One Month and Counting...

Yesterday, we celebrated the end of Jack's first month with us.  Statistically speaking, I've got a baby giant on my hands.  It seems as though his weight-gaining has slowed down considerably, however, as he weighed in yesterday at 10lbs. 9oz, which is just over an ounce a day since our last doctor's visit and much more "normal" for babies his size and age.  In terms of his skills, he learned how to flip from his stomach to his back, he can smile, and he's starting to coo (which I think is his way of starting to laugh).  He's changed so much in the past month and is looking more and more like Jeff every day. 

I took a picture of him yesterday with his stuffed dog...if you scroll down a few posts, you can see his newborn picture with the same stuffed dog when he was just five days old...and here he is now at one month old:

You may also notice his "hipster" shirt, which was a gift from Auntie Lindsey and Uncle Brendan.  Jeff has a number of shirts similar to this one, and they bought it so Jack could match his daddy.  He's starting to grow out of his newborn clothes and is getting into his zero to three months outfits...which we have a lot of!  I don't think he'll ever have to wear the same outfit twice!  His legs are still short (big surprise, considering Jeff and I are his parents!) and he still wears newborn pants.  Personally, if it wasn't for his GIANT tummy, I think he'd still be wearing all his newborn clothes. 

In terms of sleeping, overall he's been pretty good at night.  However, the past two nights have been a bit frustrating.  I feel badly for Jeff...he's still got to get up and go to work every morning and Jack and I can nap throughout the day.  Last night, Jack woke up at about 3:00 a.m. and was inconsolable.  All he wanted to do was feed to self-soothe.  However, he'd spit up just about everything he took down because he was full, obviously!  So, I got up with him, walked around the house, tried the "5-S Technique" (if you don't know what this is and you have a newborn, learn it!), changed his diaper, rocked him, tried his pugger, and just about every other soothing technique in my repertoire, and nothing worked.  So, I put him in his crib, closed the door to his room and came back to bed.  I told Jeff that we were just going to let Jack "cry it out" because there was nothing else I could do.  Jeff asked if I was sure I could let him do that, since it's not really in my nature, so to speak, and I told him I'd try.  Well, I listened to Jack cry on the monitor for about thirty seconds...and then I fell asleep.  Honestly, I don't think you know what kind of deals you're willing to make with the devil until you're up at 3:00 in the morning with a screaming child.  And, of course, he was still sleeping when I went in to feed him at 7:00 this morning and appears no worse for the wear.  Unfortunately, I think he wore himself out because it's almost noon now and he hasn't really woken up.  He basically slept through a feeding, changing, and me getting him dressed for the day...

We have nowhere to go today and no errands to run.  We're sitting in bed right now and I'm watching snow fall, while catching up on emails and working on stuff for the showers I'm hosting in a few weeks.  It's actually quite peaceful, although Jack will have to get up in a bit so he'll actually sleep tonight...
      

HeMan Super Star!

So, I was sitting on the couch tonight, working on the invitations for my sister's baby shower.  Jack was on his blanket in front of the couch, and he was enjoying some "tummy time."  I glanced up and realized that he was about two feet away from where I had put him and he was on his back!  I thought it was a fluke, until I put him back on his stomach and he immediately rolled over again!  So, like any parent, I pulled out my trusty iPhone and captured it on video! 

Clearly, I'm raising a professional athlete.  Clearly. 

Jack's First Christmas

Well, we had the most fun over Christmas!  Jack was very accommodating and I think he enjoyed all the attention.  He certainly didn't spend much time on his own!  He got in lots of snuggles with family and friends...and he even got to spend a little quiet time with Mom and Dad.

We started off the Christmas celebrations with our Bennie friends.  We got together for some great food, cocktails (albeit alcohol-free for me!) and great conversations.  We had such a nice time, and Jack was so well behaved...here we are, enjoying some snuggle time in front of the Christmas tree before we started the gift exchange. 

I was the recipient of a "Girl's Night In" theme present, complete with bath accessories and some very comfy undies...which Jack was kind enough to model for us...maybe this will be a flashback when he's at his bachelor party in thirty years? 

He also got to spend some quality time bonding with Baby Ella, who is just a few months older than he is.  Can you tell that I've got a baby giant on my hands?  He kept trying to swing his legs onto her and push himself around.  She did not appreciate that. 

On Thursday, we got together with my dad's side of the family and Jack spent some time bonding with them as well.  My Aunt Jill was amazing with him and they are officially the first alternate on the list of babysitters.  He also spent some quiet time on the couch, napping with my Uncle Brian...   

