Let There Be Light

I can't believe I'm 2 weeks old today!! So much has happened in the past 2 weeks - I finally feel like I'm adjusting to life on the outside. Let's jump back to my birthday: At 3:51AM on September 21st, 2012 I emerged into this world & was placed upon my Mommy's belly. Beethoven was playing the background, as I opened my eyes to see my Mom & Dad. They were so excited to see me & Dad got to cut my umbilical cord, while Mom snuggled me closely. There were a couple other women in the room that Mom introduced me to - our midwives, Barbara & Erika; our doula, Sarah; and our nurse, Jeanie. The room was lit with candles & Mom, Dad & I snuggled on a big, cozy bed.

Later that day, I heard Mommy share her birth story with my grandma. Her contractions started at 1:15PM & Daddy came home early from work. The midwives wanted them to come in, so they headed to the birth center around 5:30PM. Mom's contractions were 2 & 1/2 minutes apart by the time they got there and Barbara, our midwife, told Mom that she was 3 cm dialated. Mom did a great job working through the contractions & Dad helped keep her calm and focused. Dad controlled the iPad & made sure that Mommy was listening to great tunes, but then eventually switched over to all classical music. I really love that guy Beethoven - man he really knows how to put me to sleep.

When Mom started really pushing, I was having a hard time getting under her pelvic bone. The midwives, Sarah (our doula) & Dad helped her stay focused so that my head wouldn't continue to get smushed, which was pretty uncomfortable for me & lowered my heart rate a little. Dad & Sarah helped Mommy get into optimal pushing positions to help get me out as fast as they could. Mom did a great job on her last couple of pushes to get me out & of course I screamed as I opened my eyes and saw bright lights because that's what babies do. We stayed at the birth center for 4 hours while we had our vitals checked out, I had my first meal & Mom and Dad took a cat nap. After that, we headed home in the mom mobile. Mom sat in the back & I squeezed her finger the entire way home. When we got home, I was greeted by 2 very excited doggies - Bolt & Toshio. They were very interested in me but Daddy didn't let them give me kisses. Bolt likes to sit by me whenever he can & just stares at me - it's kind of weird but I guess he's just curious to find out more about me.

Grandma & Pop Smeriglio came to spend the night with us. They helped Mommy & Daddy around the house, so they could get some rest, change my poopy diapers & feed me all day. We camped out in Mom & Dad's bed, until we needed to go meet my pediatrician, Dr. Berger. Dr. Berger was really nice, but gave me a shot that made me yell & cry. Thank goodness Mommy & Daddy were there to make me feel better. I got to meet my Aunt Shana that night. She's pretty cool - she just came from coaching a field hockey game. The next day Grandma & Pop Smeriglio left & it was just Mom, Dad & I for most of the day. Daddy made breakfast for Mommy in bed, cleaned the house & took care of both of us. I figured out that Mom is the one that feeds me. I had a hard time nursing at first because my tongue was tied - apparently that means the little piece of skin that connects my tongue to my mouth was too tight. Mom did a great job helping me nurse, but on day 4 Dr. Berger clipped it. That helped a lot. I got to meet Grandma & Grandpa Snyder on Saturday afternoon. They were really excited to meet me. Grandma Mimi came to visit again after she got back from her trip to Chicago. On Sunday, Nurse Jeanie came to visit us at home. She told Mom & Dad that I had jaundice and the pediatrician on call sent us to CHOP ER to check the levels in my blood. We spent 4 hours there & the nurses took 1 hour to draw blood from my heel. I cried & cried as they squeezed my foot until the Dr. gave me a pacifier with Sweet Ease. Mom wasn't really happy about the pacifier, but the pacifier was fantastic. I sucked away on it the rest of the time we were at the ER. Here's a photo of me in my "hospital gown" - Mom thought it was hysterical

