The 5th Week

My fifth week came and went pretty quickly! We didn't have any visitors this week - I know it was kind of sad. I actually got used to meeting SO many new people! It was a BIG week for my parents and I though. We went on a field trip for the very first time! Our first family outing was to Kroger. I could tell my parents were SO nervous and on edge that I was going to throw a fit in the store. I remember when we first walked into the store and were starting our journey in the ice cream section, Mommy looked at Daddy and said, "I am so nervous". Daddy smiled nervously and said, "Me too". I surprised them and did fantastic!! I didn't make a peep through the entire store! The same day my parents decided to "chance it" and go to Target and Home Depot. Again, I was fantastic! I was trying to give my parents confidence to take me out in the world. Afterall, I was ready to see what was outside of the house besides the man that pokes and prodes on me (a.k.a. The Doctor).

This week I also got to go outside to help Daddy with the yard work. Mommy was pointing out where my treehouse will be one day while Daddy worked on the yard. He gave me my first lesson on my very first garden tool, the rake. It was a beautiful weekend to be outside - I can't wait to get alittle older, so that I can have my own set of garden tools to help Daddy with the yard! My parents also used this week to capture some cute photo shots of me. Mommy has a baby picture that they were trying to mimic with the blanket over my head, I am just alittle too young though, but still some cute pictures came out of the ordeal! We'll try again in a few weeks.

At the end of the week Mommy went back to the doctor. Daddy and I tagged along for the ride. She was cleared by the doctor for everything and the doctor was very impressed with how she was doing! Good news all around! This was also a very special day for me because I finally met the person that saved my life, Laurie Buchwald. She is the Physician's Assistant that sent Mommy to the hospital to have the Non-Stress Test performed on March 11. My parents took me in to meet her; she is my hero. My parents are very thankful for her and all of us will never forget her! It was quite a sentimental trip for all of us, as it made us reflect back on that day...

My First Easter

Easter - my very first holiday! I didn't realize that on Easter there is a bunny that goes around to drop off Easter baskets! When I woke up on Easter Sunday I had this BIG Easter basket awaiting me. The bunny also left my Mommy one too. Daddy received some sort of potted plant from the bunny; I didn't quite understand that, but didn't ask any questions. Uncle Forrest and Nonna were visiting and they received chocolate bunnies too. My basket had all kinds of neat stuff in it. I guess the bunny thought I could eat candy because there were lots of peanut butter chocolates in there (Mommy's favorite)! My Papaw also bought me an Easter basket - it had a carrot baseball bat and ball in it - I was SO excited!! He must of thought that I could eat chocolate too because there was LOTS in it - my parents were exited! He is already spoiling me...

My parents thought it would be cute to dress me up in bunny ears and put me in my Easter basket to take pictures. Then Daddy had the bright idea of tipping the basket while I was in it to make it look like I was pouring out of it, I liked it for maybe 2 seconds! And, remember those bunny shoes that Uncle Forrest brought in the house? Yep, they were mine! My parents actually put those shoes on me!! None-the-less, I guess my parents got some pretty cute Easter pictures out of the deal. Thanks to Daddy for making the ham on Easter Sunday and to Nonna for all the sides she made - it was so yummy!! I love this holiday thing...of course, minus the dress-up like a bunny part. Mommy has already convinced me to ask the Easter bunny next year for a real bunny...we'll see how that turns out!

One Month Old Already!!!

Time isn't standing still, is it? I am already 1 month old and the clock continues to tick. My parents still can't believe that it was a month ago when I was born. I look back and reflect on the past month and I have come so far. I am really starting to fill out - the preemie clothes that my Nonna and Papaw bought me no longer fit. My newborn clothes fit nicely, but I know that I will soon grow out of them. I am more alert than I was a couple of weeks ago, although my eyes still seem to be a bit googly, but I know it is a matter of time before I can really focus. I am moving this big heavy thing called my head around a lot more. It is still alittle bobble heady though. And, one of the most important milestones is that I am finally starting to get my days and nights figured out. Dim lights = night night, Sunny Skys = good morning world.