On Friday, my high school girlfriends came over and Jeff got dressed up as Santa Claus.  It was a riot...until one of the kids caught Santa kissing Auntie Katie in front of the Christmas tree!  Whoops!  On Christmas Eve, we went to my parents' house and had an amazing dinner.  Jeff and my Dad stayed at home with Jack while my mom and I went to church.  On Christmas morning, my sister and her husband came over and we opened presents, played some games, and had some more great food...

Finally, yesterday, Jeff and I had our first post-baby date.  We dropped Jack off early at my parents' house and then went and saw a movie and went out for sushi.  It was so nice to spend some quality time with Jeff that didn't involve fussing over the baby or talking about him!  However, I was anxious to get back and see him. 

Today, I'm a little bit under the weather...I think I'm coming down with a cold or something, so Jack and I have been having some quality snuggle time in bed, watching television, and taking long naps.  We don't have much to do this week...we have a wedding on New Year's Eve, so my parents will watch him again while Jeff and I have some champagne and dance. 

He is four weeks old today and continues to be a really amazing baby.  We are getting excited for Grandma T. and Uncle Chris and Aunt Kate to come and visit in a few weeks too!   

Getting into the Groove...

So, over the past few weeks, I've pretty much been letting Jack do whatever he wants, in terms of sleeping and feeding.  He's been such a good little man that it's easy to take him places because he just sleeps the day away in his car seat.  Well, that started to turn into some late nights for his mother, so now, we're working on getting into a routine.  Yesterday, he really only slept for about an hour and a half, and fell asleep last night at about 8:00 while we were out at our Christmas party.  Makes it really easy for me to socialize (because who doesn't LOVE to hold a sleeping baby?) but again, we had yet another late night.  So, today, we're working on establishing a routine.  And we're finally using some of our gadgets - like the crib and video monitor! 

So, we woke up this morning, had some breakfast, and Jack went back to bed while I got ready and started on the morning chores.  Jack woke up at about 7:30 and I got him dressed and took him downstairs for some stretch and play time.  He fell asleep after the mid-morning feeding, so I went upstairs to put him in his crib.  Well, he doesn't really seem to want to sleep there just yet, and as I'm typing this, I can see on the video monitor that he's awake and playing in his crib.  He's not crying, and I'm hoping that he'll go back to sleep.  He's also developing the nasty habit of only sleeping when someone (namely me) is holding him.  Obviously, that will have to change.

We're in the midst of Christmas partying.  Last night, we kicked off the holiday with a party at my girlfriend's house.  It was so much fun.  Jack was such a good little boy and was very accommodating for all his aunties.  He also wore a special outfit! 

 

He is very handsome.  This afternoon, Jack is going to stay with my parents while I head to the doctor - yet another big step.  His first babysitters!  We have a Christmas get together with my dad's side of the family tonight, so he'll have to bring his game yet again.  Tomorrow night, my high school girlfriends are coming over as well.  And, Jeff is going to dress up as Santa Claus!  Finally, we'll head to my parents' house on Christmas Eve and stay there through Christmas Day.  I'm actually looking forward to next week when things will have calmed down and then we can really work on getting on an appropriate schedule. 

Finally, we're headed out to New Jersey to meet all the family in the middle of January.  Fortunately, I'll be traveling out with Grandma T. and hopefully Jeff, so the flying won't be too stressful...I hope!  We'll be staying with Aunt Kate and "Unkie" Chris in their new house and I'm so excited to see that, along with all our other relatives! 

And don't worry, I'll make sure to take LOTS of pictures of Jack's first Christmas.  But, until then, I"ll just put this one picture up here, just to make you smile.  This little face sure makes me smile every day! 

 PS...the little man is still awake and playing in his crib.  The good news is that he doesn't hate it! 

Three Weeks

Today, we are "celebrating" the fact that Jack has now been here for three weeks!  In just a few more days, we'll be celebrating his first Christmas.  We had a rough night on Saturday, and I was up for the better part of it...and as I was trying to quiet and entertain my otherwise bright-eyed child, I started thinking of all the things that I needed to get done before Christmas...the shopping, wrapping, mailing, hosting, and cooking that goes along with this holiday.  So, when Jack finally DID get to sleep, I couldn't sleep and started making lists on my iPhone, just so I could remember all the things that I needed to get done in just a week's time. 

So, this is why I'm thankful for my little "elves" that came here this weekend.  Grandpa Storms and Aunt Sam came and visited and met Jack for the first time.  I was so grateful for the hands-free time, even though I kept one ear cocked for tantrums.  It's amazing how quickly that instinct develops.  Still, I was flying all over the house, getting things together, addressing cards, writing thank-you notes, folding laundry, cooking dinner...all the things you take for granted in a life B.B. (that's Before Baby, FYI).  Jeff and his dad also put together our new guest bed and picked up a mattress for it as well on Sunday so we'll be able to host guests coming in for Jack's christening next month. 

