I Love You Too!!!

The hot weather is not the only thing melting me this week...awwwwww! What a sweetheart I have!

Cute pictures

I couldn't resist showing off some cute pictures of Enoch from this week!

Ring...Ring...

As I reflect upon what to post this week, it was brought to my attention that I forgot to blog about Enoch's other visitors during the first week of his life. (Oh my goodness!--this slipped by in my sleepy daze.) Shaun's side of the family made the journey up to Bellingham during Enoch's first week of life. He was happy to see them and was very good for them while they held him lovely. Enoch's Grandpa and Grandma Weldon drove up and arrived at the hospital about 25 minutes before visiting hours were up just to say hello from Kirkland, WA. Enoch had the first of what is predicted to be many Weldon photo shoots throughout his adorable life! Here's a picture of Grandma Weldon!! (Grandpa hid behind his camera and we didn't get a shot of him.) His grandparents again returned with Uncle Ree, Aunt Kimi, cousins Richie and Andrew, and of course Aunt Critt (Crystal). We all hung around the house as Enoch slept in everyone's arms. His cousin Richie was especially excited to say hello and made sure to approach and touch Enoch with a calm gentle touch. (Richie is 4...and Andrew is about 1.5.) Unfortunately, I was pretty out of it this week and felt like a sleepless zombie who wasn't very fun during this visit. Luckily, the Weldons understood and picked up some delicious pizza and came with gifts to help out--like a crib, (thanks Ree and Kimi for sticking that monster in your van), clothes, a homemade carrier and blanket. And--of course for you!

Now in recent news, we went to the Raspberry Festival in Lynden on Saturday. It was our first event that we could go out as a family. It was really FUN with Enoch there--even though he slept the whole time. We are starting to see how fun simple outings are more delightful for us when we have a baby to bring along and share the experience. (We wouldn't have stayed as long as we did without him.) Below is a picture of a muscle car Shaun liked--it was the closest to his real dream man car. I can't say I share in his passion for this car--but I do appreciate his taste and that his choice reflects a young speed thing--as opposed to the black car I added--which seems weird and out of place to me.

Then on Monday, July 20th, I celebrated a low-key 26th birthday on Monday. My friend Alicia was the first to surprise me that morning when I opened my e-mail and saw that she had ordered me a fake diamond ring to hold the place of my wedding ring (as I lost it at the hospital) from Amazon.com. It was very sweet of her. Then, I was surprised again by Shaun who came home early with a pretty little blue box from Harry Richie's Jewelers. YEP....he bought me a real ring for my birthday. You see, I had a fake Dimonique wedding ring since we couldn't afford a real ring when we got married. When I lost my $40-70 ring at the hospital, that was a catalyst for Shaun to activate his man ring choosing power. He did a great job and got me something like what I had before--but with real diamonds! Thanks Shaun! You did a great job. I love that it's flat and feminine--and won't cut our baby when I hold him! Thank you also to those who sent me warm birthday wishes. I really appreciated those!
Also, my jogger arrived Tuesday and it's awesome! Now that we have air in the tires, we took Enoch out for a walk yesterday evening. He fell asleep and seems to favor the bump terrain over smooth pavement. (Teri tells me this is a boy thing.:))
Other than that, life is rolling along. Enoch and I are enjoying our summer days and nights together. We LOVE having daddy home in the evening to hang out with. (Shaun always comes home--finds Enoch and says hello--it's so sweet.)

And--how can I post without a new shot of Enoch? Here's him oddly placed by Shaun in his swing. It's adorable!!!! (Don't worry, we were watching him in the living room and made sure he was breathing and okay while laying on his side/tummy like this.)

That's all for now!

Hey--I'm still here...

I feel like a hermit. I ordered a cool jogger yesterday online, and hope to be outside very soon exercising...and basically enjoying the moving air. Yesterday, I ventured to the store after Shaun got home (he's started back to work on Tuesday) and was amazed how weird it was to drive again...and sit up front. I haven't done either since the 28 of June. I was a little hyper-aware of everything I was doing--like when your learning to drive--or getting used to a new car.

I was looking at a mom blog today and saw a link for this strange doll--one that little girls can breastfeed through a little flower nipple they wear. Please tell me you also think this is odd. Anyway, from my experience with breastfeeding the last 2.5 weeks, I would say it's much harder than this toy makes it appear. They should have a doll that you can train to have proper latching skills---that's what's hard!

My report on the 2nd week home: Enoch was circumcised on the 10th of July. We showed up for the appointment--only to find out that the nurse really HADN'T scheduled the appointment...and we ended up being sent to another doctor's office downstairs in the office--who agreed to stay late and perform the circumcision. We were really glad we got it done then. Did you know that if you don't do it within 3 weeks of the birth at your child's regular doctor's office, you have to go to a urologist--and the cost goes up about $1,000? Yep--true. By the way--Enoch is all healed and doing awesome following this procedure.

