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I think we're finally beginning to get the hang of this thing called parenthood. There's no real routines yet or even regularlity but there's a lot less fumblimg, searching, wondering, and most importantly, challenges.

Declan's eating well now. For the first week and a half he was losing more weight than he should have but seems to be packing it on nicely now and 15 minute feedings now only take 20 minutes. Last night was probably the best sleeping night we've had yet. While he did wake up every three hours for a feeding and a few diaper changes, there were no extended crying sessions like there have been. Wake up, change, feed, change, go to sleep. That I can handle. It was the staying awake for 2 hours between 3am and 5am while he screamed for most of the time that was considerably more trying of my patience.

All the little tasks that used to require both Jen and I are now second nature and can be performed by just one of us and so we're better able to sub for each other better so we both get our downtime.

Now that things have settled down, we'd love to let people start meeting Declan. So let us know if you want to swing by and meet the little fellow. We're home most the time, just give us a call in advance so we can schedule feedings and whatnot accordingly.

Lots more pics are up...   

When Zoe was born, I worked up a little website for her... and her Dad (Jen's Brother) created a great logo for her... so, of course, I had to ask Brian work up a logo for Declan and he came up with a bunch of great options (he does fabulous creative work, including Efficion's logo, if you're ever looking for great looking stuff).

I'm undecided on a favorite and will probably use several of them once I create a site for Declan.   Read More...

It's interesting trying to get to know someone who has such a limited range of communication techniques. I'm always trying to figure out what's going on in that mind of his and Jen and I have great fun voicing his thoughts for him.

I've decided he's got three levels of cries... Level I is actually kind of cute once you get used to it, and believe me we have. Level II is a bit disconcerting but usually comes with a soon to end event such as a diaper change, waking him up for a feeding, or ...  Level III, particularly in the wee hours, just isn't good. When level III happens you desperately search for the cause and try everything you can to alleviate his concerns ASAP, but unfortunately, it's usually gas or hunger, there's little to be done for gas and for hunger, you gotta get him down to Level I before it can be addressed.

He sleeps a lot, but has many expressions, poses, and even arm movements during so it's still fascinating to just watch him.

The most fun though is when he's fully alert (probably only happens around 2% of the time at this point). His eyes open wide and just seem to be taking in everything around him, and when he stares into my eyes, I feel so connected to him.

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After a 4 day stint at the hospital (St John's), we finally got to go home today. While we'll miss the ability to let the nursery staff handle some of the late night hours, it sure is nice to be home.

Declan seems to be taking to his new surroundings well. He was alert for quite some time today, by far the most since birth. His eyes are dark with hints of blue, green, and brown. It was wonderful watching him look around and take it all in... and his reaction the first time I played the piano for him was... well... precious (am I allowed to use that term now?).

For the most part, he's a content and happy little guy. He can get pretty worked up over gas and he's not very consistent yet with feeding. We're trying to exclusively breastfeed at this point and while the nurses say he's actually doing quite well, he's lost 11% of his birthweight (a bit more than normal) and he's only successful at 50% of his feedings and those usually take over one hour for 15 minutes of actual feeding. So that's a struggle for us and consumes much of our day... but the benefits of breastfeeding are huge and you pretty much have to go one way or the other (at least at the beginning).

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Declan turned one day old today... he's growing up so fast... Yesterday was a busy day with constant visits from nurses and other hospital staff poking, prodding, advising, and questioning mommy and baby along with Declan's first meeting of his great grandparents and reunited with his grandparents (Jen's parents).

Today has been more mellow with time to practise eating and feeding, and time for dad to figure out the diapering thing and just getting to know our little guy better.

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Baby and mom are sleeping peacefully as I write this. Declan's a big, healthy boy at 8 pounds, 9 ounces and 21 inches long. He's perfect as can be other than standard newborn issues with a bit of a cone head and baby acne but still cute as can be.

Mom and baby worked hard at getting him out the old fashioned way but he just couldn't get past the cervix so after 11.5 hours of labor, we changed courses and went with a C-section, 30 minutes later, he was out, crying, and covered in goo...   Read More...