This one is for you, Emmett!

Here is a written and pictured record of Emmett's and our first week.  Click on the collages to enlarge.

1 day old
Monday, August 15

Today we got to experience hospital life--which is busy!  Someone seems to be knocking on the door every 10 minutes.  We spent the day napping, nursing and marveling over every little part of you--from your little tongue to the sweet hair on your ears to your long toes!  You love to suck on your fingers--sometimes one, sometimes two.  Your neck is so strong for such a little guy, and as always, your eyes are open wide and bright when you aren't sleeping.  All the nurses comment on how alert you are.  The nurses are taking good care of all of us as we recover and adjust to this new phase of life.  Today we filled out the paper work for your birth certificate, so it is official that you are Emmett Clark Schmutz.  How we love you!

2 days old
Tuesday, August 16

Last night you weren't quite as quiet as you were the first night, but maybe you were just excited about the big day ahead!  We spent the morning finishing up paperwork and meeting with various people at the hospital.  Today I put you in your "going-home" outfit that Aunt Beth gave you.  Even though it is a newborn size, it still looks so big on you!  You looked even tinier but oh-so-handsome as we buckled you in your car seat and headed home.  I think we were all relieved to be home with a little more space to move around and far fewer interruptions.

This afternoon Uncle Vaughn and Aunt Margaret came to see you.  They were so excited and drove all the way from Charlotte just to meet you and hang out for the evening.  They also took lots of adorable pictures of you, which I love.  Everyone just thinks you are the most beautiful newborn they've ever seen.

Late that night, Dad went to the airport to pick up Grandma and Aunt Beth.  How exciting!  They were so thrilled to meet you and love you.  I'm glad we get to spend the week with them.

3 days old
Wednesday, August 17

We were all a little lazy this morning and spent the time taking turns holding and snuggling you.   That afternoon you had your first outing, which was to no other place than Pelican's Snoballs.  Even though you are just a few days old, we have got to expose you to all our favorite places in town.

Tonight Grandma gave you your first bath.  You didn't hate it, but I'm not sure that you loved it either.  You sure made a lot of funny faces, and we all made a fuss over you as we packed in the bathroom to watch. 

4 days old
Thursday, August 18

Today was a big day!  We had your first doctor appointment this morning at 10:30 a.m.  This visit also included our first public nursing experience as we waited in the lobby!  You were a trooper at the visit and are doing everything and growing just as you should be!
After our appointment, we stopped home to pick up Grandma and Beth and then headed downtown to Scratch for lunch.  Boy, was that some delicious food!  We ate an amazing spaghetti squash salad, heirloom tomato sandwich, empanada and Spanish tortilla.  And the desserts were even better!  We enjoyed our coffee cake and doughnut muffins immensely and then had to take the four slices of pie home because we were so full!

 After lunch we went up to Lindsay's house.  She was kind enough to take some pictures of you so I can always remember how sweet and tiny you are as a newborn.  Taking pictures of newborns is a lot of work, and she did a great job [pics to come on their own post].  I am so grateful for her kindness and generosity because the pictures she took mean so much to me.  I already feel like you change and grow so much every day!  It makes me eager to savor every moment I have with you.
Tonight Dad had to go back to work.  His co-workers have done a great job of putting him on call and helping cover his shifts so he could spend lots of time with you, but we all knew that eventually he would have to return! 

5 days old
Friday, August 19

We had a quiet morning to recover from our big day yesterday.  We (mostly Grandma) worked on the nursery which is going to be so darling when it is all finished!  We ventured out this afternoon to run a number of errands.  The errands wore Mom out a bit, but you were amazing!  You slept straight through 4 hours of errands and a delightful dinner at Firebirds.  All that sleeping made it possible for the rest of us to really enjoy our delicious onion rings and coconut shrimp.
You have been a good little sleeper at night, too!  So far you've been eating around 10:30 p.m., 3:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.  Not bad for a newborn!  Right now, while you are tiny, you sleep in the cradle that Grandpa Moulton built for me over 30 years ago.  All of my siblings have slept in it, and now you are too!  I love that cradle and how much love and history it holds.

6 days old 
Saturday, August 20

 Today is a sad day because we had to take Grandma to the airport this afternoon.  Before she left we got the nursery practically finished.  It looks fantastic.  What would we do without her?  She was such a great help to me this week, providing me with lots of wisdom, insights, tricks and comfort.  She took such good care of you, too!  I was a rather sad momma at the airport and cried (a lot) when we dropped her off.  We will eagerly await a return visit from both Grandma and Grandpa in October.  

1 week old
Sunday, August 21

Can you believe you are one week old today?  I feel like you have already grown so much.  This morning you and I stayed tucked in bed, while Dad and Beth went to church.  That afternoon we had a delicious Sunday dinner prepared ahead of time by Grandma and with lots of help from Beth.  The exciting part is that Dan and Hilary moved to Durham today, so we got to enjoy dinner with them.  Like everyone else, they are totally enamored with you.

I can't believe you are one week old already.  I feel like each time I feed you, I can see those little cheeks of yours thickening up.  You grow more and more handsome each day.  You are a great nurser and sleeper.  We obsessively watch all of your darling facial expressions and listen to your different sighs and cries and grunts and squawks.  We absolutely adore you!

Dad got put on call for work again tonight, so we all got to hang out and relax together.  Dad and Beth have been having lots of fun playing video games on the Xbox.  He always has Beth laughing about something.  I really am grateful for my wonderful family.

Aunt Beth leaves early in the morning.  She has been a super helper!  Not all 13-year-olds are as sweet and responsible and helpful as she is.  We have been so lucky to have her here this week!