Survival of the Fittest

Well folks, I survived.  No emotional mess, no kicking and screaming (from me, not Reece), no anxiety.  What I am referring to is my successful return to work today.

I thought about blogging last night and having one of those 'woe is me' kind of moments because truthfully, yesterday, I was a bit consumed with the thought of returning to work today.  However, because I really didn't have any extra time yesterday to blog, it worked out well that I waited until today and can now say with much delight that I actually ENJOYED my first day back to work (sssshhhh...don't tell my co-workers :) ).  It may be that I also enjoyed the fact that my return to work meant Carlos was on Daddy duty (he took his 10 days of military issued paternity leave when I started back because of some daycare issues we were having, but have since resolved...whew).  I don't think anyone can truly appreciate just how exhausting taking care of an infant can be until they have spent a full day with one.  And our little guy certainly does enjoy wearing us out.  When he wants to fuss, boy can he fuss!  So I will admit I took some delight knowing that Carlos was going to experience what I had experienced for the past 6 weeks!

Of course being the concerned mommy I am, I called a few times to check in on my men...although I'm not sure who I was checking in on.  I think it was more a concern for Carlos' well-being than Reece's!  I had to make sure he was still standing and that Reece hadn't done a complete knock out :)  Alas, both my  Kennedy boys did well today, minus a missed nap (for both), but all in all, a successful day for two of them...now just 9 more to go :)

I will say that work wasn't completely smooth sailing since it is amazing what a mind can forget in the span of 6 weeks.  However, just like those darn bicycles, I hopped back on and pedaled away...I just rode into a couple of pot-holes, but nobody minded!

It is only 7:30pm here, but I am heading to bed.  Because of that missed nap, Reece is already down for the night and I'm not missing my opportunity to catch a few extra zzzz's while he sleeps.  It may have been a good day, but being back on my feet all day has worn me out.

I ask that everyone who reads this blog say a little extra prayer for our darling dog Kona.  Kona has been severely ill the past few days and we can't seem to get a conclusive diagnosis.  Three trips to the vet (and two different veterinarians) and Kona has everyone stumped.  I unfortunately witnessed my poor pup have two seizures yesterday and I still can't get the image out of my mind.  He hasn't had any since, and we are doing everything possible to treat him and whatever it is that is causing his medical issues.  This dog was the picture of perfect health so to have something occur so acutely is devastating to us.  We've already told him he has to be a fighter because we need him around and our wonderful pooch is definitely fighting!  We are saying our prayers that some of these treatments we are doing will work and turn whatever this is around.

Sorry to end on such a sad note, but we are staying positive!  Send him a little love because if you know him, you know he is just the best darn dog there is!

Tiny Dancer

aaahhh...a moment

A moment may be all that I have.  Reece is sleeping...finally...but I don't imagine for long.  This little boy fights his afternoon naps like nothing I have ever seen!  I would love to be told to go to sleep, but not him!  I guess he thinks there is too many exciting things to stay awake for.  He'll realize soon enough that this is not the case and sleep is best.

So what do I talk about with my few minutes of free time (he doesn't stay asleep very long)?  My maternity leave is winding down...about 2 weeks left, or a little less.  Sigh.  This is one mommy who does not wish to return to work.  I'm sure every new mommy feels this way and I will be able to adjust...heck, I'm sure after awhile I'll even enjoy being back!

Side note:  The first two paragraphs were typed 4 hours ago...I told you he wouldn't be asleep for long!

Carlos and I are just enjoying life with Reece.  There isn't anything like it!  Fortunately for Reece, he has also met and been shmoozed all over by his grandparents...first my mom, followed by Carlos' parents, and soon to arrive are my dad and Betty.  What a lucky kid he is to have all these people who just love him and want to meet him as soon as possible!

Every day I notice something different about Reece in terms of his growing.  Today I happened to pick up on how long his eyelashes are getting.  I was sitting feeding him and was just staring at his adorable little face and thought "my goodness!  His eyelashes are so much longer than they were a few weeks ago!"  Everyday is something new with my growing boy...whether it's physical or just the addition of a new baby word...aka...new babble :)

One of my favorite moments so far has been Reece's discovery of his hair.  It was quite a funny moment, although, not so funny for poor Reece.  See, Reece is still learning that his hands are HIS hands.  He is still at that age where he sees them, but doesn't quite get they are connected to his body and that he controls them.  Well, about a week ago, Reece reached up to his head and grabbed a handful of his own hair.  Problem was he started pulling because he didn't know what it was and he pulls mommy's hair so why not this new hair?!  Well, he pulled...then he screamed...followed by more pulling and more screaming.  He had his hand clenched so tightly on his little wad of hair that it took all I had to get his fingers pried apart and get him to let go.  I shouldn't have been laughing at him, but if you could've seen it, it really was quite funny to watch the little guy pull his own hair and then scream as if someone else was doing this to him.  Poor kid.  Still has so much to learn in life :)

Other than the hair pulling, he is quite the trooper.  He enjoys car rides, but does not like when I stop at red lights.  I think he thinks I stop at them to piss him off since he likes to "yell" at me when the car stops moving.  I hope this is no indication as to how he is going to drive when he is older or he may never be allowed to get his license!

I wish I had more to update about Carlos and myself, but Reece is pretty much our life!  We are getting caught up on our sleep thanks to Reece doing great at night now (knock on wood he stays this way!).  I'm still having a hard time getting things done because this little boy loves to be held, but we are working through some of those harder moments.  During the more difficult times he refuses to be put down I just "wear" my child.  Slip him into his Baby Bjorn carrier and he is in heaven and I have my arms back!

