Peter's Real First Days

Kirsten called yesterday to tell me that 4 year-old Ben still blesses Baby Peter and me when he prays. I'm so happy that Peter has such wonderful cousins who love him so much. He is one lucky boy.

These are pictures from his first days. I remember being in the ICU right after surgery. The doctors and nurses weren't sure if I had brain function at that time due to the lack of oxygen after I arrested. They were updating each other on my case, waiting for me to wake up. While I couldn't move or make sounds, I could hear everything they said. I could hear Scott and the anesthesiologist giving me a blessing. I could hear them talking to me, asking me to move my foot or open my eyes. I couldn't do any of that. All I could do was listen and lay patiently until I could find some way to communicate to them that I was alright (I finally caught Scott's attention with a wiggle of my tongue. I'm glad he's so observant!). I heard a lot of things during that time, and I had some wonderful feelings and experiences as I lay there that are personal to my husband and me. But one thing I did hear was that Peter would be going home with my sister until I was well enough to go home myself. I felt such overwhelming peace knowing that my little boy would go to the most loving home he could, where he would be well-taken care of. I knew my sister would do everything in her power to make sure he was cared for as I would care for him if I could have (maybe even better!) She did a wonderful job. She surrounded him with love, kept him safe, and did the practical things that she knew would be important to me (ie: making sure he learned to sleep in his bed instead of being held constantly, picking the best formula and bottles since the option to breastfeed was no longer available to me, making sure everyone washed their hands till they were raw before touching the baby, making sure her kids "only touch his toes", and showing him pictures of Scott and me so we could still feel as though he knew us even though we were away... she even had newborn photos taken!). Each time a family member or friend came to the hospital and told me of their time with Peter, I felt the strangest mix of feelings. I was happy that Peter was so loved, but I was sad and insecure that everyone else was developing a bond with my baby before I could. But even with that insecurity, I never for a second felt apprehensive about his stay with Kirsten. If Peter couldn't be home with Scott and me during those first couple weeks, then I couldn't imagine a better place for him to be. I am so grateful that Kirsten, Nick, and their whole family made the sacrifice to help me in a way that they only could. I am so grateful for their Christlike gift. I love them all so much.

First Days (for me)

I wasn't able to be with my baby for the first 11 days of his life... so while these weren't his first days, they were MY first days WITH HIM.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from those first few days/weeks.

How about you... you...you...?

Going to the zoo...zoo..zoo...

One of my first outings post ICU was a trip to the zoo. This was about three weeks after I was discharged, and I just loved it! It was such a joy to walk around the zoo in the beautiful sunny weather. I was so happy to spend time with the little people, and I loved having my own little person to push around in his stroller. It felt great to get out and get moving... and of course I had to have my little fill of dip n' dots (that's the biggest reason to go to the zoo). This is Peter's first trip to the zoo! It will be so fun next summer/fall when he's old enough to enjoy it!

Hippo!

Sarajane's most recent exciting word is "hippo" so we thought it only fitting that Peter wear his hippo hat on Halloween Saturday to the Badger's dinner in the driveway. We had Harry Potter, Spiderman, and Snow White join us... Okay... so I was a little lame with the costuming this year. Scott at least wore a wig. Next year Peter and I will be something really cool. I'll start planning it now. Just wait and see...

Little Man Nick Names

We have had quite the collection of nicknames for Peter. They rotate in and out, changing daily.

Little Man
Baby Boy
Sweet Pete
Petereater
Peter Pan
Peter Pan Man
Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater (seems long for a nick name... but my nickname growing up was Binzerbooperstinkinpooperraggamuffinnankinpooperfiddlinfruitlooper).
Petersburgh (That's Scott's doing)
Angel
Peanut
Pierre (His cousin, Sarajane, can't say Peter yet)

Little Man Stats

It's funny how excited I get when I know we have a trip to the pediatrician coming. I love our pediatrician. Peter loves him too. He'll stare at him, listen to his voice, and jabber back to him. And the doctor's name is Peter, too, so that makes him even cooler.

