Week 3!

Levi is 3 weeks old today! 

Let me start off by apologizing to my loved ones for the delay in communication about Levi's birth. It has been brought to my attention by several people that I care about that they were bummed that I had waited so long (several days to 2 weeks) to let them know about Levi's arrival. I won't offer any excuses on my part, I'll only say 'I'm sorry' and that I didn't mean to hurt anyone. 

Levi had a check up last Tuesday and he's gained over a pound, which means he's doing good and growing on schedule. I have been exclusively breast feeding which, luckily has been going good as well. There's been a few minor issues and besides it being somewhat exhausting for Mom, all is well and feeling pretty grateful that I have been able to breast feed. 

We are planning to introduce him to a bottle this week though, so we have a back up option. Plus Mommy has an outside engagement on Wednesday afternoon that we need to have a back up for. I'm beginning to realize that like many things in life, balance is key. Although it's tempting to want to be available to him 24-7, it's not possible for me personally as I know I am a healthier, happier person when I am also engaged in my own activities and self-care practices. I am confident he will be just fine, although it's hard to leave him. I imagine this is a tension and balance I will work on constantly as a parent. 

We had our first social outing last Sunday! Levi and I went to my friend Christina's house where she was hosting a night of dinner and games with a bunch of our friends. I am still very nervous to bring him out and concerned about germs and things. I had let my friends know ahead of time that I wouldn't be able to come if anyone was sick, and that admiring Levi from a distance would be best since he is still so small. All went well until I realized I had forgotten to bring extra diapers and had only left the house with 2. Considering we go through about 15-20 diapers per day, I realized it was going to be a problem when right after I put the second clean one on him, he went number 1 and 2 right away (which seems to happen all the time, lol). My friends acted quickly and we came up with the temporary solution to put a clean maxi pad over the soiled diaper to keep him dry until I could get home. It worked! 2 points for creative solutions! Ha!

My brother Jesse flew in from NYC on Thursday and stayed just over 24 hours to meet Levi. It was so nice having him here, he pretty much waited on me hand and foot (brought me blueberry pancakes in bed!) and helped me with a ton of stuff around the house. We had dinner at Marcelo's parents and it was a lovely evening. There's nothing like having family close by! 

So things at home are getting a bit easier. We set up a co-sleeper which is basically like a crib with one short wall that goes right next to our bed so I can feed him easily at night and keep him close. So now all 3 of us are able to sleep in one room at night which has been working well. We also got a much needed changing table for our room which makes that much easier. I have gotten a little more used to taking care of a newborn. I am still healing myself and that is going well. I am still pretty tired and adapting to a totally different sleeping pattern. It's definitely challenging but we're already 3 weeks in and I know it won't be like this forever. I am trying to enjoy the time while he is so young and sweet and small and precious! 

Levi and Abuela (grandma)

Levi and Mama in the Moby Wrap. 

Javoni, our awesome Doula and her 6 month old son Phoenix with Levi and I. :-)

Levi with Daddy

New family! 

Levi and I with Pyari :-)