Happy 2 week Birthday Connor (a day late)

Hi little man,

You're only 2 weeks old and already mommy can't keep up with you.  Yesterday we celebrated your 2 week birthday and mommy had great intentions of writing all about it but to be honest she just got too tired.  As daddy told you yesterday was a fun day.  You got some good rest, woke up and played for quite a while, moved pods, and had your first babysitting adventure with Grandma and Gigi while daddy and mommy both left the hospital together for the first time.

In two weeks it's amazing how much you've already changed.  Especially the past few days your daddy and I have been talking about how different you look.  You have been chugging down your milkshakes and as the scale shows you're gaining some weight.  A few ounces makes a big difference on a little guy.  You are so animated with your facial expressions.  When you get mad it's very obvious to everyone.  You love to raise one of your eyebrows and look around when you're curious.  Despite the tubes in your mouth both daddy and I swear we can see you smile.  It's also pretty funny when you stick your tongue out or try and suck on the suction machine.

Your hands are another story.  For a little man you have pretty big and active hands.  You LOVE to hold onto your tubes and it often seems that you are just waiting for the perfect time to give them a good yank.  The nurses get nervous when they see your blanket moving and you sneak those hands out despite their best burrito efforts.  They have to change your oxygen monitors and leads a lot more often then they do on most kiddos because you are so active and the stickers wear off.  Mommy and daddy try really hard to keep your hands busy while you're awake so they don't have to give you any of that sleepy medicine to keep your tubes safe.  You love to wave and do baby aerobics.  You appear to throw out a lot of gang signs with those busy fingers and more than once your nurses have caught you sticking up one finger in particular (always seems to happen after they do something you don't like).

You love laying on your left side.  Mommy and daddy think that might be the case so that you can hear what's going on since it seems your right ear is your better ear.  I also think it's because you face the door and then you can see who's coming after you.  Last night the nurse turned you to your right side and used your baby tempurpedic cushion to prop you that way.  By the time she washed her hands you were flipped back to your left side and she was amazed.  You do this several times a day but it keeps us all on our toes.  Being a physical therapist mommy is always especially worried about turning you but I have to admit I love seeing that you have the strength to undo our best efforts.

As you may have realized your Grandma is pretty big on celebrating birthdays and holidays.  As she did last week she brought you a birthday treat.  A pumpkin cookie with 2 candles.  Daddy and I split the cookie in your honor and you'll be getting a taste of it in your milkshake before long.  She also brought you a little stuffed animal dog.  It makes crinkly sounds and if you squeeze it you hear a dog barking.  Grandma thought you might be missing that sound since you heard Ollie and Lexi barking so much while you were in mommy's belly.  Your new toy has a ring on it which you seem to enjoy hanging onto plus it lets us hang it on your crib.  Thanks Grandma for the treats and we can't thank you enough for babysitting :)

When the doctors rounded at night they literally had nothing to say about you except that they hoped for a quiet night and no fever.  This is definitely one of those times when no news is good news.  The weekends are pretty quiet here so mommy and daddy were able to get a sleep room without a problem.  Gigi stayed in your room with you so mommy and daddy could cuddle up on our little cot down the hall and get some rest. You woke up for a little while in the middle of the night when mommy was in here but went back to sleep without a major fit.  Gigi looked out for you and kept you happy all night. Thank goodness for Gigi.

This morning you were wide awake and happy which was a special treat since you haven't proven to be much of a morning person.  Now you're sound asleep while mommy watches her Bengals kick some Cleveland butt (hopefully they keep it up).  Can't wait to play some more later.

I love you Connor,
Mommy