January 14, 2017
Dear Isaac Karl,
As I write this, you are lying next to me on the couch,
leaned up against my leg, wiggling and looking around. You are eagerly sucking
on a pacifier, even as you endure hiccups, and the front of your dark hair is
sticking straight up. We have now known each other for 5 and a half weeks, and
what a joy those weeks have been! I have cuddled you just as much as I possibly
can during that time, only putting you down when I need both hands and my back
is aching from wearing you. I just love cuddling you – and you don’t seem to
mind it either!
The first weeks of a baby’s life are so amazing, because
every day he visibly changes and develops. This has certainly been the case
with you. We have watched you open your eyes more each day, and look around the
room and take it all in. We have watched your little limbs uncurl, getting used
to having much more space than was in the womb, and have helped you discover
your strength as you work on pushing with your legs, holding your head up, and
even looking around. The greatest joy of all has been watching your little
smile emerge. You spent the first 5 weeks of life looking like a grumpy,
skeptical (but still very handsome!) old man. But at 5 weeks, we saw for the
first time your dear little smile, which softens your face almost as much as it
softens our hearts to melting. You first offered this smile in earnest to your
dad, but then when I came over to see, you presented me with an equally
wonderful grin. Your favorite time to smile is in the mornings, so we soak up
as many then as we possibly can!
You continue to be a very easy-going, content, patient
little boy – remarkably so even with your sister, who is so eager to help us
take care of you! When she comes downstairs in the morning, the first thing she
does is run over to your little rocker and see if you are there. If you are,
she will sometimes lean over to give you a kiss. When you cry, we will
sometimes come into the room to see that Grace is already offering you a
pacifier – though she isn’t very adept at getting it in your mouth and keeping
it there, so it is often a game of her poking your face with it until she gets
it in your mouth, and when she finally does, she sometimes yanks it back out to try again. You patiently endure her efforts! We have also seen her offer you a small stuffed animal to make you feel
better, and she enjoys helping us to burp you, and just this week she has been
learning how to give you a bottle. Again, she isn’t always entirely successful
(she as often causes you to choke as she does actually feed you), but you are
so kind in letting her try. She loves you very much, Isaac – I hope you will
always remember that, even in the future when you are arguing! |
| Being 1 month old is exhausting! |
You don’t cry very much, though as you get more active you
are crying and fussing a little more. When you are hungry, you’ll let us know
with your hands and breathing, then finally if we don’t respond, you let out a
cry for a few moments, then wait for us to respond before you continue. You
sometimes struggle to eat, usually due to gas (which also causes you to cry). A
quick burp and you’re right back on track. Most recently, you are crying when
you want to be held. It takes only a moment to please you in this case, as you
snuggle quickly into our arms, once again content. (In my days at home with
you, my various baby carriers have come in very useful in this way! I can do
the dishes, and you can snuggle up to Mama. Everyone wins.) One of our favorite things you do is when you sneeze, you punctuate it with a sighing, "Awwww!" or sometimes a more adament, "Owwhhh!" Adorable, every time. You eat pretty
well, as much as 5oz at a time, and every 2 hours. You are sleeping well – if
not yet through the night, at least on a schedule. We put you to bed around 10,
you wake to eat between 1am and 2am, then again about 4am, going right back to
sleep after each, then again at 7am, after which you are up and ready to engage
with the world. I told a pediatrician this, and she was very impressed that you
are already on a schedule! Way to go, kid!
 |
| Sealed with the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ |
Your first month of life has also had a couple of exciting
things (aside from holidays with your grandparents, aunt and uncle, and cousin!)
– one good, one bad, both on New Years Day. First the good – that morning was
your baptism! It was, of course, a joyous event, which took place at one of my
churches where I am the pastor, St. Martin Lutheran Church. Your Grandpa Dick
baptized you, your Grandma Lois held you, and you wore your daddy’s baptismal
gown, which your Grammy MayMay brought for you. Neither of your godmothers
 |
| Getting ready to go home from the hospital |
The not so good part came later. We noticed you were feeling
a little warm that night, and took your
 |
| Hanging out with mom |
All in all, I have adored these 5 weeks with you, my sweet
Isaac. Already I am in awe of you, I admire you, and my affection for you is so
deep. You’ve made my heart melt and grow and burst, all at once! I can’t
imagine loving you any more, but of course, each day, I do! We can’t wait to
see your personality continue to blossom, even as we want you to stay this way
forever. I love you, my dear, sweet little boy, my Laughter, my Isaac!
Love,
Your
Mama
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