One Month Update

Pete had his one month check up today and is looking good!  He weighed in at 11 lbs. 2 oz and is 22 inches long … as the doctor said, he’s a “solid little guy”.  He is changing so much every day and it’s hard to believe he is five weeks old.  I already feel like he’s growing up too fast!  I fall more and more in love with him every day and am just beyond happy that he is here.  Most days I just stare at him in wonder and amazement … he is so adorable it makes me melt and I cannot believe he is our perfect son!   We’re starting to see signs of a smile (talk about melting) so hopefully we’ll be able to capture it on film soon!

Peter at one month.

Cousins

Pete had a very busy weekend.  My brother and his family were in town to celebrate my niece Lena’s christening and my nephew Quinn’s 5th birthday.  Things kicked off Saturday morning with a visit from Nana and Grampa Marr and the Vogel clan.

Happy Grandparents
Happy Grandparents
Erika and Pete, Billy and Kate, Emily!
Erika and Pete, Billy and Kate, Emily!

Then it was on to my friend Jamie’s wedding and Quinn’s birthday party! I forgot how much little kids LOVE birthdays.  Quinn was so excited and Reece (who turned three in April) wished everyone a Happy Birthday.  We had delicious cake at my parents house, lots of present opening, and of course, pictures!

Lena (7 months) and Pete
Lena (7 months) and Pete
Pete and Binkie
Pete and Binkie
Kris and Lena, Laus and Pete
Kris and Lena, Laus and Pete
Tim the Baby Whisperer
Tim the Baby Whisperer

Tim, Jenny and the kids came to our house on Monday for lunch and we attempted to get a picture of all four kids.  Given that one was less than two weeks old and the oldest just turned 5, I’d say it came out pretty good!  It certainly went better than I expected anyway!

Quinn, Reece, Lena and Pete
Quinn, Reece, Lena and Pete

We were nonstop go the entire weekend, but had a great time and can’t believe it’s already over!  The cousins left Boston last night, but we’re already looking forward to seeing them again soon!

Busy Baby Boy

A baby’s life is very busy.  I started this post last Thursday morning and am just getting around to finishing it now!  Pete is doing great.  He’s been to the pediatrician twice for weight checks and after losing a little at the first one (babies lose up to 10% of their birth weight) they had hoped he’d gain two ounces by Monday.  He surpassed their goals and gained 5 ounces in two days!  He already has a little personality and Pat and I are totally in love with him.  He’s met so many people and we are overwhelmed with all the love and support we’ve received.  Little Pete has made so many people so happy.  We’re not proud of him at all, and just hate showing him off!

Pete met Bailey this week too.  I wasn’t sure how the introduction would go, but Bailey is mostly disinterested  (though seems puzzled as to why we’re so fascinated with him) and has adjusted just fine.  Each day she gets a little more comfortable with him and will tentatively lick his head, which is pretty funny to watch.

Pete and Bailey

Pete’s got a busy weekend ahead too.  He’s set to meet his Uncle Tim and Aunt Jenny and cousins Reece, Quinn and Lena.  The Wisconsin Conroy’s are in town for Lena’s christening on Sunday and we can’t wait to celebrate!  Here are some pictures through day 8:

Meeting the Munchkin

After a doctor’s appointment on Monday 4/25, it was decided that I’d be induced on Wednesday, when my doctor was on call.  The munchkin had other plans though … I woke up Tuesday morning and just felt different.  I was having lots of contractions, but not at really regular intervals. I had big plans to get a lot of stuff done before we were induced but based on how I felt, I quickly decided that I’d be staying home.  As Pat was leaving for work, he asked if he should pack a bag, just in case.  I said yes.

I called my doctor at about 11:30 just to let them know I was having contractions (about 11 minutes apart) and to ask a few questions.  He said to call when they were 5 minutes apart.  At about 12:30, I decided that nothing was going to happen and I left the house to run a few errands – I was going stir crazy.  I talked to Pat about 2:45 and he said he was going to leave work early.  I told him not to bother because the contractions were only about 8 minutes apart.  At 3:15, I texted him that it was good he was coming home because they were 5 minutes apart.  At 3:30, I called him and said “Come home now.”  I called my doctor and they said head to the hospital!

It was of course rush hour and the hospital is 25 minutes away on a good day, so we didn’t get there until about 5.  By this time, contractions were about 3 minutes apart.  We checked in through the ER and they took one look at me and said, “Oh, you’re in this, huh?”  I said yes and we walked to labor and delivery.  They hooked me up to the monitor and said “Oh, you’re in full blown labor.  That’s nice.  I think we’ll be admitting you!”  So we walked to the room where we’d be delivering the munchkin and waited for things to progress.  At this point, I figured that it would be late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning before the munchkin arrived, but I was wrong!

My doctor came in about 7 and said things were looking good.  At 8:30 he came back and had me do some “practice pushes”.  At 8:37, he said “Ok, I’m going to get some gloves on, whatever you do, don’t push”.  At 8:38, I gave a final push and the munchkin arrived!  I was shocked and amazed to see a fat baby and Pat said “it’s a boy!”  My doctor then said, “I think I might have underestimated his weight” – he guessed I’d have an 8 pound baby. Everyone in the room was baffled at the size of him, and took guesses as to what he’d weigh.  9 lbs 1 oz was the highest guess.  When they put him on the scale and Pat said he weighed 9 lbs 14 oz, I just started laughing.  I still have no idea how he managed to stay inside that long.  There could not have been much room for him!

While the nurses were getting Pete all cleaned up, the doctor told me that the little guy didn’t make things easy on himself.  He had what is technically known as a cord accident.  There was a true knot in his umbilical cord, the cord was wrapped around his neck and he was also clenching the cord with his right hand.  Those situations, never mind all three combined, don’t usually end well.  But Pete had a guardian angel looking out for him and I’m quite sure that Brienna helped her little brother make a safe entrance.  We miss Brienna so much it hurts, but I felt her with us the entire day, and I like to think that she is as happy as we are that her little brother is finally here!

Here is the munchkin’s first picture:

Meeting the Munchkin!

We were so happy to finally meet the little man and are totally enamored with him!