The Fourth Trimester

Here we are three and a half weeks later and well into the 'fourth trimester'. Julian is doing great! He is a healthy and growing boy currently weighing 8 pounds, 11 ounces. (There is no doubt why I gained so much during my pregnancy...what a voracious appetite he has then and now.) He has had two visits to the pediatrician and both times he has received a clean bill of health - thank God! We have his one month check-up in a few days.

Joe and I have become master caregivers with an innate sense of what each of Julian's cries mean. No, not really, I wish it were that easy but we are learning to understand our child's language more and when he wants to eat versus when he has a wet diaper versus when he just wants to be held. I love the last cry; it's not a deafening sound and much more tolerable than its shrieking counterpart "WAAAAAAAAAA! WAAAAAAAAA!" that translates into "PEOPLE: I AM HUNGRY!!!!"

As far as sleep cycles, Julian mostly sleeps during the day and as of four days ago, now sleeps five-six hours straight at night. It may not seem like a lot, but in the newborn world, that is considered sleeping through the night. I'm hoping this is a harbinger of good sleeping habits to come. It helps that he is a 'bigger boy' who is able to eat more during his feedings, which can sustain him to sleep longer periods. God does know what he is doing, doesn't he? Here are a few pics of sleepy Julian...we've recently introduced 'tummy time' into our daily activities, which to our son, also means sleepy time. 

Sleeping on my chest...I wish he could stay this size forever! xo

On Dad's chest

Can't get enough of Julian!

Post-feeding slumber

It's not tummy time but this was too cute not too share!

What an incredible three+ weeks it's been! As much as I enjoyed my pregnancy and the nine months of carrying Julian with relatively no complications (morning sickness was the worst part), nothing beats having him here with us. So what if our nights are interrupted by feedings (I am feeding him as I type!), diaper changes and strange but funny newborn sounds; nevermind the fact that our comforter has been baptized by spit-up and pee; and let's not forget how many times a day (and night) I stop what I'm doing to make sure he's breathing: we love our Julian who has brought us and our families infinite happiness and a joy we never knew could exist. 

Welcome home, Julian!

First family photo! Stay tuned for more!!!