Three Weeks

Liam,

It is so hard to believe that you are already three weeks old! Where has our time gone? I know they always say enjoy every moment because before you know it they will head off to kindergarten then off to college...it's true. Slow down...stay little for a bit longer!

You continue to amaze us each day with all the little things that you already do. You have been lifting your head now for a week or so and have repeatedly tried to throw yourself off our shoulders. We are not sure where you are going, but you seem to be trying to escape. I guess Samuel has already filled you in on us as parents. We promise we will try and do better.

This week you took your first family walk. We pulled out the limo, strapped everyone in and headed for one of our favorite placed...Dairy Queen. Samuel was very concerned about you and had to make sure everything was just right. On the way home he wanted to push the stroller and since we figured there would be several times in your life that you will have near death experiences, probably initiated by your big brother, you might as well start now.

Feeding you is finally getting easier for me. You love to eat and are eager to do so that is unless you are in the middle of one of your marathon naps. You have been so patient with mom as we try and figure out this breast feeding thing. I know you would prefer steak, potatoes and a beer, but until you are at least 6 months old the beer is staying in the fridge mister.

This week, you have also started to show us a little bit of your attitude. You sleep beautifully, but when you wake up you are ready to eat and can't seem to understand why you are not being fed immediately. I believe your cry goes something like this..."uh MOM...DIDN'T YOU HEAR ME...I SAID I WANTED TO EAT 10 MINUTES AGO!"

You also get a bit upset at us if you are not changed rather quickly after filling your pants. This is one that we are getting pretty good at since you seemed to have inherited your Papa's, Uncle Mike's and Daddy's loud, deadly and rude noises!

I still have to say that you are one of the most amazing, sweet, patient and loving little boys I know. I am so happy to say that you are mine!

Love,
Mommy

Kasperski Visit

Well, we had to say goodbye to Nana, Papa and Uncle Mike on Friday! Nana has been here since the day Liam was born and was a huge help! I am not sure we would have made it without her and even though we are in a good routine, I am not sure how I will survive the next couple of days until Gram arrives!

We also were able to spend a few days with Papa and Uncle Mike. Liam was thrilled to meet more family, but still spent most of the time sleeping! Here he is with Papa...he does have eyes that open!

Samuel was thrilled to see Uncle Mike and kept him busy the entire time he was here. Uncle Mike did get to meet Liam and hold him for a few seconds, but as soon as this picture was taken Samuel requested that Liam go back to mom so he could have Uncle Mike's full attention. So far Samuel is great sharing toys, it will be awhile though before he is willing to share his Uncle Mike!


Mike and Mike took Thursday morning to go on a short hike. They went up to Wallace Falls and spent a few hours hiking, goofing around and doing what "men" do when they go off out in the wilderness together! It was the first time Mike had seen a waterfall! There aren't too many of those around Coldwater!

The last big event of the weekend was a trip to the golf course. As most of you know, Uncle Mike is a big golfer and Papa and Nana live on the golf course, so Samuel will inherit a love for golf. He had been talking about Uncle Mike going golfing for about a week so it was a must do!

He loved watching everyone hit the balls and would try and hit his and run after it. Here he is getting a few pointers from Uncle Mike. We will start taking bets on how old he will be when he beats Uncle Mike for the first time. Don't worry Uncle Mike...it will be a proud moment in your book!

After working on his drives, Samuel spent some time on the putting green.
He should be a pro by fall!

The gang!

We had a great long weekend and look forward to many more memories with all the boys!

Two Weeks

It's hard to believe it has already been two weeks! What was our life like two weeks ago? It may be the hormones, the lack of 8 hours of sleep, or the realization that life will never again be the same, but I am having a hard time remembering 14 days ago. I think I slept, I think I ate regular meals, I think I even had time to shower...who knows...


Liam continues to be our miracle sleeper. Rumor has it this week he will "wake up." I am eager for the more alert times, but hope the 4-6 hours of straight sleep continues. Feeding Liam has still been a challenge. Whoever says breastfeeding is so natural, so easy and doesn't hurt needs to be kicked. We are still working on it, but determined to make it through. Any advise would be appreciated!

Nana is still here...THANK GOD! I am thinking I should get her to start interviewing here so she can stay. She has been a huge help with Samuel. She does all the cleaning and the laundry turn around is usually about 12 hours! She even stayed with both boys today so I could go get a massage. I am not sure what we will do when she has to leave next week.

Happy 2 weeks!

Quick Update

Our First Family of Four Picture

Things continue to go well within the Clark Family household. Nana is still here which has been a huge help. Mike returned to work this week. I am beginning to get into more of a routine with the boys. Samuel continues to do very well with the big brother role and Liam continues to sleep!

This is how we often find Liam. He has thoroughly enjoyed sleeping the first 13 days of his life away. He is getting into a great routine. He wakes up, eats, "plays" and then is back asleep. This entire routine happens every four hours. At night he is generally up about 3 hours after we put him down for a quick feed then back to sleep for 5-6 hours! It is amazing to have a kid that sleeps so well.

Samuel continues to be a great big brother. He is always willing to help out with everything. He enjoys getting diapers, throwing stuff away, washing dishes, cleaning and making toast! It is really fun to see him in such a big boy role! Samuel is also sleeping extremely well (with the exception of last night). He is sticking to his 2-3 hour nap in the middle of the day which has been a relief for Nana (she heads to the pool) and Mom (she catches up on bills, email and blogging)!

