2 Pounds x 2 Inches Equals No Sleep Forevermore

Nolie passed his one month check-up with flying colors! He's now 9 lbs, 12 oz and 21 3/4 inches tall. And his head circumference holds steady in the 80th percentile...he's got a great big head!

I spent yesterday in organizer mode, and redid all the clothing drawers and storage in the nursery, bidding adieu to newborn sized items. It's quite fun discovering new. outfits for him, and now it's not such a struggle getting onesies over his sizable head :)

We've had a few play dates with neighboring infants, namely James (9 wks) and his mom Amy, and Eila (8 wks) and her mother Heather. The kiddos pretty much alternated sleep and wake cycles, so they never quite acknowledged one another - but we mamas had a terrific time bonding and learning about how similar our experiences have been! Feels good to hear you're not in this alone.

Happy One Month Nolie!!!

Well, as of Sunday January 27, Nolie is one month old. Already???!!! We know - time flies when you're living with a newborn. And we've already seen so many milestones!

First off we're in disbelief that he's outgrown his newborn clothes. He's also getting a bald spot like daddy! Nolie's starting to resemble an itty bitty octogenarian.

He makes eye contact now - that is when he's not looking past our heads at the window or blinds - the excitement of pattern play! He also tracks our whereabouts - particularly during tummy time when he turns his head left and right to find mom's face or dad's voice.

Nolie's pushing with his legs, either to climb Mt. Mama to cover her face in baby "bites," or to kick up with froggy legs when he practices jumping. And he's now regularly attempting to lift his head throughout the day! Baby steps indeed.

Meanwhile mommy and daddy are continuing to adjust to a sleepless and love-filled life. Jeremy went back to work last week, while Mel is adjusting to solo time with the little guy. Luckily Grandma and Papa Joe Raelin come over weekly to provide support, along with local friends who visit and help out. Along with y'all in our online community- through this blog, Facebook, and phone check-ins.

As life becomes more social and oriented to the outside world, we find ourselves posting less. But never fear, we will continue to tell the story of Life with Nolan as it unfolds. Now enjoy his latest photographic highlights from the parent paparazzi!

Our Irregularly Scheduled Program

It's been a little over 2 weeks (1.5 at home) and now we are hopefully entering a more steady state. Through the roller coaster of adjustments, we've championed feeding ups and downs, a growth spurt, unexpected nighttime alertness (especially his favorite 4 am time slot), gas-induced crying sessions, and overall lack of sleep.

Through it all, Mel and I have had each other, and Nolan too! Tired? Definitely. Run-down? Completely. But regretful? Never! Wouldn't trade this for the world.

Glimpses of his smile, adorable outfit changes, signs of his development (like sucking his hand!), his fingers wrapped in ours, "vampire"-biting our necks, him falling asleep on our chests...how did we live a full life without this bundle of joy?

Now on to some more pics...

High Anxiety & Sweet Dreams

So Nolan is "drifting" off to sleep in his bassinet, barely an arm's length from momma, and I can't sleep a wink. Every grunt, whimper, stretch, gurgle... all making me want to scoop him up and keep him as close as possible. Those new parent books sure scare the heck out of you when it comes to infant sleep and SIDS.

And now he's in my arms and out like a light. This kid loves to be held, cuddled , snuggled and then some! He's clearly ours, the offspring of Mr & Mrs Hugsalot.

It's week 2 and the feeding frenzy a la growth spurt is ON!!! I'm feeding him practically every 2 hours, and am quite exhausted as a result. But then we have a morning snuggle and I'm recharged for the new day.

The Wrap, Not That Techno Guy

I think it was halfway through watching Mel put Nolan in the Moby that it finally hit me how complex life will be going forward. Wrap three times around your body, do a somersault, add ketchup, and wallah, the Moby wrap is ready.

Is it just me or is this baby stuff getting more and more intricate. Isn't it enough to have to figure out his different cries and deciphering his needs without having to read a manual written in a foreign language about the 37 steps I need to follow to put him in Le Carseat correctly (whatever that is, anyway).

Now, on to more pictures.

All Pooped Out & Nowhere to Run

So Nolan just celebrated his 1 week birthday yesterday in style - by throwing a poop and pee party in the wee hours. At one point I looked around and realized we were standing in a puddle of infant ick. Nolan was quite pleased with his great aim at getting daddy with a swivel of the hips usually reserved for salsa competitions, while simultaneously disturbed by the freak outs accompanying his diaper change.

As I whisked our traumatized son into my arms for a post-change feeding, Jeremy and I looked at each other and just started to laugh. Hysterically. Everything is funny when life is this insane.

Yes, the Baby Cave is tough. It's so friggin hard. But it's also humorous - we are making comedic gold while he makes Olympian poops (as we speak its 2am and we are about to change his diaper for the third time in a row). P.s. Thank god my sense of smell is back to normal or I might not make it to his toddler years .

This little guy is so adorable. They make them that way so you don't run for the hills when the going gets tough. Sorry Billy Ocean, the tough ain't goin anywhere!

On Burp Cloths, On Wipees, On Onesies and Diapees

I have decided that today is the last day of my innocence (to fatherhood) - being the third day I have been peed on and the first (presumably of many) that I have been pooped on.

I've already searched the web for every white noise app on the planet, changed more diapers than I can count, helped out with his first bath, and maintained strict vigilance over the feeding schedule.

With all of that and little sleep, I've only scratched the shallowest surface of fatherhood. Let's see what lessons tomorrow brings...

Our First Nole

Well some crazy people out there decided we were ready to bring home with us this living, breathing, adorable AND completely dependent human being. We did make him after all...

Introducing Nolan Avery Raelin aka "Li'l Bandit." Born Thursday Dec 27, 2012. 7 lbs 12 oz, 20 inches. Made for falling completely and utterly in love with. And for driving his parents batty with lack of sleep and desperation to keep this little ball of cuteness alive and well.

Please share this with family and friends (especially non Facebook users) so they can stay updated with how we are faring, and get their fill of cute baby pics!