Happy 1 month to Lance!

Lance Julian's first doctor's appointment.  Off the charts at 22 3/4 inches long, only 10 pds 14oz.

1 month milestones: Using a pacifier, spitting up, peeing on dad, morning smiles, tracks with his eyes (as long as there isn't a window nearby), taking a bottle.  He's also losing his hair, having blow out poops almost every diaper change, and suffering from baby acne.  I've been assured that he is still the cutest baby ever, but it's getting a little touch and go.

Daddy gets to do feedings!

 Lance is the loudest baby you ever met.  Resting, he often breathes like a pug dog.  Eating usually goes: slurp, squeak, ehhh, ehhh, ehhh, slurp, squeak.  Sleeping varies between steady grumbles, inhaled squeaks, sucking noises, and whinnying.  It's pretty hilarious.  A sudden silence causes one or both of the parents to jump out of bed and check if he's still breathing.

Lance is still impressing all with his extreme strength.  He can move across the floor by lifting his neck and pushing with his legs.  He has also started pushing himself into the standing position (though he still lacks balance).  When he's screaming you can see him tense his strong calfs and abs.  We can't wait to see what sport he chooses!

standing on his own!

Like father, like son.

Grandma Barbara painting by Uncle Bob

We had our first big trip up to Sacramento to go to Grandma Barbara's funeral.  It was a long drive with a new baby.  Everyone was so excited to meet little Lance.  Aunt Betty was especially excited to see the Lance family name carried on.

Annie, Katie and Lin get to meet Lance. 

Grandpa Lance dances with Grace

Jonna gets her chance to hold LJ.

Aunt Lucy and Aunt Mack soothe LJ

 Lucy and Mackenzie, having followed my blog, have been on the search for a postum substitute.  They came across a Dandelion blend that sounded promising.  They brought it over and just by smelling it, I knew they had done the impossible, they found a Postum replacement!  It's delicious.  Try it for yourself at: http://www.dandyblend.com/














Charity bought grandma Susie a "snugli".  This was the same carrier that Susie used for both Karl and I. It looks a bit different, but works well, as you can see.  Notice both Lance and I were peeled off the chest and laid to sleep with a pacifier in the mouth.  He is my son!

Lance in the new snugli

Baby Emma in the older version

Lance helps Great Aunt Olive celebrate her 88th birthday.  

Judy meets LJ

Rexland and LJ bond

Lance and his Great Great Grandmother Ann

Leighton discovered that Lance likes bouncing on the big exercise ball.  Calms him every time.

Lance's Tracy Morgan impersonation.

Lastly, we've gotten the most wonderful gifts from all of Lance's fan club.  It looks like we aren't going to get around to thank you cards, but we are so touched and incredibly thankful for all of your love and support.  We've gotten so many cute outfits, all the furniture/accessories we needed, diaper bags, blankets, knitted jackets, quilts, toys, cuddlies, books, books, books, delicious food, gift certificates, cds and on and on.  We definitely feel the love.  THANK YOU!

LJ's week 2 and 3

LJ grows exponentially more fun with each passing week.  We continue to be amazed by his neck strength.  When he is lying on his tummy or when someone holds him up on a shoulder, he fully holds his neck up the entire time!  He's clearly an athlete (any game except football, we've all agreed).  Grandma thinks he'll be a piano player with his long fingers and his love of music.

We're working on his day time routine--eat, play, sleep.  If we can get that down, he should continue to be more awake during the day and more sleepy during the night.  So far night time hasn't been too bad.  He wakes up 4-5 times but all he wants is a clean diaper and a breast and he's back to sleep.

We got a surprise visit from our former roommate Anita!  She's been doing a post doc in the UK, but was home for a wedding.  Such a treat to catch up and for her to meet young Roasty.  Beth and Josh also came by and brought us lasagne and Prosecco.  Weiling came over with Tai and Joyi and they brought Dim Sum.  We are definitely getting treated right!  Tai likes showing off her baby holding abilities.  Tai was also a little over zealous feeding the fish and fell right in the pond.  Great entertainment for mama who has been stuck in the house for 2 weeks now.  Leighton's Aunt Phyllis and Jim came by and brought beautiful flowers from their garden.

Beth and Josh visit.  Beth finally gets him in a good mood.

Lance checking out his Great Aunt Phyllis.

Tai loving up Lancie (pre-pond accident)

The Min family admires the newest cousin

My happy post-partum hormones have definitely warn off.  I am TIRED.  We've got a great system for nursing.  I've got an iPod hooked up to speakers and I turn on a podcast or music for the 15-20 minutes of feeding.  I'm listening to all the usuals--This American Life, Radio Lab, The Moth, Wait Wait--and now grandma and grandpa have introduced me to Planet Money and Real Time with Bill Maher.  I'm really blowing through them, so any suggestions of other fun podcasts would be greatly appreciated.

Tired mama.

I've started napping more with LJ

We've just started pumping this week.  I'm hoping that means either a long daytime nap or one fewer wake up at night.  Leighton is NOT enthusiastic about this prospect.  He's really hating the night time, though he's starting to accept it.   

Tired papa.

 Lance had his first two baths.  The first one was a little intense.  We tried doing it in a way too small tub.  Add in soapy, squirmy, slippery Lance and it's not the best experience.  Grandpa also suggested that next time we work from the top down--duh!  For the second bath, Leighton just jumped in with him and it was much smoother.  He's a bit skeptical, but seemed to enjoy it.

Second bath

Post-bath bliss.

Grandma is very innovative with holding positions.

I'm finally a little mobile.  Good thing because I was having some serious cabin fever.  I've been walking up to College ave and meeting up with Aunty Cha and Aunty Yo.  I get some sunshine and then I get to pass Lance off to the Aunties and catch a break.  They've now decided that should be a daily event and call or text me until I show up.  I love my pushy friends.

Charity, aka baby hog.

Yolanda, after prying Lance from Charity's grip.

Happy Uncle Karl

Lance representing Georgia Tech Volleyball!  Thanks Aimee and Bridget!