My Great Grandma Sadah payed me a visit with my Papaw this week. It was so good seeing them; they are keeping my parents supplied with diapers! They brought Mommy breakfast and snatched me up as soon as they walked in the door! Although, I have to tell you that when I snuggle with Great Grandma I want to just fall asleep. Papaw loves to snuggle with me too, but I tend to wiggle around more with him. Papaw is trying to convince Mommy to take me on a road trip to Wise, Virginia. I really enjoyed seeing them again!!

The week ended with my Uncle Forrest and Nonna coming in for Easter. Nonna brought lots of shrimp and vino in from the beach!! My parents were thrilled with that! She also brought me some diapers and a really cute outfit!! Uncle Forrest came in carrying some kind of bunny shoes for me and alittle outfit - the outfit was cute, not sure about those bunny shoes. Oh, and he bought me my first pair of house shoes, now I match my parents! My Nonna relieved my parents for a couple of hours as they went shopping and I have to tell you that I love her singing. She serenaded me with Italian songs while my parents were away. She also read to me and fed me LOTS!! She said that I make her sleepy - I think she makes me sleepy with her singing and all that milk she gave me. As always, it was a great visit with them! Enjoy the snapshots of my first month photos, they sure are cute, aren't they?!?

The Third Week

Who likes going to the doctor's office?!? Not me. My week started off with a trip to the doctor for a 2 week check-up, my Papaw tagged along with us. I know, what a way to start a week, huh? We had to wait what seemed like forever to see the doctor and by the time we got in to see him I was practically eating my arm...no, literally I was. My parents received some incredible news - I now weighed 7 lbs 5 oz. I am groooowing!!! My parents were thrilled to say the least. And, the doctor's told Mommy "not to change a thing"...everyone left there thrilled. My Papaw stayed to the end of the week; he was such a great help for my parents and I loved spending time with him. He told me it is only a matter of time before he takes me in the woods for my first hunting trip! Oh and a highlight of the beginning of the week was that Uncle Forrest came in for a day; I love my Uncle!! He thinks I am fragile, but I told him that this time I am growing, so he doesn't have to be on edge about picking me up. He told me that it is only a matter of time before he starts giving me advice on the ladies. My parents got to witness my first laugh! I miss him and my Papaw so much.

My Nana and Papa came to visit me. It was so nice seeing them again. They relieved my parents for a couple of hours so they could run some much needed errands. My Nana fed me while they were away; I ate so much that she had to dig in the freezer for more of Mommy's milk. I tried to warn her that I was a big eater...remember, I am a growing boy. Nana and Papa brought my parents "Moe's" (Welcome to Moe's...). If you haven't been there, well, it is this incredible burrito place here in Blacksburg. It was definitely a treat - thanks! I promised Nana and Papa that I would venture out on a road trip to Ohio very soon. I miss them already...

The week ended with Mommy having me all to herself during the day when Daddy was working. For the most part I was on my best behavior, but I will confess that I did have one bad day where I wanted to be held the entire day and I was quite fussy. Mommy begged me to just take a quick nap, so that she could sleep - yeah, no such luck. I had bad gas, what can I say. Mommy quickly forgave me and Daddy...well, he just blamed the gas on "being a Holt". A highlight of the week was going out for a walk with my parents and Piper. I love my Piper dog. Enjoy the pictures of my third week, can you believe I am almost a month old?!? My parents can't.

Two Weeks Old...

