The Traveller

Seth got his first National Park Passport Stamp today in Rock Creek Park!

My sister gave Seth an NPS Passport and we decided that, even though he won't remember having been to these places for a few years, we would go ahead and stamp his book for him. So far he has four stamps. This is only the first one...

Click to enlarge

High Tech Swing Set

The latest baby contraption! We decided to try the swing today. Seth seems to like it. particularly the red dog that you can see hanging on the left.

Click the picture to see a bigger image

Dad as kid

This is my Dad on my Grandfather's first tractor in 1942. It is most likely a model 9N which is what Ford made from 1939 through 1942. I am guessing that it was not new. If it was new in '42, then it could be a either a 9N or a 2N which began production in 1942. Ford renamed the 9N to 2N because of some war-time production rules, but it was essentially the same tractor.

Waiting for Dinner

The chilli is warming on the stove, and Seth is just barely sleeping while we wait for dinner. Grandma C is banging around in the kitchen. All in all, a domestic moment...

2 Week Doctor Visit

Today was the two week doctor visit for Seth. He has gained back some of the weight he lost before coming home from the hospital, which is a good thing. It indicates that he is getting enough to eat. Larger babies require a little more food than smaller ones so they are watching Seth closely to make sure he is still putting on the pounds (ounces actually. About 1.5 per day)

He also had a blood test today. That was a little traumatic because they prick his heel to get the blood. He didn't like it too much.

When I got home from work this evening Seth was wide awake and looking around. His waking hours are getting longer everyday. Sometimes he even seems to fight to stay awake so he won't miss what's going on.

Sleeping well (all things considered)

I honestly thought I would be making a lot more light night posts than I have.

Seth is really doing well sleeping at night right now. Sure, he needs to eat a couple of times a night, but I can't help much with that yet. I do get to change diapers, which isn't bad. Debbie is spending more time awake at night than I am because of the feedings. It takes Seth 20 to 40 minutes to get enough to eat. He is sleeping more soundly between feedings than he was so we are both able to get back to sleep in the mean time.

For example, last night he ate at about midnight, 2:30 and 5:30. I'm only really sure about the 5:30 time because I know I changed his diaper then, but the rest is a little foggy.

Seth is also awake more each day. Last evening he was awake for a couple of hours after dinner. I think that is helping his sleep pattern also.

Almost Wintry

It is a gray fall day here, it is almost like winter. Actually it's 52 degrees out so it is not really like winter, but it kind of feels like it.

I decided to make our baby announcements myself, so I am in the process of printing them out now. I don't think I really saved any money, but it has been fun to do on a Sunday when nothing much else is happening.

Next weekend I will probably be raking leaves. That is something to look forward to...

First Outing

Seth's first outing in the Pram. We went for a walk with Mom, Dad, and all four Grandparents at Brookside Gardens. It was a beautiful fall day.

Script for a 2 am feeding

Cast
Baby - Star of the show
Mom - Food Supply and care giver
Dad - Gopher and care giver

Begin by putting the baby to bed while he is asleep. After some time the following happens:

• Baby grunts and squirms in cradle.
• Dad tries to quiet him
• Baby grunts some more
• Dad tries again
• Baby squirms and grunts some more
• Dad decides to change the baby's diaper
• Baby, now fully awake, tries to eat dad's shoulder
• Mom wakes up and feeds baby, Dad tries to snooze
• Baby falls asleep eating
• Dad puts baby back in cradle
• Dad tries to sleep
• Mom is now sleeping
• Dad is staring at the glowing red numbers on the alarm clock
• Baby starts squirming, dad tries not to notice

Repeat continuously with variations as needed from 1:30 to 5 am.

6:10 The alarm clock goes off

Pretty Comfy

I am typing this with one hand while I hold the baby. He is sound asleep, but I hate to put him down because he is all warm and cozy. It is pretty easy to put off paying bills while you are holding a nice little creature like this. That is what I sat down to do, but then I picked up the baby.

Hmmm...

My sleeping boy

One Week Old

Today I am back to work for the first full day since last week. I did come in for a bit on Monday, but yesterday I think the stresses of the week finally caught up with me and I ran a small fever and stayed in bed a good bit of the day.

Today, however I feel about back to normal and am off to visit a customer this morning.

Debbie's parents are going to take a day trip to the Eastern Shore today. This will be the first time she has been alone with the baby for longer than about half an hour. Tonight we go to my parents for dinner. That should be a big adventure. Mom is very excited about Seth coming to visit for the first time.

Every day seems to be a milestone. Yesterday Seth was one week old.

First Doctor Visit

Seth had his first doctor visit today. Everything is perfect. He has gained a couple of ounces since he left the hospital. That is a good thing. This was the first trip out of the house since we brought him home.

Day Two at home, Sunday

It has certainly been an eventful weekend...

Debbie and I are getting a little worn down what with the all night feedings and diaper changings and the normal daily routine. She is healling well and seems to be getting around better today than yesterday. Mostly I find that I am content to sit and hold the baby. It is an extremly satisfying thing. Even the dirty diapers and crying don't seem like a big deal. In the past I wouldn't have touched a dirty diaper for all the tea in china.

It has been fun to have visitors. Even our neighbors came over to check Seth out this morning.

He eats and sleeps and cries and that's about it. But that is perfect with me.

Quiet Saturday - Day Two at home

Today we are having a quiet Saturday at home with the new baby. It is currently about 2 pm and he has been sleeping for about 3 1/2 hours. It is really nice to have the baby here and to be settled in. It's good to be at home with the family.

Our New Baby!

Seth Robert - 10/14/2004 Taken in the hospital.

New Baby!

On Tuesday 10/12/04 at 11:56 pm Seth Robert was born. He weighed a whopping 10 lbs 11 oz. and was 21 inches long! Mom is well. We brought him home today. Pictures to follow.

We're Having a baby Today

Honda Crash Test Results

Honda Accord Crash Test Results - Just thought I'd do a little after the fact research. Looks like the Accord does well. Click on the image to see a bigger version.

You can check NHTSA's results for any vehicle that they test here: http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/testing/ncap/index.cfm

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

As another week starts we are still waiting for the arrivial of the baby. The doctor told us that the actual due date was two days later than we thought, which would have made it yesterday. It seems like the baby isn't budging for the moment. All we can do is wait.

In the meanwhile, we bought a stroller over the weekend. This thing is pretty fancy. It's got more features than the new car. The most important part, at least for now, is the infant seat that has a base that you leave in the car. It attaches to the stroller also. So now we have the little infant seat in the new Honda and the big convertable seat in the trunk of old Honda. We are over prepared.

In the next few days the baby will come and things will change. The doctor tells us that she will induce delivery if we don't see him in a week or so.

Still Waiting - Part 2

Another week has gone by and we are still waiting. This week has just dragged by. I have been as busy at work as usual, but, in the back of my mind, I am just waiting for the baby. The due date is tomorrow, so technically we are right on time. Debbie has a doctor's appointment today. If there is any change I suppose we will find out.

I'm Wireless!

Wow, I just got wireless at home and is it ever cool. I'm sitting on a comfy chair in the living room typing this right now. Look Ma! No Wires!

2004 Honda

The New Car! The image is a little blurry due to the JPG compression, but you get the idea. :-)

New Car!

Last night we got a new car! It is a 2004 Honda Accord EX. Red. It was time to update the old Accord (I will keep still keep it for a while) This one has the latest baby seat attachment hooks, called LATCH. This was designed to make child seats more secure in the car. I guess all cars have them now, but this is the first one for us.

I think we got an ok deal on it because it was the outgoing model year and I bought it at the end of the month.