Grunting champion

Sam is a grunter. He grunts at everything all day long. He grunts when he is stirring in his sleep. He grunts when he is waking up and he doesn't want to. He grunts when he is stretching. He grunts when he is eating, burping, trying to avoid burping, getting his diaper changed, taking a bath or playing.

We are not sure why he grunts at everything, but it is his only communication at this point, other than crying.

No longer a newborn

Sam has changed from a newborn into an infant. He is noticing lights, sounds and us. He is moving around a ton.

He is developing his personality, his likes and dislikes. He likes to be held snug against your chest, and patted on the rear end; he doesn't like to be cold and he doesn't like his feet messed with when he is asleep.

He really loves the noises I make with my mouth - clicking, buzzing sounds and especially the one when I put my lips together and make the "car" noise. It is difficult to describe. When I do it his eyes get really big, he raises his eyebrows and turns his head to the side. It is really cute.

He is no longer bothered by his diaper changes. Though he still doesn't like cold wipes.

He is eating 4 ounces a feeding and once a day up to 5 ounces.

Very animated

Sam has so many expressions that he makes. I was finally able to capture some in photographs this afternoon.

4 weeks old

Wow. It doesn't seem like it has only been 4 weeks since he was born. He feels like he has always been part of our family. Time really does fly by and we are enjoying every minute with him.

Doing very well

Sam is doing really well. He doesn't seem more than just mildly bothered by his circumcision.

We had to change his formula a few days ago and also added drops because he had been getting a lot of gas. He is doing great on the new formula/drops combination. I hope we can discontinue the drops before too long - I don't like having to give him meds and he doesn't really like the way it tastes.

Circumcision

Sam was circumcised this morning. Will took him to the doctor for the surgery and he said that the doctor said Sam did great.

I will be happy when he is all healed.

More photos posted

Just a reminder to check the flicker site, new photos are posted.

First real bath

Sam had his first real bath today. We had to wait because part of his umbilical cord didn't come off completely.

He was not happy when we first put him in the bath but then he started to like it.

We were happy that we made it through the entire bath without getting peed on.

Doing better with diaper changes and playing on his mat

Sam is doing so much better with his diaper changes. He is no longer crying when it is time to change his diaper, he grunts a little bit during the diaper change, but calms down as soon as it is over.

I put Sam on a play mat for the first time today. I have been putting him in his bouncy seat or swing for wake time, but decided to give the mat a try today. He did so good on it. He would accidentially hit one of the toys with his arm and he liked the noise it made.

Tummy time

Just a few minutes ago I put Sam on his tummy on a blanket in the floor beside where I was playing with Megan. Unintentionally I put his head facing away from us. He started moving his little legs and struggling to pick up his head. After 3 or 4 minutes he managed to get his head up high enough to turn his head toward us and once he could see both of us he just laid there content.

It was so cute. He laid there watching us for a few minutes before he decided he didn't want to be on his tummy anymore.

Growing....

For the most part Sam no longer fits into newborn size clothes if they have feet in them. He is just too long for them. He can still wear newborn outfits that are 2-piece and some of the bottoms are a little big on him.

He is now wearing 0-3 month footed outfits. We have tons of them so I am glad he can start using them.

Strong little guy

Sam is such a strong little guy. He can "keep" us from moving his arms and legs when he wants to. Obviously we are stronger and could force it, but he locks it down and refuses to move sometimes.

Sam prefers to be on his side - he will turn onto his side anytime we lay him on his back. When we get him up to eat we lay him on his back so he can stretch and he will immediately roll onto his side.

2 week checkup

Sam had an exceptional checkup today.

He weighs 6 lbs 14.9 ounces (that is 11.6 ounces more than when he was born). He is 20.5 inches long.

Dr. Fennell was impressed with him and said he didn't need to see him back until he is 2 months old.

More gifts, umbilical cord, etc

Our elderly neighbor across the street stopped by today with a gift for Sam. It was a very sweet gown - we love gowns, they make it so easy to take care of him in the middle of the night.

Flowers arrived today from my mom congratulating me on our new son, her new grandson.

Sam's cord came off this morning. I was seriously grossed out - I know I am supposed to have some superhero mom powers that make that impossible with my kids; but this umbilical cord thing is beyond my powers. I was grossed out by it in the first place and then today - ugh!

This entry is for dad - he wanted a record: From the time we brought Sam home from the hospital he has pooped with each feeding. Starting on Saturday he stopped doing that and went a whole day without a dirty diaper. Now he has about 1 a day or maybe every other day. Today when Sam had a dirty diaper I waited several minutes to make sure he finished before changing him. I changed him and he waited until I moved the dirty diaper out of the way and it was just the clean one there and then he decided to poop some more - not very much, but still have to change it. About 3 minutes later he did it again. He went through 3 diapers in 3 minutes.

First present has arrived

Yesterday Sam got his first present in the mail. He received 4 outfits from Will's parents. They are very cute and one of them will fit him right now. I washed them today and he will wear one tomorrow - pics to follow.

Kisses from Megan

Megan gave Sam a kiss on the forehead tonight. It was a quick kiss, but she did it. It was very sweet. Of course, no picture of it because I was holding Megan and Will was holding Sam.

Hungry little guy

Sam is such a good eater and he is so, very hungry. The hospital had him eating up to 2 ounces a feeding when he was discharged. It didn't take long, 2-3 days before he was eating 2.5 ounces a few times a day.

Now, he is eating up to 3 ounces at some feedings. Just now he ate 2.75 ounces and was mad that there wasn't anymore milk.

He knows that once he burps he gets more milk so as soon as he burps he starts "rooting around" with his mouth open looking for the bottle; and when you get the nipple close he grabs it with his mouth. He is very agressive about it. It is so cute.