3 Weeks and a great visit from Kim

The Robinson Family

Another interesting week!  First of all, I cannot believe we are now at 3 weeks old!  Parker is quickly outgrowing his newborn sizes and fitting nicely into our 0-3 months outfits.  He is eating great still and downing 3 oz. of breastmilk every 2-3 hours.  I have no doubt he is over 9 lbs. now and measures over 20 inches.  I just want to push pause to slow him down already!

I just finished the book, On Becoming Babywise by Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam.  I think it is a great framework for establishing a routine for a baby, and I am trying out a lot of the suggestions that are already showing success.  It suggests a routine of wake/eat/play/sleep during the day, making the most of alert time and to get the baby used to play and awake time during the day.  I'm trying to do a bathtime at one of the last "day feedings" to prepare him for night time.  At night, we are trying minimal stimulation other than his feedings, and he is stretching out his sleep times to 3-4 hours.  Hopefully in another month, we will have a good routine established.  I highly recommend this book- will keep up with our progress (wish me luck!)

can you say Alert?

Tummy Time

My stepmom, Kim came to visit us this week, and we had such a great visit!  She was incredibly helpful, helped feed Parker at night so that Spencer and I could sleep more, and helped in a million other ways.  The most relief came on Wednesday.  I had been having a lot of achiness, fatigue, and fluctuating chills with hot spells, and my temperature was almost 102.  Spence quarantined me from Parker, and the next day I had to go back to the doctor where I was diagnosed with mastitis.  We were so thankful it wasn't the flu!  But for about 24 hours, we were so nervous that I was really sick and would infect Parker!  I would not have known what to do if Kim hadn't been here to help out!  (I am feeling much better, inflammation is going down, fever is gone, and I am on antibiotics- praying it goes away!)

Jack and Parker are so happy!

Jack stole a rubber duck and has decapitated it.

Jack wants to play with Parker

Kisses

Jack loves to kiss Parker- surely Parker's immune system is getting strong!

Last night of her visit.  I know two boys who will be very disappointed!

The only thing we did not accomplish was coming up with her grandmother name.  Any suggestions?  I told her if she doesn't come up with one that I'm going to call her "Big Momma"- not a flattering name, so the pressure is on!

2 Weeks

I can't believe our little boy is 2 weeks old now!  He is getting so big so quickly and I just feel like it's happening right before our eyes.

This was a big week for us.  On Wednesday, we met with Dr. Chen, the Plastic Surgeon who will perform the cheiloplasty (lip repair) on Parker.  He was pleased with his weight gain, said we will move forward with surgery at 10 weeks as long as he is 10 lbs and healthy (I don't think the 10 lbs will be an issue!).  He also explained how he will do the surgery to us, and even drew out a very artistic and geometric drawing of how the repair will be done.  It should take about an hour and a half for the surgery, and then we will stay overnight in the children's hospital to ensure he recovers well.  Our surgery date is set for March 13th!

Dr. Chen's quick sketches 

Here is P on his 2 week birthday with Dad during bathtime!

another cute frog towel

Dad getting me all cleaned up!

a sweet moment

Jack loves being involved in everything!

On Friday, we had our 2 week well visit with the pediatrician.  Dr. Painter was really pleased with his weight gain.  He said everything else looked great, and our bilirubin check continues to fall.

Weight: 8 lbs 13 oz.- 57%  (7 lb 15.8 oz at birth)
Height: 19.75in.- 32% (19.5 in. at birth)

such a big boy!!

Newborn Picture Preview

Here are a few of the the sneak preview pictures that Amanda took this weekend:

Can't wait to see all of the pictures!  I know I'm his mother, but I just think he's the cutest thing I've ever seen! 

A visit from Mimi

My mom, Dede

We've had pretty much our entire family visit in the last few weeks.  This weekend, my mom came into town.  We've had a great visit, and she has helped out a lot to allow me time to rest.  One thing I continue to realize about myself is that I have a difficult time accepting help- I feel like I need to do everything myself.  But, it's been very nice to have help, and to force myself to take more breaks.

This week, Parker got his first bath at home.  He was not a fan of the "sponge bath" method- but hopefully he will come to love bath time.  It's hard to catch him when he is awake and not wake him up to bathe!

Love these hooded towels!

Not a happy picture

Finally clean and happy!  He is so handsome in his monogrammed gown

And- our first bag of dirty diapers from the diaper genie- impressive!

On Saturday morning, we had our newborn photo shoot.  Amanda with Amanda Joy Photography is a local newborn photographer that I found on a random internet search (http://www.amandajoyphoto.com/).  She was amazing- so patient, so good with Parker, and such a perfectionist with getting just the right position and pose.  I was incredibly pleased and impressed.  I can't wait to get her touched-up photos soon and then send out announcements. My mom took a few pics during the shoot with her phone:

He is just so angelic here!

Happy New Year

A few more pics just because....

asleep with his daddy

he pretty much sleeps all the time

here is an alert moment

all balled up

double fisting his milk

At home with our newest addition!

My grandfather was driving through town & stopped by
to meet his first great-grandson

After 3 nights at the hospital, we finally got to bring Parker home to Rook Branch Lane- just in time for New Year's Eve.  Spence helped get us home and introduced Parker to Jack, our furry child.  He immediately went up to Parker and gave him a huge lick on the face.  He has been very sweet and loves to check on the baby.  Needless to say- very curious.  I think he's starting to realize that he is #2 behind his brother, so we really need to try hard to give him extra love!

Parker is wearing a gown made by Spencer's  great-grandmother.  His dad, Spencer, his brother Daniel, Daniel's son Jim, and now Parker have all worn it home from the hospital.  Super sweet!

Loved the staff from post-partum.  They were all super sweet!

Parker getting his first kiss from Jack in the driveway

Our first family of four picture- again, Jack kissing Parker!  Our home feels so much more complete!

Debbie (Honey) holding P in his new room and chair

Spencer's mom, Debbie, was sweet enough to stay for our first week with Parker to help out.  It was so nice have some help around the house, help with Parker in order to let me sleep more at night, and we just love having her around in general!  Thanks Debbie!

Parker in his crib for the first time.  He rarely cries- but looks very upset in this picture!

Welcome home Parker!

We have been so blessed to have so many visitors since Parker was born.  Spence's cousin, Nan, and her 3 month old, Luke, were driving through town on their way home to Charleston and stopped by for a visit.  

After a long day- both of the boys asleep.  Parker loves to sleep on his daddy's chest.