Nelsonblog

Evan and I had our first bath together (with the assistance of papa). 

His eyes got so big when we lowered him down into the tub and his arms flew straight out as if he was preparing to catch himself and he took a deep shuddering breath. 

It took a minute or two for him to relax and then he started to get into the groove of things.  We helped him float and moved him around the tub, he even laughed.  It was a fun experience for all!

I've always lived in two-story homes growing up- one of the few regular interctions I had with my father was when he carried me up to bed at night.

That being said- it gives me an intense feeling of closeness to my father when I carry Evan up to bed.  It requires a soft, calming and reassuring voice- and illicits half-forgotten memories and feelings of comfort and security that I felt when my father took me to bed as a child.

Evan is always tired by 8PM- his movements are quiet and slow-  he becomes clingy, which is neat.  Feeling his little arms wrapped around me as I try to navigate the stairs with my 19 pound behemoth-boy is very rewarding… 

…and can be challenging to get him into his bassinet in the dark- but that's part of the fun.

I am the cap on his day- the last person he hears until morning- after tucking him in- sometimes I sing a little lullaby or maybe place my hand on his chest to calm him.

What an incredible thing, eh?

Evan had his 4 month check up today.  First of all – his stats:

Weight:  19 pounds (yep, he is more then twice his birth weight)

Height:  are you ready for this one – 27.5 inches long!

Everything checked out just fine.  Doc says that Evan's measurements are in proportion and not to be concerned about his growth.  She said he's about the size of an average 7 month old baby (I believe it!)

Evan received his 2nd batch of shots today – he was not very happy with the nurse and the four shots that he got but he recovered very quickly.  I am so proud of him – he is one tough dude! 

It's amazing what a difference a few weeks can make.  The mom's support group had taken a month off due to the summer and we finally had a meeting this past week.  I was pleasently surprised at how much easier it was getting Evan and myself out the door and to the meeting on time. 

I remember the first time I went to the group meeting in May and I recall planning the night before everything I had to do and estimated it would take about 2.5 hours to get everything done before we could go (i.e. feed Evan, change his clothes, nap time, get a shower, eat breakfast, get myself ready, get the diaper bag ready, fix Evan's next meal, get to the car, drive to the hospital).   This last meeting I didn't do any planning the night before and easily flowed with the morning activities and wasn't governed by the clock if we were going to make it or not.  It was SO amazing at how much easier it was and things just seemed to flow.  I didn't have to think twice about what was in his diaper bag or if we had the right stuff.

It is hard to describe it – but I'm starting to feel like a mommy.  I've always been Evan's mom by title – and I have loved him since the moment I found out he was growing inside of me – but the actions of a mother and the heart of a mother take time to develop.  I am amazed at the feelings of warmth I feel when I look at my son – he leaves me speechless. 

What a cutie, eh? 

Teething.

Hoo boy.

Poor little guy- his bottom front teeth are coming in.  You can see 'em clearly.  He is not having a good time.

Evan is now 17 weeks old – though many people mistake him for a 6 or 8 month old baby.  He's doing wonderful and seems to be discovering new things every day.  Few of his latest developments:

Discovery of toes.  Evan is beginning to realize that he has little digits at the end of his feet.  During one of his diaper changes, while I was lifting his legs to clean his rear, he grabbed his toes and held on.  The same week he was sitting on his papa and bent over to grab his toes.  He hasn't quite discovered that he could actually pull them to his mouth – but I'm sure it's only a matter of time.  I started writing this post a few days ago and since then Evan has made it a regular practice to grab at his feet everytime his diaper is changed.  He even makes a distinct sound when he grabs his feet – it's pretty cute.

The joy of kicking.  Evan has always been a great kicker – I still remember when he was inside the womb and he would kick me with such power.  Now that he is outside of the womb he loves to kick out and kick up and if he feels anything against his feet he will use even more force to kick.  Just two days ago he was on his play gym and he was kicking up at a toy animal daggling down from the gym's bar – and he repeatedly continued to kick at the toy and squeal with delight.  He enjoys hanging out on his playmat and entertaining himself by grabbing at all of toys and now kicking at them.

The art of blowing bubbles.  I swear, the drool faucet must have sprung a leak for my son is continually leaking drool out of his mouth.  My feeling, though Chris doesn't agree, is that Evan is beginning the not so joyful experience of teething.  When his lips are all wet he has started to blow out causing bubbles to appear.  Sometimes it's just one bubble and sometimes there are a lot – just yesterday he had a string of bubbles running down his chin – looking like a foaming goatee.

One year ago- Susan took me out to lunch and told me something- something that changed my life forever.

She told me, now steady yourself, that a new life was growing within her….!

This was quite amazing and life-changing. I'm still trying to come to grips with the idea, really.

Aaaand… our wonderful bundle of joy is already HERE. A-heh. You might have seen a few photos on this site already.

Evan- you are the most incredible life-altering impact to me. I love you so much.