Greetings from Noah

Noah just wanted to say happy birthday to one of his favorite people.

  

2 Week Inspection

Noah went to see the doctor today for his 2 week checkup. We were told at our last appointment that they wanted him to be back up to his birth weight by 2 weeks. Today he weighed 9 pounds 3 ounces! I guess that means that breastfeeding is working! :) Everything else checked out great as well- the doctor said that he looks perfect (we already knew that, but it was nice to hear it from a professional). Noah also got his Hepatitis B shot today. He didn't really appreciate the nurse sticking that needle into his leg, but fortunately he didn't cry too much.
Today was day two of staying home by myself. It was quite a challenge to get him ready for the doctor's office and get myself ready. I am becoming an expert at speed showering. I also learned that I am not a fan of driving him around in the car by myself. He had a complete melt down on the ride home and there wasn't anything I could do about it. So I was sweating trying to get home as quickly (and safely) as possible. I don't think we will be venturing out by ourselves again any time soon.

Gifts from St. Louis

Here is Noah with a gift from our good friends Alison and Chris:

 

I would like to say a great big thank you to everyone who has been so generous to us... it lets us know how much this kid is going to be loved.

Yesterday was Sherry's first real day alone and she came through with flying colors. She even got to shower! But being a decendent of Pearl she also managed to clean the kitchen, vaccuum the floors and did some laundry. She is crazy. 

Texas Tureman Visit

P2180003
Originally uploaded by beebe4.

Although they live in Virginia, the constanance of Texas Tureman requires that I still refer to Shawn, Regina and Jack as the TTs. All three of them were in town over the weekend to make sure we were raising little Noah up right. Jack seemed to like Noah and only got slightly jealous at the amount of attention that Regina was giving to Noah. Wonder how he is going to do once Regina has her second? We didn't do much as Sherry and I are still timid... but we did take Noah on his first public outing to The Loop, and also walked him up to the local school yard so that Jack could play on the playground and Shawn and Ben could play Horse.

Which way to the gym?

Here is a picture of Noah flexing his manly muscles:
 
Everything has been going OK. Apparently the process of looking at him and holding him is a time warp, cause I have found myself looking up and saying, "Holy Crap, how is it already dinner time." So I apologize for not posting my daily picture.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day. Yesterday was Noah's one week birthday celebration.... he celebrated by pooping.

First Doctors Visit

Noah McDonald had his first doctors appointment today with the Carithers group. The doctor that visited us in the hospital when he was one day old was who we saw today. He said Noah was looking good and of course commented on his hair. Only problem is the dude is hot... like Clooney in ER hot. Good thing that his wife works at the practice to or I would have to miss a lot of work going to EVERY appointment with Sherry.

But seriously, Noah is healthy, we need to do some exercises with his slightly turned-in ankles, but that is all. He did manage to piss all over the office shortly after his naked weigh in. I had to take one for the team and cover his little fire hose with my hand but better that then getting it all over his face.

Clean Noah

Today Noah received his 2nd at home bath. He liked the baths at the hospital better, since they have the fancy heat lamps... but he is good at crying through it to make himself feel better. I do have to say that is pretty nice when you figure out what is currently pissing him off, because he has been quick to quiet down once the problem is solved. Shortly after this picture we realized that he actually likes to sleep in the Boppy, who knew!

Funny how words like Boppy and Binky can so quickly slide into your vocabulary and actually be said with complete sincerity... as in, "before I take a nap do you want me to get the Boppy?" I guess those are actually just words that are generalized to represent the entire product entity that they are a member of (a la "Kleenex").

What is that situation called? I remember talking about it in some college class, but have forgotten it... and I can tell by that look on Sherry's face that I have spent too much time on the computer this morning... so somebody look into that and post a comment.

Two last things... 1) Notice that Noah is sporting his Poindexter look this morning... the Seacrest look is played anyways (and yes I did have to go look up why Poindexter was a vernacular term for geek, but at least I learned something today). 2) It is quite crazy to think that just 6 days ago, this amazing little boy was inside of Sherry waiting to come out and poop all over my house. Pretty cool.

Tiger Claws

  

Baby Stats

So I realized that I never posted all the "baby stats" so here they are:
Length: 21.5 inches
Weight: 8 lbs 13 ozs
Time of Birth: 12:25pm on 2/8/06
Apgar scores:
       1 min score - 8
       5 min score - 9

Passed his hearing test.

Check out weight from hospital was 8 lbs 3 ozs (lost 10 ozs)

Visitors

 
Here is Sherry's father holding Noah. We have had a steady flow of visitors today and we have become completely accustom to hanging out in our PJs while friends hold little Noah.

My mom brought us the rose that Riverside Presbyterian Church dedicated to Noah today at church. A few friends from the church have signed up to bring us meals on Monday - Thursday so we are very greatful.

Jason Rhodin, Kendra Cochran, Ben Wilder and Stephy, and John Tureman all came by today. Brad and Heather Arrowsmith came by yesterday. Everyone has been so generous. (It is a given that the happy grand mother comes over every day :) )

He is a very social baby and manages to only scream after our guests leave. 

Up close and personal

 

Just so you guys know I am going to be taking more and more pictures of my studly looking son and posting them on my Flickr page... so check there regularely for more pictures.

So last night wasn't that easy. I think Noah was getting tired of sucking air from Sherry's boobs, so he kept us up most of the night (well more Sherry then I). But today has been great. The milk has been delivered and papa isn't complaining, if ya know what I mean, but more importantly, Noah isn't complaining... in fact, he is quite happy, in other words sleeping for 3 hours in a row on two seperate occasions.

I am going to try to take a lot of pictures and post at least one on the blog so you guys can get sick of seeing him. 

We are home

 
We have been discharged from the hospital and are home and safe. 

More pics

There are more pictures on flickr

He's Beautiful

 
 

Grandma meets Noah

 
 

Introductions

World I would like you to meet Noah Whatley McDonald.

Noah... the world.

Not Interested In Coming Out To Play

Another week has passed, another uneventful visit with the doctor. She did say that I am one centimeter dilated, but I think she just said that to make me feel better. She also did an ultrasound to check my amniotic fluid levels and said they were still really great. My blood pressure was still low so she said that she could not find a reason to induce me just yet (and apparently being uncomfortable does not count as a good reason). According to her, inducing me with an "unripen" cervix would lead to a long and unpleasurable labor- which she felt was unnecessary. So, we have an appointment next Monday and she will schedule an inducement for the 14th (yes, Valentine's Day). We aren't too thrilled about the possibility of Noah's birthday being on Valentine's Day- so keep your fingers crossed that I go into labor before then!

No, that's not a basketball

So, after many requests, I am reluctantly posting a picture. It is amazing how I failed to realize exactly how large my belly has gotten. It wasn't until I asked Ben to take a picture of me to post that I realized why everyone stops me and asks when I am due. For those of you who don't know, I am due TOMORROW.