a little dress up

Nate and Micah had a nice time playing dress up the other day. I just
thought I would share a photo of the two of them.

Has it been one month?

It is hard to believe it has already been a month since Mitchell has blessed us with his presence. The books I read state that you shouldn't expect too much development in the first month. Starting the second month is when it takes off. I would disagree with this. In the first month, Mitchell has an increasing strength in his legs. When you are supporting him he can push himself up higher on your lap. At birth his legs really didn't do anything but kick. Also he seems to be catching on to some basic cues, like the position I hold him may mean it is time for nursing or a diaper change etc. If it is what he wants and he is crying, the simple cue will stop his cry. He also is sleeping less and observing more. Yes, he still sleeps a majority of the day and is only up for about 1.5 hours in between naps. He is starting to set a night time schedule. He usually wakes up around 3ish and 6ish. He will also sometimes wake up at 1ish if his last nursing was before 10. He seems a bit fussy for about an hour every evening. Sometimes it is constant and sometimes it is off and on during that hour. We aren't sure yet what causes it, but it can be a bit unpleasant for all of us. It was suggested that I not eat chocolate to see if that helps, but I have been off of chocolate for a week now and have noticed no difference. I am also aware of gassy vegetables and try not to eat those either. I am not ready to go off of dairy yet. Mitchell does seem a bit gassy and we wonder if that isn't the issue.

Nate has been doing a great job being a big brother. He tries to be the little problem solver when Mitchell is crying. Today in the car he suggested that I turn on music because that may sooth Mitchell when he was upset. Nate is also a great helper. He will run and things when we ask without complaint.

Nate had his first swim class of this session. He is in Shrimp 1 for the second time. He had to retake it because he refused to independently put his whole head under water. Otherwise he does great!

Mrrawww! Spring is here! MRRRAAAWWWWW!

IMG_8951
Originally uploaded by wysereeser

Several things to report on. We've had some more visitors come through, and managed to get out and go for a couple walks with the change in warmer weather.

Both times Nathan's hopped on his tricycle and sounded like he'll mow down anyone in his path as he's out cruizin'. He was pretty jazzed (as we were) just to get outside.



Grandma and Grandpa Wyse visited this past weekend. We spent most of it sitting around the house, but did manage to get out a couple times.

Overall Mitchell's been great during the day (naps, feedings, awake times -- all good), evenings/nights are a different story. Angie and I've discussed (half seriously) starting a scientific log of what events transpired during the day that may have led to the nights successes (or failures). Without fail over the last week+ we reach the 8-10pm timeframe and Mitchell is basically uncomfortable, unhappy for an hour or so. We can calm him down periodically during that time off and on, but much of the time he fusses and just doesn't seem like he wants to be comfortable. We've hesitated giving him a binky/nuk/pacifier until after we checked with the pediatrician to get her blessing on the idea. Mitchell's had no problems with feedings (he actually started just fine within a half hour after being born); but we suspect his issues are more so gas related. We've tried simethicone, but haven't been convinced of its usefulness, in our case we think it may have actually made him a little constipated.

We did get the go ahead from Mitchell's doctor to go ahead and try the nuk. Nate took to it really well and was never a problem, so we've been a little anxious to see how Mitchell will take to it. Last night was one of the better mixes of nights so far. We bought some new nuks that were better sized for his age (we got rid of some of Nate's old ones), and Mitchell took to them real well. It was kinda funny. He was sucking away on it last night, his eyes got droopy and started rolling around in his head (I was about to call it a complete success), then he suddenly realized what was happening and became alert again. We eventually got him settled down and it was definitely and easier night than times past, repeating the success is the challenge. We'll see how tonight goes.

Newspapers. Bah!

One of Angie's co-workers came over this morning and brought along a clipping from the announcement that ended up in the paper. I remember filling out a permission form, I'm pretty sure I didn't fill out my name wrong...BEESER!?!?

A sudden thought, Broccoli Badgers Beeser. ;-)

family, family, family

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Originally uploaded by wysereeser

So this past weekend saw a flurry of family, neighbor visits as well as some fun. One set of grandparents came into town to see the lil' bugger. We didn't do much while they were here since it was a relatively quick visit, but that wasn't really the point of it. Sit/talk/hold-baby/repeat.

Nathan was excited to see Gma/Gpa Reeser as well. It didn't take much for him to demonstrate his reading ability to them as he did with Mitchell.

IMG_8913
Originally uploaded by wysereeser

After they left Friday evening, Angie's brother and his family (parents + 3 boys) arrived to visit for the weekend. We had a great time. Nate always has so much fun with his cousins that its usually a big let down when they have to leave. I feel for him.

