an exciting weekend...

We had all kinds of fun with Miles last weekend. So many new adventures in just a few days. The first was Friday night. Ben turned thirty! I was feeling so bad that we didn't have a big bash or a trip or anything for this special occasion but we were lucky enough for Jonathan and Stacie to offer to watch Miles while we went out to dinner. It felt so weird for us to be together without Miles but we had a wonderful time. On the way home I have to admit, I teared up a little. I heard this song by Trace Adkins on the radio as Ben was in the back seat with Miles. It could have been the wine with dinner, it could have been hormones, or it could have been plain old reality. Not sure which but whatever it was it hit me.

You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

I hope Ben had nothing short of a wonderful birthday and can't wait to share the next 30 with him. He's been a WONDERFUL dad and his support and love is about all that got us through that first month of parenthood! And the fact that we think Miles is cute and he smells so good. I can't say enough good things about the man I married and let's just say he deserved way better than a little date to Naked Tchopstix (I had great intentions of taking him to Eddie Merlot's but the bar was packed!) Here is a picture of what Miles was doing while we were away. Not sure who had more fun, Jonathan and Stacie or Sam and Miles!

On Saturday I had my first girl outing with Miles doing lunch with Erin. We took up a whole corner area of Paradise Cafe and parked my stroller and gave Liv her own chair to chug chocolate milk. It was definitely a wake up call to Erin and I that things are definitely different with kiddos, but in the best way. Then Saturday night we ventured to the south side and Miles got to visit LD and Marcia's for the first time and visit with his other cousins, Remy & Reid. The great grandmas also came over for a visit and were able to hold the babies while we ate dinner.

Then Sunday we ventured out to church with the little guy. We joked because it seems like we are always just a few minutes late to church and we said that we would be arriving late and leaving early, depending on how he did in the service. We got there at our normal time, 11:04, and I only had to take him to the lobby once because he had a little grunting spell. He fell asleep and we were able to stay the whole service. Yay! We will have to do that again next week!

what i've learned this month...

February 2011 taught me more than I could have imagined, and I knew way less than I thought I did. Miles turned 4 weeks yesterday and here is what I have figured out this last month:

1. Eye cream is sooo worth the money.
2. A bath tub is a great place for a power nap.
3. Getting out of the house is a wonderful thing, even if it is just to go to CVS.
4. Miles likes to ride in the car and in his stroller. Looks like more trips to the mall are in our future.
5. 5-6 hours of sleep suddenly seems normal. 7-8 hours seems like a dream.
6. Babies really do grow so fast. Miles can't wear most of his newborn clothes anymore, and yesterday he hit the nine pound mark!
7. We learned what the five S's are to calm a baby: swaddle, suck, side, swing & shhh. We've got the swaddle thing down. I would post a picture but you might call CPS.
8. We also learned that we can't imagine life without the little man and we love him so much, even though he does get an attitude in the evenings.

Here are a few pics of Mr. Miles the last few days. Can't believe it's been a month! I have been taking him to work for a few hours here and there this week. He is usually pretty good when we're there so I think I'll try that again today. It's raining anyways so maybe it won't be too busy and he can do his thing. I also need to get working on his announcements. Hopefully I can get them out before my Christmas Cards.

Miles has his first social gathering to go to this weekend. It is a couples shower for Jenni & Mason (due mid April) and kids are welcome. His cousin Sam will be there too. Happy Weekend!

sleeping beauties

gotta get a few minutes of shut eye when you can! happy weekend!

norm had a thought...

I know we have a nearly 3 week old baby and his job right now is to keep us up every few hours at night but I am thinking Miles can do just a tad better, like maybe sleep for a stretch of 2.5 hours. He seems to be in love with his infant seat so here goes another try. We took out the bassinet "feature" of the pack and play and put in the infant seat in its place! I think it is worth a try, the little man likes to be a little more upright and when he is in the bassinet, the sleep sack seems to get all up in his face and bother him, which leads him to ridiculous amounts of grunting.

Norm gets all of the credit for this thought, just because he stuck his face in the picture.

another day in paradise

How can this adorable little peanut zap so much of our energy? I thought for sure I would be the patient one trying to calm Ben down about a crying baby. Nope, he has got it totally under control and I'm the one that needs the reality check. Miles is so sweet but so exhausting all at the same time. I just need to start telling myself that sleep is overrated and I'm really not that tired and that 3 hours of broken up sleep a night is more than enough to function. Here is a picture of him looking like a perfect little angel.

correction number one of many

Sooooo, my baby Miles was really born on February 3rd, not 4th. I really did know that. I'm not sleep deprived or anything... The funny thing is Ben even read it after I posted it and didn't say anything either. It was Stacie and Mom who found the mistake, OOPS!!!! Stacie and I should not have a problem remembering our little guys' birthdays, they are exactly 7 months apart, Sam born July 3rd and Miles February 3rd.

Making the Switch

The last few weeks have been quite entertaining! I feel like there is so much I want to remember so I am making this blog into my family stories and my oliver's twist blog is now at oliverstwistllc.com/blog. I even am going to start a journal today, just because I really am a pen and paper kind of gal.

This little sweetheart made his appearance on Thursday, February 4th at 4:47 p.m. Miles Benjamin Davidson was 19 inches long and weighed 7 lbs. 12 oz. (more on the weight later). He looks a lot like Ben (see below) and is just precious. We both thought we were having a boy so we were not too surprised on that one but just the whole process of having a baby really opened our eyes to see what a true miracle it is. We wondered to ourselves, how can you have a baby and not believe in God? It's just amazing how their bodies are so in sync and ready for the real world. Truly Amazing.

The first week of life for Miles was a little rough on him and us. The feeding thing was a big hurdle but with the help of some family members and friends (and a VERY talented lactation consultant) we are on the right track and gaining weight. He lost almost a pound the week he came home so we had to go to the pediatrician 3 times this week which was emotionally exhausting. How frustrating that you are trying so hard to feed this little guy and he keeps losing weight. After a feeding intervention with Stacie until 2 a.m. Thursday night, we've got it down. She should really be a lactation consultant. She stayed and held Miles so we could get a few hours of sleep and stayed for 3 of his feedings to offer her advice, which was invaluable. Now Miles is taking at least 2 ounces per feeding which is good for his size and age.

Also regarding the first week, you leave the hospital thinking "yeah we are going to go home and enjoy our little guy and put him to bed and go about our lives." Um, nope. We did not close our eyes until 7 a.m. the first night home because Miles would not let us put him down. I really called the nurses at the hospital at 4 a.m. asking if they had any ideas. She gave me a few suggestions but nothing that really worked. I asked Ben if he thought there was something wrong with him and Ben said "No, I think he is just two days old." Thank goodness I have a reasonable level headed husband. So anyways Miles got used to his nights and days and is doing great now, sleeping between each feedings even at night. Then my mom came to the rescue on Sunday for not only moral support, but she helped with Miles, cleaned, did laundry, washed a zillion bottles/feeding gadgets, etc. We also have not had to worry about any meals since we have been home. So thankful for our friends and family. Below are some pictures from our first week. Enjoy little (or big) Miles!

Miles while he is still in the hospital!

Relaxing at home.

Ben's Baby Picture