Smiles

Niko had his first smile a couple of days ago - one that wasn't gas that is. This is the first one that we have been able to get with the camera.

He's pretty happy in his Baby Bjorn. Check out that Totoro shirt.... maybe that's why he's all smiles.

Sling of hope

During the day Niko does not like to be put down... under any circumstance. Every now and again I can get him into his bed once I get him to sleep. Most of the time he wakes up and starts crying - feeling betrayed.

But I have found my new best friend - the baby sling. So far he LOVES it and I do too. I can have my arms back to do things and he's still being held. Both sides are happy!

Pissed off

I would love to say it's all rainbows and butterflies with a new baby.... but that would be a lie.

Here's a little hissy-fit for your Wednesday afternoon. Crabby-pants!

My favorite sleeping place

My favorite sleeping place is on you. I know when you move me into a bed or swing. I will wake up within minutes of you moving me and start to cry - so don't even try.

Extended family photos

Niko has lots of "extended" Aunts and Uncles already. Here he is with Aunt Alyssa, Uncle Mark and Aunt Shelly. :)

LSU Tiger fan!

Today we got a special surprise from my brother's girlfriend, Lacie! Look at this super cute outfit!

Geaux Tigers!!!

A night full of firsts!

Niko enjoyed his first video game last night. He was a bit fussy so Neil held him while he was playing the new Star Wars game, the Force Unleashed. He was very happy just hangin' in Neil's arms and watching him play.

I wonder where he gets that from....



Then we followed that up with his first real bath. He really did NOT enjoy this.



After that the most wonderful thing happened. He slept through the night!!!! We gave him his bath around 11:30 p.m., then I nursed him and put him down around 12:45-1 a.m. or so. He didn't wake up until 8:30 a.m. This is probably a fluke, but I was SO happy to have some continuous sleep!

Second doctor's visit

Today was Niko's second doctor's visit. He has gained back his birth weight and then some. He's now 8 pounds 3 ounces. He also grew 1/2 an inch so he is now 21 inches long. According to the doctor, he's very healthy.

The only concern now is his hearing. He failed both hearing tests at the hospital in his left ear - we have a follow-up appointment on Oct. 6 to see if it was just fluid or if there is something wrong.

Grandma and Grandpa Morris come to visit

Grandma Morris has been here for over a week, but Grandpa Morris came to visit as well. They brought with them gifts for Niko. They brought this cute teddy bear and a new Chicago classic - the Kosuke Fukudome headband. If you have been to or watched a Chicago Cubs game you are familiar with them.

First week

We survived the first week! I must say that we are still in the honeymoon stage of parenthood. But look at the little guy.... what is there not to love?



Oh yea..... that.

First doctor's visit

Niko had his first doctor's visit on Saturday. Everything checked out fine - he is a bit jaundice though. We will have to have him sit out in the sunlight to correct it.

First bath

Niko had his first bath on Friday night. Thank goodness my mom was here..... we were too scared to do this on our own. Yea... he really didn't like doing this!

Mom to the rescue!

We came home on Thursday afternoon and my mom joined us that evening. This way Niko won't be left alone with two people who have no idea what they are doing. :)

Niko is here!

Neil and I are proud to introduce our son, Nikolas Ichiro! We will be calling him Niko. His middle name is a traditional Japanese name that means "first son". He was born at 10:34 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2. He was 8 pounds, 1.5 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long.

I was induced at 6:30 a.m. and had my bag ruptured at 7:45 a.m. I was in active labor by 11 a.m. and at 2:30 p.m. I was told that I was dilated to 9 cm. But after a second check - only 5 cm. I was pretty exhausted by this point. I had gone without any pain medication and the contractions were pretty intense by now. I had always heard that induced labor was more intense due to all the pitocin and I was now a believer. I had my epidural at 3:30 p.m. and was in much better shape by 4 p.m.

I was in labor for several more hours and only dilated to the same 5 cm at 7 p.m. and the baby's heart rate was beginning to become irregular. The doctor started to talk to Neil and I about a c-section. I really, really, really did not want a c-section. We had hired a doula because I had heard that they can severly reduce your chances of a c-section. We had asked to go another hour and see where we were after that - nothing changed. It was now 8 p.m. and my doula suggested that we could try one last trick and see where we were in another hour.

Sara (our wonderful doula) had me lean over a birthing ball and wrapped a long scarf-looking thing over my belly and began to shake and move my belly. After about 30 mins of this, I was dilated to 9 cm and the doctor was able to wiggle me to get the full 10 cm. His head was still not lined up correctly and it lead to a long pushing session. I pushed for 2 hours and at the end, my epidural had worn off completly. After he was delivered, we were told his cord was very short and was wrapped around his body and that's why there was so many problems delivering.

It was the most wonderful and painful thing that Neil and I have ever gone through, but totally worth it.