A Big Week for A Little Guy

 

Callen has had a big week for such a little guy! He was given the ok from the midwife to start on a paci. I was super excited because that meant less time with my finger in his mouth to soothe him. However, he did not take so well to the 2 paci's I tried him with. Brittany came over for a visit and mentioned trying a Nuk paci. Cal took to it immediately! I still use my finger to soothe him if he is really worked up, but the paci does the trick for any other time I need him to be soothed. 

Me and my paci! Not sure which is bigger...his head or the paci!

 

 

 

Callen also started tummy time this week. When he sleeps, he always turns to the right side. His physical therapist mommy (as well as daddy) fear he is going to develop a flat spot on his head. So, we started tummy time this week. The first time I tried it, he did not care for it. He fussed the whole time and buried his face in the blanket. After several more tries, he came around to it. Now he picks up his head, looks around, and seems to enjoy a few minutes at a time on his tummy.

Callen lost his belly button (or umbilical cord remains!!). He can take a full bath and we don't have to worry about his cord getting too wet. Cal loves the bath and sits in his tub so contently while we bathe him. Once his cord came out, I started covering him with the frog washcloth to help him stay warm. I think it is so cute draped over him, and Cal holds onto it like it is his best buddy.

I want Doug to be able to have some extra bonding time with Callen as well as allow us to get out without me always having to nurse him. So, we tried Cal with a bottle this week, and he did great. This allowed us to get downtown Friday night and not have to worry about finding a place to feed little man. We sat in the booth and took turns feeding him. So nice.

The best part of this week was Callen finally able to meet TC and Ender (Charley and Linda...Doug's dad and stepmom). TC had pneumonia around the time of Cal's birth, and has not been able to come meet the little guy until this week. It was great spending the day with them and watching their excitement as they held and played with Callen for the first time. We have been on FaceTime with them multiple times, so they had at least seen Cal and talked to him via the iPad, but this was the first time to see him in person. 

 

Bringing Home Baby

These last three weeks have been nonstop for us. Family and friends have come by the house pretty much everyday to visit and meet Cal. It is so wonderful to know how many people care about Doug and me, and are excited to meet Callen. A big thank you to all who have brought meals, gifts, and just offered to hold Callen so I can get a few things done. 

Doug and I can't complain...our little man is such a good baby. We are getting anywhere from 3-4 hours of sleep between feedings at night!! He is able to go about 2.5-3 hours during the day between feedings. He sleeps through any noise...Doug even started up the chainsaw the other day without a flinch from Cal! Prior to Callen's arrival, we read The Happiest Baby on the Block. I would highly recommend this book to any soon to be moms. The 5 S's have been a life saver to us when Callen is tired and needing to get to sleep without nursing. Other than fussing for a wet diaper or when he is hungry, Callen is quite content. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful little blessing!

I am adjusting to being home all day. I am one to be on the go nonstop, so sitting at home with a sleeping baby has been an adjustment for me. I love it though!! There are days I just sit and hold Callen all day while he sleeps. I don't think I can get enough hugs and kisses from the little guy. He makes me smile all the time. We are starting to get out and do a little more each day. We go for lots of walks in the neighborhood when it is not blazing hot outside. As Callen gets a little older, we will be able to do more outings. For now, I am keeping him away from crowds of people as much as possible.

Doug went back to work the Tuesday after Callen was born. He misses his 'buddy' everyday, and can't wait to get home to see Callen. Doug is a great dad! He takes Callen in the middle of the night and swaddles him before rocking him back to sleep so I can get rest before the next feeding. They read books together and just have father/son bonding time as much as possible in the evenings. Doug had never changed a diaper before Callen, so I thought I would be changing diapers all the time. When Doug gets home from work, he is always offering to do the dirty work since I have done it all day. Doug is excited to teach Callen anything and everything...and those that know Doug know it is not difficult for him to talk continuously to someone who does not talk back!!!! The two of them together make me a happy girl.

Leaving the hospital. Not real sure what I was doing. Luckily we only had a mile drive home!

Our first bath at home. I think I came out more wet than Cal

He is so alert

And then so sound asleep!

Our first walk in the neighborhood

Thanks for the sign, Oupa! It will look great in my room

It's a BOY! Thanks Papa and Mimi Malinda for the bow

 Callen's nursery...

My favorite! Pictures of Cal swaddled in his crib. He looks so tiny!

It's a Boy!

Callen Branson Morris was born on August 1, 2013, at 12:52pm. He weighed 7lbs 5oz and was 21 inches long. What an incredible experience it was bringing our little man into the world. After almost 15 hours of labor and no drugs (ahhhhh!), our little 'Popcorn Shrimp' arrived, and our lives could not be any better! After he was born and pulled from the water (yes, I had a water birth), he was wrapped in a towel and placed on my chest. One of the nurses in the room finally asked, 'is it a boy or girl?' so I was the one who looked and first knew it was a boy! 
After about 2 hours, Doug went to the waiting room and brought back all the family. They waited to come into the delivery room before finding out if we had had a boy or a girl. The sheer joy and excitement on their faces when they saw Callen for the first time was priceless. Most people had guessed we were going to have a boy, so there were a lot of 'I knew its' and "I was right!' going around the room. 
For those of you who are wondering, I delivered Callen at the local hospital under the care of a certified nurse midwife. It was an amazing experience, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has the option. The midwife never left the room, and was by my side throughout the labor and delivery process. In addition to Doug, she was a wonderful source of encouragement and kept me going the entire time. I opted at 8cm to move into the tub to help ease contractions. I did not think I would stay in there for the delivery, but it just felt natural. Callen is going to be like his mommy and daddy...a swimmer! 

Here are a few pictures from the day he was born...

Such a sweet baby!

Getting a look for the first time. Brittany's expression makes me smile every time.

Getting a closer look

Nana is so excited to finally hold her grandbaby

Proud Papa

Opa and Callen

Barbara, our amazing midwife

Family of three!

 

Doug and the first diaper change. His facial expression is priceless!!!