Two weeks plus some

I meant to do a two week update, but it's hard to find time when there is a soft little newborn head to nuzzle and cuddle.

Last Wednesday at two weeks Egan went back for a quick weight check - up to 7 lb 2oz. So he's doing very well with the eating part. He is already acting and looking older. His face has started to fill out, he's getting a bit of a double chin to cover up that 'yertle the turtle' neck he came out with. He is still sleeping in big chunks (yeah!) but has started to increase his awake and alert time. Unlike his sister, he likes to be put down and look at patterns. (elena has happy to look at patterns, but refused to be put down.) His neck is getting much stronger and he will now push off your shoulder. Elena was born being able to do this, so Egan is working his way up. It's also obvious that he is generally more aware of his surroundings. In the evening he will be awake and alert and then get overstimulated and have a hard time calming down.

Personally, I'm feeling really well. I can't say if it was the lack of pitocin/antibiotics/IV fluids this birth, how much easier nursing is, Egan's more mellow personality regarding sleeping, or the speed of his arrival, but I feel very well. So well, in fact, it can be hard to remember to take it easy. Then of course I pay later. Jake is doing well - he up at work three days a week and 'working from home' on Mondays and Fridays. Elena is holding strong - moving through the adjustment not so much with grace as with determination.

Jake's mom, Dinny, left yesterday. So we are on our own for this week until my mom arrives. Last night as we had to worry about actually putting dinner on the table we came to appreciate even more her help. On the other hand, it was sort of nice to have our family of 4 together for the first time at home. We all managed to eat mac-n-cheese. (egan enjoyed it some hours later heavily processed) and the dishes got done. So we'll call it a success.

How's the older sister doing?

Everyone has been asking, how is Elena doing?

Right now I'm watching her 'play photographer' with poppa and Egan; posing the two of them while she takes photos.

She is doing pretty well. The first few days were good, even though very crazy. Then when we got home, it was a little tough, we didn't really have a routine at home and there was a new baby. Meals happened at funny times, she was getting used to Egan's occasional night crying, and all the nursing time.

Now things are better, but she still sometimes has her tough times (which she had before, so we can't really say it is much different).

For the most part, she loves to love on Egan. She likes to help pet his arm during diaper changes, hold him on the boppy, give him 'arm hugs,' help hold his hand during nursing, give him kisses and cuddles. She likes us to all sing him songs and she reads him stories. Egan, for his part, is still working on focusing his eyes, but likes it when Elena is around and will stare at her and listen to her rambling (until he gets hungry again).

These boots

On Friday a sad thing happened - Elena tried to put on her pink cowboy boots and they would not fit. She has worn a pair of these boots for over three years. They have carried her all over Utrecht, Vienna, England and the US. I tried to find them in bigger sizes, but they only go up to toddler, and this is the largest size. So, it's the end of an era. I knew it was coming, but hard to take none-the-less, since I think of these boots as a huge part of her image.

Thanks for the wonderful memories....


It isn't possible to 'replace' the pink cowboy boots. But now she has 'euro' boots.

Keep your chin up

Like Father, Like Son:


A 1 week old chin
A 1668 week old chin.
A cleft chin, timeless.

1 Week Old

As always, time passes so quickly with a snuggly little newborn in the house.


Egan at one week old.


Egan had his one week appointment today. He is up a few ounces to 6lb 7oz. Almost bigger than his sister at birth. Everything looks great. He is such a mellow baby - much opposite to his dramatic arrival and to his sister's infant days. He is very calm and predictable. He sleeps well, although is still a bit nocturnal. The most amazing thing is how easy a sleeper he is. I always thought that people who talked about being able to put babies down and have them sleep unattended were lying. Elena had to be in constant contact with a person to be relaxed, let alone sleep. Egan, however, is happy to sleep snuggled up with you, or in the moses basket, or in the car seat. Jake and I were at first worried something was wrong with him!

Egan's had a few important firsts -

First time in sling


First bath (out of the hospital) - poor photos due to small bathroom and preschooler 'assistant'


First mail (from Grandma Joan and Grandpa Dwaine, of course!)

And the winner is...

Nana! with the closest total guess.

Check out the details at expectnet.com (game name ElenasSibling)

The date/time was a close call, Becky Lang was almost exactly one day late and Nana was almost exactly one day early. But Becky got killed by the girl guess.

Elena wins the weight pool by guessing 6lb 5oz.

And the furthest off is Aunt Joanna! We'll make her do an extra round of dishes at Thanksgiving.

Fortunately for us, Nana has already claimed her prize of dirty laundry.

Egan meets a few important people

On Thursday, we were cleared to head home from the hospital (much to the relief of both Jake and I's back pain from the uncomfortable hospital beds). Egan is doing great - discharged at about 6 lb 1 oz. After some difficulty obtaining the properly spelled birth certificate, we finally left at about 2pm. He's so tiny in his car seat!


We got home with an extremely calm and sleepy baby. Jake headed off to pick up Elena while Egan and I hung out at home.


Then Brad and Xander came over. Elena got to introduce Egan to Xander.

Elena has announced that 'Xander is like is big brother.' Brad wins friend of the year award by helping Jake clean the couch, rug, and living room while I entertained three kids (a first for me). Elena and Xander made train racing tracks around the bedroom while Egan slept.

Then Nana arrived! Elena introduced Egan to Nana.


Photos are being updated at:
wegodutch.shutterfly.com