Joy

I still can't believe that Connor is here...and healthy...and here! I know that there are so many couples that have a much more difficult time getting their babies, but it was quite the test for us getting Connor here...and I am so grateful that everything turned out ok.

I would have been glad for any baby, but I think God reserved the sweetest one in heaven just for us. Connor came out calm and peaceful and he's stayed that way. He has an affect on anyone that holds him, you can't help but speak a little softer and feel a little calmer. Yes, we've had a handful of sleepless nights and we're 3 for 3 with reflux, but for the most part Connor is a sweet, happy baby. Andrew and Josh were naughty little ones so this is new for us. His "fussy" time is between 6 & 9 pm, if you can call it that. We swaddle him up tight, give him a binky and he stares at us wild-eyed until he eventually falls asleep. Randy and I actually fight over who gets to hold him at night because it means that we get to relax and watch TV while the other puts Andrew & Josh to bed. He is our first baby that has been able to sleep in the same room with us at night which is so precious for me. During this pregnancy, Randy and I were dead set on this being our last baby. But this little guy definitely tempts me into having one more. But Randy is still insistent that we are D.O.N.E. so I think it will take a burning bush experience for us to actually have another baby...no one hold their breath or anything.

At Connor's 3-day checkup, he weighed 7 lb. 11 oz.; at 2 weeks, he weighed 9 lb. 9 oz.; and at 3 weeks he weighed 10 lb. 7 oz. So this little critter is doing his job well. He is getting fat and rolly-polly and we love it!

From the start, he loves when we talk to him. His eyes light up. In the last couple of days, he's been cooing and smiling.

Going from two to three children has been a much smoother transition than going from one to two. I think it helps that there is an almost 4-year gap between Josh and Connor. Also, Andrew is in school all day and Josh goes to preschool twice a week. It's busy with picking up, dropping off, homework, friends, activities and such, but we're starting to get the hang of it. I'm just trying to enjoy this precious time. I don't think I've been happier in my entire life than I am right now. I love being a mom. And I love my husband. This really is where we find true joy.

Here are some picture from the last few weeks:

I love newborn gowns. My mom got him this one - it was too big for him when he was born, but he fills it out quite nicely now.

The little glutton sleeps in his swing during the day.

The Sleepy Wrap. Best invention ever.

Grandma Lamb

Great Grandma Doris

Smiles

Connor is one month old today and I swear he just gave me two genuine smiles. What a joy this baby is!

4 Days Old...

Connor is just 4 days old here. And so yummy. It took almost four hours to get these shots - the little glutton just wanted to eat and eat!

Thank you to Becky Woods (Becky Ann Photography) who took these. She has lots of patience!!

What Josh Thinks of Connor

Me: Are you a little bit cute or a lot cute?

Josh: A lot.

Me: Is Connor a little bit cute or a lot cute?

Josh: A little bit.

People ask Josh all the time about his new baby brother. Josh doesn't have much to say about him. I think the novelty has worn off.

Big Brother to the Rescue

I am all for early-morning cuddles, so when Josh came into our bed just before 6 am this morning, I didn't mind one bit. I did, however, mind that he started in on his demands. Josh hasn't quite learned that asking for things at the wrong time will not get you the desired result (and that whining certainly won't help)....he was swiftly carted back to his own bed. Crying ensued, but not for long. When I got up a half hour later to begin the whole morning routine, I heard the brothers talking to each other and singing, "Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun, shine down on me!" I peaked in their bedroom and saw that big brother had taken pity on Josh and let him hop in bed with him. So cute.

School!

Andrew is now in 1st grade and Josh is in preschool. We have great neighbors nearby that we carpool with. Andrew is still adjusting to the long days, but he likes his friends and teacher in his class. Josh is loving preschool and I'm loving the 6 hours a week that I only have one baby at home!

Swimming!

On Labor Day, we went to my mom and Danny's hotel for some swimming. So much fun!

Our First Week with Connor...

I can't believe it's only been a week since Connor has been out. He already has this sweet little personality. I've been very very spoiled because I've been able to hold him and love him to my heart's content. Grandma and Grandpa Lamb took the boys for almost a week and then Grandma Mary & Danny came in town and entertained the boys for a few more days. Randy also took Andrew on a fishing trip. I actually kind of missed them :).

The 2nd day we were in the hospital, Connor had to be under bili lights for 24 hours. I could only hold him for feedings...it was so sad! So I made up for it by barely putting him down once he got out. Did I mention he is so sweet!? He actually did well under the lights, he is a very calm baby - all the nurses commented how good he was in there. They said that most babies scream. I was worried that his little goggles would fall off, so I stayed up most of the night checking up on him. He did better when I kept my hand on his tummy - and even though I couldn't hold him, it was still a bonding time for us. The boys and Grandma & Grandpa came to visit in the hospital. The boys were very excited. And wild. When they left, Randy and I were overwhelmed ("What have we done?!"), but thankfully we had a few more days before we had to face reality...

I love staying at the hospital. I slept, watched movies, and fed the baby - it was great. Here he is in his car seat ready to go home, dunn dunn dunnnnnn....

The first night he ate almost constantly, but the rest of the week he has let me sleep in 3-4 hour stretches.

When the boys came home from Grandma & Grandpa Lamb's, I was gone with Connor getting his newborn pictures taken. When I got home, they were waiting anxiously at the door to greet Connor. They were so cute with him. They covered him with blankets and talked to him.


Would the American Academy of Pediatrics approve of this sleeping position?



Grandma Mary & Grandpa Danny...

Fishing Trip

First Bath

The nurses at the hospital said that we could give Connor a bath before his cord fell out. It's funny how the "cord policy" has changed with each of my children. But we decided to live on the wild side and give Con a bath when he got home from the hospital - he wasn't smelling so fresh from heaven...



He wasn't a big fan. I think the water wasn't quite warm enough. He smelled so yummy, though.