A GREAT Time

 On Friday afternoon, Jarek and I took Max to Franklin, IN to visit Jarek's grandparents.  It was great to get out of the house and even better to get these priceless photos!  Nana and Grandad both held Max.  They are in such great shape.  Nana even made a cherry pie for us to enjoy during our visit and it was delicious.  Max is their fourth great grandchild.  While we were there Max's Great Uncle Charles and Great Aunt Julie stopped by and got to meet Max.  They told us some of their funny memories of raising three boys.  It sounds like Jarek and I are going to have a lot of interesting, unexpected things to look forward to in parenthood.  I just hope the projectile vomit lands on Jarek and not me someday!

Great Nana and Max

 Great Grandad, Max, and Proud Daddy

Great Grandad and Max

Great Aunt Julie and Max

Great Uncle Charles, Max, and Great Aunt Julie

Two Weeks Old

 Baby Max is another week older.  He is laying here with a toy from Uncle Zach.  We think his sock monkey is adorable, even though Zach realized it was a pet toy after he bought it!  He went ahead and removed the tag before giving it to Max, but fessed up once the cats took a high interest.  We think it might have cat nip inside.
Max is lots of fun to have around.  Jarek is still not working so we have had lots of time to hang out as a family.  It is great for me, because Jarek is so helpful.  He is always cleaning the house, changing a diaper, or doing the laundry and dishes.  I don't know how I got to be so lucky, but I am ever grateful for my amazing husband.  It is so hard to let someone know how much you appreciate them, but I really think he is incredible.
Max is still a good baby, but we had a few fussy days at the end of his 2nd week of life.  We think he has been hungry or having a growth spurt or both.  He hasn't gained all of his weight back from birth yet.  We are having to feed, then pump and supplement his feedings with an extra ounce or two of breast milk.  We stopped for a few days to see if he was gaining on his own yet, but he ended up losing an ounce.  We are now supplementing and pumping again.  We go back to the doctor on Monday to see what his weight gain has been.  He isn't fussing anymore so I know the extra food is helping. 

Aunt Amy is so crafty!  She made this matching hat and cocoon.  It fits Max perfectly!  I don't know who loves it more...Max or Jarek.  Everytime I turn around, Jarek has him wearing this.  I love it, too.  It keeps our winter baby warm.

We are working on tummy time to strengthen Max's core.  The doctor said he should do it for 5 minutes about 3 times a day.  He doesn't always enjoy it, but he didn't mind it here.  Doesn't he look tiny?

Our First Play Date

Brianna and I got to be pregnant together which was very fun and helpful, but it is nowhere near as fun as having babies together!  We never took a pregnant photo together.  I don't know how I could miss that opportunity!  Here are our boys, Max and Lane, playing together for the first time.  :)  Lane was born exactly one week before Max.  He was one week late and Max was one week early. 

I made Max change his outfit once Lane arrived so they could match.  We have a pair of jeans for Max, but they swamped him.  We had to go with these tiny little gray ones for now. Max was severely disappointed as you can see.

Week One



I can't figure out how to rotate this picture, but I like it so much I'm going to leave it on here anyway!

Baby Max is making being parents pretty easy.  We may have to have several more if this keeps up!  I actually had a dream that I was pregnant last night.  Wouldn't that be something?  :)  Believe me, that is not the case.  Don't get too excited yet grandmas. 



Max is eating well and sleeping well, which means Jarek and I are getting plenty of rest, too.  Jarek has been off of work for two weeks so far.  He is planning on staying home for another week or maybe two.  It is so easy with him here all the time to share diaper changes and household chores.  Max doesn't fuss too much unlesss he is in need of food or a diaper change. 

On the third night that we were home with Max, he woke up twice in the night to feed and be changed.  Since I am nursing, I am the one that gets up with him.  About 5:30 a.m. Jarek wakes me up and says, "Is he already sleeping through the night?"  I guess he didn't hear all the little grunts Max was making when he got hungry.  Silly daddy!  Anyway, Jarek is always willing to get up and change Max and bring him to me to eat in the middle of the night if I request it.  I don't think we should ever go back to work.  This baby/new family stuff is way more entertaining and rewarding.

