Isaac's First Bath

After absorbing more bodily fluids then we knew were possible during his first 8 days of life, we finally decided that it was time we gave Isaac his first bath at home. We gathered all of the many ingredients we were told were necessary, including three different types of yummy smelling no-tears bath soap/shampoo (we decided it would be a gametime decision- and Burt's Bees won), a wash basin, tons of towels, cotton, q-tips, alcohol swabs, a froggy washcloth, a hooded towel, and good music to calm the little man down. Given his unhappiness with diaper changes, we expected him to freak out being naked and wet, and he did not disappoint. As Bill stripped him and brought him over to the sink, Isaac decided it was the perfect time to pee, and proceeded to do so geyser-style all over Bill and the floor. Once we cleaned that up and stopped laughing, we finally got him in the sink. He screamed through most of it, which definitely led us to make his first bath a quick one. We only had to interrupt the process once to switch towels when Isaac decided to poop in the tub. Finally, after we got to the end, he either got tired of screaming, really began to appreciate Stevie Wonder, or decided we were going to be victorious on this one, but he did calm down. Once he was wrapped in his towel he was the most awake and alert we have seen him (other then when attached to the boob), which was fun for everyone, especially as we all danced to the music and celebrated his cleanliness. We have pictures of the process below, and for your benefit we included only the video of calm Isaac in the bath and kept the screaming one for our personal entertainment :) [fyi - the last picture is a video]

Isaac's First Week

As any of the parents among you might expect, Isaac's first week consisted largely of sleeping, eating, belching, urinating and defocating (the latter two frequently, and without warning to individuals and ipods in striking distance). Here are some shots of Isaac in less compromising circumstances. First, on Weds. morning Isaac made a trip to the pediatrician that involved public and conspicuous urination on the table in a proximate, albeit bright yellow examination room - one can hardly blame the little guy for being influenced by his surroudings. Next, he visited Jamie's well-loved and brilliant endocrinologist whose haircut frequency rivals Bill's. Mostly, Isaac's Mom and Dad had the opportunity to settle in and spend some much needed time resting and getting acclimated to a new, much changed routine (or lack thereof). Also on view below are a couple of the many devices we have employed to entice Isaac to sleep, by any (legally permissibile) means necessary.

Isaac's Trip Home

So after 4 glorious days in the Colonial Suite, we finally got discharged, which was both exciting and terrifying at the same time!! After a final visit with the pediatrician (Isaac got the thumbs up, going home at 7lbs and 13 oz), we made our way home. For the big journey, Isaac sported one of his many designer outfits (thanks to our families and friends, our baby is better dressed then we are!!), this one was Polo. We brought him home and showed him around - he appeared unimpressed, although that's likely because he was sleeping through the tour. He and Wilson got off to a great start with lots of sniffs and curiosity on Wilson's part, and then he too appeared unimpressed, but camped out on the couch next to Isaac, either protecting him or protesting the fact that Isaac was in his "spot". Once we got settled, Bill enjoyed a long-awaited Guinness, and discovered that the Boppy (breastfeeding pillow) could mulit-task as a cup-holder. Below are some pictures of the trip and first night home.

Isaac's Stay at the GW Colonial Suite

After a careful survey of the entire postpartum ward by Bill on many trips to get ice chips for his baby mama, he determined that nothing less than the VIP Colonial Suite would do for Jamie and Manchild aka Babywolf aka Isaac. Luckily this first come first served, slightly larger, slightly nicer (and we mean slightly), significantly more expensive room was available and we took full advantage. For five days and four nights Jamie, Bill and Isaac shared these luxurious accomodations, complete with broken clock, broken telephone, inoperable DVD player, toiletries stolen from the finest motel six east of the Rio Grande, and silver tray service (with plastic silverware). On a positive note, the room did have six floor to ceiling windows with a view of Washington Circle and the large hole in the ground that was the former site of the GW hospital and current site of numerous "controlled" blastings during our stay. Fortunately, there was lots of light, a love seat and a wingback chair so our visitors had comfortable places to sit; Bill enjoyed a plywood bed, which was rejected from Guantanamo Bay as a gross violation of detainee rights and several chapters of the Geneva Conventions. All of us were grateful to be healthy and resting comfortably (well at least semi-comfortably). We were lucky enough to have our families in town for the birth and they got some good QT with Isaac, and Karen & Gabe came for a quick visit too. Right before leaving Dr. Moforie (our favorite OB in the practice) came in to grab Isaac for his circumcision after Bill protested the use of his little man as an educational opportunity for any of the GW hospital residents or students. Upon return, she said he did great, and noted that she had to use one of the tools usually used by Mohel's as her usual choice of circumcision tools was obviated by the fact that the hospital did not have one large enough for Isaac - NO JOKE :)
See below for the pictorial tour de force that was our stay...

D-Day

Isaac Carhart Anderson was born at 9:27pm on August 21st weighing 8 pounds 6 ounces and measuring 20.5 inches. The birth was a little rough on Jamie as apparently Isaac's cheeks had gotten so chubby that they (among other things) prevented him from making it all the way out the "conventional way" and after about 24 hours, all parties agreed that a c-section was the best way to go. Both mommy and baby Isaac came through like champs - although dad has a few more gray hairs :) Check out the pictures below.

This week is the big week!

So we are officially wrapping up things at work and preparing for the big day which should be this Thursday. We are supposed to show up at the hospital on Wednesday night and the "magic" should start on Thursday morning. We are both very excited and anxious to meet the little guy. We will post information including pictures of him (which you would all rather be looking at) as soon as we have them and are able to get to the computer. In the meantime, here are a few "last pictures" of us taken by friends...

Countdown to D-Day

We have about 3 weeks to go until Baby Anderson is expected to make his debut so we wanted to test out the blog. Hopefully once we figure it out it can be used to post pictures and videos and keep our friends and families up to date on his progress and growth. Enjoy!!

xoxo,

Jamie & Bill & ...