Xander's First Week

Xander has been home from the hospital now for a week. We are exhausted and sleep deprived and blissfully happy to have him home. Michael and I feel that being parents is already rewarding even though Xander is still so new. We were in the hospital for 3 days (2 after his birth) for observation, and baby and I were so thankful to be released with good bills of health. My local family visited while we were in the hospital and were able to see the new arrival. My Dad came by the day we were released and bought us some diapers and wipes, and we got a very sweet picture of him holding Xander in the little tyke's new nursery. Alexander Keenan Martin is such a cutey. We will be posting many pics in the Photos section of this website under various headings, so stay tuned and check back often for more updates and pics. I will even be doing a reverse play-by-play of my tummy shrinking. I lost 12 pounds in the first week after birth (I had gained about 25 pounds during pregnancy) and am determined to get back to pre-baby weight in the next few months. And then I am planning to lose even more weight by 6 months! Wish me luck.


Thanksgiving was craziness- between feedings and family feuds and exhaustion. Holidays can never pass without at least a little family drama, huh? Did you ever see that well-acted Holly Hunter/Robert Downy Jr comedy-drama movie, "Home for the Holidays?" It is about this dysfunctional family coming together for Thanksgiving and all the drama that ensues due to the different personality types in the family. If you haven't seen it, you should. It makes my family drama seem tame. You will probably feel good about your own family after watching that movie, in fact. *sigh* We were able to get some good pics of family members holding our Xander, though. And the food and fellowship in our home was amazing- I didn't have to cook anything this year, which was a blessing. My family all pitched in and made the food while Michael and I concentrated on Xander's care.

BTW: we are thankful for our newest addition to the family: our beautiful little baby boy. He has made our home the happiest home on the block.

We have another pediatric appointment tomorrow morning- for little bit's circumcision (insert creepy "duh, duh, duh" music here). We are also gonna check his weight and his breathing while we are there, to make sue our little man is on track to being a healthy newborn.

Speaking of weight, did you know that a baby loses weight in the first few days of life, then gains it back to his original birth weight by 10 days post-birth? Also, did you know that babies go thru tons and tons of teeny-tiny laundry!? Not to mention tons of diapers and baby wipes, of course. Every time I turn around, something else needs to be washed or the baby needs to be cleaned. My Mom has been here for the past week helping around the house, which has been great, b/c being a new mommy and daddy to a newborn is hard work. Time for a nap.