Early changes

This past week Emerson has taken advantage of the nice afternoons and taken a few strolls. Overall he has done quite well. Slept through the first stroll, was fussy through the next, and just looked all around during the third. Mom is also getting a little braver and has taken Emerson to CVS one day and the Post Office and the bank another. He's becoming a man about town (ok maybe he has a little more to go before earning that title).

We are really starting to see changes in his behavior over the last couple of weeks. We are starting to see deliberate actions from him and not just reflex's. He has started smiling and it appears it's not just gas. When we tickle him he kicks his legs & moves his arms just like I would if I were being tickled then stops when we do. Not laughing yet, but it is a lot of fun to watch him kick around.

He still likes to be held more often than not but he's learning to love his swing, bounce seat, and play mats

Another really neat thing he has been doing is when we pace back and forth in the living room with him in our arms he will be looking in toward the couch. When we get to the end of the room and turn around (which causes his head to face the fireplace) he turns it back towards the couch. At each turn he turns his head.

Finally the change most appreciated by tired parents is this week he has slept anywhere from 5 to 7 hours in a single stretch at night. He goes to sleep for good between 11 & 1 and wakes up between 5 & 7.

Mondays Outing

On Monday the whole family went on a little adventure. It was our second non-essential outing. Dad came home from work early so mom could make it to a doctors appointment. After Dad got home Mom decided that Emerson needed to tag along so Dr. Bush and his nurse Mallory could see how handsome he was.

We all loaded up in the car and after driving for just a few minutes Emerson fell asleep. When we got to the Doctors office Mom carried Emerson in and even managed to autograph the sign in sheet with Emerson in her arms. Next we waited in the 1st waiting area for about 15 minutes and Emerson slept the whole time. He made a few squeaks but mom quickly calmed him down.

We were called back and this is where dad got a little worried. Mom had to pass Emerson to dad so she could go back for them to draw blood, etc. Well that woke Emerson up but dad was able to quickly quite Emerson back down and he fell back asleep, before mom was done with having her blood drawn. Emerson them slept in dads arms for about 20 minutes in the 2nd waiting area. At this point we have survived the worse Emerson slept through the entire time he was around other people.

Mom was finally called back and Mallory immediately commented on how handsome he was. We went back to the exam room where he slept in daddy's arms for the next half hour or so. Dr Bush came and commented on how big he had gotten and was glad Emerson wasn't one of the anemic babies they see sometime.  We were walking out Emerson received more complements on how cute he was from other staff members. We made it through the whole visit without incident, no crying, didn't need to nurse, or have a leakey diaper.

Next mom and dad ran a couple of errands about half way through Emerson let us know that he was hungry and ready to eat. Dad tried to explain that it was important for us to make the next stop so his college fund could be set up, Emerson however didn't seem to understand ;)

We made it home and had a wonderful outing this past Monday.

Saturday Bath Time

Last Saturday Emerson had his first tub bath. This was much more enjoyable for him than the sponge baths. For all but one of his sponge baths he screamed bloody murder each time. However for his first tub bath he just smiled and wiggled around. Only thing that got him worked up at all was when mommy scrubbed his head with the brush.

After his bath Grams & Pops came by for a visit. They had been attending a wedding in North Jackson earlier in the afternoon. Both Grams and Pops got to hold Emerson and Pops even got him to sleep.  

It's been a month already???

Yep, our amazing little boy is already a month old.  Can't believe it's been a month.  Time flies by so fast!  There's been a learning curve but it's been a fun month. It's been so much fun watching the subtle changes already happening.  We can't wait to see what the future brings for the three of us.  Hopefully, this cold weather won't last long and we can get out and have more fun. 

At one month Emerson is:

• Surpassing 9 lbs (last doctor visit was 9lb 1 oz)
• Already 21 inches long
• Sleeping for a 5 to 6 hour stretch at night, though who knows if it'll continue in the near term
• Wearing Size 1 diapers
• Getting his bilirubin number down to 14.5, below the watch level
• Smiling at us, though it maybe from gas ;)
• Finally free of the umbilical cord stump 
• Awake and playful for longer periods.  Especially in the late morning and early afternoons, just in time to see daddy at lunch.

2011 Into the future...

After Christmas, things got back to normal (so to speak) rather quickly since Bryant went back to work on Monday.  But we knew we'd have a little something interesting at end of the week.  On Thursday (30th) Granny and Mamaw came up to do a little joint Christmas and birthday celebration.  We had a nice little visit and it was cute seeing my grandmother meet Emerson for the first time.  Emerson is the eighth of her nine great grandchildren and there are three more coming next year.  Of course, Emerson is the best.  We're not biased at all!  :) 

 Mamaw holding Emerson for the first time

We celebrated my birthday on Friday (31st) by playing a bit before we got a little fussy.  Bryant picked up Chili's take out in between storms and Emerson slept through the worst of the weather.  There was rotation spotted at the Reservoir but most of the tornadoes were just a little Southeast of us.  Nothing was going to wake Emerson from his sleep that evening though.

Today we've played a little and watched a little football.  Bryant's been trying to teach Emerson how to say touchdown!  I'm not sure that Emerson was excited over the MS State win.  I think it was more the fact that daddy got up and ran around with him a little.

Go State! 

Now, we're just about to take a bath and go back to sleep.  ...And before we drift off to dream...It's been a good start to 2011 and there's nothing but blue skies to be seen.

Happy 1/1/11