Our First Week

After coming home from the hospital last Wednesday, we have been settling in at home and figuring out the new rhythms as a family of four. Boomer returned to work on Thursday, but then he took Friday off. He worked Monday and Tuesday of this week, and now we have the five days of the Thanksgiving break together again. We will miss seeing the Kennedy family in Woodstock like we usually do this time of year, but we aren't ready to make a family road trip quite yet. It will be a different Thanksgiving, but I am looking forward to it all the same. While Boomer has been at work and with Emmy continuing to go to school, my mom has been coming over to help during the day. I am not cleared to drive or lift things, so her help has been much needed and much appreciated. On Friday, we went to Eli's first doctor's appointment. We are seeing the same pediatrician that Emmy goes to, and he is wonderful. Even as a second-time mom, Dr. Albright is so patient with all of my questions. Given the initial struggles we had with Emmy's weight, I was most nervous to see the number on the scale. Luckily Eli's weight was just one ounce below birth weight, 7 lbs 6 oz, and after nursing while I was there, it even came up to 7 lbs 8 oz. Seeing Eli back at birth weight is such an answer to prayer! The doctor said that it was a good sign that Eli is getting enough milk from me. Things seem to be going well in terms of nursing, and I am so thankful. Perhaps it is true that boys have bigger appetites than girls!  

On Friday, Eli met several more special people in his life. I forget how much a newborn sleeps, but Eli was surprisingly alert for most of these introductions, especially with Great Grandma Nancy. 

We went over to Grammy and Grandpa's for dinner on Friday evening, where Eli met his cousins and Uncle Zack. It was our first car ride as a family of four, so of course I documented it with a photo! Zander and Maddox were so excited to meet their new cousin, and each wanted a turn holding him. Megan said that when she first told them that I had had a boy, Zander was quite disappointed, saying "Nooooo, Aunt Lindsey was suppose to have two girls. Now it's uneven!" He seems to have gotten over that idea because he was all smiles meeting baby Eli. We were hoping that his and Maddox's excitement would wear off on Emmy, but she still has very little interest in holding or touching Eli. She is warming up to him though; I think she will be more hands-on in her own time. For now she is content watching him from afar and laughing at the funny noises and faces that he makes. 

Here are a few more scenes from our first week: swaddled up for bedtime, diaper changes, playtime with Daddy, and Sunday morning muffins. It's been a pretty simple week focused on our family and home. I feel so blessed to be "Mommy" to Emerson and Eli!