heres and theres

Kirbymorphosis
When you have time to stare at your baby at close range, you notice every little thing. And it seems like a lot changes in between feedings, really...Was that bump there a few hours ago? When did he scratch himself? I don't remember his head being that flaky. I think his eyes are turning blue...Oh look, he has eyelashes now! It's amazing how quickly he's changing. His pictures this week look very different from just a couple of weeks ago. Fascinating.

You've got something on your face there.

Occasionally while nursing Kirby I'll get a bit distracted -- sleep deprivation at its finest -- or I'll multitask a bit and do things like have a snack or check my email on my Ipod Touch. Today I was eating some fresh cherries while nursing him. I popped one in my mouth and turned to say something to him and splattered his little face with cherry juice. It didn't faze him at all, but I'm glad I was paying attention, or I would have wondered where all the blood had come from. He looked like he was ready for a zombie Halloween costume.

The Good Latch

It sounds like a movie title, doesn't it? Well, I'll tell you what -- it's a film I'd like to see. We're doing something right because this boy has gained over 2 pounds since we brought him home 4 weeks ago, but man do the feedings take awhile. Poor tatas. I'm constantly scoring breastfeeding info during and in between feedings. Just when I think I've got it, the next nursing session is a disaster. Again, he's gaining and peeing and pooing like a champ, so I'll try to relax a little. I had no idea I was capable of so much anxiety.

Doody Duty
Changing diapers has become a scientific endeavor, especially with this little boy. It's a dance we do every time to see if we (okay, maybe just me) can keep him calm and get it done. Every once in awhile he could care less and just lies there, but mostly he is sounding the alarm that There are intruders in the house! The stock market just crashed! We are out of sandwich bread again! I feel almost like one of those pit guys in a Nascar race...alright, Kirby's pulling in, be ready to change that tire, dammit, or this could cost us the race! I've found that I make up my worst songs during the diaper change. No rhyme or rhythm, just nonsense. Hey, whatever works.

Did he just say "Raaaaaaaaanch?"
I know, I know, everyone's baby is a genius, but mine already knows how to ask for the house salad dressing. He also calls sheep, makes machine gun sounds, and communicates with wookies. And he loves to make this face:

Such a funny guy already...I cannot wait to hear him laugh.

Smitten

The soft silky hair on his shoulders.
The smiles that seem like a response to my words.
The boxing routine before he eats.
The little series of sneezes that are like mine.
The foot that is as long as my finger.
The squeaks and coos and ooos and ohs.
The tranquility he seems to feel outside on the porch.
The strawberry color when the light reflects on his hair.
The lightening around his pupils.
The ferocity of his cry during a diaper change.
The way he escapes from his swaddle so quickly.
The million little expressions in a matter of minutes.
The way his little hand grips my thumb while he eats.











Kirby's due date was yesterday and he weighed 7lbs, 2oz and was 20.5" long. My growing baby boy.