We followed up with the pediatrician on Monday & Dr. Berger clipped my tongue. I cried & cried until Dr. Berger offered me Sweet Ease - love that sweet stuff. It takes so long for us all to get ready, get out the door & come home. We generally only get one real task done during the day - except for Dad - he's always running around the house fixing things & doing little projects. Tuesday we went back to the pediatrician to meet with the lactation consultant, Linda - she's the boob lady. She helped Mom teach me how to use my tongue properly. I am definitely a boob man!! Dad & Mom gave me a sponge bath - man, did I hate it!! I screamed & cried the entire time. For dinner, Uncle Jon & Ann Marie came over with take out from Iron Hill. Uncle Jon was a little nervous to hold me - maybe because my neck is so wobbly. Wednesday was Mommy's birthday - the big 29 (don't tell her but next year she'll be 30). I was a perfect angel all day!! Aunt Arianna came over with her mom. They brought Mom & I presents. I'm really glad Uncle Mario is dating Arianna - she's so nice to bring me Winnie the Pooh socks & other fun goodies. Later that day Grandma Smeriglio & Aunt Shana came over. They brought Mom & I more presents & a birthday cake for Mom. We all sang "Happy Birthday" to Mom.

Thursday morning we went to go see the midwives. They took my weight & I am gaining weight well. Mom was doing well too - she's really restless at home & can't wait to take me out for walks. The midwives told her that she still needs to rest. Friday we were back at Dr. Berger's to make sure I was doing well getting rid of the jaundice & gaining weight. Dr. Reza was really nice & he said everything looked great!! I finally got to meet Uncle Mario. He came with Arianna, Grandma & Pop. He spent the week working in California, so he came to Philly from his red-eye flight home. Uncle Maz was also a little nervous holding me - maybe he thought I was going to poop my diaper while he was holding me. On Monday, we had my 10 day old photo shoot with Heather Fowler. She took pictures of me when I was in Mommy's belly. We had so much fun at the photo shoot - Heather took lots of pictures of me cuddled in blankets, in buckets, in a suitcase & I was even naked in some. Mom can't wait to see the pictures - I'm sure I'll be cute as a button. We went to Grandpa Snyder's office on Tuesday & met with Dr. Canning. He had to check out my penis to make sure I can get a circumcision. I don't know what a circumcision is, but I'm sure it's something I won't like. I'll be going back to Dr. Canning next week. Mom asked Dad to take off of work, so that he can help her at the circumcision. On Wednesday, Mom & Dad took me on my first walk around the block. Mommy was very excited to use the stroller. Thursday Dad went back to work. Mom & I went out on our own for the first time. She took me to lactation support group with Dr. Linda. We got to meet 6 other babies & there was a little girl who was also 2 weeks old (maybe she'll be my girlfriend ;) After the group meeting, we met Laura, Mommy's prenatal yoga teacher, for lunch. Laura is also having a baby boy - Johnny & he'll be born in a few weeks. I was such a good boy for Mom the entire day. We picked Dad up from work & all went home together. Today was bath day, but this time I had my bath in the sink. Mommy put my big, blue flower tub in the sink & filled it with lots of warm water. I loved my bath & didn't cry once. Mom & Dad were pretty impressed.

Now that I'm 2 weeks old I feel like I'm finally getting used to the outside world. Mommy & Daddy are so great and I love when they cuddle me closely. Dad cradles & swings me around - I love it!!

A few funny moments: today Mommy went to change my diaper after I pee'd & pooped. She finished cleaning me up & just as she was getting the new diaper ready to go on I pooped again - all over my changing table. She was so surprised & while she was wiping my tush clean I pee'd all over myself & all over the dresser. I was not happy about lying in my own pee, so I started to scream. Mom tried to quickly clean everything up & got a new diaper on me. While she put on my new outfit (I pee'd all over my previous outfit), I pooped again in my new diaper - it was loud!! Mom had to re-change my diaper & while she was doing that I pooped AGAIN!! Mom caught it with the wipe this time, but I was really upset about needing to get another new diaper. I thought it was pretty funny & smiled as soon as I had nice clean clothes & a new diaper on - I don't think Mommy found it very funny. Another thing my Mom & Dad think are hysterical - when I get gassy - it sounds like a bomb exploded. Sometimes it's so loud & explosive - it startles me & I cry. Hopefully I'll get used to bodily functions. Well that's all for now - stay tuned to our next adventure - Tomorrow we're going to Kelly Drive to check out the the Philadelphia International Dragon Boat Regatta. Very excited to get back into the stroller & check out some more of Philadelphia. Sunday we're going to try to check out the Fall Festival at the Morris Arboretum if the weather stays nice. Looking forward to a fun weekend with Mom & Dad :)