Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Peach Picking and Updates

I know that I’ve neglected posting anything for an entire week, even though I’ve had plenty to post. Unfortunately, Tate has taken up most of my days – who would’ve guessed that the many feedings, diaper changes, and just general attention would take up so much of my time? Fortunately, Ed has been really helpful (ie taking Tate when he’s fussy and helping around the house because I have no energy whatsoever to clean or do the dishes).


Last Thursday, Tate received his graduation gift from Ed’s parents. It’s a small Harvard rocker that he can sit in – kind of like Daddy’s West Point chair. It’s so cute and I hope that Tate and Daddy will be able to spend lots of reading time in each other’s respective chairs. There’s nothing like bonding over a good bookJ







Saturday, Ed and I took Tate on his first adventure outside. We decided to take him peach picking in Delaplane, Virginia. We were able to put him in our front carrier even though he’s not supposed to fit into the front carrier until he’s ten pounds. Don’t worry, his neck was supported and Ed kept a good eye on him to make sure that everything was okay. We also coated his little arms and legs with sunscreen and he wore a hat for more sun protection. I definitely don’t want him to have any skin issues so early in life (I remember a time when some of my friends used to use tanning accelerants and there were times I didn’t use sunscreen at all – I know…that wasn’t the smartest thing to do). Peach picking was a ton of fun. We went early in the morning so that we could avoid the 90 degree day (even though at 9AM in the morning it was well over 80 degrees). We were able to pick about 22 pounds of peaches. I know that sounds like a lot, but it was only two small bags.




As for Tate, he seems to be progressing well. These past two days, he has been a ferocious eater (I think that he's getting a double chin and his cheeks are so chubby now!). I’m hoping that it’s another growth spurt (it’s my understanding that babies have a growth spurt at around three weeks). If he’s having a growth spurt, Ed will be happy to hear it – Ed doesn’t want Tate to be small like my family. He’s concerned that Tate will be shorter than 5’10’’. So…if he keeps having growth spurts, then Ed will be pleased.
Lately, Tate has started smiling more. I’m not sure if he’s able to associate smiling with an emotion yet. He’s also started staring at Ed and I more. I think that his vision is starting to mature. Even though his eyesight is getting better, I’m afraid that he’ll be destined to wear glasses/contacts. Ed and I both wear glasses/contacts. So…we will need to invest in corrective lenses for Tate at some point. Talking about his senses – Tate had his hearing test last week. He passed the test with flying colors.




Also, Ed has been busy putting together Tate's room. We have decided to go with an Alaska themed room. We purchased stuffed animal heads, which are adorable and Ed put together a toy plane (even though as times, I think that the plane may be more for Ed's benefit than Tate's, but I'll play along with his story -- haha!). I've included a couple of pictures -- don't worry we're not done yet. We also purchased some pieces of art from Nathalie Parenteau. Once we frame the pictures, we'll put them in Tate's room and post them on the blog.






On a non-Tate note, the cats seem to be doing okay. I think that Whiskers is getting a little jealous. As I was writing this blog, she tried to lie on my right arm and begged for attention in her own little way. She only seems to come around the baby when he’s asleep – yeah, I know, Whiskers isn’t the bravest cat alive. Tiger on the other hand, seems to be getting along just fine. He’ll actually come around when the baby is awake as well as when he’s asleep. They do, however, agree upon not coming around the baby when he’s throwing a fit/is in a crying rage. Go figure!

Monday, July 14, 2008

12 Days and Counting....


Tate's two week check up was today. His stats are as follows:

Weight: 7 pounds 10 ounces (25th percentile -- there must be some really fat babies out there!)
Height: 21 inches (75th percentile)
His head is in the 75th percentile (I don't remember the dimensions)

Since his last appointment, which was last week, he has gained almost an entire pound (last week, he lost 6% of his birth weight and he weighed 6 pounds 10 ounces). I guess that breast milk is really fatty. Also, the cluster feedings that he had earlier this week really paid off. Good thing because if he lost anymore weight, it would have been really discouraging to continue breast feeding.


Tate has been really busy these past two weeks. He has had tons of company. Ed's Mom visited for almost a week. This past Friday, my entire family of 16 people visited for the afternoon. Fortunately, Tate was able to sleep through most of the chaos. He has also been to quite a few restaurants, the airport, the grocery store, and more... Most people are surprised to see such a little baby behave so well -- so are we!

For the most part Tate has been an excellent baby. He only cries when he's hungry, has a dirty diaper, or is naked (how modest!). For some reason, he desires to be clothed at all times -- I don't think that he understands the concept of being naked during a diaper change or a bath. He has also started to focus on Mom and Dad more and is able to give us a little smirk at times.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Home for the 4th of July!

Tate and the rest of us escaped from the Hospital on the 4th of July to make it home. Tate's getting used to keeping Mom & Dad awake and helping raise profits for the diaper industry. He didn't mind the local fireworks, has little sneezes when the cats come around and is either extremely happy or awfully rascally.

Mom is still catching up on sleep and will start posting again soon.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Hair!!!

David Tate Matthaidess was born this morning at 11:24 AM, a healthy 7 lbs 3 ounce, 20 inch long little Ranger with a head full of hair (from his Mom of course). Mom and Baby are doing fine at the Fort Belvoir Hospital. More pictures later...