The Boy Can Dream.

February 7th, 2010

We’re back home, and Dale is in new spirits – which is ironic given that he’s just over 4 days old.  His jaundice is largely gone, and he’s been eating like a monster which is evidenced in his chubbying cheeks.  He’s full onto Mom’s milk too, which means his diapers are out of this world smelly.  And copious too: he’s had three big blowouts this afternoon alone.

Billy and Joe brought over some lasagne (thanks guys!), and afterwards it was back to sleep for Mom and Son.  I’m not sure what either is dreaming about, but it sure looks fun.

The Milkaholic Gets the Hiccups.

February 7th, 2010

With Sam’s milk in and Dale really getting the grasp of feeding, he’s beginning to enter the world of “Milk Drunk.”  I wasn’t really sure what this was – despite reading and hearing about it from anyone with anything to offer on breastfeeding – although recently I began to witness it first hand.  He’s eating more voraciously as well, with brings with it some pretty cute consequences too (see video above).

These had to be Sam-approved before posting, but they do show D2 at work – which he can do in his sleep apparently.

His bilirubin levels are much better, and hopefully if the day progresses as such we get to take him home around dinnertime (ours, not his).

So keep going, little man.

Home and back again.

February 6th, 2010

So after three days at the hospital, we packed up our home-in-a-home Friday and took Dale back to Whitetail Drive with us.  He slept the entire way.

He didn’t seem to mind where we put him, as long as he could sleep…but he seemed most comfortable next to the reference section of our library.  Tipler’s Physics seemed especially comforting to him as he took a break between readings for a quick snooze (above).

As we adjusted to a fragmented sleeping schedule of our own, I’ve found my own comfort in 20 minute cat-naps next to D2 – and he doesn’t seem to mind sharing the space.  Throughout the night, we only woke up ~5 times for feedings and diaper changes.  An enormous thanks goes out to the Doyle family who gave us a few velcro “Swaddle Me’s” which handily turned our son into a burrito.  Even then, though, he still manages to wiggle his right arm out so it can conduct the symphony he’s playing in his head while he dreams.

He also received his first bath from us, which went rather well…especially when it was time to shampoo his greaseball head.  He barely uttered a word while we cleaned all of the other parts too.  Hopefully he remains this calm for the months to come.

We took him in for his pediatrician appointment this morning, and his bilirubin number has continued to climb, which we were ensured was temporary until he can poop more which will result with Sam’s incoming milk.  And the milk is coming already, as he had his first milk coma at lunch time.  Still, just to make sure everything continues as expected/planned, he had to go back to the hospital for an overnight treatment of sun-tanning.

Just like his mother, he loves the suntan booth.  Not only can he sit in there unswaddled, but he’s quite warm – so here he’s enjoying some of the best sleep ever.

To protect his eyes from harmful UV rays, here he’s donning his first pair of Oakley shades, which didn’t bother him in the least.  The toilet seat on his chest covers a part of his skin that they’ll use as a reference to see how well the treatment is working.  He’s also getting a little bit of formula in addition to Sam’s milk so he can poop even more and clear out the excess bilirubin.

And while she only has to stay for one night, Sam has I have relocated all of her belongings back into the hospital so Sam can once again feel at home – away from home.  I’ll head back over there in a while to check up on the family, at which point I can only expect that I’ll need to bring some more items for the demanding duo.

And tomorrow – hopefully – it will be new business as usual.

A mind of its own.

February 5th, 2010

So as we venture into day 2, Dale’s head is molding into the way it’s supposed to look and he’s looking more and more like our little man.  He’s sleeping a lot still, but let’s us know when it’s time to eat or change the lower half.  And he just loves to move when he’s sleeping, as you can appreciate by his cycling dream above.  I’ve also noticed he likes to sleep with his arm straight in the air sometimes…which explains the kickboxer that was in Sam’s belly just a couple of weeks ago.

New thing we’ve learned about him since birth: he doesn’t like being naked in public.  Gets this from his mother.  Diaper is to remain ‘on’ as much as possible or the sniffling cry will ensue.

And when we greeted him this morning, he said hello in a new shade of yellow (above).  He’s mildly jaundiced, but the pediatrician said he’s at a level that he’s not concerned with and mentioned it should go away within 4-5 days.  So we’ll leave it at that, as we prepare to leave the hospital and introduce him to our (more familiar) world.

A monster lurks in there.

