Bath Time

Right before we left for Utah, Abram had his 2-month check-up.

Here's the stats:

11 lb 12 oz (64th percentile)

23 inches long (65th percentile)

15 1/4 inches head circumference (36th percentile)

He got his shots and I think I cried more than him...

but everything else was great and Dr. Gold said he's growing beautifully!

Every day he's more interactive and coo-ey and smiley :) and as of last week, he consistently sleeps 7-8 hours straight at night.

Of course we have lots of pictures from our trip, but for now,

Abram's bath time with his Grandmas...

For the Record

(Our parking lot in December)

Abram can grow up saying he was born during a record-breaking, bone-chilling winter in Minnesota.
I looked up a couple stats for the year (yes, I am currently housebound and fighting cabin-fever), in case you're interested...

As I write this, it's -1 degrees but -18 with windchill. Brr.
Total snowfall for the season so far: 76.5"... (8th place for Minnesota winters ever recorded)
Most "snow emergencies" declared (specific rules on where you can park so the city can plow).

...and some memories...

Easily the worst weather I've driven in.
Our car frequently won't start up because it's too cold.
During our blizzard after Thanksgiving last year I got stranded overnight at work (along with other employees)--the snow plows were pulled off the roads due to zero visibility!
The next day I came home to everyone digging their cars out and big trucks hauling snow out of the city.
The snow plows kept me up at night while I was pregnant...and now they serenade both Abram and me at night when we get up to nurse! :)
Apparently the governor is already making plans for handling severe flooding this year.
*sigh*
Oh spring, you can't come fast enough!

On a much happier note, here's the latest:

Great Grandma Eide, he loves his swing!

He was almost as excited about the BYU vs SDSU game as his father.

His hair gets a little curly when it's wet.

I don't look tired, do I?

It jumped above freezing yesterday, so we HAD to get out of the house for a 5-min walk. This suit is just a little big, but it keeps him toasty!

Ben fed him his first bottle of pumped milk yesterday--he took it like a champ!
We are flying to Utah next week over Ben's spring break. Abram can't wait to see our family!

Four Weeks

I can't believe Abram is four weeks old! Here are a few tidbits about him...

He is a strong boy! He has strong legs and arms and has been lifting up his head ever since the day he was born...I can imagine he'll put up a good fight when he's two and doesn't want to get in his car seat! :)

He has long toes (from my side, of course :) and big hands...good for playing piano concertos or palming a basketball, I suppose?

I always tell him "Good job!" when he burps...that should probably stop sometime between now and the time he actually knows what I'm saying.

I love his 15-min long stretching routine: he arches his back, raises both arms up above his head, contorts his face, yawns, and grunts. Since he was a couple weeks old, he's been arching his back so far it moves him completely onto his side!

He eats like a champ (after some practice) and surpassed his birth weight at 8 days old.

He did a great job wetting and pooping (twice) on the pediatrician at our 1st visit. :)

When he's looking at you, if you stick out your tongue, he'll copy you! He even started making little noises & talking to us a few days ago. His voice is SO cute. He's trying really hard to smile--I can see it in his eyes. I'm sure it'll be any day now! He also laughs in his sleep...so precious.

When he concentrates, his eyes are wide open and his lips make the cutest little "o" shape.

His hair is already growing in lighter.

He let me sleep for 7 hours a couple nights ago!

A lot of people say he looks like Ben, the lucky little guy!

My favorite expression of his is his half-smile/scrunched nose combination (in his sleep). It reminds me of Mowgli (sp?) on Jungle Book.

He loves baths (most of the time), the sound of water, and Ben's Russian singing. :)

Lastly, he is the most precious little baby! I thank Heavenly Father for him every day...and that he has a wonderful father too (who keeps his mother sane!).

I know I posted too many pictures, but I'm sure the Grandmas will appreciate it!

We love our baby boy!

Baby of Mine

It's about time I officially announce the arrival of our sweet baby boy!

To start things off, I'll give a quick synopsis of my labor (this is solely for the enjoyment of my fellow L&D nurses...I understand if the rest of you skip over this):
Well, I went a full week overdue (I know, I couldn't believe it either!). I think little Abram was just trying to gain every ounce possible to survive our Minnesota winter. Anyway, I was 1cm/70%/-2, so my OB decided to start me on Cervidil the night before, which ended up putting me into labor...Of course as soon as I fell asleep that night after the Cervidil was placed, I woke up with cramps, which lasted several hours and progressed into full-blown contractions. Needless to say, I didn't get a wink of sleep. In the morning, I was 3cm/80%/-2, after which my water broke, and an hour later I was at a 5 when I decided it was time for my epidural. My epidural was absolutely perfect--I could roll myself all around in bed without feeling any pain! Anyway, a few hours later I went complete, pushed for 45 minutes, and delivered a perfect baby boy!
Now for a few pictures...

(this is Kristin with zero sleep--don't judge!)

7 lb 4 oz and 21 inches

and lots of beautiful dark hair

24 hours old

I love his cute little nose!

He looks so tiny in his carseat

A few days after he was born, my mom flew out--she was such a huge lifesaver for a new, overwhelmed mother!

Ben is such a natural father.
He's so good at getting Abram to sleep!

First sponge bath at home by Grandma!

Abram is so sweet. I just stare at him all day and can't believe he's my baby.
Ben and I feel so blessed that he has been sent to us!

...39, 40...

This is me on my due date. 40 weeks exactly!

And I'm alive, typing this two days later, on the other side of 40 weeks...

And being SO patient and NOT complaining!

Really though, I can't complain. I feel pretty good, considering the circumstances, and Ben and I are living up our last days together of just the two of us (I'll blog about that later).

Next time I blog, I will be typing on the other side of motherhood...instead of the expectant side!

Meanwhile, I'll patiently wait to kiss his soft cheeks and stroke his dark hair (at least I'm betting on some hair).