5 Weeks and the Inevitable

Alex is officially 5 weeks old and is doing great! Big Al, as I affectionately call him, tipped the scales at his one month pediatrician visit at 12.2 lbs! 95th percentile and growing stronger by the minute. He is eating 5oz every 2-3 hours, is in 3-6 month clothes and some 6 month items and is already in size 2 diapers. A little perspective on this is that Ethan was this size when he was 3 and 4 months old. The doctors comment was, "I would never suggest a baby is fat, I'm only saying to make sure he is hungry before you feed him. (Pause) And he's not spitting up after every meal?" My reply was, "Obviously not." He has great head control and can kick himself forward. His other big news for the week: Alex is officially smiling! He has given us random smiles for the last two weeks but nothing consistent. Now, Ethan can get a smile almost every time. I can only get one occasionally.

And the inevitable... "Momma, When is Alex going home?" We knew the day would come. That day was Wednesday. He took the answer well. I explained that this was Alex's home too and asked him if he thought that would be alright. His response was, "Sure." Hasn't brought it up since.

Ethan continues to crack me up daily. As I hear is normal, someone please reaffirm this belief, with multiple children it is difficult to feel like you are not giving them both as much attention as they need and you would like them to have. Ethan has his moments but has been very patient about playing by himself while I feed Alex or when I am holding him. He has become my "Super Helper" and as a team we are juggling through the day. Classic Ethan today. While changing Alex, Ethan was playing in a toy stroller behind me. I hear, "Momma, I'm stuck." Which he often says kidding around just to get me to come and pick him up. I paid little attention telling him to just get up. His response, "No Momma, I'm REALLY stuck!" Sure enough, I turned around to find that he had busted the seat and had his bum wedged in the hole of the frame. I couldn't help but laugh.

Otherwise we are all good. I just wanted to say thank you again to Grandma Lucy and Grandma and Grandpa Hurford for visiting us in the last few weeks. We truly appreciate the time you took to be with us and everything you did for all of us while you were here. We can't wait to see you all again soon!



All this sleep must mean he's growing



Sumo Alex in his Bumbo



The Hurford Boys



Lazy Sunday Afternoon



Grandpa Hurford and Alex

One Month

Alex is celebrating his one month birthday today. He is growing like a weed! A very cute little weed though. He is eating a ton and by my scientific weight method (Mommy stepping on scale without baby and then with baby) he weighs 12.2 lbs! Yes, folks that is a 4.2 lb weight gain in one month. It is no wonder though. He eats 5 ounces every two hours during the day. I feel like a dairy farm with all the pumping I am doing to keep up! He is very bright eyed and is tracking objects very well. He loves tummy time and is very strong. He still prefers sleeping in his car seat but is getting too big. Patrick and I are going to suck it up tonight, prepare to lose sleep, and yes, make him sleep flat on his back. I will let you know how that goes.

Ethan is still the same old "Entertainer of the Year". Grandma Hurford is visiting this week and Ethan is loving the audience. At the park yesterday two approximately 8 year old kids gave Ethan the peace sign saying, "Peace, Dude." Ethan without missing a step held up his own fingers and replied, "Two." Then proceeded to count to ten for them and then once again showing them his fingers saying "Two". No intimidation here. The quote of the week however is once again a potty story. So this morning while Ethan is on the potty he says:

Ethan: "I'm a boy and you are a girl."
Mom: "That's right."
Ethan: "Daddy's a boy. He is a big boy."
Mom: "Daddy is a man"
Ethan: "No, Momma. Daddy's SUPERMAN!"

How cute is that!

Everything else is great. We are having a lot of fun with the boys and have been spoiled with Grandmas here two weeks in a row. Thank you Grandmas!



Alex One Month- aka Butterball



That's what Big Brothers are for!



Fun at the Park



Grandma Hurford and Alex



The Boys

Week two... and almost three

Alex two weeks old

Summer fun at "Ethan's Beach"

Alex and Grandma Lucy

It's another Buckeye!

"Momma! I do it myself!"


Alex is officially three weeks old today and has grown and changed so much already. At our weight check appointment last week he already weighed 9lbs 2 oz which was a 1 lb 5 oz gain in six days! No failure to thrive in this family! He already seems to be giving his first little (non-gas) smiles in the last two days. His big gummy grin is adorable. He is sleeping and eating like a champ! I only half joke with Patrick that he will make a perfect middle child.

Ethan is doing great! He is definitely Mom's little helper and loves talking to his baby brother in the cutest little voice I have ever heard. He has his attention seeking moments like when he asks for his milk in a bottle, for a diaper and to be changed on the changing table, and my favorite, for a pacifier. I guess we all have our moments. He continues to entertain us daily though with the things he says and does. My favorites for this week were when Grandma Lucy was visiting. She was telling him all the things he could do after dinner and when she was finished he said, "Otherwise, Grandma can go do it." He also likes to tell us and show us how big and strong he is. One morning while on the potty he said, "Momma, I'm growing up." Me: "Yes Ethan." Ethan: "I can have gum." Me: "Um, NO." Ethan: "Um, Think about it." This kid cracks me up!

Grandma Lucy was here for the past week and helped so much! We all had a great visit and Ethan of course loved all the attention. I loved watching Grandma drink a beer. Yes, she drank the first full beer of her life and actually had another the next night. Cheers and thank you Grandma Lucy!

Today is my first day solo with the boys and at the expense of a shower have found time to blog. Priorities. Now it is time for laundry. Then maybe a shower :)

Week One

Well, we have survived the first week at home with two little ones and are still smiling. Patrick and I have successfully mastered a man on man defensive technique that seems to keep everyone happy.

By Sunday Ethan realized Alex was here to stay and started his own crusade for attention from all. He never ceases to amaze us with his creative mind and clever antics. Everything from throwing toys at baby brother all while announcing how he is just sharing to asking to burp him and then trying to wail on him. Monday and Tuesday were ugly battle days with more time outs than Ethan has ever seen in his life. Even the pediatrician at Alex's appointment reminded us to just have patience after being in the room with Ethan for just two minutes- the receptionist however couldn't stop laughing at us. With a little patience and persistence we made it through. Ethan now seems to understand that Mom and Dad are sticking by the rules and his actions still have consequences despite his new audience member. He is actually very sweet when he wants to be giving Alex hugs and kisses and telling us how cute and sweet he is. My favorite, "I love baby brother." Ethan has also been enjoying all of his one on one attention with Daddy. They continue on their daily adventures. My favorite was when they came home laughing from grocery shopping. Daddy has not quite mastered the "Truck Cart" at the grocery store and apparently took out the Coppertone display sending bottles of summer accessories everywhere! Ethan thought it was hilarious.

We had a little scare with Alex. He developed jaundice after coming home from the hospital so we had to return to the hospital on Monday and Tuesday for additional level tests. The level on Monday suggested he may have to be readmitted for treatment but the levels had dropped enough on Tuesday to suggest we were heading in the proper direction. His yellow tan has already started to fade, thank God! Baby boy had already gained back three ounces at the pediatrician appointment and continues to eat beautifully. He even sleeps in 2 to 3 hour stretches at night giving Mommy and Daddy much needed sleep. It is hard to believe he is over a week old and is already filling out and changing.

Emma and Bella are neglected I have to say but they seem to be coping well. At least Ethan still plays with them. Poor dogs.

We are looking forward to a family outing tomorrow to take Ethan to the Fourth of July races for kids in Larchmont. He had so much fun last year. We just hope it doesn't rain- again :)


First Bottle



Hello Alex


One Week Old


Brotherly Love