February 4th, 2010

One of the consequences of a baby born at 38 weeks – two before his official due date – is that the lanugo or fine hair covering his skin is still fully intact all over his body.  Arms, shoulders, butt, and even ears – and you can appreciate how hairy the little guy is right now (above).  While that is certainly going to go away in short order, I’m not so sure his omni-pleasant little boy temperament is here to stay…

As he starts taking in milk (note, he dramatically improved in his ability to feed this afternoon – audio later), his GI tract is adjusting to the rich foodsource and as a result he’s starting to get some monster gas.  You can hear it when he’s near you, but in case you can’t you can certainly appreciate the discomfort it caused him by dinner time.  Dale wailed for a little bit – probably 5 minutes which has been his longest go so far – before he worked out all of the bubbles and went back to sleep.  I only hope it’s temporary, or even if it isn’t, that 5 minutes is as long as he ever cries because it’s a tough sound for parents to get used to (I’m certain all of you parents know this).

I stopped home this afternoon and had a quick glance at the results of posting Dale’s birth on our website, and you can see the effect above on Tuesday – Thursday.  The green bar indicates how many times the website was loaded up; the blue indicates how many unique visitors, and the orange indicates those of you who visit us routinely.

It was quite heartening to know that so many people cared.  And likewise, thanks a ton for all of the well wishes.

Change in the afternoon.

February 4th, 2010

At 1:30pm, I changed my first diaper: of Dale’s life as well as my own.

I think it was a bigger deal for me than for him – I perambulated the meconium like a hazmat zone with a wet wipe and gradually cleaned away the debris.  5 wipes later and I realized that my strategy needed to change or I’d run out…and my hand paid the price.  I actually think Dale took a break from being annoyed to laugh at my situation.

Before that, the guests and supporters started to arrive, and Dale already had the girls smiling at him.  Billy arrived just before them, and brought even more gifts for the birthday boy.  Thanks to all of you for stopping by…

…and for bringing lunch as well as some fantastic snacks.  We haven’t worked through them yet, but they will make great late night snacks when Dale’s hungry as well.

All of the commotion proved too much for Dale – along with everything else these days – and he was soon sleeping the afternoon away on mom’s chest.  Just to the left of him is Sam’s latest piece of jewelry: a push gift necklace with a purple amethyst to commemorate Dale’s birthday.  Sam will need to wait for him to wake up before she can admire it herself.

And here we are: the Infanger family of Ithaca.  More updates later, and thanks for all of the comments from everyone cheering us on up to this point!!

And at one day old…

February 4th, 2010

The little guy has had a busy 24 hours.  Delivery, some shots, and even a circumcision later, and he just doesn’t seem to mind.  But it does take its toll on him, and so he sleeps – a lot.

We’re hoping it lasts, but as we were just informed by the pediatrician – it probably won’t.  But we’ll take what we can (and the sleep that comes with it).

(A Pulp Fiction reference to those in the know).

A few observations so far: he’s not convinced that swaddling is for him.  That’s not to say that he complains when he is swaddled…but he will do everything in his power to get his little arms out.  And once they’re out, he can resume with his beauty nap.

His conehead is 100% improved from yesterday, and he’s got a little ways to go before he looks a little less coney.  And his nose pimples aren’t pimples, they’re hyperactive oil glands getting used to a terrestrial environment.  And they’ll go back to normal in a few days.

He’s eaten some, but poops like a champion.  He’s had 4, and maybe 5, in the last 25 hours.  The little boy can’t wait to be a man.

World, meet Dale. Dale, World.

February 3rd, 2010

Here’s Dale after a good three hour nap (or somewhere thereabouts.  He keeps getting poked and prodded for different things so it’s hard for him to get some rest).

He’s been doing well, and every time we hear the neighbor’s baby belting out their grievances, we’re happy that our guy just likes to hang out and look back at us, staring at him.  A fun circle we’ve created.

His toes are clean again after being inked and stamped for the State and his birth certificate.  And since there isn’t much left for him to do on his first day on the job…he headed back to sleep for the evening.

A few mannerisms defined.

February 3rd, 2010

I just wanted to upload some pictures of Dale from the front side before taking a little nap.  He was born with a little baby acne: a skin allergy that already deems him a mama’s boy.  This picture was taken before his bath, so he’s still got gunk under his right eye that’s no longer there (post bath and cry).

I have to say, he’s about as relaxed as they get, and loves to sprawl out and just observe the world.

Still, he can belt it out if he’s not getting his needs met, as you can see here.  Fortunately, he’s good at sucking (latched on right away), and seems to respond really well to swaying back and forth.

After all of us take a nice nap, we’ll decide who fits best into the family pants.  My guess is it isn’t me.

He’s here!

February 3rd, 2010

More pictures shortly, but Dale William was born at 12:35 pm after 2 hours of serious pushing on Sammy’s part.  She was a champion, and out came the following:

6 pounds, 15 ounces.

19.5 inches long, 13.25 inches circumference head, 12.5 inches circumference body.

10 fingers, 10 toes, blue eyes, and brown hair.  And the most relaxed baby ever.