Get What You Need

I NEED it! is a constant refrain at our house recently. Eli seems to be unable to distinguish things that he wants from things that he needs. Or maybe when you're two and a half, there is no difference. Either way, we see a lot of this sort of face..... his being so tall and so independent doesn't help in our battle to control the "needs" as he can help himself to pretty much everything below 4 feet (and given time and a stool anything above that level too)!

In Ezra news, the three week mark passed last Thursday. He continues to be a very good baby, sleeping 3 - 4 hours at night and sometimes as much as 5 hours. He's often eating every 2 hours during the day, but that is probably because he is growing so quickly. The newborn clothes and the first tiny cloth diapers are nearly things of the past. Here are some photos from last Friday.

A Whole Lotta Love

A visit from family on Sunday made our day. Ezra didn't know one little baby could get so much cuddling and loving in a single day and Eli had forgotten how much fun his older cousins are. Eli also didn't know he could be so tired!

Ezra with Papaw and Vicki

and with Nana

The complete set of first cousins

In other news, it is worthwhile to read the funny posts about "Why" at News from the Crib (scroll down to "why part ii") and Pea Patch Post. We're beginning to see the inquistiveness here in Eli's question: "'Dis?" We're also beginning to see the assertion of food preference "I don't like it." Good times to come...

2 Weeks+

Ezra was two weeks old on Thursday and his visit to the doctor found him weighing in at 10lbs, which was right where he should have been. The doctor gave him permission to wake himself up to eat at night rather than us setting the alarm. He's doing four-hour stretches and even at the end of that he doesn't cry for food - he just grunts a little. I think we are pretty safe in saying he's one of the best babies ever.

It is wonderful having a baby again, they are so warm and cuddly. But it also makes all the wonderful big boy things Eli can do now all the more astounding - how fast they grow! Eli continues to love baby Ezra, but he also continues to be off his routine and less cooperative than usual. Time is surely the only remedy.

Full, happy, and sleepy - the best way to be

Eli LOVES his baby brother

Eli loves his baby brother

One Week Old

Ezra marked his one-week birthday yesterday and we're thrilled at how well he's doing. He eats well, but patiently waits 3 or 4 hours between feedings. He sits in his bouncy seat or goes right back to sleep after eating and is just the best baby. While he continues to look even more like Eli did at this age, it is already obvious that they have very different personalities - Ezra is much more calm than Eli was as an infant.

Ezra - 1 week old with a full tummy
Big Brother and Baby Brother
And just for fun, here is Ezra and....
then Eli when he was about 1 week old

New Plan

So Chris and I made careful plans for Ezra's arrival and homecoming. Those are now officially out the window. After experiencing extreme fatigue and light-headedness followed by a trip to the ER for tightness in my throat and chest, the doctor diagnosed me with exhaustion and probably anxiety attacks caused by the crazy hormones. The prescription: rest. So I've laid in the bed for two days while Chris and my mother (our Angel of Mercy) have managed Eli and Ezra. The good news is that this is working and I hope to rejoin the land of the living downstairs on the couch tomorrow.

Eli is very excited (perhaps a bit too excited) about Ezra being at home. He's been extra active and a little hard to manage, but overall we think he's doing pretty well with all the craziness. He loves to give Ezra hugs and kisses, never mind that they are a bit too vigorous.

For his part, Ezra seems pretty happy with his lot in life and doesn't mind his brother's attentions. He's eating well and had nearly regained his birth weight on Tuesday. I think he would sleep more than 3 hour stretches, but the doctor wanted us to continue to wake him at that interval for feedings. He's really an excellent baby and loves to be held and cuddled. You'll find a few photos below, but they really don't do him justice. I'm sure you won't be surprised that no one has had a chance to do proper photo shoots - I hope Ezra will forgive us for this later on. He's really a cutie and does remind us of Eli in a lot of ways especially the nose and blond hair.

So all in all, not the homecoming we had planned. Yet, we're home and happy to be here in our new life as a family of four.

Home At Last

Full and Happy

But, oh-so sleepy

Contentment

So That's what a baby brother is

Eli came to visit his mama and brother Ezra in the hospital today. He was a little overwhelmed and after about 30 minutes wanted to go play outside, but overall he seemed ok with things.

I took him home and we ate some PB&Banana, filled up the bird feeders (his new favorite thing to do), and swung.

Sherry and Ezra are both doing well and should be discharged tomorrow. We (all 4!) appreciate all the well wishes.

Ezra Arrives

The wait is finally over.

Ezra McMillan Wyatt

Born 3/3/2011 @ 12:20 pm
9 lbs 8 oz, 22 3/4 in long

Still Waiting....

After a week of cramps, contractions, nausea, dropping and other fun things, Baby Brother is still enjoying the easy life on the inside. Although there has been some progress, the doctor is giving him his eviction notice late tonight so stay tuned tomorrow.