Three Amazing Months

Devin has been with us for a little over three months now, and Derek and I could not be happier.  Devin is one healthy little boy!  Maybe too healthy.  At 3 months, he weighed in at 19 pounds, the weight of an average 8 month old boy, according to the growth chart.  The amazing thing about this is that he is completely nursed.  His doctor tells us that there is no way to overfeed a breastfed baby and to keep doing what we're doing, so we're not worried.  He definitely puts a strain on my poor back, though! 

But Devin is doing wonderfully.  He is a very happy baby, and really only fusses when he has a good reason to do so.  Unfortunately, he does have some tummy and gas issues, which makes him fuss sometimes in the evening.  But even when he's fussing, he's so cute. 

Derek and I have been enjoying getting to know Devin's likes and dislikes.  He loves making little noises, and he will call out if we are not looking at him so that we will pay attention to him.  He enjoys being on his tummy, and has been practicing his crawling moves lately.  He can't support his weight with his arms yet, but his little legs move like crazy.  Devin also really enjoys daycare, which makes me feel much better about going to work.  He loves watching the other children running around, and his good friend Claire (2.5 years) sings to him and talks to him all day.  He gives her the biggest smiles.  Now that Devin is strong and can hold his head steady, we have been putting him into an exersaucer for little bits of time.  He can also "stand," completely supporting himself with me only holding onto his hands.  He looks so pleased with himself when he's "standing" like a big boy.  Such big smiles! 

Devin is still sleeping in our room, in a bassinet by the bed, but now that he has been only waking up once per night to eat, we have been talking about moving him to the crib in his own room soon.  The only issue is that it's a lot easier to put him down in the bassinet, as if he wakes up after I put him down, i can rock the bassinet a bit, and he falls back to sleep.  I can't rock the crib, though.  That, and if he's not in the bassinet, then I actually have to get up out of bed to go feed him.  It's really nice just sitting up, reaching into the bassinet, and bringing him into the bed with me to feed him. 

Devin is the best thing that has happened to us!  Everything about him is amazing, and I'm so happy that he is here with us to share our love.  I'm looking forward to watching him grow and learn.  Even now, his learning amazes me.  He is fascinated by his toes now, and once he can sit up and start to explore his toys, he is sure to learn so quickly!  I can't wait!

Devin Has Arrived!

Derek and I are so happy to announce the arrival of our new little guy, Devin Robert Schmehr, born at 12:03 am on March 29, 2012.  He weighed 7 pounds 4 ounces, and was 20.5 inches long.  And he is so handsome, if I do say so myself.  After much anticipation and many attempts at putting myself into labor (spicy foods, bumpy roads, even labor-inducing cream cheese) and he decided to come when he was good and ready.  It's actually funny, he's had 2 due dates my whole pregnancy.  The 28th is what all he apps said when I plugged in my info, but the doctor said that the due date was the 29th.  I just figured she had not accounted for the leap day, and have always considered the 28th his due date.  So, when I went into labor at 2 in the morning on the 28th, I assumed that he would be born on his first due date.  He wanted to prove me wrong, however, and held out until 3 minutes past midnight. 

In any case, he's home with us, as of Saturday, and what a couple of days it's been.  I never wanted to be one of those panicky moms who worried about everything, but I guess I just couldn't escape it.  Already, we called 911 because he had choked a bit on some mucous, and got to sit with this amazingly nice and understanding paramedic who told us that most of the time when they get calls for a newborn they meet first-time panicky parents just like us.  Then last night, I decided that he probably had diarrhea, as he poops like no other baby I've ever seen, and so we went to the doctor's a day early for that.  Turns out, my milk just came in faster than expected, and his body is adjusting.  He got a clean bill of health, and then some.  He's already gained 4 of his ounces back from leaving the hospital in 2 days.  The doctor said babies are still losing a bit at this point.  So, he's ahead of the game. 

So, about Devin.  At 4 days old, we've been learning a lot about him.  He is so much more alert than we expected, and even the doctor was impressed with his alertness today.  He will sit for quite a while just staring and making faces and looking around, and wiggling, and he loves it when we just talk to him.  It's so cute to see Derek having a little conversation with his son.  I tear up every time.  He also hates diaper changes, which is very unfortunate for him considering we've gone through 12 diapers today and it's only 6 in the afternoon.  And he hates being on his back, and yesterday, at 3 days old, started rolling himself to his side.  Completely onto his side.  Pretty cute.  He's also really good at tummy time, and today, held his head up to look at me when he was on my chest for a full 6 seconds!  Oh, and one last thing, he has the most beautiful eyes.  :)

There are other things I'm also learning, about parenthood in general.  First, I need to let him put himself to sleep, and I can't jump at every noise.  After 2 nights of complete sleeplessness, I need to just let him figure out how to sleep without being in my arms.  This may be a challenge.  Second, I really can't worry about every little thing.  Quite a few doctors and nurses have told us he's fine, and I need to just relax and not worry so much.  Third, and most important, I could not have married a better man, as he is making the greatest daddy.  He's so willing to jump in and help, or even just sit and keep me company while I feed Devin.  He is not only willing to take care of diapers, but usually just jumps in and changes them without my knowing that Devin even needs a new one.  Derek has probably changed more diapers than I have at this point.  I have no idea how I got so lucky. 

Devin has many adventures coming up, and I can't wait to be there for them!

Five Short Weeks!

As of yesterday, there are only five short weeks until our due date.  And who knows if Little Guy will decide to show early.  Or late, for that matter.  On the 11th of this month, my mom and sister threw a fantastic baby shower, filled with lots of amazing people, and I feel so blessed that Derek and I have such wonderful people in our lives.  :-) 

In baby news, the doctor appointments continue to go very well, and Little Guy seems to be healthy (according to his constant moving and kicking and rolling around in there).  I've had a very easy pregnancy, and Derek and I feel very lucky for that.  No real discomforts, or mood swings (for the most part, at least) and I thank God that I haven't had to deal with heartburn, as my love of spicy foods is still strong, and I would have hated to give up spicy.  I really do think I'm going to miss being pregnant.  It's so amazing to be able to carry my little one wherever I go and to feel him and know he's safe and sound in there.  I feel bad that Derek can't experience this, but he says he's fine with it.  Like every other man out there, I suppose.  Haha!

However, a bigger part of me can't wait until his arrival!  To meet him, and hold him and kiss him... I think that moment will truly be the best moment in our lives!  It's the one day that I imagine could ever be better than our wedding day.  :-) 

So, hopefully within five weeks, we'll be able to announce the arrival of Little Guy (who will finally have a name after that ;-) and share pictures with everyone.  And for the record, Derek and I do have a list of names we like, and have decided that we want to meet our little guy first and see what he looks like.  We want to make sure the name fits him, and we won't know that for sure until he's here.