The First Week

Sampson turned one week old yesterday! It amazes us how quickly he is changing. At our first pediatrician appointment on Friday, she said he is very healthy and gaining weight properly. This is good news since this first week has definitely been a whirlwind for his parents! Here are some highlights of our first week as a party of three.

This was taken just as were about to pack him up in he carseat to take him home. We were so excited to finally go home and settle down without nurses constantly poking and prodding us!

Here he is all pack up and ready to go! He is wearing a very cute little outfit, but he (of course) peed all over it during the last diaper as we were dressing him. This was the first time he took a shot at us, and I must say he had good aim and distance.

We decided not to wait to introduce the bottle. Some believe introducing a bottle too early creates nipple confusion and makes him unable to latch on, but he has been doing well with both so far. This is Jimmy feeding him for the first time. Since we want to continue breast feeding, I have become well acquainted with the breast pump. It allows me some freedom I would otherwise not have. This includes freedom to sleep while Dad feeds him... ahhh. In the beginning of the week, he was eating about 2oz. at a time. Now he's up to 4oz. and sometimes wants more soon after! He is a growing boy.

Here we are sitting on the porch. He loves the outdoors! He loves to bask in the warmth of the morning sun and he likes to listen to the crickets for his midnight feedings. He is getting a few minutes of direct sunlight everyday to help him lose the last little bit of jaundice. He did not need to go under the lights at the hospital, but the Dr. said a few minutes on each side would do him some good. Also, vitamin D is the only essential vitamin not found in breast milk. His body makes it on its own when exposed to sunlight. When not basking in the sun, he enjoys the warmth of the Delaware summer in the shade.

Most babies like to be swaddled up tightly when they sleep. Sammy likes to have his lower half swaddled, but always sleeps with his arms up by his head. If we wrap him up like a burrito, he somehow always manages to pull out his little arms to plunk them near his ears.

This is us sitting on the porch again. This is his early version of a smile. More of a demure grin I suppose. He has so much hair and the Dr. says he will probably keep it at this point. He got my nose and Jimmy's ears. His eyes are the perfect combination of both of ours. He has long toes like Jimmy but cute toe nails like me. It is amazing that Jimmy + SK = Sampson!

Our first bath at home was apparently unpleasant for some. He cried through the entire bath but calmed down when we wrapped him up in the little hooded ducky towel. After, Aunt Laura spent considerable time combing and styling his luxurious mane. In the end, she decided on the punk emo front tuft.

Nana and Aunt Laura stayed with us for the first week. They left today around lunchtime. We could not have made it through the first week without them here to help! 3am feedings and changes and even doing laundry and fixing dinner... they did it all. Thanks to them, everyone is clean and fed (including the new mom and dad) and the house is still in working order and clutter free! Parting was a little sad, but we will see them in two weeks we go to New York. Sampson can't wait to meet Papa and Uncle Chris!

Thank you to all who have sent such warm wishes and thoughtful comments. We are so blessed to have such supportive friends and family. Jimmy and I are so pleased to be able to share our (not so) little bundle of joy with you all!