Happy Birthday Samuel...One Week Old

After 7 days of the Samuel experience... (can you tell we're really exhausted?!)

We had our first pediatric appointment with Samuel the day we arrived home from the hospital. They wanted to check him out that day because he hadn't been peeing well at the hospital and they wanted to make sure it wasn't a bigger problem. Luckily the doctor said there wasn't any structural problems, he was just a little dehydrated so we needed to supplement with some formula. He's doing great now and had already gained 2 ounces back Friday at our second appointment! Babies typically loose weight after birth but get back up to birth weight within about 2 weeks. He's now weighing in at a whopping 7 pounds 14 oz!

Daniel's mom and my parents have been taking turns staying with us at the house to help out. It has been really incredible having people so willing to help and stay up with Samuel at night, and we're so thankful that both families live so close by that we're able to have them over.

Andi and Greg came down this week to introduce Dellaina and Wyatt. We had a nice visit and there were plenty of people willing to hold Samuel to give us a little break. :) Also, Daniel's grandparents were in town this week staying with the Bayley's. They came over one evening for a short visit and we also went over the Daniel's parent's house for lunch. Andrew and Katie were there to love on Samuel too, and Daniel's cousins Chad and Jennifer brought their kids over to meet him, as well. He's had a lot of exposure in his first week, but I think he's enjoying all the attention.
Lauren came over on Friday and brought us a delicious home-made lasagna and salad. While she was here, she also helped me document his first bath at home by getting some good pictures for me!
At first the water from the faucet was splashing up into his face so he was VERY unhappy, but once we got him readjusted he was pretty content getting doused in warm water. He was kicking and squirming at full force, but we got through it. He especially liked washing his hair and running the warm water over his head! He just relaxed and got really floppy in my arms.


Another exciting event that took place this week was the destruction and removal of the Bradford Pear tree in our front yard. It cracked during a storm the night before my water broke and a large branch split and fell into the street in front of our house. We actually witnessed it happen as we were watching the storm front move in from the garage that night. It was incredible to see the force of the wind stretch, bench, and eventually crack the tree down the middle. We were unbelievably lucky that the part that fell went toward the street and not at the house!
Daniel and the two grandfathers spent several hours with the chainsaw on Saturday cutting up the rest of the tree and hauling it off to the Green Waste disposal. The tree was deceivingly large, and it took 3 loads with the truck and the trailer! They worked most of the afternoon and evening while I hung out in the house with mom and Samuel. There is a LOT more light that makes it through into the foyer now whereas before the tree blocked most of the sky completely. It will certainly effect our A/C bill but I'm sure we'll end up planting another tree there eventually.
The stump grinder came today to get rid of the rest of the trunk. It was pretty incredible to watch with machine eat up the stump like it was nothing. Not having the Bradford pear is definitely going to change the whole look of the front of the house, but hopefully for the better...

Stay tuned for more updates! :)