Pauls 2 week check up

Post for July 6, 2011

Today at 1130 was Paul's 2 week check-up. We actually saw Dr. Harp-Wetz now that she is back from maternity leave.
Weight: 9 lbs 3 oz
Length:
Head size:
So basically he has gained a pound since leaving the hospital but remains the same length.
Other things she said was that he was perfectly healthy and she didn't expect to see him back again until his 2 month.
Then there's the stuff with the belly button...

She said it is sticking out because it's herniated; which is not a problem and should go away by the time he is 2 years old. His hernia isn't bad enough to warrant surgery if he doesn't need it. But we are supposed to watch it because it can be more prone to infection (which can be very dangerous) than normal. Also because it is herniated, it will stick out more when he cries or strains. This has been causing the healed/dried up stub to remain fresh (Which is what I've been worried about). The dr put some silver nitrate on it to help seal it, which is perfectly normal. But by the end of the day, due to all his straining, the silver nitrate had worn off and the fresh wound remained fresh (and puss-like). She did say if it didn't look better or wasn't healing by the next couple weeks to go ahead and give her a call.
Other than that he is a perfectly healthy little boy!

Baby's First Bath

Paul had his first bath at home today (June ?, not the date of the post). Erin even helped out! It was very sweet of her but it meant we had to be extra attentive. I was so preoccupied that I didn't get the camera out! I'm sorry, Paul, it was a momentous event I was unable to document properly. I was able to get a few pictures after while you lay drying in my arms. The one below was the best.

It was pretty good as far as infant baths go. He screamed a little. We had to use soaked washcloths because the shower bit wasn't working. Erin helped out with a washcloth by dripping water over him. There were a couple times she got close to and on his face but it was still all good.

Bassinet babies

So Chris and I picked up this $300 white wicker Pottery Barn bassinet at jbf for $150 right before Erin was born. At first we were apprehensive about the buy, a bit worried we had spent that much on an item we weren't even sure we'd ever use.
But since then Erin slept in it for months in our room, Brooklyn did the same at the Wards, and now we are repeating the process with Paul.
We had it out in the living room and were going to wheel it into the bedroom each night. But right now I'm sleeping on the recliners in the living room, so he stays right there with me. Once I feel good enough to "get out of bed" (quite literally; it's the bending and pushing myself from a full laying position, which is why the recliners are nice) both of us will move into the bedroom where he will stay until he grows out of it or hits 3 months, whichever comes first.
But I think it's really cool that this buy, that we questioned, is quickly becoming a family heirloom.

Chris' Birthday

For Chris' birthday this year we went down to Dallas (Frisco, actually) and purchased him the media center he's been wanting.

It's from Ikea and he's been looking at it for a while now. I figured we needed it now to cover up the cords to keep them away from Erin.
So Chris and I left Erin with her Gammy and Granpa on Chris' birthday and drove the whole 4 hours down. Then we walked around the Ikea for a few hours (due excersize after being in the car that long!). With some extra birthday money he had we were able to upgrade it a little and get a few extras we had been eyeing. We were even able to get a huge picture we had both been talking about since the last time we went (I was surprised they still had it!) to go in the living room.

We stayed the night and came back the next day. Chris had a meeting even though it was his day off, so he didn't get to jump in and work on it right away.

But for the past couple of days he's been able to do little bits and pieces.

Erin helps out ever so often, and I... well I just sit back and make sure neither of them poke their eye out.



I'm so excited to see what it looks like when it's done! He's off work today, with no forseable meetings (but I do have a dr. apt that he has to watch Erin during), so he should be able to finish it today... at least mostly. I'm so excited! I think I'm more excited than he is!

Getting Organized

So I have this great lady coming over every few days to help me organize the place, and today we worked on the Garage. Erin came out and helped a bit.

Green Dress Beauty

Day 1: Pop-Pop and Peru

Erin and I arrived with Pop-Pop to a happy Nana. I got to nap a bit while they had fun playing around.

Erin's First Air Travel

Chris and I were given the opportunity to take Erin on her first plane ride today. Yes, it was for a very sad occassion, but I am greatful I was able to take her on her first trip alongside Chris.

Erin helped me do some last minute packing:


Our timing to the airplane was a bit off, but we still made it to the airport with time to spare. Erin decided to chill out with her toys, but waited wide-eyed with anticipation.


We were lucky enough to be able to board before most people, which was nice, because then we were able to sit in the same seat on every flight (the second to last seat in back left). Every flight was sold out (but luckily in the second one somebody didn't show, so we got a free seat next to us) there and back. But I took some pictures on the first one before everyone got seated:

Chris shared some water with her:


I nursed her on the way up and on the way down on all flights, but normally when I cover her while nursing she tries to expose me, so we decided to "bind" her hands by putting her in this really cool swaddle called a "Woombie". She ended up falling asleep durring the second flight, so we laid her in the extra seat for a minute or two.

