Davis - Your First Two Weeks

Davis Rittenhouse Griswold. You made a dramatic entrance into our world on June 26, 2015 at 2:13 a.m - 10 days after your due date. 8 lbs 5 oz. We immediately fell in love. Although it's only been two weeks, we can't imagine our world without you.

In these pictures you are basking in the morning light that streams through our living room picture window. In the picture on the right you are laying on one of the blankets that Great Grandma Rittenhouse knitted for you. She is the Grandma you are named after, Winifred Davis Rittenhouse.

We took these pictures during a morning walk in Kilbourne park. In the picture on the left you are laying in the hole 11 disc golf basket - the one daddy threw a hole in one into. He believes your conception and the hole in one happened at the same time... In the picture on the right you are making your classic grumpy Grandpa face. I think you inherited this from me - sorry!

A stream of consciousness about your first two weeks: 

• We call you tree frog because of the way you like to lay during skin to skin time with mommy and daddy, which seems to calm you. At just over a week you started to be able to see more with your eyes. We noticed you opening them up more widely and looking around. You love looking out windows. You also love the outdoors. Sometimes when you're really fussy dad takes you out and you immediately calm. We think you like the warmth of the fresh air and the sounds of the birds and bugs (especially the cicadas). You also really like walks. The bumpier the better so we try to take you "off roading" in Kilbourne park. When you're in a cuddly mood but we have work to do we tie you to one of us using the sleepy wrap. You cuddle up on our chests and usually fall asleep while we do chores. 
• You and Tad seem to be getting along okay. He's definitely curious and a bit jealous. We think he'll like you more when you're a toddler and able to play with him. He used to get nervous and hide when you cried - now he sits near you until you calm. He wants to protect you.
• You eat a lot. Nearly 3 ounces every 2 hours. That's what most 1 month olds eat. Your appetite and mama's ample breast milk supply are why you were up over your birth weight in less than a week. Based on daddy's precise weight calculations (using the bathroom scale) you were 9.5 pounds by day 12. That's a pound gained! 
• You sleep a lot. Except at bedtime when we want you to... You'll sleep for nearly four hour stretches once you are down - but a 2-3 hour nap is more typical.
• You require lots of love and attention, but you're a good baby overall. You are so sweet and usually only cry when you need something - food, attention, a clean diaper, to pass some gas...
• Noise doesn't seem to bother you. You startle a bit sometimes when Tad suddenly barks loudly at the UPS delivery person (we've been ordering a lot of stuff from Amazon) but quickly return to whatever it was you were doing. We've even had you in the bouncer next to the blender while you were sleeping - you didn't seem to notice. 
• You've met lots of people that loved you before they met you. Aunt Jill was there the moment you came into the world. Then CoCo (Grandma Fitzpatrick) arrived on your third day. Aunt Bailey came at 6 days. A parade of friends and neighbors came by to meet you and bring food and gifts. Neighbors Janice, Ethel, and Brad & Steve. Friends Alice (and Brennan!), the Funderburgs, Annelise, and Tim. 
• We've completed a number of successful outings. The first (besides your trip home on your second day) was a visit to our soon-to-be new home on Norcross on your third day. On your fourth day we went to the pediatrician (you are thriving and don't need to be seen again for a month!). On your fifth and 7th days we went to see a lactation consultant (let's just say - Ow!), and some time during your second week we went to ReStore. Of course, we also took lots of walks - typically one in the morning and one in the evening. 
• You don't like things on your head, getting dressed (see first item since getting dressed usually involves putting a onesie over your head), daddy's cold hands, or schedules (you like to eat, sleep, cuddle on your own time, not when we want you to).

Taking care of you is exhausting. But you're worth it.