First days home

It's strange to think that today is my due-date. I'm supposed to still be pregnant! I'm so glad labor and delivery is all behind me now, and that I can just enjoy baby Ty now.

We call him our little "bulldog" sometimes. When he gets upset, his entire face scrunches up and he gets wrinkles everywhere! We have yet to see him smile, even when he's calm and content. Dan joked that Ty had a little chit-chat with Grandpa Kiefer "upstairs" before he came down! Something about being grumpy, I don't know... = )

Sleep, eat, poop, pee, sleep some more... Not a whole lot to our little one's life-style. But we sure do love holding him.
Dan convinced me to pump so he could help with the feeding. I wasn't sure I wanted to introduce a bottle just yet, even though "Team Ty-Erica" have finally gotten the breast-feeding thing down. But I'm glad I conceded. Aside from giving me a break from the pain, it's totally worth it just to see these two together like this. Dan loves being able to help wherever he can. He's been so amazing with changing diapers or picking up around the house. Now, I'm glad he gets to do some of the fun, endearing things, too. He's the best Daddy.
Look how his little legs wrapped around Dan's arm!
First sponge bath

He actually seemed more refreshed afterwards. Cutie boy!

We came home from the hospital Thursday afternoon, October 22. My mom and dad welcomed us home with a decorated front door and yummy dinner. It felt so good to be home with baby Ty. That night, he woke up every 2 hours to eat. After each 20 minute feeding, he'd fall right back to sleep. I couldn't (and still can't) get him to sleep in his pack 'n play beside the bed. He just likes to be held and snuggled on our chests or cradled in our arms. I feel OK with that, as long as I'm propped up in bed because I don't move much at all. But I know we're setting ourselves up for a monster! I'm not ready to push the issue yet though. I love sleeping with him against me as much as he does! Tomorrow, we're shopping for one of those co-sleeper contraptions though. I think he just needs to not feel so open in the large space of the pack 'n play. Hopefully, that will help.

Last night, I got my first six hours straight of sleep since giving birth. It felt amazing! Especially since I was able to sleep on my stomach for the first time in a couple months! I'm such a tummy sleeper that I savored every minute... this was made possible because Dan offered to sleep with Ty on the couch and was going to bottle-feed him in the middle of the night. We were supposed to switch shifts around 3:30am or so...but Dan just let me sleep. Nice, huh?

I love my little family! Being a mom is the best thing ever, and I'm so grateful for what a blessing Ty is in our lives. Life just keeps getting better.