4 weeks

Colin is 4 weeks today!  This first month has flown by.  I have to say it has gone so well.  Definitely easier the second time around.  You know what to expect and I am happy to say we have him in a great routine (thanks to my tried and true Baby Whisperer book).  He is eating and sleeping great!  As we hit this 4 week mark his alertness has definitely increased and we have enjoyed getting to see his eyes exploring us and his surroundings.  We have even seen a few "real" smiles and can't wait for many more.

He is so good at holding up his head and actually enjoys some tummy time.  One of my favorite times is after his bath and I do some skin to skin time with him to get him warm and he just stares into my eyes.  It is just perfect!

Just like Whitney he is an extremely loud sleeper, so he moved into his room at 2 weeks.  I know, it seems so young to make the move but I am sleeping so much better!

Today at his check up he weighed 11 lbs 12 oz (90%) and 22 1/2 inches (70%).  He is growing so fast!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the last couple of weeks. 

Love from his Big Sis and wearing another fingerprint onesie from Whitney.

 Sporting the "Gender Reveal" shoes.

Looking up to his Big Sis

 An early morning

 Lounging after a massage

 Priceless...whenever we are in the car she always holds his hand.

The next few pictures are from today.

He has bad diaper rash, so I was airing him out...hence all the towels.

Love

I try to take in this time while Whitney is napping.

Easter

April is almost over and with obviously little time on the computer, I rush to get our Easter pictures up.  We did a lot of fun activities so I wanted to make sure to document it!

At bible study the kids had another performance day. It was night and day compared to the Christmas one.  This one she fully participated in the singing and hand motions.  So cute!

                                    A few crafts.

No making fun of my drawings please.

Palm Sunday at Church...little did we know that a few hours later real labor would begin!

                                         A surprise Easter Egg hunt after church.

                                          Stirring up the dye for eggs.

         Thank you Pinterest for the brilliant idea of using a whisk for dipping eggs!

                         Colin's participation in egg dying.

          The hunt for the Easter basket.  It was so cute how she "read" each one.

Pooped after the hunt.

                                 Easter Egg hunt in our back yard.

                                   The last one!

Whitney decided the way to get to the egg was to pull on Papa's nose.

We then had a delicious supper prepared by our family.  It was a wonderful Easter!

Meeting the Butlers

Last weekend we had a get together so that some of the Butler side of the family could meet Colin.  All of my Mom's siblings were there which was so fun.  Kristi, Mike and Joey made the trip up too.  We had a great time visiting with everyone and showing off our little boy.  I just wish I got some more pictures of everyone!  Thank you for coming to see us!
                                          Cousin Kristi

                                          Great Aunt Helen

                                          Cousin Joey

                                          Auntie Ann

                                          We have one big little boy!

                                          These two always have a blast together!

Big Sister

Whitney has totally embraced her new little brother.  There was a lot of anticipation leading up to his arrival and talking about all the things she was going to get to do with him. I forgot to mention there was a lot she wouldn't be able to do at first.  Oops! That caused for a few rocky moments. So, the first few days were all about figuring out what it is she actually can help with.   One of her favorites is restocking the diapers. She also likes to help burp him.  Hopefully, her eagerness will continue to grow as he does!

She showers him with snuggles and kisses.  She says "Bless You" when he sneezes, and "Excuse You" when he dirties his diaper.  In the car she holds his hand.  If she hears him crying she rushes to help.  When we first put her down at night and she hears him crying she yells down, "Mama, the baby ok"?

She learned to say Colin pretty quickly, though its more like "Tolin".  But it is super cute to hear her say his name.  The other day, she said "Mama, Colin loves you".   How precious is that!  And since then she has said, "I love my boy".  Ok, that's even more precious! We couldn't be more proud of our little girl!

                                            That is an amazing smile.

                                            Little TV time at the hospital.

                                            Some more together time over TV.

                                          Fingerprint onesie made by Whitney.

                                      Story time.

Colin Timothy

On April 2, 2012 Colin Timothy O'Neill was born at 3:43am.  He was 8lbs 6oz and 22 inches.

It is hard to even explain the joy, the peace and the happiness that this little boy has already brought to our lives.  When he looks at me my heart just melts.  I feel he is saying, Mom, everything is ok.  I am here.  And what a relief it is to finally be holding him in my arms.

I am looking forward to all the adventures that this little boy is going to bring to our lives. But for now I am soaking in this newborn phase.  They are tiny for such a short period of time.  At five days he had already surpassed his birth weight!  Day 11 he was 9 lbs 6 oz.  I think he is going to be in the highest percentile, just like his big sis.  Keeping in accordance of Whitney, he is jaundice and has his blue light on him at all times.  We are hoping he will be off it for good tomorrow.

Throwing us of a bit, in this wonderfully blissful time, I am not only sick with some sort of cold, but Colin and I have pink eye!   Not fun.  I hope this weekend we can take lots of naps and feel better soon!

We can't thank our family and friends enough for the heartfelt emails and notes we have received.  We love that everyone is celebrating in the arrival of Colin.  A huge thank you to our family who has been a tremendous help in the first week.  Keeping us fed and letting us nap!  We couldn't have done it without you!

                                   She's ready to meet her baby brother!

Ready to head home.  Tigger socks from Whitney.

                            Loving his massages!