Elusive Smile

Seth has been smiling since last week, but it has been incredibly hard to catch on camera. As soon as I try to take a picture, he gets a really concerned look on his face and the moment is ruined. But, this morning I was able to catch a bit of a smile from him. I couldn't get his full gummy smile, but this will have to suffice for now.
He can just melt my heart with his smile though: A few nights ago it was a particularly rough one -- he had been up at least every hour or more and I was SO tired. After getting him up for a third time in about 20 minutes, he looked up at me after calming down and gave me a big "I'm happy to see you, mom" smile, and it just melted me. The whole frustrating night was forgotten. I tell you what...sometimes it is really good that they are so darn cute.

1 month!

I can't believe my little squish is almost a month old! Time has just flown so fast!
We've been having a good time together. He has been really great, so I've been able to get out a lot. The weather has been ideal the last couple of weeks, so he and I have been going on a lot of walks. Thankfully he loves his car seat and stroller, so he's usually so good. We've only had to hurry home a couple of times. :)
He's a great eater -- in fact maybe too good; he thinks he's hungry all the time -- and he's already up to 8 1/2 pounds. Way to go, little man!

Here's a few more pics we've captured in the last few days:

New Look, Same Great Taste!

We have updated our web address for the blog to: beyond-idahome.blogspot.com because "houston-pals" just didn't seem to describe us that well anymore (as we are not there, sadly it was a short stay). We hope not to lose contact with anyone because of the change, so I have kept the old address alive with a redirect function and an update blurb when we post at the new blog. For those that have a link or shortcut to our blog, I don't think I will leave the redirect functional forever, so updating links is highly recommended (well, only if you want to see what Em, Seth, and I are up too). The new name was inspired by Idahome, my made-up nickname for Emily's hometown. Hopefully by using a geographically specific point of origin rather than a current location in the web address, there will be no need to change it for a long time.

Enjoying the ride

I love being a mom! I can't believe how in love with my little guy I am. In only six days, he's completely turned my life upside down, and I couldn't be happier. He is just darling and even though this last week has been an adventure learning how to take care of a newborn, I am loving every minute. Even the 3 am feedings.

Seth has been such a good baby. He was pretty impatient for my milk to come in (such a boy...hungry all the time)...but now he eats great and in turn, sleeps really well for a newborn. He's affectionately earned the nickname "T-Rex" from Luke because of how frantic to eat he gets when he first wakes up. He is quite vigorous. ;) Again, such a boy.
His bilirubin levels were slightly elevated when we left the hospital, so we've had to have a couple check-ups with the pediatrician, but he's doing great. Healthy and strong.

Mom and I gave him his first bath and he wasn't quite sure what to think about it at first. After we warmed him up by placing a washcloth over him, he calmed down and I think he actually enjoyed it.



Of course, cuddling in a warm towel after is the best part:



Seth and I chillin' during the few hours he's actually awake during the day: