Since having Gavin I've realized all the things I've forgotten about having a newborn in the two and a half years since having one. How do people recall how it all works when their kids are 10 years apart in age!
Today's edition covers diaper lessons I forgot. Sorry non-parents, I know this falls under the category of "please keep that to yourself!".
#71 thing I forgot about babies... Our baby boys pee on themselves EVERY single diaper change. EVERY time. With Ethan we were so amazed at this ability we asked the pediatrician if she had any magical tips. She looked at us like we were idiots for asking, that clearly was not part of her medical school's curriculum or residency rounds. We bought pee-pee tee-pees, hoping they would be more useful than a gag gift. They are not. We finally had to resign ourselves to changing the diaper changing pad cover every diaper change and washing the washcloths used to protect our son's (and our own) faces from the splash! Gavin follows right in his brother's footsteps. Today, at the pediatrician, I warned the nurse that he pees EVERY time the diaper is removed. She laughed, showed me her "foolproof trick" of placing a tissue over his manhood to keep it warm and the safety on his trigger per say. Well let's just say that tissue didn't stay in place... or dry!
#72 thing I forgot about babies... When is the best time for a diaper change? Breastfed babies poop. Yes, all babies poop. But breastmilk is apparently so easily digested it just flows right through them! And that leaves us with a quandary. When on earth is he done pooping enough that it's safe for a diaper change? He poops before eating, while eating, and after eating, and between. Inevitably when I think he's done, he either poops in the new diaper right in front of me before I close it, or once I button up all of his little footie buttons.
One thing I do remember about babies is this... they will grow out of this. And they will grow FAST! So this time I remember not to bug out about these little details, as they will be over very soon and he'll be in a new phase before I know it!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Christmas Firsts!
This year was full of Christmas firsts in our home. It was our baby Gavin's first Christmas ever, Ethan's first Christmas where he grasped the concept of Santa, and our first Christmas at our home as a family.
Here are some highlights!
Here are some highlights!
First family photo of the four of us!
First time laying out cookies for Santa!
Gavin spent the holiday pondering the true meaning of Christmas...
or plotting how long until he can play with his big brother's new toys!
Both of the boys' ornaments marking their first Christmas's, we had to go buy one for Gavin as we weren't anticipating 2011 being his year!
We ended our day with an incredible Christmas feast cooked and delivered by our friend Shannon!
Everything beyond having Gavin home in time for Christmas has been pure bonus. What a memorable Christmas!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Ethan's New Role as Gavin's Big Brother
I was very apprehensive about Ethan's reaction to his baby brother, I wanted Ethan to still feel as loved as before Gavin came home while also feeling protective of our tiny, defenseless baby. I imagined Ethan asking for me to hold him instead of Gavin, as he has when I have held other friends' babies. Instead, we have encountered Ethan begging for "Ethan's turn to hold baby brother Gavin!" He's not jealous of Gavin's time with Mommy or Daddy, he's jealous of Mommy or Daddy's time with GAVIN!
Ethan has had a wicked cold and our worry has been Gavin catching this cold as he was just in the hospital for respiratory issues. The doctor told us that Ethan's cold is not airborn, it's through contact with mucus membranes. So after thorough hand washing with a bonus of hand sanitizer (called "magic soap" in our house now), Ethan can hold Gavin. The one rule is that he can only touch his hair or his feet. So Gavin's feet are getting lots and lots of tickles, kisses, and sniffs to see if they are "stinky!"
Ethan has had a wicked cold and our worry has been Gavin catching this cold as he was just in the hospital for respiratory issues. The doctor told us that Ethan's cold is not airborn, it's through contact with mucus membranes. So after thorough hand washing with a bonus of hand sanitizer (called "magic soap" in our house now), Ethan can hold Gavin. The one rule is that he can only touch his hair or his feet. So Gavin's feet are getting lots and lots of tickles, kisses, and sniffs to see if they are "stinky!"
I know this is just the beginning of a lifetime of ups and downs in their relationship as brothers, but it's been a heartwarming and sweet experience this first week.
Gavin's Birthday!
Epidural? Check. Let's do this!
Four pushes later...
The first moment Mommy ever held Gavin in her arms. Magical.
Daddy's turn!
Weighing in at 5lbs, 9oz at 36 weeks. His older brother was 5lbs 12 oz at 38 weeks.
Pure bliss.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
This Christmas is so much fun!
Ethan is obsessed with all things Christmas, lights, Santa, wreaths, stockings, chimneys, trees, reindeer, everything ... except the toys part! It's amazing! He loves the magic of it all and doesn't get that he's getting some pretty great gifts Christmas morning! This is the most perfect age for Christmas ever.

Sunday, November 27, 2011
Ethan's version of a mash-up
This morning he lined up his dinos and yelled, "Look! A dinosaur train! Take a picture? CHEESE!!" (Excuse the bed head)
Two of his favorite things in the world merged into one!
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