Rise and Shine

Lily,
Just an FYI. You were very restless early this morning. We love you no
matter what but mommy and I prefer it when you wake up happy like you
did here a couple of days ago. Let's try to keep that up, okay. I
thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Love,
Dad

Two Week Video

Lily,

I put together a video for you of your first two weeks with us.  I hope you like it.

Love,

Daddy

Update: Two Weeks

Lily,

Today you are two weeks old.  I can't believe it has only been two weeks since you arrived.  I feel like I have known you my entire life.  Life before you seems so far away right now.  We just got back from your two week doctor visit.  You have done an excellent job in gaining weight.  You now weigh 8.74 pounds which means you gained almost a pound this week!  This is not a surprise to me since your favorite past time is eating.  Sometimes I think you are eating too much.  I am still learning the whole feeding part of being a mom.   You have now figured out day time versus night time.  You are pretty good at sleeping at night.  You have become much more alert this week.  We have nice moments of awake time when you look around with your big eyes.  We have managed several outings during which you have stayed awake.  We have even read several books but I'm pretty sure you are only looking at the patterns of pictures on the pages.  You are keeping me busy and I have a feeling that's not going to change for a very long time!  

Love,

Mom

A View to a Grill

     

After a long day out running errands we figured a little backyard grilling was in order.  You didn't cry the whole time so I take that to mean you enjoyed it.  Of course, as this was your first grilling session, we had to get you all dolled up - and by dolled up, I mean we put a hat on you.  It's a very nice floral number that Nonna picked up.  You kinda look like one of the characters from Fat Albert.

Out on the Town

Today we took you on the first of what will be many trips to Target.  You slept the whole time.  Afterwards, we took a nice trip to Whole Foods and you learned a very important fact about your mother.  She'll buy ANYTHING labeled with any combination of the following words:  organic, all-natural, free-range.  I think she once bought a vacuum cleaner advertised as "cage-free."  Below is a video of you, mom and nonna at the market.  You slept the whole time here as well.

Just Another Sweet Thing

Today we went on our first lunch outing to our favorite local eatery with Nonna.  I see you eyeballing the cookies and cupcakes.  

Out of Pajamas and into Real Clothes!

Today is the first day that we have both put on some real clothes.  We were starting to get a little frumpy in our pajamas.  You are sporting a casual white sweater paired with lime green pants and pink socks for an additional splash of color.  Maybe tomorrow....a dress!

Thank you Nonna!

A great big thank you to Nonna!  She has helped me recover, provided me with food, kept the house tidy, done laundry, and taught me about how to be a mother to a newborn baby.  We can't thank you enough!  

He. Could. Go. All. The. Way.

Parenting 101 - When comforting a newborn there are a number of acceptable and practical means whereby one can safely hold a child.  There's the old standard, the cradle.  There's the updated version, the cross-cradle.  And below, daddy demonstrates the under-appreciated football hold.  While the Heisman pose is not required for comforting baby, the added flair does garner one major style points.

Dreaming of Daddy

Today is Daddy's first day back to work.  We miss him a lot.  Work is really going to get in the way of our little family being together.  Lily played for about an hour this morning.  She is napping now and promised to save some awake time for Daddy when he gets home.  See you soon Daddy.  WE LOVE YOU!

Week One

Lily,

Today you are one week old and we took you to your one week doctors visit.  You weren't too happy during the visit.  You have only lost 2 ounces of your birth weight and you have grown half of an inch.  The doctor says you are perfectly healthy.  I think Mommy and Daddy are finally figuring you out. You have done some nice things this week.  You are able to lift your head for a long period of time and can turn your head from one side to the other when laying on your belly.  You frequently get the hiccups that sometimes keep you up at night.  We haven't figured out how to help you get rid of the hiccups.  Yelling "boo" doesn't seem to be working.  Your umbilical cord fell off today.  After a few more days of it drying you will be ready for your first real bath.  You have really mastered the art of eating.  Our only problem is that you appear to be growing more nocturnal every day.  You love to sleep during the day and are almost impossible to wake up unless you are eating.  After you eat you fall right back to sleep.  Last night you were more interested in looking around and interacting then sleeping.  We're hoping tonight will be different.  

This week we also learned about your open mouth button.  One of my baby development books said that if you press on your palm you will open your mouth and turn your head.  Daddy decided to try this and it totally worked.   Although it set off a DEFCON 3 hunger awareness.  We now know not to push that button.  

Can't wait to see what next week brings us.

