Visit from Grandma & Grandpa

Grandma & Grandpa arrived from Michigan yesterday. After several days of a very fussy and often screaming Henry, he has been behaving very well and loves being held by his grandparents. He has them fooled already!

Family resemblances

Henry

Dad

Mom

Bath time!

Fun Saturday with dad

We were sad to say goodbye to Oma this morning and she returned home to Michigan. It's amazing how quickly her 2 week visit went by, how much Henry changed in that time, and how special it was to share this time in our lives with her.

It was great to have dad home from work for the weekend. We spent a very lazy day playing with Henry (which currently consists of staring at objects), bouncing with Henry on exercise ball, changing Henry's diapers and attempting to get Henry to sleep. A highlight to our day was our first family walk along the Mississippi River Parkway.

Busy days

Henry is finally getting over his cold and we are starting to get back into a daily routine again. It's amazing how quickly the days pass by when we are seemingly doing nothing but watching the Olympics. Feeding Henry, changing Henry, feeding ourselves and showering seem to take all day long. We managed to fit in our first walk today, which truly felt like an accomplishment!

Henry also seems to be changing on a daily basis. He now has periods of being very alert and is able to focus on people and objects in addition to recognizing voices (especially his father's loud voice). He no longer likes to be swaddled and prefers to have his arms and legs free to move around. He pushes with his legs and has quite a "death grip" with has hands (as his father learned one evening when his glasses were pulled off).

Sick baby Henry

Henry continues battling his first cold, and although I hate doing it, I am getting much better at suctioning out his nose. I called into his pediatrician's office today and they wanted him to be seen due to his persistent cough and congestion which has sadly caused him to vomit several times after eating. The pediatrician confirmed that he just has a viral cold which will likely last 7-10 days and we are doing all the right things as far as symptomatic treatment.

On a happy note, Henry's weight is up to 9 lbs which means he has gained 23oz in 12 days!

Opa's arrival

Opa arrived from Michigan late yesterday evening after a very long day of traveling due to a missed flight connection in Detroit. Henry loves being held by Opa, and seems very calmed by his deep voice and singing.

Unfortunately Henry seems to be developing his first cold and has a cough with congestion. We're hoping that it doesn't worsen and that he doesn't develop a fever. I've of course pulled out my stethoscope and his thermometer and we'll be watching him very closely.

Some faces of Henry

Baby quilt

Henry received this beautiful handmade baby quilt as a present from his Aunt Jessica.

Oma's here

My mom, Henry's oma, arrived from Michigan via Amtrak train Saturday evening. She spent her first day here spoiling us by making food and cleaning up around the house, cuddling with Henry and reading to Henry. I'm sad that Matt will be returning to work tomorrow after our very fun first week as a family, but very thankful to now have my mom here.

Happy and healthy

Henry had his first doctor's appointment today. We were happy to hear that he is gaining weight, has no signs of jaundice and is "off to a good start."

Lack of sleep at night is our biggest complaint. The pediatrician recommended adding "white noise" as we likely have it too quiet. He compared the amount of noise and volume Henry was used to in utero to a running vacuum!

Click here for additional photos.

It's a boy!

Henry Matthew McRitchie was born Friday, January 29th, 2010 at 9:58pm on the evening of the largest full moon of the year (or wolf moon) weighing 7lbs, 15oz and measuring 21 inches in length. He is absolutely perfect, has a full head of beautiful golden blonde hair and looks a lot like his father. We are thrilled to be at home and adjusting to the very new and time consuming role of parenthood, but are loving every minute of it. Click here to see additional photos.