7 Days in the Books

Carson Levi is 7 (now 8) days old! They say the first few days at home is the hardest - just trying to figure out a system, getting to know your baby and what he/she likes/doesn't like, etc. The first few nights were definitely hard, but I think we've got a good rhythm down. It's ever-changing for sure, but we're feeling a little more human.

Some things we've learned about Carson over the past week:
- He loves to be swaddled. He flails like crazy without it and is just NOT comfortable.
- HATES baths (he screams the whole time)
- Toots.....a lot....usually followed by a huge poop. I wonder where he got that from....hm? :P
- He is indifferent when it comes to the binky. He'll take it, but usually spits it out once he's about to fall asleep
- NB sized onesies from Carters (the smallest we have) are too big on him. Wearing preemie pants
- Very emotive with his facial expressions. Scrunches, tongue out, smiles, mouth open, the works. So cute
- Very vocal. He makes grunts, squeeks, laughing sounds, throaty growls, etc
- Has been a champ handling the "toddler abuse" = screaming toddler running around the house, loud toys, "gentle" toddler touches, etc.
- Feeding great and gaining weight!

STATS:
Birth weight:  6lbs 7oz
Discharge weight:  6lbs 4oz
Weight at 4-day old doc appt:  6lbs 5.5oz (10th percentile)

We go back to the doc at 2-weeks and I'm pretty confident he'll have passed his birth weight at that point.

Like Miles, we are doing monthly photos to show how much Carson has grown. As a refresher, take a look at Miles' first 18 months here. We used a basket for Miles' photos. For Carson, we've decided to enlist a friend - Meet Beau. Beau the Monkey. Like Calvin and Hobbes, Carson and Beau will go on many adventures together. We'll just have to wait and see what these goobers get into over the coming months :)

Like mentioned above, Carson hates being out of his swaddle, so getting this photo was a stroke of luck for sure. Becky, my amazing in-house photographer, setup an area upstairs and had the brilliant idea to use a space heater to keep Carson warm. It worked wonders. Without it, I don't think we would have gotten this shot. While he liked it, Becky and I were sweating bullets.... ha!

As an added bonus, we grabbed a few other sweet shots of our newest addition. Enjoy!

You know those facial expressions I was talking about? Oh yea. We caught those on camera too!

Happy one week littlest man!

Dee Dee Carchee

Prior to going into labor, we made arrangements with my mom and sister to take care of Miles while we were in the hospital. They were amazing and made Miles feel right at home and comfortable during this transition. We missed him like crazy, but thankfully, we were kept well up to date with the happenings at home.

Group dinner!

Ice cream snack compliments of Aunt Becky "Bechy"

Good Morning from our sweet boy :)

After Carson was born and we were settled, Becky brought Miles up to the hospital. She said he was all normal until he got into the hospital building. From there, very stoic. We didn't see many smiles from him. He wasn't sad or scared. Just taking it all in.

This photo captured a hilarious moment we wish we caught on camera. Miles looked at Carson and said "Dee dee!" - not understanding that the baby was real. Once Carson moved, Miles jumped and looked really confused. He got this huge Barnie Fife smirk on his face and then looked around at our reactions. He had no idea Carson was a real person. So funny.

We had been working for weeks with Miles on saying Carson's name with no luck. But, he finally got it! It may not come out quite right, but adorable none the less. "Dee dee Carchee"

Short, party of 4!!

Miles was SO adorable and looked genuinely excited about the baby. I was so relieved because I was worried he'd feel sad. Since being home, that excitement, curiosity and acceptance of Carson has continued and I couldn't be more happy. Our sweet, sweet boy :)

Happy Birthday Carson Levi!

April 15, 2019, Carson Levi Short made is grand debut weighing in at 6lbs 7oz and 20.5 inches long. He shot out like a cannon at 4:33am just 33 minutes after being admitted. You know, places to go, people to see...

Proud Dada

Haha

Hearing test - passed with flying colors!

We relaxed the rest of that morning before having visitors come by. I really wanted Miles to see/meet him first so that afternoon Becky brought him up to meet his new baby brother. It was such a cute interaction and Miles was just in awe of Carson. We got a bunch of cute photos and videos which I'll be posting as a separate blog just the two of them. So, stay tuned for that!

In the meantime, we had some other visitors as well! 

Our friend Reese also came to visit but we didn't grab a photo with her. Oops!

The nurses were fantastic and the staff took great care of us, but even with that said, hospitals are no place to sleep. So Stephen and I were excited to be discharged and get back to our own space - and most importantly, bed!

Freedom! Discharged and ready to be home

Semi-Pro Golfer

Stephen went a bought Miles this cutie Fisher Price golf set. I must say. He's gotten really good. And he LOVES it! We've determined golf must be genetic.

Dada showing him proper form and hitting techniques

At first, he'd just chop at the ball until he made contact.

Later on, he began to master the multiple left to right swings until he made contact.

Now, he takes the club, does this little shimmy, lines up and hits.

....sometimes hitting others in the process haha. Watch out for that back swing!

The perfected skills: