More "Whoa!"

Crazy Hair

These are post-bath pictures.
To date, she hates baths.
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What's Goin' On?

Hey...we thought you might like some new stuff?
She's pretty cute huh?

Here is shot I took this morning, with a bit of fiddling in my editing software.
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for comparison...

In case anyone was wondering, here's what I looked like when I was born. Perhaps a bit of resemblance...

Whoa!?!

"Seriously guys, what is going on?"

more pics...

Really, do baby pictures ever get old? I was retrieving a few pics from my camera and found a bunch that our doula, Becky, took right after Ainsley was born. I didn't even know that she was taking them -- but I'm really glad that she did! Hope you enjoy a few more!

baby papsan chair

A friend from work gave us this little seat for Ainsley. We tried it out today, and she was enjoying it until she realized that she wasn't being snuggled. That was the end of that. I think it will come in quite handy when Mama needs a shower, though. :)

We also saw the doctor today and he was quite impressed with Ainsley's weight gain. When we left the hospital a week ago, she weighed 6 lbs 13 ozs. Friday she was down to 6 lbs 8.5ozs. The doctor and lactation consultant were both mildly concerned about the loss, so we scheduled more appointments for follow up this week. It seems that my milk just needed a few days to catch up with Ainsley's appetite. On Tuesday she was up to 7 lbs 3.5 ozs and today she surpassed her birth weight (which babies are expected to be back to by 2 weeks) at 7 lbs 8.5 ozs! Everyone is so impressed with her. This is really great news for all of us since we were a little worried.

That's all for now...

Paternal Observation #2: Crazy Love

Do you remember when you were dating (sorry to those of you who are not dating...)? I remember when I was dating Sarah (and before when we were really dating, but not calling it that), and how nuts we were for each other. We would talk on the phone, email, and spend as much time together as possible. Do you remember how late you were willing to stay out with that person, chatting, making out (I know that's what you were thinking) etc etc. You were crazy in love. Now, when its time to go to bed (at like 10pm) you just go to bed. And the idea of going out at 10pm, well, thats right out.
Well, the other night, around 3:30am, it dawned on me, that this was precisely how I felt about the Ains. She was crashed out on my chest, all bundled up, and would make these cute little noises, and faces, and I couldn't help but think that we were spending some real quality time together. Even though I was losing sleep, it was wonderful to be there and witness it. Now, I like sleep, so please don't read this as my acceptance of its departure. I do think that the cause, however, is so worth it.
Cheers

This last one is called "Daddy's little princess," but not because she is wearing a cute onesie.

A spare moment...

It's hard to believe that our little girl has been on the outside for 10 days. The time has flown by so quickly (and not just because we are getting less sleep). I am amazed at how fascinating a sleeping baby can be. She is a true wonder and miracle. To follow up on my last post, it's obvious that we can add our names to the "Pumpkin patch babies" list. Whether or not the pumpkin tortellini actually helped bring on Ainsley's arrival or not, I think that it makes a pretty good story. Since then we've been getting to know each other, spending lots of time with Grandma and Grandpa, and learning all the things that babies need to know (how to eat, sleep, poop, etc). We've had our first outings to the doctor and have done really well with being in the carseat. All in all, the last ten days have been full of discovery and falling more and more in love with our daughter.

And as all of you parents out there can relate to, my spare moment is up and my daughter is calling. :)

Paternal Observation #1: Pee and Poop

There comes a time when, as adults, one finds the discussion of Pee and Poop to be not only common place, but absolutely essential. Babies...
Think about it: all this little person does, for the first days (years?), is pee, poop, eat, and sleep. Some of the time she is awake and content, some of the time she is awake and gassy, some of the time she is asleep and content...you get the idea. All this mixed with more or less sleep, and more or less diapers.
It is fascinating how much we care about these basics of human functionality: is she going, eating, sleeping enough? It's also rather comical to note the excitement precipitated by a massive BM. I actually stopped and thought...am I really this enthusiastic (think "push it out, push it out, waaaaaay out!!!") about the fact that my daughter filled her britches?...what a strange development.
And to be frank, I think that its endearing to get peed on. Think about it: she wants to share the warm love that she has in her heart with mommy and daddy, and the only way she can get that out to us is...well, you get the idea.

Oh, and more pictures...
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More of the Ains

Ok - more pictures. Can you guess who likes to hold her?
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No Really...That's not her name!

Ainsley Elaine was born 3.31.08 at 8:03pm at 7lb 6oz and at 20.5 inches. She and mom are great - both did wonderfully. Dad also worked really hard and is pretty wiped (for those of you thinking...I wonder what he did, go do some searching for the Bradley philosophy of birthing, AKA husband coached child birthing), but is in pretty good shape. Actually, I have been having fun with the camera. So much so - that I have some pictures to post.
Enjoy.