Saturday was a mix of a day, several of us went out sledding at a nearby school with some friends. It was the first time we'd ever gone sledding there...it was awesome. So much so that we busted two sleds, one of which was the neighbors that I need to replace. I'm going to have to buy it online since all the stores already have all their spring crap out.

Here's a clip from the day of a couple of the big kids:



Moments before, Nate slid down the hill on his own (he lays down in the sled and looks like I'm launching him off in an escape pod). He was getting up when Matt/I went down together. The part that might be hard to see is that as we came close to plowing through Nathan's sled, he picked it up at the last minute and the tip of it clocked me in the head. I thought the whole thing was hilarious. Hence my cackling like a wacko at the end. Props to Marnie for taping.

At the latter part of the day, Angie's brother got ill and banished himself upstairs. Mitchell decided he'd had enough of all the people in his house so Angie took him upstairs as well. We're still a little concerned that one of us might get sick, but so far everyone seems to be okay. We'll see if it stays that way. Two sets of neighbors came right after our company left. One of them had a young daughter who innocently sneezed on Mitchell. Mitch sneezed right back at her. So, in the end it'll be a small miracle if none of us show signs of illness in the coming days.

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Originally uploaded by wysereeser

Last, but certainly not least another note to parents out there. You *must* be really careful when bathing your child not to nick his drying umbilical cord. I flipped him over to help Angie with bathing him and he let out a nasty shriek. It looked like it was starting to come off, but the cord came mostly off in one event. It fell off later that day. Overall it probably could have been stuck on a little longer, but in retrospect there wasn't much holding it on. [I'm trying to comfort myself. Let me have this.]

We've got a few days of respite before the next set of grandparents comes next weekend.

I like broccoli

I like broccoli
Originally uploaded by wysereeser

People that call ask how things are going. Part of me wishes there was more interesting stuff to tell, but the truth is, I think, things have been going along perfectly.

Angie and I are tired. But that's not a surprise. Mitchell's doing his part by cycles of sleep/eat/poop/repeat with greater stretches of being awake and showing signs of being interested in everything around him.

Nate's been doing his part by helping out and doing his best to adjust. Outbreaks of him trying to remain in peoples attention usually only happen when guests stop by. Sudden bursts of energy to do more or be louder is usually the result. Its annoying, but not unexpected.

I got Nate to sit down and read a book to Mitchell.



I could let you think that being less than 4 years old, that Nate's a child genius (and already reading)...which, to me, that's true. ;-) But lets just say repetition has a way of eventually leading to memorization.

Last night Nate went around the room and told everyone that he loved them. It was pretty sweet.

I'd post photos of Angie and I with the kids, but the truth is every time I snap a photo we look wasted in them. Which is strange because I don't think either of us necessarily feel that way. One photo I told Angie to "Wake Up!" and open her eyes wider. She did what I asked, but she also ended up looking like a psycho in the photo. [Must resist urge to post photo!]

MDWR Day 3

Mitchell
Originally uploaded by wysereeser

Made it through our second night at the hospital. Much the same experience as the night before. One aspect that really ticked me off was that at roughly 5am, after Angie had been feeding Mitchell most of the night off/on. I decided to take him out of the room for a while so that Angie could have some sleep without being bothered by either of us in the room.

Mitchell
Originally uploaded by wysereeser

I sat in a lounge at the end of the hall and could see when people went into the room. I caught a nurse who poked her head in then left after seeing that Angie was sleeping. But no more than 5 minutes later, a resident went in, woke Angie up just so he could ask some stupid general questions (i.e. How are you feeling, etc.). After mentioning it to one of the midwives we learned that the residents aren't even suppose to bother midwife patients. I was not happy. It basically made my effort to take Mitchell out and leave Angie alone pointless. It did however solidify my desire for us to get out of there and get home.

We left around 1:30pm or so, stopped by to pick up Nate and headed home.



It was wonderful to be back at the house. Nate had complained the night before that he wanted to sleep in his own bed...now he gets to!

MDWR Day 2

MDWR Day 2
Originally uploaded by wysereeser

So we all survived the first night. Mitchell ate like a demon, Angie complied, I stepped in and took Mitch away when the timing seemed appropriate. Nate spent the night at a friends house. The following day was spent dealing with a variety of tests at various points along the way. The hospital was great, but the constant visits from nusring staff, etc. gets old as everyone tries to get used to each other.

A lot of people came through to visit. At one point, our count was over 10 people (counting kids) that were running around our hospital room. The company was great. For me at least, all the company helped keep me awake.