My first week went by pretty quickly; I didn't realize how much I would sleep, eat, pee, and poop! And, I know my parents definitely didn't realize it either, as they seemed to be in shell shock the first couple of weeks. The beginning of the second week was spent with my Nonna - she came up to help my parents, as they were still trying to adjust, if that is what you want to call it! She was great help; we ate really well, lots of pasta! During the second week I finally got some alone time with parents for a couple of days. This was the first "us" time that we all had together. We spent our time together bonding at home. We watched several movies and went on a couple of short walks. Mommy was still trying to recover from her surgery, but walking was definitely helping, at least that is what I heard her tell Daddy. Daddy started back to work this week and boy, that was hard on him. I could tell that he missed me so much, he was calling Mommy several times a day to check my status. Truth be known, I wish Daddy could just stay home with me all the time, as I realized when he left how much I missed him.

My second week ended with spending time with my Papaw - he came up for almost a week to help my parents around the house and more importantly, to spend time with me! The biggest news of the second week was that Papaw brought us a pizza from his restaurant and Mommy ATE it!! Yes, I'll say it again...Mommy ate pizza! This was the first time since she was pregnant with me, as she couldn't stand the smell, looks, and much less taste of pizza when she was pregnant! Do you realize how HUGE this was?!? Needless to say Daddy was so thrilled! My parents keep telling me that I am changing each day, see what you think!

My First Week

My first week came and went very quickly. Mommy and Daddy were trying to adjust to my crazy schedule at home...I was up every couple of hours ready to eat and sometimes I saw every hour tick away while Mommy begged me to go to sleep for at least 5 minutes! Daddy was home with us, which was great because he could give Mommy some rest and recovery time! We had lots of visitors at the house, they all wanted to snuggle with me. Daddy went out to buy more Germ X, as he wanted to make sure that I didn't catch the cooties from all the snuggle time I was getting, do you blame him?!? The highlight of my first week was that I had my very first doctor's visit and I gained weight since I was discharged from the hospital!! I was discharged from the hospital weighing 6 lbs 6.5 oz (yes, I lost alittle weight when I was in the hospital)....I weighed in at 6 lbs 9 oz 2 days later - the doctor was very pleased and told me to keep up the good work and told Mommy not to change a thing! Mommy and Daddy also gave me my first bath - that was an adventure; I am convinced that I will LOVE bath time when I can actually get rowdy with all my toys in the tub! And I absolutely love my arms; they are the coolest body part that I have discovered yet!

Visit from Nana & Papa Holt

On Sunday, March 15, 2009, Papa & Nana Holt came to visit me. I was looking forward to meeting them, as Mommy and Daddy had told me so much about them! They couldn't believe how much I look like Daddy. Nana brought a picture of Daddy's hospital picture and boy, my hospital picture is very similar. Daddy and I both have our arms straight up in the air! Nana had made some blankets for me when Mommy was pregnant and I have already fallen in love with one of them...and NO, it isn't the pink one! Nana made pink, blue, and white blankets, as remember my parents didn't find out if I was a boy or a girl...I love the white blanket! I really enjoyed my time with my Nana & Papa Holt. I can't wait until my parents are up for a road trip to Ohio to visit the rest of the Holt family!

Going Home

Mommy, Daddy, and I were finally discharged from the hospital on Saturday, March 14, 2009. I was looking forward to going home and starting my life with Mommy and Daddy, besides Mommy and I were tired of being poked and prodded by the doctors and nurses at the hospital! Daddy packed me tight in the car seat, as this was my first car ride. My parents were so nervous, I on the other hand just decided to go right to sleep. When we all arrived at home, I met my pets Piper, Sambuca, and Marley; they all seemed to accept me pretty well - they sniffed me and went on their way. Just wait until I get alittle older and want to pick up Buca and Marley and pull Piper's tail; they will really love me! Although, Mommy tells me that I doubt I will be able to pick up Marley for quite some time; I guess she is alittle chunky. None-the-less, I am glad that they welcomed me home!

More Pictures From My Day View

Here are a few more pictures from my hospital stay. There were lots of pictures taken, I am trying to post pictures of everyone I met while I was there, but there were so many people there!! Enjoy the photos of me with my new relatives!!