After they left, my parents came up, brought me dinner, and played with the baby while I finished up some laundry, greeting cards, and other miscellaneous things around the house. 

Yesterday, Jack and I finished up our shopping, wrapped presents, and went to the post office to drop off and mail all the packages to relatives we're not going to see over the holiday.  So now, I can finally stop and take a breath!  And maybe relax a little...but we're going again tomorrow...we've got Christmas parties every night for the rest of the week! 

In any case, Jack continues to amaze me every single day.  He's such an alert and happy baby...and I hope that never changes!  Last night, he slept for six hours straight.  I woke up in a panic at 5:30 this morning, realizing that Jack never woke me up...but there he was, squawking for breakfast.  Afterwards, we had a little play time and music education.  Jeff has made it his mission to read him the world's great speeches (think Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream") while I have taken it upon myself to educate Jack's musical tastes.  This morning, we learned about Janis Joplin, John Mayer and Michael Jackson.  I'll leave it to his New Jersey relatives to teach him about The Boss... 

The one thing that surprises me more than anything else about having a baby is the amount of laundry that accumulates on a daily basis.  Seriously, I think I get puked on several times a day, in addition to all the puke on his clothes...the sheets, burp cloths, blankets, and furniture.  I don't think a day has gone by since Jack was born that I haven't done at least one load of laundry.  I have no clue how I'll be able to keep that up when I go back to work...

Today, we're going to head out to Bed, Bath, and Beyond to look for some bedding for our new room and possibly some new paint colors.  But, I think we're going to make some time for us today, seeing as how we won't have a minute to ourselves for another week!

And last, but not least...here's a few pictures from Jack's newborn shoot:

 

So, from the Storms family...Merry Christmas!   

Chunky Monkey...

So, I took Jack to the doctor today, mostly because I was concerned he'd developed acid reflux.  He keeps spitting up after every feeding and makes odd grunting noises after eating and it sounded as though he had labored breathing.  I also had concerns that he was aspirating some of his food, because he occasionally chokes after he's done eating. 

Turns out, I just have a really hungry little buddy...

We were discharged from the hospital two weeks ago.  When we left, he weighed 7lbs even.  Today at the doctor, he was 9lbs 6oz...the doctor said that most newborns should gain about an ounce a day.  So, he's gained thirty-eight ounces in fourteen days, which means he's gaining almost three times that amount every day (technically, 2.7 ounces daily...and I know because the doctor laughed and did the math!).  It's nothing to be concerned about, but I need to scale down the time he spends feeding to avoid the spit ups and consequential laundry that results from it.  The doctor actually joked that I should train him to enter professional eating contests...

Hey, if it'll pay for college, I might consider it!   

Two Weeks...

Jack celebrated his two week birthday yesterday.  I can't believe how quickly time goes now that he's out in the world instead of still cooking inside me.  I also can't believe how quickly he has grown!  As I was getting him dressed this morning, I put a hat on him that was HUGE on him at the hospital, and now I almost think it's too small for him.  It seems that everyone we meet tells us how fast the time goes and before I know it, I'll be dancing at his wedding.  I really hope that doesn't happen and I'm trying to enjoy every moment.  He's napping right now, and I want to wake him up, just so I can spend some time with him.  

However, the bonus is that he becomes more engaging just about every day.  For example, he got this great play mat from his Auntie Jan and Auntie Margo and up until yesterday, he wailed every time I put him on it.  Then, yesterday, we tried again and he loved it!  He was playing with the hanging animals, hitting them with his little fists and kicking the piano keys:

 

He wanted to stay on that mat for hours.  I put him down there again this morning for some play time, and went to make lunch...when I came back, he was fast asleep, so I covered him up and he's still sleeping there. 

I also mentioned before that Jack really hates baths.  Well, his Aunt Kate and Uncle Chris sent him this adorable elephant towel, with his name monogrammed on it.  I wanted to get a picture of Jack, all wrapped up and snuggled in the towel after his bath...however, he wasn't having it...

Still, the towel is really cute!  I'm not sure why he hates the bath so much.  However, the minute I stick him in the tub, he wails...and it's not his I'm hungry/I'm tired/I'm wet howl...it's a straight up banshee scream that really doesn't abate until he's dressed again. 

Finally, our favorite time of day is first thing in the morning.  There are days that I don't even want to get out of bed because I love playing with him and looking at him so much.  He's started smiling when get gets kisses and it looks like he wants to laugh when I blow on his belly...

 

I took this picture while tickling him...he's smiling even in his sleep.  I am loving all this time at home with him right now and I can't imagine how difficult it will be to go back to work in a few months.  I'm not going to think about it just yet. 

Tonight, we have our first party...actually, Jeff's firm is hosting its annual holiday party, and Jack and I will make an appearance.  I found a Christmas outfit for him yesterday.  I have learned that, if I want him to wear a specific outfit somewhere, it's best not to get him dressed up in it until it's time to leave because the predictability of diapers is questionable! 

 

Being Jack...

First, to dispense with the necessary details:

 

 

Name: John Robert Storms

Nickname: Jack

Date of Birth: November 29, 2011

Length: 21 inches

Weight: 7lbs. 9oz

Head Circumference: 13 inches

In any case, I think it's easy to say that our world has been turned upside down since that day, but we have been loving (or rather I have been loving) every minute of it. Jeff's schedule really hasn't slowed down much to allow him to enjoy it. Still, he does have an opportunity to get Jack ready for bed at night and give him a kiss every morning.

He'll be two weeks old tomorrow and I'm already missing every day that's passed since he was born. I can't believe how much this little man has worked his way into every crevice of my being. There's a commercial that's popular right now where a woman is bathing her baby and says that she never imagined the love of her life would be a small, bald and toothless man...and I couldn't agree more. Maybe I'd feel differently if Jack were a more difficult baby, but he's been an easy going little man since the day he was born. I think he's taking it easy on his new parents.

Overall, he is a really amazing baby. He is very relaxed almost all the time and only cries when he needs something...and his needs are fairly simple at this point. There are a few things he doesn't like, however. For example, he hates baths. Just hates them. He wails every time I put him in the tub. For some reason, he's not a huge fan of his swing chair just yet unless he's passed out, but he loves his Bunny chair. He sits in it and watches me get showered and dressed every morning. He likes his Grammy and Papa. He likes raspberries being blown on his belly. He really likes to eat and has put on a good deal of weight since he came home from the hospital. He doesn't like getting into his car seat, but once he's in there, it's almost cathartic for him and he falls asleep almost immediately.

It takes us about three hours to get out of the house these days. When we wake up, we have breakfast, a diaper change, and he gets dressed. After all that activity, he's usually ready for a nap or he's content to sit in his Bunny chair while I get ready. Then, I run around, taking care of a few chores around the house, spend a little time with Maverick, and then it's time for a mid-morning snack, another diaper change, and possibly an outfit change if the circumstances warrant. Finally, we can get into our car seat, start the car, and head out for our daily adventure. We've been trying to get out of the house every day. Even if it's just to Target, I have found that we've always got something to do or someplace to go. Especially now that it's the Christmas season. I can't believe how quickly the days go. By the time we get back to the house, it's time to start dinner and wait for Daddy to get home.

Today, we had quite the busy day.  We went down to the office to visit, and I needed to get a bunch of documents notarized for Jack's birth certificate.  Then, we had to go to the courthouse and file the paperwork and I received his official birth certificate.  Afterwards, I needed a coffee and a snack, as did Jack (minus the coffee, of course).  Then, we went to Macy's to the eighth floor to see the elf display and we finally got to see Santa Claus.  The stimulation might have been a bit much for the little man because he really pitched a fit and we needed to spend some quiet time together afterwards.  Finally, we hit up Target to buy some gifts for the child we "adopted" from the Giving Tree at church this holiday season and stopped by Grammy and Papa's afterwards to wrap the gifts.  Jack finally calmed down by the time we got to their house and he's been sleeping since we left.

Finally, I'll just pass along this quick story before I sign off because it looks like Jack is starting to wake up.  Last night, Jeff took Jack upstairs to get ready for bed.  As I'm turning off the lights downstairs, I hear Jeff yell, "Code Yellow!  Code Yellow!"  I holler upstairs to see what the problem is, and it turns out that Jack let loose and peed all over the place while Jeff was changing his diaper.  I grabbed the Windex and a rag, and went up to the nursery.  Poor Jack had peed all over the place...on the wall, the floor, his face, and his hair!  Chalk it up to our newness of parenting, I guess...so, we had to have a bath while Daddy cleaned up the residual. 

We should have his newborn shots in the next day or so, and I'll upload a few of my favorites.  On the agenda this week is to make our Christmas cards and try and get them out the door.  We also have to open his savings account.  His Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma Storms sent him a very generous gift to start his college fund.  I'll try and post as much as I can, but life with a newborn is unpredictable.  So, until next time...