We have had a TON of visitors over the past week.  When I was pregnant, I was thinking that we would need some alone time to adjust to our new lives.  However, it has been so wonderful to share our little guy with our families and let the bonding begin.  We receive many texts, phone calls, and emails on a daily basis checking in on us and the baby.  We also have been provided with lots of yummy meals by nana (my mom) and grandma (Jarek's mom).  Dad brought us a webcam at the hospital so we can talk via Skype since he is far away in Florida.  I am sure he will be calling any day though to say he is moving back.  (There is nothing wrong with wishful thinking...right?)

Here are a few photos from week one.  Enjoy!

Favorite picture of the week!  This was taken by Aunt Katie right after he had his first bath.



Four generations- Nana, Great Aunt Barb, Great Grandma Reynold, Max, and me

So sweet!

Saying good-bye to Uncle Matt- He was able to be here for lots of time during Max's first week of life.  Needless to say Matt is a perfect uncle.  He assisted during the first bath, ran errands for us, bought us lots of diapers, vaccuumed the house, and loved our son.  Good memories for sure!



Just looking cute in his swaddle blanket.  These are a must have for all babies in my opinion.



Going to the doctor for the first time



 Mike and Paula-  I want to put your pictures on here, but you won't let me take any of you!!!!!  I know you started texting for me last week.  Now will you please start letting me take your photos?  ;)  Max needs some good memories!



 






 

Welcome to the world Baby Max!

Maxwell Jarek Morgan was born at 10:37 a.m. on January 11, 2011.  He weighed 7 pounds 2 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long.  Oh...and I should mention that he is absolutely perfect!

Hearing his first cry was a great moment!

One of the nurses took a lot of great pictures in the O.R.  I really like this one!

Jarek's first time to hold Max...or any baby for that matter!

I may not look beautiful here, but I sure do look happy!

Max's Nursery

Here are some photos of Max's nursery!

Mom and Rod came over to paint the brown stripe last Monday.

Jarek hung everything up on Tuesday.

Now we just need Max to get here so we can use it all!

I guess I'll give this a try...

Well, I have found myself bored enough to start a blog today!  I hope this makes my family and my friend Stacey happy.  :) I am not sure if I will be any good at keeping up with this, but I am willing to give it a shot.  I know I enjoy reading all of my friends' blogs and looking at their pictures. 

I am sure you all already know that we are expecting our first child in just 3 days.  I am nervously and excitedly counting down the days until Max gets here.  We are scheduled to be at the hospital by 8am on Tuesday to prepare for a c-section @ 10 am.  That means we will have a child in 82 hours. 

The good news is we are all ready.  Because of the hospital stay and bed rest that I have been dealing with for the last 8 weeks, I have had to rely heavily on my husband, family, and friends to help me prepare for this little guy.  It is unbelievable how much time and love people have shown me during this crazy time in life. Here is a little shout out to all of those who have been SO helpful.

Mom and Rod:  Thanks for helping with all of the car stuff!
Paula and Mike:  Thanks for all of the cleaning and laundry!
Dad:  Thanks for all the phone calls/texts/and getting a flight to be here for baby!
Matt and Katie:  Thanks for making the cool art for Max's nursery!
Dan:  Thanks for finding those awesome wall panels!
Zach: Thanks for bringing me whatever I (or Jarek) was craving.
Hilary, Brianna, Amy, Jenny:  Thanks for all of the phone calls and visits to keep me occupied!
Stacey:  Thanks for calming my nerves!
Jarek:  Thanks for doing all of the putting together of everything any time I asked.  You did everything I couldn't on my schedule so I could have peace of mind.  You are already a great husband and now you are a great dad, too. 

This stuff is just the tip of the iceberg.  I have had many meals brought to me or prepared for me.  I have had people shop for me.  I have had people clean and do laundry.  I have had so many visits, prayers, emails, phone calls, cards, gifts, and love.  It is really amazing.  This is the first time in my adult life that I have had to rely on others instead of just doing everything for myself.  It has been very humbling!  I am trying to learn how to be less controlling.  This was definitely a good shove in that direction for me.  I love all of you very much and am so thankful that you are a part of my life.  It is so good to know that Max is going to be loved by all of you, too!   We are truly blessed!

Stay tuned...baby pictures will be coming very soon!  I know that's what you all really want anyway!