Week Two with Tuck. April 2013.

Tuck is two weeks old today, Friday, April 26, 2013. I can't believe it's already been 14 days since he first came into this world, and completely melted our hearts. He continues to do just that every single day. My love for this little guy is indescribable. I simply can't explain it. I have said over and over already that I need time to stand still! I can not get enough of my sweet baby boy!

We had many firsts again during week two, so of course, mommy had to document it all! Hope you enjoy all of the pictures!

This isn't my first snuggle time with daddy, but it's a daily occurrence, and it's just so sweet. Tuck loves his daddy, and I'm positive that daddy is over for the moon for Tuck.

Tuck's circumcision healed beautifully, so we no longer need the sticky petroleum jelly, OR disposable diapers. We are now wearing our adorable, soft, absorbent, and ecofriendly cloth diapers! They are AWESOME! If you are a soon to be mommy, especially with your first baby, I highly recommend cloth diapers! 

Daddy had to go back to work this week, so Mamaw Barr came to spend some time with us.

I believe those little cheeks are starting to fill in! He loves taking a bottle from his Mamaw.

I just love little characters on his tushie!! It's so adorable!

Tuck had lots and LOTS of cuddle time with Mamaw :) She was in Heaven, of course. Tuck may be a little more spoiled now (not really), but that's what mamaw's are for, right??

Feeding time is SO special with Tuck. He makes me so proud to be his mommy. He nurses so well, and he also takes a bottle just as well, which provides opportunities for daddy, mamaw, and others to have special feeding time with him too. Plus, it lets mommy get a few chores done, or just catch up on some sleep.

There will probably always be a pose like this each week. He loves sleeping with his dukes up!! It's so cute.

With Mamaw's help, we made our first shopping trip to Kroger! Thank goodness she was with us to push around a separate cart for all of our groceries.

Tuck was perfect. He loves his carseat, and loves being strolled around anywhere, as long as you keep moving =) What a blessing this is! 

Yes, more snuggles with Mamaw!! We love you!

Tuck especially =)

Our sweet friends Daniel and Beth Galloway prepared one of the best dinners for us! Thank you so much for the delicious meal, and the quick visit. Daniel doesn't know this, but as soon as he handed Tuck back to mommy, and walked out the door, Tuck spit up EVERYWHERE! Thank goodness it wasn't on that nice shirt and tie! 

Tuck helped mommy make homemade, organic, zucchini bread and muffins for daddy! He loves them so much, and we surprised him with a whole batch and loaf tonight. Daddy was super excited, which always makes mommy so happy.

Late evening dreams. I love when he raises his eyebrows and wrinkles his forehead while he is sleeping. I so wonder what his going on in that little mind of his. 

More sweet nap time. Tuck has reflux and delayed gastric emptying (his tummy takes longer to empty than normal). So, he sleeps elevated on his boppy pillow to minimize the reflux, and positioned on his right side, which naturally helps his little, but full tummy empty better.  

Caught 'em. Newborns have a tendency to look cross-eyed at times, just by the ways their eyes can deviate around. I've tried on multiple occassions to catch those adorable crossed eyes, and this time I got 'em! So cute!

We had a wonderful visit with Dana, my sweet friend from Children's Hospital. 

Tuck LOVED Dana! He literally skipped his entire nap to stay awake and look at her ;) She brought Tuck his first pair of TOMS! They are adorable. Thank you so much, Dana! We loved visiting with you!

Nighttime sweetness!! Love love LOVE my special time with Tuck late at night, and in the wee early morning hours. He's so loving and happy. How could I not fall more in love with him!!??!?!

We had our follow-up weight check with Dr Ashley!

In the waiting room; Tuck's already dreading the naked weight check.

He hates being cold and naked! Bless his heart. He also has the worst reflux ever when he lays on his back, even if it's just for a couple of seconds. After returning to our room, he threw up three times, all over himself, the exam table, all in his ear, all over his outfit, his back up outfit, his burp cloth and blanket, then again, then again! It was so traumatizing for him, and for mommy!! Needless to say, we started Zantac today, which has actually made a huge difference. He's now just a happy spitter, which we can handle. 

The good news however, from our visit with Dr Ashley, depsite his reflux, he gained 9oz since his last weight check. This is a weight gain of 1oz/day, which is the recommended weight gain for newborns! That's my boy!! 

We had some serious shopping to do for Daddy's birthday, so we went to the mall with Mamaw, my new Mommy Hook (an essential every new mother should have), and our Bob!! Tuck again, was so perfect! Mommy is SO thankful he enjoys shopping =) 

April 25th was Todd's 30th birthday! I took him to dinner at Tupelo Honey Cafe in Market Square. Mamaw watched Tuck for us. This was our first time dining there, and we both agree it is hands down one of the best restaurants in Knoxville. Todd was especially excited over their world-famous pecan pie. It's apparently to die for! 

We had the best time together. I am so so so thankful for the Lord's planning, for Todd to be born 30 years ago today, for us to meet through FCA at Tennessee Tech, for us to have almost 2 years dating, and 8 incredible years of marriage together...

...then for us to have the most wonderful blessing of all...sweet and healthy baby Tuck. God knows the plans He has for us, and we are NOT to worry about tomorrow. Tuck has already taught us so much about how to treasure every single moment of life, every breath, every laugh, every tear, everything we are given. We are so thankful for him. *Please note again...his daddy still proudly wears his hospital band =) 

Tuck bought this really sweet birthday card for daddy. It made mommy cry in the store, and daddy teared up while reading it. Once again, blessed beyond measure by the love we have for our little angel, and by the love we feel he already has for us as his parents.

