The First Few Weeks

No matter how many times people have told me, I didn't understand until now how fast time goes by when you have a newborn. Abigail is already 2 1/2 weeks old (3 weeks this Friday) and I feel that Erin and I are finally starting to settle into a groove. I'm pretty sure that over the course of the past 2 1/2 weeks, I have experienced every emotion possible at one time or another but I am really liking this dad thing.

During our 1st week home, Erin's mom stayed with us and helped clean and take care of Abigail. My parents were suppose to come for the 2nd week, but their plans changed when their neighbor, Steve, passed away so they are here to help us this week. Last week was not very fun as Erin was sick for a few days, requiring me to take on a larger work load while I was trying to start back at Pioneer as well.

Throughout all of this, Abigail is still doing great! At her 2 week doctor appointment last Friday, she weighed in at 5lbs 4oz, which is up from 4lbs 6.5oz when she left the hospital. We are still supplementing at each feeding but now almost exclusively with breast milk and just a little formula at night. Abigail is also helping us out as feedings have stretched out from every 2 hours to normally 3 hours and occasionally a 3 1/2 to 4 hour stretch at night. She is starting to become more active and sleeping less then when she first came home which makes her a bit more interesting in my opinion.

I'm trying to take the advice that I have received and "cherish these times", but I often find myself dreaming about what lies ahead for our family. According to my mom, I am more of a "toddler person" compared to an "infant person" and I'm okay with that. I look forward to the little things like when she will start to smile and laugh at me, when she will start to sit up on her own, crawl, walk, and even begin to talk. I dream of her first boat ride, her first fishing trip, first deer hunt (but only if she wants, according to Erin:), etc. So many great memories lie ahead and it fills my heart to know that I will get to be a part of them.