CHUNKY MONKEY!!!

That is Joshua's official nickname. Today's 2 week checkup proved to me that he was eating like a champ. He officially weighed in at 8 lbs 10 oz! Yes. That is right. 1.5 lbs up from his birth weight. SO GLAD he cam 2 weeks early! His pediatrician had nothing but good things to say about his health. His color, his height/weight, skin, eyes, development cues... And the newborn screening finally worked. We haven't received any word - which means that they didn't find anything at this point! YEAH! So once again we are happy to know we have a very healthy little boy!

And now onto mom. I had my doctor appointment again today... and blood pressure has gone back to normal! 126/62! YES! Since last Thursday I had been feeling much better so I was kinda expecting it to be low... but so relieved it actually was!

Nanna and Pappy Visit one last time!

My mom (Nanna is her new name) has been staying with us since Josh was born 2 weeks ago. We have really enjoyed her company and appreciated all the help. She has cleaned, cooked, taken Hilo for walks, and of course helped take care of Joshua. I have especially enjoyed the solid naps I get during the day and the company on shopping trips. It has been fun to have my mom around help me be a better mom. We both seemed to learn a lot about newborns... some things have changed since I was a baby - like how to take care of the umbilical cord and circumcision. But the basics of how to soothe an unhappy baby or how to get rid of diaper rash haven't! :)

All in all it was so nice to have her here and we are all going to miss her. Good thing she is just a phone call away! And thanks to my dad and brothers (Joe and Jack) who gave up my mom for 2 weeks. I know that it was difficult having to cook dinner every night... but you survived! ha ha!

And to my dad (Pappy) who drove out each weekend she was here. It has been nice to see you too! Can't wait to visit up at the lake!

Week 2...

Mr. Joshua has been given the a-okay with the jaundice but mom is still dealing with high blood pressure. Today's appointment was no different. 146/102! Yikes! So again they said to take it easy and not to go run a marathon or anything. This is getting frustrating! Not that I want to run a marathon or anything - but that is really high... and I am scared to do too much! So glad my mom stuck around for another week! We have been going out shopping and taking long slow walks each day - and that has really helped keep my mood upbeat. I get very down being locked up inside and laying around.

Joshua has been sleeping very well at night. He is eating every for hours at night and then about every 3 hours during the day. He is eating like a champ and I can tell he is filling out in his face and neck. Amazing how quickly they change.

This week Jim has had to work some really long hours so we are trying to keep Joshua awake when he gets home. Joshua has been cooperating for the most part. He is awake for about 1-2 hours straight in the morning and again in the evening... We have been really luck so far! Jim was responsible for the picture... Josh screams during each diaper change... and to make it worse, Jim decided to put his pants on his head... so nice of him!

A Fantastic Mother's Day

This weekend was FULL of surprises. Saturday after we went to the doctors office, Jim and I returned home. I was feeling wiped and not ready to head to our friends house for the annual party. Jim was understanding and said - take your time. I was kinda surprised - but thankful. I took a bath... showered... laid down for a bit... then finally went back into the nursery and Jim was still sitting there. While Joshua nursed Jim patiently sat there - all the while I am thinking I can't believe he isn't wanting to rush off to the party. Finally he got this big grin on his face as I heard a car door slam. I heard my mom talking to whomever it was and Jim said - and here is your surprise. So I waited - naming off as many people as I could... never ever would have guessed my best friend Blair was about to walk in. She flew to MN for the weekend and then made the 4 hour drive to come visit for a day. I of course burst into tears.

So we dropped Jim off at the party and Blair, Joshua, my mom, and I took off for the mall to do some shopping. It was SO nice to get out. I ran into 2 coworkers - which was fun to show him off. We only hit up Babies R Us and Target. But that was enough. I was wiped after that.

I picked up Jim around 7pm from the party and on the way home he kept asking how I was feeling because he had one more surprise for me. I was like- I am exhausted - I really don't want to go out tonight. He didn't say anything. Just kept asking how tired I really was. We got back home and he started making dinner. My mom and Blair both went upstairs to change into comfy clothes and I stood in the kitchen talking to Jimbo. All of a sudden the garage door opened - and in walks my brothers Joe and Jack and dad! Again - crying. They made the trip also - just to visit for the night. My mom and I had no idea! Such a great Mother's Day surprise. And finally my brother's got to see Joshua!

This morning we had baby Willa's baptism, I am Willa's sponsor. It was fun to get dressed up and again show off Joshua. He peacefully slept in his carseat the entire time. Don't wake a sleeping baby! EVER!

We came home just in time to see my dad and brother's off. Such a short visit - but so nice to see them just the same. This afternoon we crashed. My mom is staying for one more week! It wasn't too hard to convince her. :)

This last picture I had to put on here cause we laughed so dang hard. We got this really cute hat and blanket from the Kenny's and the hat is definitely too big - but we wanted to try it on anyway... hope you laugh too! Poor Joshua!