A Love For Books

We have always known Samuel has a love for books. We often encourage this and will read to him whenever he asks. Little did we know it had gotten so mature so quickly...

Here he is a few days before Liam's birth...reading...The No Cry Sleep Solution. Maybe he learned something because he has been sleeping wonderfully. Last night...11 1/2 hours without waking!

Here he is a few days after Liam's birth...reading...Harry Potter!
He is ahead of both Mommy and Daddy! Hope he doesn't spoil the ending!

One Week

It is hard to believe, but Liam is one week old! We have had a great first week with him. He is eating well and sleeping like a champ (5-6 hour stretch at night)! I know it probably won't last, but we are enjoying it while we can.

Here are seven new things he did within his first seven days of life...

1. Took a nap with daddy!

2. Went on a trip to the park. He really enjoyed it as you can tell!

3. Went on his first car ride.

4. Ate his first meal. (This is the Hooter Hider! Great name...great baby product)

5. Took his first bath with help from Daddy and Samuel!

6. Went sunbathing (Liam and Mommy sat in the sun for 5 minutes since he was appearing a bit jaundiced)

7. Met the best big brother in the world!

Hope everyone had a week as enjoyable and memorable as ours!

Visitors

Liam has had many visitors over the past week. Here he is with a few of them...

Philipp was still here from Germany as was eagerly awaiting our arrival home. Liam is the third baby Philipp has ever held. He was a pro!

Johanna (Philipp's sister) was also waiting happily. On her trip to America she held two newborns...the first two she has ever held!

Nana arrived shortly after Liam was born. She came with arms ready!

Annie and Liam (also pictured...Baby Boy DeWaal...due in November)!

Jon and Liam...what a natural!

Liam also got to hang out with Lachlan for a bit. I am sure these two will teach each other all sorts of tricks!

The Dinkins Family...Trish, Paul and Roxy...Roxy will be a big sister in February!

The Lee Family...Carol, Sam and Jocie! Thanks for a great dinner!

Brotherly Love

Samuel has done amazing with Liam. He was very excited to see him as soon as we walked in the door and can't get enough of him.
When Mike walked in carrying the car seat Samuel yelled "BABY!" He then ran over to see inside. As soon as he realized that Liam was there he went straight to his baby, grabbed the bottle and brought it over to Liam. Sharing already!

Samuel has also been very gentle with Liam. He is able to touch his hands and feet, but is suppose to keep his hands away from his face for now. He also covers Liam with kisses every chance he gets.

Here are the two boys this morning.
Liam taking yet another nap...Samuel standing by on guard duty!

Once Liam was awake we decided to let him lay down on the floor for a bit. Samuel was right there next to him. They watched each other closely. It was amazing to see how Liam would just stare at Samuel thinking..."oh...all the things you will teach me!"

I think this picture will officially bring a tear to my eye every time I see it!

Our two boys...Samuel Michael and Liam John...

Our Birth Story...

We thought we'd share a bit of the story of Liam's entrance...

Thursday morning, Jenn woke up feeling a "bit funny." We went to see Cindie, our midwife, who declared that Jenn was in early labor and we should be having a baby within 24 hours.

To help time pass and for labor to progress, we went to Carkeek Park for a walk. Samuel loved throwing rocks (as usual) into the water, while Jenn continued to battle regular contractions.

At 3:30, we saw Cindie again and decided to head home to try and relax as labor continued to progress. Samuel stayed with Jen and Tucker for a few hours so that Jenn and Mike could get a short nap and begin preparing for baby.

Around 7:30, Jon and Annie graciously brought Quiznos for dinner and stayed to watch Samuel while Jenn and Mike packed up to head to the birth center.

We arrived at the birth center around 10pm. Jenn was still in early labor, but was seeming to progress well. We spent time in the tub, walking around the parking lot, and sitting on birthing balls.

About 3am, Jenn was hit with the full onslaught of labor. Her contractions hit very hard, very quickly, causing her to vomit in between and during the sometimes overlapping contractions. She did amazing for during this period.

By about 4:35am, Jenn made it over the hump and was completely dilated and began to push. 11 minutes and 5 pushes later, a head emerged.

Here is Liam's debut.
He came out very peaceful and calm, wide eyed and taking in every aspect of his new world. After the discovering that he was a boy we all took a calming breath as he explored and let out a wail.

For the first 30 minutes, Liam rested on Jenn's stomach while he was getting the last of the yummy nutrients from the umbilical cord. He was content and happy, but ready to eat. Mike was able to cut his umbilical cord and Liam had his first meal at only 39 minutes old. Amazing!

We then spent the next couple of hours just being together. Liam was wide eyed and alert most of the time. He scored wonderfully on his Apgars and all the newborn screening. Jenn also was healing amazingly fast and was up moving out of bed less than an hour after Liam was born.

Mike and Liam shortly after birth.

Once we were up and moving we started preparing to go home. It was wonderful to know that everyone was doing so well and that our own beds were only minutes away.

We got all packed up and Liam was put into his car seat around 7:30am. We walked out of the birth center and began our trip home to introduce Samuel and Liam.
What an amazing morning!