...side note...

Its been 2 weeks and I only have 4lbs to go till I reach pre-baby weight! ...and then 22 more lbs to go after that. The wonders of only gaining 20lbs this time as apposed to 40lbs last time!! Now if only I hadn't put on that extra 22 prior to getting pregnant! :)

What?

Not the most flattering picture ever, but I just love his wrinkly little legs! :)
Oh, and just so we're clear on it - he was NOT 19in at birth! ...because five days later (at the pediatrician's) he was 20 3/4 inches long! Now that's some fast growth!

So, get this.... Daniel was born on Friday at 7 lbs 12oz. In the hospital they tell you to feed every 2-3 hours so I did because I was there and kinda had to. We were discharged from the hospital after 36 hours and Daniel was 7lbs 7oz. They like it to be a full 48 hours so the Pediatrician asked us to bring him to the office for a weight check in 2 days... ...I bargained for 3 days because Abi already had an appt for her flu shot. So on Wed Daniel was 7lbs 8oz - doing great. His Dr asked me how much he was eating and I said, "oh, about 20 min every 3 hours." Actually, knowing that it didn't really need to be quite that often I was doing 3hrs during the day and 4hrs at night. Her immediate response was, "Oh, you need to work on that! Feed him every 2 hours during the day and no more than 3hrs at night! And do whatever it takes to get him to feed for longer!" Then asked me to bring him back in a week for another weight check. I was frustrated. I wasn't going to push it - I did that with Abi and it was miserable. I know from experience that a baby will feed better when he's actually hungry and that he was getting PLENTY in just 20 min at a time! But - I'm an OCD rule follower... I didn't change anything - kept doing 3hrs during the day and 4 at night for the next week, but I was anxious all week about it because now it was in my head that I might be wrong. And my poor husband heard about it all week! :( Well, I took Daniel back for his weight check this past Wed. and he was 7lbs 14oz!! The Dr's exact words were, "Wow! He's doing great! He's ahead of schedule!! Keep doing what you're doing!" Haha! I didn't say a word. :)

Totally Different

I hesitate to be too hasty in saying this... ...but so far this is a completely different kind of baby experience! Daniel just... SLEEPS! They say that new borns sleep most of the first 2 weeks and then things change... He isn't 2 weeks old yet, so we'll see if that changes, but I know that Abi was already screaming by this time. I literally have to torture him awake to even eat. Pretty sure he'd sleep through the night now if I didn't set my alarm so he doesn't starve to death in his sleep! :) I feel blessed - this has made transition to two fairly easy so far.

Abi has done remarkably well so far with all the transition. She's madly in love with her baby brother - a couple days ago she informed me that he was her best friend! She's precious with him - constantly wanting to kiss him and telling him how cute he is. :) Today we had a bit of a rough day... as well as she really IS doing, it doesn't change the fact that she's not at all good at entertaining herself and is very demanding of attention. Before Daniel was born we had gotten to the place where I could get her to play with toys in her room by herself for about 20 min to half an hour during the day. I think its going to take a while to get back to that. Abi loves Daniel to death, but struggles with the fact he sometimes needs my time and that means she can't have it - she's a little clingy right now! All in all I think the transition is going quite smoothly.

We got to get out of the house to MOM's group this morning. It was great for me, and I was happy to find that I could actually get us all out of the house by 9am. :) Abi was just happy to go "play with her friends!" Our little lady loves her social time - its been hard for her being home most of the last 3 weeks!!!

New Baby :)

Daniel James Milo

11/5/10 6:33pm

7lbs. 12oz. 19in.

He is precious :)

Kids rooms are done at last!

This is Abi's new "big-girl" room...
No - it doesn't say "arm." Those are her initials...
I'm no interior designer, but I'm happy with the results!

I did her silhouette for the frame - I love it!!

The tree was all Kris' idea and I love it - best idea ever!

Little man's room is all ready too!Small, but its a perfect nursery :)

Very manly bedding for the "little man!"

The time has come - and I'm ready!! ...or at least I'm ready when the time really does come! Hopefully any day now "little man" will be ready to join us in person! There is nothing left to prepare! Its been a busy last 5 months!

Landscaping finished in the front yard - check!

Rooms ready - check!

Abi adjusted to new room and bed - check!

Abi potty-trained like a champ - check!

Car cleaned and car seat in - check!

House cleaned (though if he doesn't come quick it will need it again!) - check!

12 meals in the freezer - check!

Baby clothes washed, sorted, folded and put away - check!

Diaper bag packed - check!

...can't think of anything else.... Oh - baby afghan half done... Better work on that!

I seem to have pulled a couple muscles in my back a couple days ago and could hardly walk for the last 2 days. Thankfully its on the mend today. I'm kinda surprised it never happened before this, but very glad too!! I'm scheduled to work Fri, but that should be my last day before maternity leave - its getting to be too much... Hopefully won't waist much time before he comes though!