We finally ventured out of our neighborhood to walk our 5k loop today. It wasn't easy, but we had the best time!

Daddy even met us for a quick chat on his way to the fitness center. Love him!! 

We made it back home, just in time for Tuck's next feeding. He as always, was just as content as he could be, riding along with mommy =) That truly makes my heart so happy.

We are so blessed. Two weeks have past already, and we so look forward to all that's in store for next week, and many more weeks to come!! Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow.

Week One with Tuck. April 2013.

Our first week at home has been absolutely wonderful, and far better than we had imagined. We've had our trying moments here and there, but even in tiring and emotionally overwhelming times, we have relied on strength, patience, calmness, perseverance, and love from the Lord. We are so grateful for His blessings in our lives, especially, ESPECIALLY sweet little Tuck.

Mommy has shed many tears this week, a couple of times in heartbreak for my refluxing little man, but on many more occassions just in awe and gratitude of the miracle God gave us in Tuck. He has already brought so much love, joy, and thankfulness into our hearts. Every day I hear Todd or myself saying, "my cup truly is full and overflowing."

This being week one of life, Tuck has had many firsts, and I know there will be many more as he continues to grow and develop. We're doing our very best to capture every first moment we can, and hope to share them with you as often as possible.  

This week....

Tuck took his first bottle with daddy.

He was so adorable,

and completely satisfied.

His burps are called burpees. As you know, we are avid crossfitters, and thought we might as well introduce Tuck to the terminology, and integrate it in from the get go. His burpees aren't exactly consistent just yet, but we're working on that =) and I just love a profile shot of this little cutie...I couldn't resist.

We've captured many sweet, melt your heart, baby smiles while he is sleeping.

Tuck went for his first stroll in the Bob,

and we learned as long as we are moving he is great, happy, and content as can be. However, when we stop for the neighbors to oooh and aaah over him, he makes this face, then lets out a little fuss until we start moving again. I believe he remembers his walks with mommy....and we didn't stop for chats or by-standers. We were on the move from start to finish!

We tried out our snug-a-bunny bouncy seat from Grandad and Mimi, and he fell in love from the first nap. As a true black belt would, he always has his hands up, eye level, ready to defend himself!

We've shared lots of special cuddle times in the early morning hours. I truly can't get enough awake time with this boy! He sleeps a LOT, which is a huge blessing, but I honestly can not wait for him to wake up. These are some of my most favorite moments...and believe me, I have a lot of favorites. I'm sure those of you who know me are surprised by that.

We had our first newborn visit at KPA,

where daddy let me wear his awesome sunglasses, and play with mommy's iPhone.

Tuck had only lost a few ounces, which made us so proud of his excellent and on-demand feeding habits. Although we're still adjusting to a new schedule, this mommy would stay up all night to feed him if that's what he needed.

Tuck was evaluated by Dr Ashley Gilmer at the hospital before coming home,

and as you can see, he was beyond thrilled to see her again =) 

She did a great job with her assessment of course, and gave us lots of reassurance that Tuck is doing great, we're doing great, and just keep up the good work.

We finally got a picture of Tuck wearing his monogrammed onesie from Aunt Rebecca. You can't tell at all from this picture, but he actually really loves his carseat.

Tuck had lots of first time snuggles in his new blankets, which are so soft!! 

We had Tuck Time with Tiffany, who is also expecting and due in August!! She brought us a delicious, much-needed dinner from chickfila!! Yay! We can't wait to find out if baby Barton is a boy or girl....they're waiting to find out! 

Tuck Time with Katie

and more Tuck Time with Emily.

We love our cuddle time with daddy so much!! 

I can't resist little feet hanging out from underneath the burp cloth, especially when they rub against daddy's arm. Please note also, Daddy is still wearing his hospital band =)

We obviously wear a lot of horizontal stripes in our family. At least the men do!! Momma's sticking with solids for now =)

Ready for our morning walk again.

Dukes UP!!!

First story time with daddy. 

He read "My daddy and I" and Tuck was completely engaged.

Tuck took a nap on mommy and daddy's soft duvet cover,

and he seemed to be quite content.

We had a great visit from Neal and Ashley Thornton, and their two little ones, Emma and Matthew. They were so sweet to bring us some yummy homemade bread and muffins, and fresh cut up fruit! So thankful to have healthy snacks at hand's reach.

Todd and I had our first night out, while Tuck had his first night in with Grandad and Mimi. All parties made it just fine =) It honestly was quite difficult to leave my little angel, even for just 2 hours. But I also believe it's much better to start now, as it will only get harder as more time passes. 

I'm so in love with this man, more so than I ever thought possible. As husband and wife, I know our marriage is solid, our love for each other grows more and more every day, and our faith stands strong in our Lord. As a mommy and daddy, our marriage remains solid and a top priority, our love will continue to grow more and more every day, and our faith continues to stand strong in our Lord. We firmly believe if we keep our marriage and love for each other our first priority, and nurture the relationship we have with each other in our family, we will be even better parents to Tuck. We hope and pray God continues to guide our actions, our words, our thoughts, and our decisions as we raise Tuck to know and love Him.