Two Weeks

I can hardly believe it's been 2 weeks since Dylan's arrival! So much has happened in such a short period...

* Our first family photo...
Although Dylan was placed briefly on my chest a few minutes after birth, it wasn't until 3 hours later that I finally was able to hold my sweet boy. We had a few minor worries during labor and immediately after so he was taken to the Special Care nursery for a checkup. Trent stayed with him until rejoining me during my room change from the L&D wing to postpartum. Mom snapped this shot of Trent handing Dylan to me for the first time.

* Dylan met grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends and our pastor...
* Dylan had his first smile and learned to roll to his side by day 3!

* We were blessed with gifts of meals from family and friends.

* Trent, Dylan and I were spoiled by my mom who spent 10 days with us helping with everything from fixing our meals, cleaning the house and sharing mothering skills with me...

* Dylan had 3 pediatrician visits to check for jaundice and weight gain. As of Friday, he was almost completely cleared of the jaundice and had his weight up to 9lb 1oz (an 11oz gain from the previous Friday!). And he's barely fitting in newborn clothes now.

* I learned that Dylan does not like swaddling - his arms and legs must be free to stretch and kick! Something that was pretty obvious to me in the last weeks of pregnancy. And, since I promised him then that he'd have lots of room to stretch out after his birth, I've done my best to keep up my end of the bargain. :)

* Dylan took his first ride in his stroller...
which he slept through just like every walk we take. We've gotten into a weekday schedule of walking twice a day.

* I'm feeling much better and have regained a lot of my strength and energy.

* Dylan still gets daily hiccups just as he did in the final months of pregnancy.

* My sister, his Aunt Mary, spent 3 days with us this week helping with Dylan's care and housework. And we're looking forward to having Trent's sister, Aunt Heather, coming to help us out this upcoming week.

* I've learned some of Dylan's signs that he's hungry and can often get him feeding before he starts to cry.

* Cali and Chester are still adjusting to the new addition to the family...

* Trent returned to work and Dylan & I are working on creating a weekday schedule (mostly, I'm adapting to his schedule!).

* Dylan & I ventured out to the grocery store last Tuesday with help from my mom. And this past Friday, Trent & I were brave enough to make trips to Target and BJs with Dylan - who slept through it all (even his parents struggling with how to properly place the carrier on shopping carts - who knew that could vary so much from store to store!). Little Dylan relaxing in his playpen just before the big shopping trip...
* Trent, Dylan & I have enjoyed a quiet weekend of just the 3 of us - our first time alone since his birth.

Overall our little boy is a sweet, relaxed baby. He only cries when he's very tired and/or frustrated. He'll go 3-4 hours between feedings overnight allowing us both to get a good bit of rest.

And while it's only been 2 weeks, Trent & I are finding it hard to remember what our life was like before. We're enjoying this new adventure and learning how to be Mom & Dad ourselves (which still sounds a bit foreign!). Little Dylan truly is a blessing and we are enjoying every moment.