Tummy time!

My new sun hat!  A must have in Guam!

I've been social smiling since 3 weeks old.  It wins everybody over and I get my way.

I'm 4 weeks old in this picture. Yes, 4 weeks.  I just have really long legs.

Reece-isms

I have been trying for two days now to upload a video to this blog.  I'm obviously not doing something right.  I'm sure by the time Reece is 3y/o I'll have it figured out.  In the meantime, just thought I'd give all of  you some Reece updates!

*Reece is now 3.5 weeks old and weighing in at 8lbs 11oz.  He is definitely a good little eater that's for sure!  He may even weigh more than that now, but that weight was from his appointment with the doctor this past Monday

*He takes after his mommy with his lack of patience.  When this boy is hungry, you better be right on it.  He doesn't give you a second to delay before he'll start screaming as if he has never been fed in his whole short life :)

*He amazes us daily with his awareness.  He can already focus on people/objects and will just sit and stare at us...and make faces.  It's the cutest!

*At 2 weeks old, Reece was already holding his head up in order to get a better view of these people/objects.  At 3 weeks, that little head is up and turning and moving all over the place.  It won't be long before he can hold it up for good at the rate he is going!

*He has the best smile and loves to just give you a big gummy grin when he is looking at you

*He loves to snuggle against my neck and wrap those long spaghetti noodles of arms he has around me

*Play time with daddy is one of his favorites...daddy gets his little legs and arms moving all over the place and Reece just lays there and enjoys every minute

*we are starting to get some baby babble and find ourselves repeating back to Reece everything that comes out of his mouth :)

*Reece is sleeping a lot better/longer which is making his mommy and daddy quite happy and will hopefully allow me some time to update this blog a little more frequently :)

Picture time!

Carlos and I had a family photo session done by one of our friends here in Guam on Sunday (the same photographer who took our prego pics).

If you would like to view the pictures of our adorable little Reece and the happy Kennedy crew, click on the link below!  The link is to a completely safe website...it is our photographer's site.  Reece was such a little trooper during the 1.5 hours she was at our home taking all sorts of pictures.  He didn't cry once, stayed awake for almost all of it, and was such a content little baby.  He made us proud :)

http://www.zenfolio.com/dotphotography/p643826618

Enjoy the pics!

Makes you smile

I had to post this picture on my blog because it is just too perfect.  On Monday, I decided to bake Reece a "birthday" cake being that it was now one week from his birth (don't worry, this will not become a weekly habit).  As you can see, my cake decorating skills need some serious improvement and I did promise Reece his cakes would get better as he gets older (I would just like to say that the cake itself was quite YUMMY!).  So although the frosting isn't perfect and I ran out of room spelling his name, my little man reassured his mommy that is a-ok with him by giving me the best little smile when we put him up to his cake and sang to him!  He is the best!

It's about time!

Oh how that title takes on a couple of different meanings!  Most of you are probably thinking its in reference to the arrival of little Reece, but really it's directed toward me finally getting around to posting about Reece on the blog!  I'm sure you all understand it's been quite a week for us!

After almost 3 hours of pushing, Reece graced us with his presence on Monday, March 7 at 5:37pm weighing in at 7lbs 3oz and 22in long.  My labor had kicked in late Sunday afternoon, but it wasn't until 7:30 Monday morning that I finally met the admission criteria to the Mother Baby Unit at the hospital.  Let's just say there was zero sleep to be had by either Carlos or myself all night Sunday night.  I was ready to call one of my anesthesia providers I work with at the hospital to come to my house Sunday night and start my epidural just so I could sleep through these painful contractions!  Ah yes, the joys of labor.  I was definitely NOT the rainbows and butterflies kind of woman in labor.  The excitement and anticipation of Reece's arrival was soon replaced by nausea/vomiting and "bring me to my knees" contractions.

Fortunately, my labor progressed very rapidly.  Unfortunately, little Reece did not when it came time to push.  Having been up now since 6:30am Sunday (and it was now 2:30pm Monday when I started pushing), lets just say my complete exhaustion didn't help the situation any!

However, at 5:37 when I finally saw that precious little face, every bit of pain (and yes, I did have an epidural, but there are some pains out there that can never be completely masked by meds!), every bit of nausea, and all of that fatigue just immediately went away and was replaced by joy, disbelief at this perfect little person in front of me, and love love love!!!

We spent 2-ish days in the hospital.  We were discharged Wednesday afternoon since there was no reason to keep either Reece or I any longer.  We were both healthy, happy, and ready to take our new little addition home.

Ahhh yes, home.  It's a wonderful place to be when one is completely deprived of sleep :)  Reece's adjustment is going well for someone who is only one week old today!  He is eating like a champ, already gaining back 4 of the 7oz he lost after birth.  At his first follow up appointment on Friday he weighed in at 7lbs even, which is great since his last weigh in at the hospital on Wednesday he was at 6lbs 12oz.  Carlos and I...and Kona, are learning how to function on very minimal sleep at night.  Little Reece finds night time to be his favorite time to want to eat and be awake, but again, only 1 week old so we cut him some slack here, but maybe for only a few more days :)

One thing is for sure, this little kiddo is loved more than he can possibly know...sleep or no sleep :)  Both Carlos and I could just stare at him for hours and enjoy every little facial expression, playing with his hair, or just holding onto those long, but little, fingers.

Finally having our little Reece here with us is something I can't even put into words.  He is just amazing in every way!