Happy Thanksgiving!!!

We are now 7 weeks into this - I am amazed at how much he changes everyday! I can tell he is getting bigger especially when I have him on my lap because he legs extend off now. I put Zane in the outfit we brought him home from the hospital in just for fun:



So yes, he is a little stretched out there but I kid you not even just sitting the outfit is now a crop top and hip huggers!!

We had a great time at Papa and Grammy's for Thanksgiving yesterday, the food was incredible and the company even better. Zane was in a great mood and we got this shot which is one of my favorites:



We are headed on Tuesday for a check up and immunizations -please say a prayer for the little guy. (and for me, goodness!) I hope you all had a great day yesterday.

Six weeks - and GROWING!

and I was concerned that he might not be getting enough to eat! My little peanut is now 10lbs 6.7oz! It was hard to see the growth (still is) as he continues to be long and lean - I kept expecting him to turn into a plump roly poly baby when he started gaining. Of course, some of this also is related to my neurosis that I keep thinking that I am not producing enough milk for him but so far so good (apparently!)





We had an amazing (albeit, one time) experience last saturday night - Zane slept from 11:45 pm to 5:45 am!!! It was unreal and while he has not yet even gotten remotely close to this feat again (best is we hang out at the 3 1/2 almost 4 hour range) it was an amazing encouragement to us.

I am not looking forward to his eight week appointment - in that he will be getting immunizations - but it will give us the next insight to his continued growth! When he was circumcised (in the pediatrician's office, they didn't do it in the hospital) Mark and I were only two doors down and could hear the screaming. Much different sound than the "I'm hungry" or "I'm wet" or "Just hold me" cries - it was the "OH MY GOODNESS WHAT IS GOING ON HELP ME!!!!!!" cry and just cut me through the heart. I used to give a lot of immunizations when I was volunteering at CAPN (free clinic in ATL), sometimes five at a time, and I have A LOT more sympathy for the caregivers/parents now watching me plunge needles in their kids. Sheesh, kinda glad I didn't know then what they were feeling!

In other news, Zane smiled at us for the first time this evening!! He has been a sweet sleep smilier for some time
but tonight when Mark got home from work we were playing with him and he definitely cracked a smile a few times. It was just awesome! Of course, when we tried to recreate the moment we got this pouty sad face - I couldn't resist posting the video though, it is so cute!

Five Weeks Old

Another week has passed - I can see the changes in baby Zane (he now has eyebrows!!) and yet the rest is a blur - it is so hard to believe that Zane has been with us over a month! He is a wonderful baby - he has his moments, melt downs, etc but overall is just a joy. Thankfully, he generally sleeps well and usually in 3 - 3 1/2 hour segments at night (who knew I would cheer for three hours of sleep??!!)




We have dealt some with what people have referred to has 'twilight hour' or 'witching hour' - some have theorized that it is the culmination of daily routine and over stimulation. In the evenings Zane will just cry and be irritable and nearly inconsolable - he's not hungry, not wet/dirty - no explanation that we can figure out though Mark has some wonderful techniques that Zane responds really well to.


I have enjoyed tremedously the wonderful birthday gifts from Mark and from Grammy, Poppa, and Rusty, Lorie and the kiddos. After much protest and saying that 'I don't think I would use it' Mark got me a Roomba - and I LOVE IT!! (yes, you all were right). It is so great to just have that thing motor around the kitchen and clean the floors, even right up next to the cabinets. We also have let it zoom around the living room with awesome results. It works best to have a good thourough vacuum and then run this little guy daily or every other day for the little messes.

http://irobotathome.com/index.php/really-works/roomba?

I also was blessed with a single cup coffee maker - a Keurig - which has been FANTASTIC! I had my first cup of coffee since Zane was born on November 4th. I love this thing - there are all sorts of different coffee flavors, including a divine Pumpkin Spice flavor, delicious teas, even hot chocolate. Also, it easily heats water to make tea with conventional tea bags which is great since I have been drinking this herbal mother's milk tea. Oh, and did I mention it looks fantastic on the countertop??!!

One Month Old!!

Well, yesterday I turned 30 years old - and more exciting, however, is that Zane turned 30 days old!!! It is so hard to believe he has been here a month -




I was trying out different settings on my camera, I need to pull the book out again. I was trying to find one with quick shutter speed and good contrast color - we need a good session with photographer Uncle Matt!! You can see him flapping his arms around in this one:


and his one month video - I find his neck strength to be quite advanced for his age : )

Halloween

We had a great time on Halloween - we went over to Mark's parent's house, ate some delicious chili and they had a great trick or treater turn out. (must be because Nancy gave out full size candy bars - those are always popular houses!) She had roughly 95 candy bars and some snack size ones for the big kids - that's a lot of goblins, ghouls, football players, fairies, superheros, etc!!!

Here Zane looks a little frightened:



and here he is in his costume, a baby pumpkin:



notice the double jointed thumbs, his Papa (Mark's dad) noticed this while he was holding him. He is definitely showing a lot of his Daddy's characteristics, add this to the list!