Our Day So Far

I got absolutely no work done today, just hung out with Atticus. Here's our day thus far, going backwards (I keep forgetting that blogger arranges photos in the reverse order that you uploaded them--so annoying and time is too precious to start all over again). Anyhow, so this is Atticus basking in a post-massage glow.


Not looking at all sorry after he peed on me during the massage--his way of showing his appreciation for massages. That and he smiles and wiggles around a lot. I'm not complaining though--I much prefer urine to feces, and now that his bowel movements have become more regular (mostly occurring in the mornings), taking his diaper off is much less anxiety-inducing.


Borrowing some color from the garden. (Not Dad's favorite photo.)


Smelling the culinary plants. He especially likes sage.


Surveying the garden.


Listening to Ravel and getting to know one of his toys, Hug Bug.


Watching mom make faces at him.

First Time Being Babysat

These photos are about two weeks late going up. Deb, one of Atticus's favorite aunties, was the first to babysit him. She watched him while I got in some much needed time at the gym the week that Chris was in Louisville for work. Eleanor and Sara also watched him that week while I exercised. I'm lucky to have so many friends willing to help out, and Atticus is a lucky boy to have so many lovely women to dote on him.

Brought To You By Grandpa Gilbert...

Recent Accomplishments

Atticus:

• Over the last couple of weeks Atticus has demonstrated a much improved ability to entertain himself while I make breakfast, eat breakfast, brush my teeth, wash cloth diapers, and more and more, even while I take a shower. He's sometimes content in the swing for up to half an hour. In the mornings especially, he's also content for quite a while just lying in bed and checking out the light patterns on the walls and ceiling. It's so so so so lovely to be able to eat breakfast without bringing on the siren. I even have enough time to make oatmeal or eggs, and to drink some coffee.
• Saturday evening Atticus slept over six hours uninterrupted! I was so tired that evening that I went to bed soon after him, so it was also the longest I've slept uninterrupted since he was born.
• Also, Saturday evening on the car ride home, I put my pinky finger in his mouth to calm him since we were out close to his bed time and he was getting awfully cranky. I'd never done this before. The next morning, he put his thumb in his mouth while he was waiting to nurse. He'd never done this before to my knowledge. So it seems to me he made the connection between my finger and his.
• He's also becoming more mobile in various ways. This morning, he was pushing off of his legs, trying to launch himself closer to the mobile.
  

Me:

• I've learned to nurse him without hands by propping him up on a blanket in my lap while I'm working at the computer! It doesn't always work, but it works enough of the time that I'm not having to peck out keys nearly as much.
  

Atticus goes shopping (video)

Atticus goes shopping

Reunion photo 3

Reunion photo 2

Birth Center Family Reunion at the Zoo

We went for our first family outing to the zoo.  It was nice except for the loud music and mosquitoes.

Brrrrr

It's cold and rainy in Tucson right now, believe it or not, so Atticus got some use out of his hoodie yesterday. As far as his reaction to cold weather, he takes after his father.

Side note: I'm happy to report that on the night of his 6-week birthday, he slept 5 hours straight, followed by nearly 4 more hours uninterrupted.

Oh, and that wet spot on his pants is spit-up, I think. hmm

Six weeks

Atticus and I attended our centering group's (group prenatal care) reunion this evening. He has the least amount of hair, but the most bulk. And he's the cutest, or am I just biased? :) He eavesdropped into many conversations tonight, pausing here and there to spit up all over my shirt.


Atticus is beginning to enjoy his swing bit by bit. He's really fascinated with the mobile. We just ordered an activity mat for him, which should arrive any day now. I hope it keeps him entertained long enough for me to get a little writing done.


Six weeks today (though this photo was taken yesterday)! Thirteen and a half pounds now and getting stronger and more curious day by day.

Rockers Rock! (video)

Rockers Rock!

Atticus in the buff!

Atticus taking a bath in the sink. The baby trash can is a little too difficult with little head control.

The Bill Withers Cure

Inconsolable fussiness this morning. I tried everything and then some, and all I got in response were cries--until I popped in the Bill Withers CD and started dancing with him. He fell asleep almost instantly. Bill Withers, people. Try it. He makes everyone feel better.

Weight tangent: Atticus weighed in at 12 pounds 14 ounces on Tuesday. He put on just a wee 10 ounces this week. It's the first week since week 1 that he gained less than a pound. Maybe his growth is finally slowing down a tad?

Baby Smiles

A few baby smiles to brighten your day

Some Family Photos

Atticus napping in the cradle my dad
made many years ago and that I once
napped in too


A few family photos...

New Pictures on Flickr

If you are a Flickr account member I have new photos uploaded.  You can download the photos or have prints made from the site.

Grandpa Riggs and Grandma Cunningham meet Atticus (video)

Sorry this took so long to get posted.  I have been busy and the batteries died.

Grandparents visit Atticus

Thought at Five A.M, Diaper Change

Maybe pooping during diaper changes is a sign of intelligence. It's a good strategy really. The more he poops during a diaper change, the less he has to sit around in his own excrement.

And maybe this means he will be easy to potty train?

4 weeks!

It's hard to believe it's been four weeks since Atticus was born. He's already changing so fast. And accomplishing quite a bit. He's smiling more. He's holding his head up for lengthy periods of time--a little on the wobbly side, but pretty impressive nonetheless. And he's growing so fast. Today's weigh-in: 12 pounds 4 ounces.

We adore him.

First "Real" Smile

So I know the experts say that those sleepy milk-drunk smiles, the kind Atticus has been giving us since day two, aren't "real" smiles. Something about them not being social responses (as if pleasure isn't real unless it's shared?) Well, yesterday he gave his first social smile, as I was about to change his diaper after a nap. He smiled back at me smiling at him, and his face showed utter joy. Joyous for me too, of course.

April 2, 2010

Oh glorious day. I not only managed to get time for myself (translation: grading, laundry, dishes, etc.) once, but three times. This morning I took Atticus to Starbucks, since car rides seem to be fairly successful in putting him to sleep. I got a latte and a sleeping baby. He slept for 2 1/2 hours after we returned home! Then later, I laid with him in bed and read out loud for about 40 minutes until his limbs seemed securely limp, and I got myself about another hour and 10 minutes of baby-free time. Just now I watched bits of Pretty Woman and 16 and Pregnant until once again he went limp, and I managed to transfer him to his bassinet without his waking. Somehow, despite this abundant "free" time, I still haven't showered, but I have clean clothes, clean dishes, a clean kitchen counter, a clean baby (I did bathe him at least), graded lessons, and I've finally started writing the remaining thank-you cards to the many wonderful friends and family who have showered Atticus with loot. What more can the mother of a three-week-old ask for?

And there's more good news: last night Atticus slept for about 4 1/2 hours straight. Since he typically wakes me up every two hours (at least), this is something to celebrate. He did have his first chiropractic adjustment yesterday, so maybe that was it?

Atticus experienced a few other firsts yesterday too: his first dinner at a restaurant and his first time taking a bottle (Grandma Jean did the honors. We would have taken a photo if I had been able to locate Chris's camera. He took mine to Bloomington with him. Yes, Chris abandoned me with a three-week-old on a weekend no less. :)).