lbs. 2 oz. and is now into the 3-6 month clothes. I need to find someone having a boy to pass along all of his cute newborn clothes. He has found his hands and tongue and likes exploring both. We've caught him with his thumb in his mouth a few times. We get real smiles now, although I get to see most of them because he is very alert and happy in the early mornings. I am posting a smile I got just this morning. Matthew slept 7 and 1/2 hours at a stretch two nights this week. It didn't become a trend and he was up at 2:30 this morning, although I won't complain about just "once a night" feedings. We finished getting Matthew's name up in his room and some additional beach-theme decorations up. I love his room - it's a bright and cozy place to hang out. I have a few more things I'd like to do, but we are close to being finished. Speaking of finished...we are officially a complete family. Jeff had his "v" last Friday. He slept a lot that night and rested well on Saturday. I thought I was going to have two babies on my hands but he was very self-sufficient. I have continued getting out most days. I found a high school friend on Facebook and we got together this week to catch up. I just started walking at the high school track while pushing Matthew in his stroller. Yesterday we walked while Lauren was in gym so she and her friends could see him. She kissed him goodbye and her teacher said "Lauren, I hope you know that baby." She responded, "he's my brother!" Lindsay leaves for Mexico tomorrow for spring break with 20+ of her closest friends and their parents. (Her mom is going with her.) The rest of us are jealous of her getaway. Next year we will definitely be heading south ourselves.

Week 6 Update

We had a fun visit to Kansas City this past weekend. Matthew was a trooper in the car. It took us 8 hours down and 7 hours back. I think we were more confident on the way back, and also had to stop less for various reasons (ahem, fewer bathroom breaks for the rest of us). The girls did an awesome job keeping him entertained. We will forever remember the buzzing, Elmo, and purring to keep him happy until the next feed stop. We enjoyed seeing many family and friends who thought in person Matthew looks even more like my dad. I have my 6 week dr visit Friday and Matthew will join me. Today we are having lunch with our friends Mike, Katy and Gracie and walking at the high school track.

Week 5 Update

I missed week 4, where did it go? We had two playdates since I last wrote - visiting Jen K's daughter born a month before Matthew, and just this week visiting Brad & Beth's son born just a day before him. Playdates at this age involve a lot of sleeping but it's fun to get pictures of the kids together. We also visited St. Paul to see the work gang and have lunch at the River Room. Mmm, tasty mandarin chicken salad and popover. On Monday, Matthew was officially a month old. He started cooing and smiling in the last week. He seems especially alert and content when changing his diaper so we play a lot during that time. I have been attending the New Parent Connections class held Tuesday's at Woodwinds. This Tuesday, he weighed 12 lbs. 9 oz.! I have been going through my mom's pictures and momentos and found my baby charts. At two months I was still in the 11 lb. range. We need to get hold of Jeff's baby pictures and details to see how Matthew compares. This weekend we travel to Kansas City to visit my family. It was previously a 6-7 hour drive; we'll see what "new normal" is with the little guy along. Lindsay and Lauren agree we have to eat Stroud's, so I know I've taught them well. I am really looking forward to seeing everyone.

Week 3 Update#2

On Monday night Matthew had his first bottle, given to him by Jeff. He did pretty well and we will keep giving him one a few times a week. Lauren has offered to watch her brother on Valentine's Day so Jeff and I can have a dinner out alone. I'm sure we won't go far, yet it will be nice to get out together. Wednesday we went to the Mall of America with Rebecca and Carly and had a great time. Carly was very intrigued by how Matthew gets to eat and my favorite line was "So, if you eat crackers does the milk taste like crackers?" Only from the mouth of babes! I loved the Nordtrom's lounge and Rebecca showed me all of the elevators and gave lots of great advice on being out and about with a stroller. Today, we had Matthew's doctor appointment. The little tank weighs 11 pounds and is 23 inches long. It was a bittersweet visit since our doctor is leaving his practice to go to the hospital side. We can only hope to find a new doctor half as special as Rolando. We were blessed to have him be part of our pregnancy and birth. Today is nap day, meaning Kristi needs to nap with Matthew. It's true you SHOULD nap when the baby is napping. Making yourself do it is the hard part.

Week 3 Update

Matthew is 17 days old and changing each day. He is more interested in his surroundings while he is awake, still loves to be swaddled and is a great sleeper. We hit a 5 hour sleep run last night. I know, I won't expect that to happen every night. His favorite book so far is "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" Probably because I can actually mimic most of the animals, although what does a bear sound like? Jeff shaved his beard off and Matthew seems to like the new look and feel (easier on his baby face). Saturday he had his first big outing - breakfast at the Hastings American Legion and then a lengthy shopping trip to Menard's and several stores in Woodbury. I nursed him in the backseat while Jeff made a Home Depot stop, and that worked out just fine. We saw quite a few people we knew inside World Market and found a mirror for our back entry. Sunday night we went to 6pm church. After a minute of fussing when we first arrived, Matthew slept the rest of the time. It was great having Jeff home this weekend. I got into the hot tub for the first time since pregnancy, and we made it in twice - together. The monitor is a wonderful device and really you only need 20 minutes or you get too water-logged anyway. Jeff made one of our favorite meals, the halibut dish from Harborview Cafe in Pepin. This week we have Matthew's 2nd doctor appointment (Thursday) and I am very excited to see how much he weighs. We have several visitors planned and I very much look forward to the adult interaction those visits bring. The biggest outing planned for this week is meeting Rebecca and Carly at the Mall of America on Wednesday for lunch. I look forward to a "stroller" walk with my little man. Have a great week everyone, I will report again soon!