Three weeks old!

The first month of development is important to observe closely because a baby's entire system is getting used to life as we know it. There are many frightening things that babies do where if you're not used to observing it, you'll think that something is seriously wrong. This has been the case this month with Max.

He makes strange little sounds, he staggers his breathing--it sounds like he's drowning or just running out of O2. He startles easily and the scariest one is when you're holding him and he staggers his breath and then rolls his eyes toward the back of his head. His entire body limps and his little round head rolls off to one side. The first few times that Max did this caused me to shake and tickle him. When I do, he comes to and scrunches his little body--especially when I tickle his belly. Then he grunts. Ok, he's ok, he's ok... I can breath now--geez!

The other issue that Max was dealing with was questionable weight gain. He was actually losing weight, although only a few ounces. Still, he should be gaining weight but he wasn't. Amy made a few dietary adjustments to Max's plan and got things rolling again. He weighed in this morning and had proudly put on some weight--Momma saves the day, that's what they do. Dad's panic, stress, get heartburn, worry, lose sleep and spend more time on the can because I'm sick with with concern. I told Amy that she was not allowed to do that. I stress enough for the two of us and she happily complied. I'm sure that she just doesn't share her fears with me because I'd probably explode.

At three weeks, I think we're just now getting Max dialed in to life as we know it, or as he now knows it. As usual, there are always open arms available for Max to get held, pampered and hugged. His little head--it's like the softest peach I've ever felt! It gets kissed constantly.

Ok, here's a quick rundown of what he's accomplished to date.

• his umbilical stump fell off.
• he got his first bath and apparently liked it.
• he's making a kissing sound when his pacifier is in. (sounds cute)
• he's pushing stuff away that he does not want. This is not consistent, but it's happening more. We first noticed it when he yanked the pacifier out of his mouth after he realized that it was not a bottle and increased the volume of his crying.
• He pulls back if you get your face to close to his and widens his eyes.
• His smiling more. Amy noticed that she could make him smile when she rubs his upper lips--it's really cute.
• His poop really stinks now. It's bad enough that the diaper changing volunteers have mysteriously waned. ( "uh... here, oh my, look at the time--gotta' go!" )
• He's eating more.
• He can slightly push himself with his legs--he feels really strong.

So Max is doing great and now developing the way a baby should develop. As before, some things appear to be on schedule others not. But mostly, life according to Max is going great.