While she was awake she played a lot... she was very squirmy towards the end.



She did really well, didn't cry at all! A major success. The only thing was when she started getting squirmy from being couped up all that time.

Lipless Smiles

Erin is doing this new way of smiling. I know it's my influence, but I try to smile a wide smile her with my teeth showing most of the time, but I know I do a lot of the smiling by pursing my lips together. Erin has picked it up and started doing it these last few days (I'd say 3 days at most). It's so funny, but I'm trying not to smile like that around her any more.

Christening

Erin got christened today! We are so proud and happy that we were able to do this. I have to admit, I was the one putting a major push behind it due to fear.

WARNING, PERSONAL BELIEFS BELOW. PLEASE REALIZE THIS IS JUST MY VIEW:
I remember being taught that all babies are born with original sin, so if something were to, God forbid, happen she would go to either pergitory (aka limbo) or hell. I didn't like the idea of that one bit! And I realize that not everyone was taught that. Chris wasn't and he didn't understand why I insisted it had to be a christening and not just a dedication.
You see, original sin goes something like this:

The Council of Trent solemnly expressed the Church's faith concerning original sin. In the previous catechesis we considered that Council's teaching in regard to the personal sin of our first parents. Now we wish to reflect on what the Council said about the consequences of that sin for humanity.

In this regard the Tridentine decree states first of all:

Adam's sin has passed to all his descendants, that is, to all men and women as descendants of our first parents, and their heirs, in human nature already deprived of God's friendship.

The Tridentine decree (cf. DS 1512) explicitly states that Adam's sin tainted not only himself but also all his descendants. Adam forfeited original justice and holiness not only for himself, but also "for us" (nobis etiam).

Therefore he transmitted to the whole human race not only bodily death and other penalties (consequences of sin), but also sin itself as the death of the soul (peccatum quod mors est animae).

Here the Council of Trent uses an observation of St. Paul in the Letter to the Romans. The Synod of Carthage had already referred to it, repeating a teaching already widespread in the Church.

Letter to the Romans the Apostle wrote: "By one man's disobedience all became sinners" (Rom 5:19), and in the preceding verse: "One man's trespass led to condemnation for all men" (Rom 5:18). St. Paul connects the sinful situation of all humanity with the fault of Adam.

The Tridentine decree contains another statement: Adam's sin is transmitted to all his descendants by generation and not merely by way of bad example. The decree states: "This sin of Adam, which by origin is unique and transmitted by generation and not by way of imitation, is present in all as proper to each" (DS 1513).

Therefore original sin is transmitted by way of natural generation. This conviction of the Church is indicated also by the practice of infant baptism, to which the conciliar decree refers. Newborn infants are incapable of committing personal sin, yet in accordance with the Church's centuries-old tradition, they are baptized shortly after birth for the remission of sin. The decree states: "They are truly baptized for the remission of sin, so that what they contracted in generation may be cleansed by regeneration" (DS 1514).

Straight from the Vatican itself

I hope this explains a little better on why I was pushing for the Christening to happen. And please realize, this is my personal belief as I have grown up with Catholic teachings. I understand that others don't believe this view at all. Chris, for example, does not believe in Purgatory (which is somewhat understandable. It is a mainly Catholic device) and believes that because Erin herself has not sinned she would go straight to heaven. Eather way... she's Christened and has been saved.
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Allright, back on track:
So we had Edwin Gungor preside over the christening, which was great. He was the same man who married Chris and I in the faith (we had already been legally married).

Erin's godmother is Heather Mary Ward, and her godfather is Joshua Adam Rich.

Tim and Patty hosted the lovely "swarre". It was nice and light. People were wearing sandals, no suits, just some jeans and nice shirts. It was a wonderful event and I wouldn't want it any other way. It was good that it was intimate as well. Only a very small crowd joined us, which was perfect. It was our closest people: Clayton, the Balliquoi's (and Liz's sister), and Gail. 14 total (not to cout the 2 buns in the oven or the 4 dogs outside).
We had brisket and bbq chicken (and sides). I made a georgous honey glazed lemon cake that I'm told was very good. I also made shortbread.
We ate before hand, then the Christening happened. It was wonderful. I will have to share the video Clayton took for us soon.
Afterwards some more munching and major swimming! It was good, most everyone (of the young-uns got in), except Liz and her sister.
And Erin recieved some wonderful gifts! (which I will also list soon)
It was a good day, and a great event. We are so very blessed and thankful to have such wonderful people in our lives. For those of you who are too far away to attend such an event; please know you were in our hearts. We miss you and know that you will help us keep Erin's path with God right. Thank you, everyone. We are truely blessed to have family, both near and far, praying and watching out for us. Thank you.