Kailey meets the first of her 5 cousins- all boys (no girls to help her out)

Kailey's 3-year-old cousin, Jacob, with Gina's younger brother, Matt.

Kailey Ventures Out

Kailey ventured out for the first time this weekend. She took a one mile stroll and got to meet our neighbors. Here are a few pictures.

Gina excited about showing off Kailey

Our next door neighbors, Natasha and Paula

Natasha happy with her new neighbor

Copper leading the way

Copper meet Kailey, Kailey - Copper

Since leaving for the hospital 17 days ago, Copper has been staying at Gina's parent's house - or as Gina and I call it, "doggy heaven." They let him sleep on their leather couch and swim in the pool. It's practically a spa. We're happy to have him home. We're not so sure he's happy to be here. :)

In addition to a newborn, we now have a 90-lb Coonhound in the house. Sounds like fun, eh? :) Copper has been completely uninterested in Kailey. He's done the walk-by-sniff a couple of times, but other than that, he doesn't seem to even notice her.

Copper may be comfortable around Kailey because he sees that they having something in common - they both enjoy a good nap. Here are some photos with Kailey sleeping and Copper hoping I'll stop the camera flashes so he can go to sleep.

And don't worry about Copper. We don't leave Kailey unattended with him :).

Babies do three things

Eat, sleep and make diapers :). You hear this before the baby, but once it's here, you know it's completely true. As a parent, life is good when the transition from sleeping to eating and back to sleeping goes cry-free, especially at night. When the transition doesn't go smoothly...I'd tell you what that's like, but I don't want to relieve it long enough to describe it here. (I'll be living it soon enough :))

Gina and Kailey are doing great. We took Kailey to the doctor on Thursday and she's right where she needs to be. She has gained 6 ounces since birth, which is ahead of schedule and a sign of good health. Gina is about 90% recovered.

Observations from this week:
1. Mom needs sleep
2. Dad needs sleep
3. Dad should have the grandparents stay as much as possible. They'll do anything to hold the baby, even get up in the middle of the night to give a bottle so dad doesn't have to
4. Nursing is too complicated
5. Related to #4, moms deserve more than a mother's day
6. 12-18 diapers a day...are you kidding me?
7. Moms put on weight when they get pregnant, dad's put on weight when the baby arrives and friends and family start bringing meals
8. Mmmmmmm sleep

Gina and Kailey - that's not a hat, it's a damp cloth to try to keep Kailey awake for her bottle (ironically, 40 minutes later we couldn't get her to go to sleep)

Kailey Coming home - Part 2

Wondering why there aren't as many posts these days :)? Being at home with a baby is just a little bit different from being at the hospital. There isn't a lot of time to sit around. And when there is time, you want to be sleeping. We've been home almost a week. We've had good and bad days (mostly good).

Kailey is still trying to get into a routine. Every time we think we're on to something, she either won't eat or won't sleep. And just when we think there's something wrong and we're planning on a call to the pediatrician, she nurses like a charm and goes peacefully to sleep.

Gina is pretty much back to normal from the c-section. She isn't having any issues and really no pain. She even drove to the store today (her doctor told her not to drive for 2-3 weeks - she doesn't listen to doctors :().

Someone asked me if there was something fun about Kailey I hadn't expected. I like watching her wiggle around and stretch her arms and legs. She also makes a lot of funny facial expressions. I wonder what she's thinking. I also like it when she's asleep and quiet :).

Gina is an awesome mom.

Kailey (AKA wiggle worm). She started out snuggled up in her blanket, arms and legs peacefully stretched out. An hour of wiggling around in her sleep and voila... :)