Next, Enoch lost his umbilical cord on the 9th--right before the circumcision. It was neat to see it just come off. It came off when we were changing him in the middle of the night...and he was screaming--because it was cold--and then he started peeing everywhere. This is no big deal though--because it has happened MANY times since he was born. We went out and bought a wipes warmer--and he hasn't done it since...or maybe just once...I can't recall.

Enoch has also gotten a SSN and is a real recorded human being in the US government. Cool, huh? I'll need to memorize it soon.

Also, Enoch has gotten bigger. He's lost all signs of jaundice yellow and is growing up at a steady pace. Honestly, I don't mind too much because I need more sleep. I feel wonderful, but I am tired. I have noticed today that my body is starting to adjust better to the schedule and deprivation of rest. So, that's great news!

In grown up related news, Shaun has gone back to work at Bellingham Cold Storage. He worked there the first year and a half of our marriage. They sought him out after Joe's went bankrupt. He has experience with a product that they carry--Stock Pot Soups--and they have agreed to work around his school schedule so he doesn't have to work the night shift (YEAH!!). He's thinking about looking into an environmental science internship also. We'll see what he finds. (That's his major.)

I have been on maternity leave since Enoch was born....and I have lost track of time. I no longer live by the clock, but by feedings, naps, and poopy diapers. But, it's not bad because I have Enoch to spend time with. He's a sweetheart and I get excited when he wakes up (well in the daytime more than at night--but I still like seeing him at night). I have watched the entire 1st and 2nd seasons of Heros and many movies. I find it's more enjoyable to have something to watch when I'm breastfeeding and it's taking a long time. My neck hurts from looking down at him so much. Luckily, Shaun has given me 2 neck rubs to loosen the knots so far. Have I mentioned how great he is? No, I haven't? Well, he is wonderful and hot!

Oh, and I'd like to mention that my dad and his wife Yuko (my step-mom) came up last weekend to stop by for an hour or so and say hello. It was a nice visit. I must say I am getting a little starved for catching up with friends. Oh----and Emily Pool came over--finally! She was out of town when Enoch was born and hadn't met him yet.

Here's a few pictures to show you!

(His second bath--he did much better.) Enoch on his way to his circumcision. (It's not fear, he's just still a little bored.) Grandpa Murray imitating Enoch...or Enoch imitating Grandpa Murray---I'm not sure which.

They made friends...with just a simple finger-shake.
Grandpa Murray is great at taking "crazy-fun" pictures today! Enoch with his Grandpa Murray and Obaachan.

Spontaneous Smiles Video!!! Get ready to melt!

Emily Pool...first visit with Enoch.

We have had fun getting to know him so far. Thanks for checking in friends and family!

One Week Down---and SOOOO Happy!

Well, today Enoch is 1 week old and I finally have the strength and few minutes to post something before the next feeding time--while he's napping. We have gotten a pretty good pattern the last 2-3 days and am not crying--like the first night home--when I couldn't get him to eat and he woke up every hour--or wouldn't go to sleep for many hours..and I felt like I was struggling to meet his most basic needs. But, we called the Baby Mother Center and they sent out a nurse that day to help me figure out breast-feeding. YEAHHH! Also, we studied up on our calming techniques from a video we borrowed--"The Happiest Baby on the Block." (Thanks Alicia and Brandon!) We have been using the techniques and can get a consistent 2 hours (as needed by Enoch at his age) between the next feeding session. We can now enjoy the cutest things--like when he's hiccuping! His eyebrows raise and it's adorable.

Here's a video of us in the hospital when Enoch was only 12 hours old! He is a pretty calm kiddo and we are grateful. He cries when he needs something...but stops once his needs have been met or he's been soothed. We LOVE LOVE LOVE him!

Here's me with Enoch in the hospital--both of us were tired. (This has not changed in the last week.)

I've put in some pictures from the week. FYI: the most common phrase used in our home this week has been, "He's so Cute!" We just can't stop melting over his beauty and impact in our family and hearts.

As we spent the last few hours in the hospital last Wednesday..waiting to go home, Shaun and I were able to speak about the grandure we had just been blessed with. We spoke about the spiritual, eternal, and temporal goals we had and cried about the future pains and joys Enoch would experience in this mortal life. We are excited to go through this with him--and even though we don't want him to grow up--we want him to feel the same happiness we have felt when he starts a family of his own someday. We know this time will be short, and we are determined to be better people, and have lots of fun!

This picture is so sweet of Shaun and his little boy!

Burping Enoch!--Awwww! He's so little.

Enoch's First Sponge Bath--he wasn't digging the cold air part.

And here he is after eating today (I was burping him when Shaun took the picture)--looking a little grown up! 1 WEEK!

Enoch is our JOY and our favoritiest little boy. "He is perfect," said Mommy and Daddy, Dr. Filuke, Dr. Hoffman, the hospital nurses, family, and strangers. We look forward to many years to come with his sweet spirit in our home!

P.S. Thank you everyone for your warm wishes and hellos!