6 Weeks Old--Met Grandpa Parini

This week I met my Grandpa Parini (Andi's dad). He spent 6 days visiting me in North Dakota. He did lots of holding and talking to me, and I didn't leave him much time to practice his instruments. We went to some bookstores and restaurants downtown and enjoyed lots of Starbucks. Here's a few more pictures of Grandpa's visit. Although I've begun to smile once in a while, I don't like to do it for the camera yet, but I'll be sure to let you know when I do!

Easter--5 Weeks Old

For my first Easter, we went to sunrise service at the base chapel, then later out to Easter brunch at the officer's club with my parents' friends Dan and Kerry Giacomazza, and Denny, Betty, and Callie Cummings. We also took lots of pictures with my Easter church outfit, my Just Hatched outfit, and my Easter toys that were gifts from the grandparents. Here's all the Easter pictures.

My First Trip Downtown

My mom took me out on the town for the first time (besides the hospital--thank goodness) this past Thursday. Her friend Kerry went with us to eat at the Bagel Stop and then on to the mall. I didn't see all that much since I slept in my carrier or the sling most of the time, but I did wake up to change and eat once. Here's just a couple of pictures of my trip and some others of me squirming on the couch at home.

Week 5-2

One Month Old

I turned one month old on March 17th, and got to celebrate that along with St. Patrick's Day--Daddy and I both dressed in green.

I'm getting stronger and stronger, I weighed 8 whole pounds last Friday. Although I really don't like tummy time all that much (unless it includes laying on my mom or dad's chest), my neck is really strong and I can hold my head up in a sitting position with just a little wobble-proof hold help.

I got to meet my Great-Grandma McElvaine on the webcam this week. I like being on the camera for a few minutes to entertain all my grandparents.

I still am a bit of a night owl (like my mom) and really like to stay awake and be taken care of between 10 pm and 1230 am despite my parents best efforts to put me down. When I finally get to sleep I do sleep pretty good for a few hours.

I'm working on gripping my toys and studying them too, though I still love to stare at my mom and dad for a long time.
Here's some pictures from the end of last week, my weekend including my first trip to church, and my first jogging stroller outing.

Week 4 Set 2

One Month Old

Like Father Like Son

Here's me with my daddy's golf club...daddy is working on my grip already. I guess we all have spring fever since we've been blessed with a few days in the high 40s this week. We got out for a few walks, even despite the crazy North Dakota wind today. But more snow and back to the 30s starting tomorrow, so we'll just have sun through the window during tummy time I guess.

I am getting weighed again on Friday, but I'm starting to fit into my newborn size clothes better...I couldn't wear my footed sleepers before because they were just too huge on me. Mom's guessing that I'm at least 7 1/2 pounds or so.

Here's some more pictures from the past few days.

Week 4 Set 1

The Hiccup King

Alex has the hiccups again--they seem to last forever. They frustrate mom and dad because they can't cure them, but they really don't seem to bother Alex too much. It is sort of cute how his head bobs up and down when he hiccups.

Alex says his mom is obsessed with taking pictures of him in the swing and playmats cuz everything he does is so darn cute. So here's more playtime pictures.

Week 3 Set 2

From Alex:

I did better with my bath last night and waited until the very end to pee in my water. My new thing to hate is my vitamin drops that the pediatrician gave me. They are black and turn my mouth that dark color despite my best attempts to spit it all out. I don't give my mom much of a break on feeding me often during the day, but I'm sleeping good between feedings at night normally--mom says it's because we do so much playing during the day. I have been good at resting in my swing for a little while in the afternoons to give her some time on the treadmill.

2 Week Well Baby Checkup

I had my first pediatrician well baby checkup on Monday. I have gained weight and am now 6 lbs. 12 oz., and 19.5 in. That means I am in the 25% for height, weight, and head circumference. I am doing very well and the doctor says I am nice and healthy.

I had to say goodbye to my grandma and grandpa Brooke on Tuesday, but now that I am able to spend a little more time awake, I've gotten to play with lots of new toys. I've been surfing on my surf board tummy time mat, playing on my playmat, cuddling in mom's Hotsling, and rocking in my swing. Here's some pictures from the past few days.

Week 3 Pictures

My Second Week

Here's some pictures of my second week of life.

First Walk Outside

Rest of Week 2

I had my first water bath and my first walk outside in the balmy 47 degree weather. I got to meet my Grandma and Grandpa Brooke for the first time--that's two more wrapped around my tiny little finger!

I went to the hospital on base twice to get weighed on Tuesday and Friday and have been gaining weight steadily--back up to my birth weight for sure. That's probably because I'm eating like a champ and conserving my energy between feedings by sleeping it off. I'm not much of a cryer right now, but I might just be saving up for a few weeks down the road.

I've decided it's much more fun to poop and pee all over mom and dad when they take my diaper off than when I have it on. I also let them know when I don't like my outfit by spitting up all over it. This way I get fresh new clothes and changing pads all the time. They get me back by trying to take cute naked pictures of me and laughing at me the whole time, and my mom keeps trying to wash me up.

Sammie the cat has become my protector, nuzzling me when I fret. Munchkin mostly wishes I would go back where I came from I think, as she sniffs me a little then just walks away.

So, all in all, this place isn't too bad...