Oh-Bla-Di

So, we’re two weeks in to this two kids thing and it’s going pretty ok so far. Of course, we’ve had lots of help in the form of delivered meals and visiting grandparents, but Noah’s also been a pretty chill kiddo. Since Noah’s hit a milestone that requires a doctor’s visit (so many of those in our future!), I thought it might be time for a little list to share all about him.

At two weeks, Noah…

*Is a champion eater. No issues and that has made all the difference in my frustration levels. Feeding was the most challenging part of the first two weeks with Ava, and I’m so grateful that we’ve been able to work this important function out so quickly.

*Definitely looks like he’s gained a good bit of weight…and, we found out at his appointment today that he has!  Noah weighed in at 8lbs, 12 oz, and was 21.25 in.  Baby boy is getting big!

*Is staying awake for longer stretches during the day. Doozy’s now able to keep his eyes (which we think are going to be blue) open for hour long stretches two or three times a day. We try to make sure one of those hours is between 7pm and 9pm.

*Goes to bed at 9pm and usually wakes up to be fed between 2am and 3am. Glorious. It’s not even so bad that he’s usually up at 6am, since that’s when we get up with Ava anyway.

*Is getting more comfortable with the idea that his arms are attached to his body and, sometimes, they flail around. He sleeps in a Woombie at night (thanks for the tip, Sara!) which seems to keep him very happy, but he’s getting better at sleeping unswaddled during the day.

*Has giggled at us….twice! Noah is very ticklish and will laugh when tickled. He also smiles quite a bit. And, yes, I’m certain it’s not just gas.

*Sleeps right through his sister’s hooting and hollering, but also doesn’t seem to mind her Eskimo kisses and affection when he’s awake.

To sum it up, we sure love our little guy and we’re excited that he’s growing so well and so happily!  Looking forward to sharing more again soon!

I have a two-week update post written, but can’t get the pictures and video uploaded for it tonight.  Check back here for it tomorrow.  I promise!

In the meantime, go visit our photographer’s blog to catch a sneak peek of our newborn photo session with Noah.  If you visit, be sure to leave a comment (one per person) since Angela is running a deal that gets us free prints for your comments!  

I’m so excited to add this photo to a long line of photos commemorating Hoffman kids and Caspers kids meeting for the first time.

Thank goodness for forever friends.

As I mentioned when I wrote to Ava last week, one of the reasons I was so certain that adding another child to our family was a good idea is that it was so very clear that Ava was going to be an amazing big sister. Of course, seeing the two of them together has been a bit overwhelming to the emotions. Ava’s accepted Noah with an open and loving heart, which has made the transition just that much more easy on us all.

Ava and Noah met for the first time in the hospital, on the day he was born. We were a bit nervous about how it would go, since she’d been so determined that her new sibling was going to be a baby sister. Sarah did a great job prepping Ava for her visit, since by the time she arrived you’d never have known that her initial reaction to the news of her baby brother had put her in a state of complete shock.

Her first reaction was a little underwhelming, since a balloon was still the major attraction…

But, she warmed up to the idea of holding her baby brother and took to the activity like a fish to water.

Since we’ve been home, Ava’s been willing to help fetch things we need for Noah, to hold diapers during changes, and to just be sweet to him in general. Given how much her world has been rocked in the last few days, she’s doing really well adjusting to all the newness.

Of course, we’ve been working on keeping boundaries in place, rules the same, and as much normalcy for Ava as possible. She’s been testing us a bit and a little more needy, but we’re already seeing progress in how she’s doing. It’s amazing how big she seems now (and how heavy)! Doozy brought Ava her own baby doll when he came and that baby has been a near-permanent fixture in her arms and her bed at nighttime. Love that.

We’ve been learning to balance the needs of two also. Luckily, Noah doesn’t need much beyond the basics yet, so we have time and energy still to let Ava know she’s still our number one girl. Mostly, that just means letting her be a part of anything we can…so far, so good.

Love that our family has grown. Love that Ava loves her brother. This sibling thing is going to be pretty great, I think. Can’t wait to watch them grow together.

I’m the new guy here.

Friday, August 27, 2010. 10:36 am PDT.

7 lbs, 8 oz. 20 in.

ETA: I finally have a name! Noah Matthew Caspers will be on my birth certificate.