Guess how big baby is . . .

So Tamlin's has now survived 3 weeks out here in the real world.  We just had his latest doctor visit on Monday to check on how he is doing.  Doc said everything looks great and he seems really healthy!  Now for the $20 question . . . any guesses on how big he's gotten since birth?  Remember that he was 9lb 3.7 oz and 20 inches long 3 weeks ago and I've only been feeding him breast milk from my super-boobies...

I thought about 10 lbs . . .

Brian thought 12 lbs . . .

Tam weighs in at 10lbs 12oz and 22 inches in length!  He is still in the 80 percentile for kiddies his age (which is where he was all through the pregnancy).  Big kid!  He still fits in the 0-3 months clothes, but his little legs are definitely getting longer.  We may just have created the next football star (God forbid) or better yet, the next Tuba Player!

Super powers

I am convinced that with pregnancy comes super-human powers.  Currently my sense of hearing and smell are maxed out!  I swear I can smell scents that are wicked faint and from across the room.  Perfume, scented hand-soap, and, of course, dirty diapers, all smell really pungent to me. Currently, I seemed to be asking Brian frequently "Can't you smell that?" 

 And the hearing has improved too.  I used to sleep like the dead and very little could wake me from my slumber.  Not now!  The littlest movement makes me sit straight up at attention.  Luckily the little one sleeps pretty deeply too right now (when he is asleep). I guess it is a mom survival instinct that has evolved to keep the baby safe.  

Photo album link on the right

Hey...I finally figured out how to link our Kodak photo album to this blog!  Check out the links to the right to see past photos of our family.  I'll try to keep this up-to-date for those who want to check out how fast little Tam is growing :-)

Sleeping Superstitions

By some miracle, Tam slept FOUR hours last night from midnight to 4am.  This is the longest stretch of sleep yet during the night hours.  Oh what bliss!  Both Brian and I enjoyed the no crying time :-)  Because we so want him to sleep at least 3 at a time at night, I find myself becoming very superstitious with the bed time ritual.  I think if we do everything the same again, he'll sleep the same amount one more night.  The light has to be just so, the music has to be just so loud, the binky has to be nearby, the good night kisses has to be at precisely 11 o'clock.  Sheesh...I'm as bad as baseball player with a streak of home run hits!  But, if it works...I'll take that four hours of uninterrupted sleep.  

Now if we can only get him to sleep another 3 from 4:30 to 7:30.  He is currently at around 2 for this second shift.  

Outing into the world

Today I ventured into the outdoors in what seemed like forever.  Tam is officially 2 weeks old so we made a family excursion to the grocery store, Meijer.  Before we left, it took Brian and I a few tries to figure out the carrier and stroller combo, but we eventually conquered it!  What an amazing contraption.  We bundled Tam up, as well as ourselves and headed out.  Poor little guy looked like an abdominal snowman in his cute little snow suit :-)  No problems in the real world and Tam even stayed awake for about 15 minutes at the store.  He had his sweet little "thinking face" on like he was contemplating the world.  Too cute.

I get by with a little help . . .

I just wanted to devote an entry to thank everyone that has been helping us out this past couple of weeks :-)

Thanks to my step-dad Dale.  I was very glad you could be with us all at the hospital for Tam's birth.  And I'm thankful you stayed with Brian and me through that first night of the induction.  It was comforting to know that you were just outside in the waiting room if I needed anything.  Thanks also for you patience and willingness to drive across two states (several times!) to be with us.  You're awesome!

Thanks to my sister Shelly.  You're a great aunt to our little Tam.  Thank you for being at the hospital with us for the birth and I'm glad you got to hold the wee one within an hour of his introduction to our world.  I also heard that you did fantastic with Tam while Brian and I were at the hospital. Good job getting the hang of those cloth diapers and bottle feedings!  I'm sure you'll spoil him rotten with all the love.  And don't let all the weird pregnancy stuff scare you off babies too much :-)  They're a ton of fun too. Oh, and the book "On the Day you Were Born" that you bought Tam is too sweet (and scientific)...I can't seem to make it through the entire thing yet without getting a few tears in the eyes.

Thanks to my Mom.  You rock.  Is there much more to say?  I am really grateful you were with Brian and me at the birth.  It was really good for me to know that I was surrounded by loved ones and to hear the encouraging words to "push."  Thanks for all the love and support throughout the entire pregnancy.  What an experience,eh?  Thank you also for the gorgeous picture of Tam that you drew.  I like having it downstairs where I see it often and it makes me smile :-)  Sorry I gave you a good scare there on Thanksgiving, but that's what kids are for, right?  Thank you also for taking care of little Tam while Brian and I were at the hospital.  It was a huge relief to know that he was in yours and Shelly's caring hands.  I hope he was able to get his Nanny Janet fix for a while :-)  We are only a few hours away, and we look forward to seeing you in December.  

And, of course, Thanks to my husband Brian.  Thank you for the love.  Thank you for the help.  Thank you for the understanding.  Thank you for the patience.  Thank you for the laughter.  Thank you for the hugs and comfort.  Thank you for the love and Thank you for our son :-)