3 Weeks of Ping Pong!

Today, I am three weeks old and boy! It has been quite a ride so far. I'm not going to lie...this week has been pretty difficult. I went from sleeping really well at night (going to bed about 10:00, waking once around 3:30 to eat, going right back to sleep and waking up again around 7:00) to waking up once around 1:00 and staying awake, leaving my mom with about 2-3 hours of sleep every night. Then, last weekend, I started crying and wouldn't stop. It was more than the usual fussy baby stuff. I would scream and scream for more than an hour straight. I would stand straight up and punch my little fists until I turned purple. It was awful. My parents could do nothing to help me. After multiple conversations with the pediatrician and a trip to urgent care, I was diagnosed with GERD. I'm on medication now, which is helping a bit, and my mom is beginning a dairy-free diet to see if that helps too. So far, so good. I still get pretty fussy during most of my awake time, but I don't scream until my mom's ears ring like she's been to a death metal concert. Hopefully this will improve more and more as I get bigger and my digestive system becomes stronger. I'll keep you posted, but in the meantime, keep your fingers crossed for me!

Now, because I haven't been in the best mood this week, Mom hasn't really taken many pictures of me.

Here I am wearing a hat my mom made for me. In case you can't tell, it says "Ping Pong."



Here are some pictures Mom took of me this morning. This is what a 3 week old Ping Pong looks like!







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And here is a video of me chillin' in my vibrating chair. Look out for a cameo by a certain awesome big brother.

In Shape

Photos from Week 2

My mom is a woman of her word! Here are some pictures from my 2nd week in this big world!

Here I am enjoying my vibrating chair and looking a little like my uncle Todd, no?



First time in the tub. I love baths...too bad Mom rarely finds the time to give me one. (ahem!)



I also really love tummy time! (I'm looking a ripe shade of orange here because of Mom's no-flash rule).



I'm really good at it. (Click here for a post featuring my brother's amazing neck strength at the very same age).



Awake and alert this morning. (So far I'm not napping today). Poki said I look like a zebra.

By the way, have I mentioned how much I love my vibrating chair?





I'm not the only one...



And speaking of Poki... he took some pictures with Mom's camera. Here is one of me sleeping.



A very mysterious (and cool) looking one of me and Mom. (He had his finger over the flash).



One of Daddy.



And finally, a self-portrait. He's becoming quite the photographer!



That's all for now. We'll get more posted soon! Dad has been taking several with his camera (much more than Mom or Poki) so we'll try to get those up soon.

2 Weeks!

Update from Mom:

Today, Ping Pong is 2 weeks old! This has been the shortest 2 weeks of my life, but I can barely remember not knowing the little guy.

I wish I had pictures to post, but we've recently had a little technology issue. My computer spazzed out so Daddy had to clean everything off of it and then reinstall everything again. The trouble is...he forgot to reinstall my camera software. Not to worry though--there will be pictures very soon!

In the meantime, I'll fill you in on what we've been dealing with here in our slightly more crowded house these last few weeks. Ping Pong is pretty much the best baby ever. He seems to have put himself on a fantastic night-time schedule. He goes to bed about 10 or 10:30 every night and then wakes up once around 3:30. After eating, he usually goes right back to sleep and doesn't wake again until about 7:00 am. We can't believe how lucky we've been! Hopefully he will keep that up!

Daddy went back to work on Monday, so I've been on my own with the boys. I have to admit, the very idea of trying to manage both of them alone terrified me, but Ping Pong is such an easy baby, it's been fine. I've even managed to get both boys down for naps at the same time every day this week. (She says as she pats herself on the back).

We went to the pediatrician on Monday and Ping Pong's doctor said he looks great! They like to see babies get back up to their birth weight by 2 weeks, and he had already passed his. He is a great eater and has great moments throughout the day where he is extremely alert and pretty engaged for his young age.

Poki is a fantastic big brother, as we expected. He sings to his brother when he cries and periodically "checks on" Ping Pong. Don't get me wrong, Poki is adjusting right along with the rest of us, but he seems to be doing better every day--as are we all.

That's about all for now. More to come...

Check back for pictures!

When One Soul Enters This World...

...another exits. Such is the case in our house. Tonight, we lost our dear friend, Thomas the beta fish. May he rest in peace and swim for all eternity in that giant fish bowl in the sky.

Ping Pong: Week 1

Happy one week birthday, Ping Pong! To celebrate, here are some pictures that Granny took of Ping Pong (and me) this week.

At home with Granny while Ping Pong and Mom were still in the hospital. Here I am playing with the present Ping Pong gave me when he was born.



Having pizza bigger than my head with Granny on a warm, pretty day.



Visiting Mom and Ping Pong at the hospital.





Ping Pong on his first day home from the hospital.





A lazy morning--all the family on our jammies, watching TV. We've had alot of those this week.



The many faces of (an alert) Ping Pong...

Welcome Ping Pong!

Hi folks! In case you haven't heard, I'm here! I took my own sweet time because I am just chill like that. My big brother came 2 weeks early, so everyone (including my mom and all her doctors) were certain I would too...but...they were wrong. In fact, I still didn't come on my own. My mom was induced 5 days after my due date. As I said, my lack of concern with punctuality should have been a clear indication of my personality. I am as laid back as they come. But when it was time to come out, I didn't waste any time.

So on Wednesday morning, Mom arrived at the hospital around 8:30 or 9:00. They put her pitocin at 10:00, broke her water at 12:00, she started hard labor around 12:30 or 1:00, started pushing at 2:42, and I was born at 2:55. How's that for a time line?

Here are some pictures from my first day in this big world:

Just seconds old. My mom really loved her nurse--she let my mom reach down when just my head and shoulders were out and my mom pulled me the rest of the way and onto her chest. It was amazing. This was taken right as Mom put me on her chest.



Mom looking up at the clock to see what time I was born.



One of the reasons Mom was induced is because there was some concern about how enormous I was going to be. One of her doctors hinted that she might be giving birth to a full-grown man. I mean, those weren't his exact words, but he might as well have been saying that. And...look at me! I am pretty big.



Who am I kidding? I'm flat out tubby. No skinny newborn frog legs for me!



But I still was not as big as they predicted--not even close! Just 9lbs 4.4 oz.



When's lunch?



After getting measured and cleaned up (so far I love baths!), I was taken to my mom...



Where I finally got to meet my big brother Poki!



I have a feeling he is pretty much going to be the best big brother ever.



Don't you agree?



Back in my Mom's room, I also got to meet my grandmothers! Here I am with Granny...



And Babushka!



So far, I think I'm going to like this place. I'm already spoiled rotten!

Here are my stats, for those interested:
Weight: 9 lbs 4.4 oz
Length: 20 1/2 inches
Dark brown hair and brown eyes (Already!)
Oh! And my parents named me after my two amazing grandfathers: Raleigh Thomas.

Check back in for more pictures...assuming my brother doesn't figure out what's up and try to flush me down the toilet before then...

Letter From Mom

Dear Ping Pong,
Please get out now.
Love,
Mom