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| O-Face! |
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| Early Valentine's gift in anticipation of Liam's arrival...1 pood KB! |
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| Great-Great Aunt Mary |
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| Liam's first trip to his favorite store - Whole Foods Market |
Valentine's Day started a little early this year - Chris got me a kettlebell...but we ended up with Valentine's week as Liam announced his arrival on V-day and showed up on the 15th. After a few scary episodes of very low fetal hear rates, he arrived via C-section with a vibrant and functional pair of lungs and beautiful blue eyes (though we don't know if they'll change color over the next few months). At birth, Liam James was 6lb 9 oz and 20 3/4 in long. In the past 5 weeks, he's grown and is about 9.5 lbs. He's very sweet and really good at being a baby. Chris and I are learning about parenting the hard way - it's not quite as natural as just being a baby, we've found. Fortunately, Liam is fairly generous and puts up with us while we bumble along. Last night, for example, he slept for 5 hours straight for the first time - making up for the night before when he didn't go longer for 90 minutes. He's very traumatized by the nasal aspirator bulb (booger snatcher) and getting into and out of the carseat, but has made a full recovery after very rough experience. I tell him it builds character and eventually he stops crying, usually eats, and eventually passes out with the cutest little face and arms thrown overhead (some day, he'll appreciate the wisdom of Calvin's dad from Calvin and Hobbes).
Liam was baptized last Saturday and entertained at his baby shower on Sunday. His Great-Great Aunt Mary became one of his Godmothers. Aunt Sarah and Uncle Trevor will be coming into town soon and are his other Godparents. He's a lucky guy to have 3 wonderful Godparents to look after him and encourage his Faith! Aunt Liz, Grandma Debbie, and Cousin Skylar hosted his baby shower and Grandma Pamela graciously opened her brand new home and entertaining prowess to the St. Patrick's Day event. Liam was quite the gentlemen, easily moving from friend to friend and enjoying time in the arms of all the guests. He is so much cuter than a very pregnant me, so I'm glad we waited until he could join the party.
My maternity leave is nearly over and I'm trying to enjoy these last few days of staying home with our new love. I'm ready to get back to adult conversation, but the transition will be rough for a while even though I know Liam will do great. Our standards for a "productive day" have changed dramatically but we are so blessed and happy to have added such a beautiful new life to our family. The dogs are interested but not overly concerned with his presence. Usually they try to be in the same room as Liam and lick his little noggin about once a day, but otherwise just enjoy hanging around as usual.
