Nate's First Week

Tomorrow Nathaniel will be one week old. It has been one of the most amazing weeks of my life. From the trials of labor, delivery and recovery, to the joy of holding this tiny miracle in my arms, this week will be one I will never forget. I love to just look at him and stroke his tiny ear or watch him go through his range of expressions - frustration to elation then back to frustration in milli-seconds.

Matt and I have taken Nathaniel out on a few outings. On Friday, our first trip outside was to a doctor's appointment and Safeway. We went to the UH track on Saturday afternoon to watch Matt run a fast 5K against some of the HPU runners. We took him to Sam's Club today to pick up some groceries. Tomorrow the plan is to take him down to Point Panic in the morning to watch Matt catch some surf. Despite the fact that these activities sound mundane, bringing along a newborn makes each outing an adventure. Being parents is so much fun!

Of course, we are a little sleep deprived and have a hard time finding free time, but he is totally worth it. Nate has been a champ at breastfeeding which has made our lives a lot easier. I feed him every three hours through the night, which is tiring, but he's gotten pretty good at going right back to sleep after he eats. Matt has been an awesome father and husband, doing middle of the night changes after I feed Nate.

A few things I've learned this week that I didn't expect:

• Feeding baby takes hours every day
• The first diaper changes are two-parent affairs - one to wipe, one to hold the feet
• Baby poop goes from black and tar like for a couple of days to mustard yellow and seedy
• Odds are that if you change Nate's diaper and swaddle him perfectly, he will poop in the clean one within 5 minutes
• You can still get peed on while baby is wearing a diaper (ask Matt for details)
• How much I would love this child

  Nate showed off his new jogging stroller at the UH track before daddy ran his 5K.

  Aunty Andrea brought over a delicious meal for us from her and Sheila. Thank You! Nate's first sponge bath. No tub baths until the umbilical cord stump falls off. He didn't mind at first. But this was him by the end! And no soap in the eyes! Emma doesn't know what to think of the new addition to the family taking her spot. Look, no hands! We used the Baby Bjorn today at the store. Thanks Mom! Breastfeeding at Sam's Club - trying to be discreet behind the soda machine!I just can't get enough of this sweet little fella!Hiccup Video (Click to Play)