Gavin Joseph (Month One)

Gavin Joseph Swann
One Month
(Sorry about the flash, little man.  I did not mean to have it on.)

Dear Sweet Gavin,

I will say this a lot throughout your life... I cannot believe how quickly the days pass.  If only there was a pause button for our lives... just so we can cherish the moments a little longer. 

You, my sweet, laid back little man, are one month old today.  And, quite frankly, as much as I have counted each day and been very conscious of your age (practically down to the minute), I really can't believe you are already one month - - or, more precisely, four weeks and almost one full day.

I have written a lot about the last four weeks.  I am wordy... you will get used to it.  There is a great deal to say and I am trying so hard not to forget the details about you, your birth and how you are now, at one month old.

- You are such a sweet, easy baby.  I hope this doesn't jinx things... I'm guessing it won't.  This is just who you are... laid back, easy going, very "zen," if you will.  Your needs are quite simple.  You cry when you're hungry, when you get cold during a diaper/clothing change and when you need a change of scenery.  When you are picked up, you know you're needs are soon to be met and you quickly calm.  

- You are extremely alert and make amazing eye contact already.  I know it's early, but I truly feel that any day you will smile for real.  And, I am quite certain you will have your Daddy's dimples.  I sure hope so!

- You listen intently and are fascinated by your older sister and brother.

- You smell amazing... except when you have dirty pants!  :-)

- You absolutely detest (just like Gracie and Preston) being swaddled and absolutely love having your bottom patted.

- In the last week, you have fallen in love with laying on your little Gymini playmat and staring in the mirror.  You also are completely fascinated by the toys that hang from it. 

- You are incredibly strong... already holding your head up when I burp you over my shoulder.

- You were, as of March 12th, 9lbs, 2oz.  This is not too shabby considering you dropped to  7lbs, 6oz at five days old. 

- You are, as evidenced in your outfit in today's pictures, busting out of your newborn size clothes... they are way too short in the legs and literally bursting open in the diaper area due to the stretch.

- You are patient and adaptable.  We've had a challenge with nursing in the first few weeks and with a lot of trying and persistence, we seemed to have worked it out together.  We will find out at our next lactation consultation if we've been truly successful.  Regardless of the outcome (i.e. if you're not quite getting enough from me alone), I am so proud of both of us.
I was not able to nurse Gracie at all due to her lack of functional swallow (I did pump) and Preston was too much of a barracuda eater to nurse patiently (I pumped for him, too).  With both of them, I didn't have enough supply to sustain them, so they were supplemented with formula.  I don't think that's the case this time... we shall see.
I am extremely grateful to my dear friend, Hannah, who inspired me to work diligently at this.  I am also indebted to my mom for all of the extra help and encouragement that allowed me to work through our challenges and make this work.  This is an experience that I wanted as a mom but never had the chance until you came along.

- You make the cutest little squeaky noises when you are waking up and eating. 

- Your soft breaths on my cheek make me deliriously happy.

- You toot like a grown man!  I know... that's embarrassing... but it's really quite impressive.  You save it all for when you're starting to wake-up and the first five minutes you're nursing.  It's hilarious to me that you can be heard "doing your business" from across the house.

- You ride in the car like a champ and I am thankful for that because we do spend a great deal of time playing taxicab for Preston and Gracie.

- You are a good sleeper... almost too good at times.  You will often sleep right through meal times if you are cozy (which you often are).  Granted, once I wake you up to eat, you are suddenly wide awake, starving and demanding.  But many times, without the wake-up call, you'd sleep right through!

- You have already:
Celebrated Nana's birthday, Daddy's birthday and mine
Been to Preston's first baseball game
Gone with us to buy a car (you slept through that process... I don't blame you!)
Been on several walks
Been to the park (you slept through that, too)
Been to Target and Babies R Us (And, you also slept through those - -  though I am guessing that you'll rarely sleep through Target trips once you are aware of all the wonders of that store!  Just ask Preston about that... he loves Target almost as much as I do!)
Danced in the rain (Albeit briefly and on the back porch, so technically protected from the downpour.  But still, I held you and we danced a bit... just so we could say we did.)

- You, sweet baby boy, have changed our lives... all for the better... and we love you so very much.

Since I gave you so many stipulations in my last letter to you before you were born, I will be easy on you this time.  I only ask that you grow as you should, take your time in transitioning from a newborn to a "baby" and that you continue to love endless snuggles staring into each other's eyes.

All my love,
Mommy