Love,

Mom 

What Says the Good Doctor?

We just finished with your first doctors appointment and you passed
with flying colors, although from the picture it's clear that you
weren't very happy with the ordeal. The doctor pretty much said you
were going to grow up to be a superhero. I'm just reporting the facts.

On another note, you are one week old today and already you are more
popular than mommy and daddy combined. Thanks to everyone out there
keeping up with Lily and sending us kind messages. Mommy is going to
post a week one update later to document your progress thusfar.

Since the picture below is not very flattering I'll have to post a
better one later. But first, we have to stop by the store to pick up a
cape.

Daddy's Piece of Heaven

I don't think it gets much better for daddy. You in his arms watching
English soccer.

Our Fine Furry Friends

Before you were born Bowie and Scout were our housemates for eight and 7 years respectively. Naturally, it being only the four of us for so long, we were curious how they would react upon your arrival.  Let's take a look at how they've been since you got home.

"Bowie, where's Lily?"

Nothing.

"Scout, where's Lily?"

"Yea, you found her!"

"Okay Scout, I get it, you have heeded my command and located my child.  I get it."

"For real, dog.  I understood the first three times.  You can go now."

"I still see you there."

"Bowie, where's Lily?"

Nothing.

An Observation

A typical pre-Lily-birth conversation:

Dad:  Ugg, I can't stand that!

Mom:  What?

Dad:  All these parents who have their kids' pictures on all their stuff - their phones, screen savers, MyFaceTwitterSpace profiles, homemade keychain photo holders!  Where does it end? Don't they know there are more important things than their kids?

Mom:  I know, right?

A typical post-Lily-birth conversation:

Dad:  Ugg, I can't stand that!

Mom:  What?

Dad:  All these people who complain about parents having their kids' pictures on all their stuff - our desktops, laptops, iPhoto mashups and non-stop posts on Blogspot!  Don't they know that there is nothing more important than our kid?

Mom:  I know, right?

Another Day, Another Visit

Congratulations! With all the money that mommy and daddy have spent
at Babies 'R' Us, we are now 32% shareholders in the company. Pretty
soon we'll have a controlling stake and appoint ourselves as the board
of directors. That's when the big bucks roll in.

The Birth Story

Dear Lily,

After several much needed days of rest, I thought I would put your birth story in writing.  All in all it was fairly uneventful, much like the whole pregnancy.  This is a good thing.  I began to feel some contractions on Saturday.  These contractions were a breeze and I thought this birthing thing might not be so bad.  The contractions continued while I was at work on Monday.  After driving Grandpa and Aunt Bianca to the airport, I realized the contractions were stronger and closer together.  I had a feeling you were about ready to make an appearance.  By 1:00 that morning contractions were no longer a breeze.  By 4:00 am we knew we needed to leave for the hospital. Daddy was a great coach and Nona was there the whole time to support me.  But after 12 hours of  labor and without any medication things were not moving as quickly as before.  Then I made the decision to receive an epidural.  Best.  Decision.  Ever.  You were born a few hours later at 3:33 pm.  

Once you arrived we quickly learned of your strength.  Less than a minute old I heard you tried to roll over.  You appear to be a quick learner.  You have taken to eating very well. You have also taken to pooping very well.  You are opening your eyes and taking the world in every minute.  I am excited to show you the world and teach you everything I know.  I'm sure you have a lot to teach me too.  I fell in love the first second I saw you.  

Love,

Mom

It's a Rough Life

Three things are certain. One - you like to eat. Two - you like to
sleep. Three - you like to eat some more. Every once in awhile you
show us your peepers and mommy and I make funny sounds. You like to
follow the red light on the camcorder, which is hard not to do since
that thing is always up on your business.

Sounds like you're waking up so I'd better go now. You probably need
to do one of your favorite things.

Where's Lily?

When trying to blend in to one's surroundings, natural-looking camouflage provides the best level of concealment.  In this case, great idea but...pink kinda stands out.  In fact, it had the opposite effect.  That's okay.  It's a good color on you.  You can thank Aunt Kim for that swaddle.

Strike a Pose

Now, really.  Could you be any cuter?  Too bad mommy decided to dress you like a clown today.

Lily's First Walk

Heavy Napper

We went on your first trek outdoors well over two hours ago and you
are still asleep. Maybe it's because I'm watching soccer and it's
keeping you in dreamland. You're just like your mother.

Lillies for Lily

These are the first flowers I got for you. More to follow.

First Pictures