Gone Bananas!

So, at first, Daniel wasn't for the introduction...

But, he eventually realized, they weren't so bad.

That is, once he figured out the spoon...

Things got better from then on.

Daniel loved them!


We tried baby food for the first time after Daniel got the go ahead at his 4-month well visit today. He did surprisingly well with the spoon and the bananas. He also handled his shots like a pro! He's weighing in at 16 lbs 1 1/2 oz, measuring at 25 1/2 in long, and his head is 17 inches in circumference. All are in the 75th percentile. Dr. Cormier said that he looked like a 6-month-old! We are so proud of our growing, good-eating boy!

You'd Never Guess...

But Daniel is already two months old!

Here are some of the things that took place during his second month:

In his 5th week:
He found his Mommy's hair.
He took his first trp to west Tennessee.
He got a case of baby acne.
He started kicking and pushing off of whoever held him.
He was able to hold his head up for 20 or more seconds.
HE ROLLED OVER from his belly to his back!

In his 6th week:
He moved out of newborn diapers into size 1's.
He had his first sleepover at his Mimi's.
He was really recognizing his Mommy and Daddy.

In his 7th week:
He slept through the night for the first time... 8 whole hours!
Unfortunately, it hasn't remained consistant.
He stayed awake much longer throughout each day.
He began wearing 3 month clothes.
He started cooing like crazy.
He fell in love with his mobile.

In his 8th week:
He began trying to roll from his back to his belly.
He had a week-long visit from his second-cousin, James Evan.
He had his 2-month checkup which included his 1st round of shots.
He only cried for a minute during the 3 shots.

He took his rotovirus liquid immunization like a pro!
He weighed 12 lbs. 10 ounces (in the 75th percentile).
He was 23.5 inches long (70th percentile).
He got his very first pair of swimming trunks and sunglasses.
He started mimic-ing his mom (sticking out our tongues).
He tried sleeping through the night... 3 nights in a row.

Guess Who Is...

Daniel Benjamin is! He is one month old today, and I cannot tell you how much he has changed. It is such a blessing watching him grow, seeing his facial expressions, and hearing his sweet little voice. Here are just a few of the things that happened in Daniel's first month:

In Daniel's 1st week:
He spent two days in the hospital.
He lost a few ounces there.
He slept... a lot.
He was visited by many friends and family.
He finished the week by gaining his birth weight back.

In Daniel's 2nd week:
He weighed in at 9 lbs. and 6 1/2 ounces.
He had an ultrasound of his kidney.
He was cleared of any abnormalities!
He cried... a lot.
He began smiling in his sleep.

In Daniel's 3rd week:
He had his first church visit and got his Bible.
He took his first trip to Walmart.
He met his cousins for the first time.
He went to the playground with them.
He started crying/screaming after every feeding.
It was determined he has reflux and started Zantac.
He would not sleep through the night.
He weighed 9 lbs. and 11 ounces.
He had his newborn pictures taken.

In Daniel's 4th week:
He would smile while on the changing table.
He had his first Cracker Barrel visit.
He grew out of his newborn clothes.
He started blowing out diapers...
and messing over whoever was holding him.
He laughed and giggled in his sleep.
He slept three hours at a time.

The Pediatrician and The Pain

As a young woman, I never took it literally when I read in Genesis 3 about the Lord's promise to women. He clearly says, "I will greatly multiply your sorrow in your conception; in sorrow you shall bear children..." GREATLY MULTIPLY. I totally understand that concept now, having just given birth to my first child four days ago.

However, I don't think that I realized that the pain wouldn't just be during delivery. The contractions beforehand were excrutiating, the hurt just to receive an epidural was insane, and delivery itself had to be what they meant when they created the word, "pain." But, that verse in Genesis doesn't tell you what happens afterwards... Maybe it does in some ways, but the pain you feel as a parent has only just begun.

We took Daniel for his first pediatrician's appointment today. It's the most difficult thing watching your child ache, seeing him squirm and squeal, and hearing his cries for help, knowing there is nothing you can do. It's all a part of life, and as he cooed his way through having his blood taken, after being poked, prodded, and pulled on, it was an overwhelming sense of pain that I felt.

Pain because I knew this wouldn't be the last time he would hurt. There will come times when he aches, and I will not be able to heal his hurts. From that first fever to his first skinned knee, to his first broken heart and his first realization that he is lost, I cannot stop pain from coming his way.

As I endured the pain of delivery, I never understood that my heart could hurt worse than any contraction or push I might attempt. I imagine this is the sorrow and pain God felt when He saw His Son dying on the cross... Can you even fathom what God felt? I don't think I can, but as I saw that Garfield band-aid across Daniel's tiny foot today, I pictured it. I imagined the pain He felt. I attempted to understand the love the Father had for His Son. Because, friends, I have it. I have more love than I ever thought possible for this little boy, and I am thankful for the pain because it means having him.

By the way, everything looks good. No weight loss, no jaundice, no fever... Just a healthy, little gift from God.

Here he is, all ready for the doctor!


Daniel didn't necessarily like the doctor!


Daniel's treat when he got home from the doctor: his first time in the swing!