Today's appointment went wonderfully. I know that Peter's growing. I tried to button up one of this three-month sleepers today and it barely buttoned because he's just getting so long! Most of his little sleepers are floods, which leads to cold ankles. I'm going to have to go through his clothes tonight and pack away all the ones that are too small. I swear I did this just last week.

Peter was great the whole appointment, smiling and sitting so contently on my lap. He has grown three inches since birth... he is now 24 inches long!! He is 11.38 pounds (7 pounds 14 ounces at birth)! The doctor was very impressed with his growth curve, and I'm so grateful that he's done so well on formula and that he's so healthy. So he is in the 86% for height and the 36% for weight. Tall and skinny... like his whole extended family (except his Aunt Kirsten... sorry Keek).

He had to get his vaccines today. I can honestly say that it was the very first time we have seen him shed a tear. Even at his fussiest moment, he has never actually cried to the point of tears. I may be a terrible mother, but I couldn't help but laugh a little. He had a little fit for about five minutes, and after some snuggling, he sat in his car seat. He's been snoozing and smiling ever since. I'm a lucky lucky mom.

Loving this boy more and more every day... didn't that that was possible! I'm so grateful for the beautiful creation of family. Peter truly puts the world into perspective. Everything I have loved and enjoyed in life pales in comparison to the joy and the sense of purpose that comes from this angel in our lives. Scott and I couldn't be happier.

Little Man Is Two Months Old!

Little man is two months old today! He is getting so big and changing so much! Every day is different. I can't wait until monday when we go for his two month check up so I can get all of his doctor stats. But for now, here are some mom stats.

Peter is an absolute angel. He has been since the beginning, even while patiently waiting for me to get out of the hospital and take care of him. He is so happy and so content. The only sounds that come out of his mouth are smiley jabbers and chit chat. He loves to laugh at his Grandpa Dave's funny sounds and tickles. He loves to snuggle, which I love. Peter usually wakes us up for a 3am feeding, and then he's back to bed till 7. But miraculously, the last few nights he's slept all the way through the night! We are all pretty thrilled about that. He still has tons of hair, but it's getting a bit lighter. More of a light brown with a hint of red, like mine, but with all of his dad's callicky goodness. He's getting taller and taller... wearing size 3-6 months. He is getting so strong. He's holding his own head up more often now... I think he'll be a full time head-holder by the end of next week. He's so close. He loves to look up. No matter where he is, he wants to look up... as up as he can! He seems to think his head can spin all the way around. Who knows, maybe it can. He loves to jump up and down on our laps, and he's convinced he can stand on his own. Again... who knows? Maybe he can do all kinds of things we don't know about. He loves to read his little black and white shapes book, and can entertain himself staring at that same book over and over again. This is my favorite part: He LOVES his Raggedy Ann doll from his Grandma Lynne. He can be fussing and distracted, but the instant... the INSTANT... I lay him down next to Raggedy Ann, he gets the hugest smile on his face and gets into a serious and lengthy conversation with her. Smile without fail. He loves it. He also loves the tub. He sits back, gets a mellow relaxed look on his face, and just soaks it all in like a mini massage. He especially loves when we wash his hair...not too different from how we all love to get our hair washed with our haircuts. He's his new thing in the last few days... Little Man has found his thumb... sort of. He found his thumb once but now he tries to suck on his entire fist instead of just his thumb. I'm not encouraging it... especially with the all the cold and flu germs going around... but it is pretty cute. I can never get the perfect shot. The instant he discovers I'm filming or taking a picture, he cuts the act.



This boy is so loved, and I couldn't be more grateful. I am grateful that he has such a loving family who took wonderful care of him, even when I couldn't. He makes us so happy, and Scott and I couldn't imagine a greater blessing and gift from God. Happy two months, Peter!

Ding!

Winter is here! It arrived with the first of november. Peter and I have had a lovely time spending this snowy day eating halloween candy and snuggling! Oh I'm so grateful for my cozy little guy.