One month old

Today Jude is one month old! Our survival and sanity despite sleepyness and big baby care learning cure is a big credit to our parents for all their help, our friends for all their meals, and God...for giving us a content baby who sleeps well.

Moments after Jude arrived May 27th

Today was baby's one month checkup. Jude now weighs 10lbs, 13 ounces and is 21 7/8 long. A friend teases us that I actually delivered a 2 month old baby.

Years later Jude will ask "Why does my hair look orange in this photo?"

Jude celebrated his one month day with lots of spit up and listening to some Bach in his bassinet. He also got another visit from Grandma Carole. We joked that its amazing my brother and I somehow thrived and grew, even though we never listened to Mozart as infants. Greg adds that with the Mozart I might have skipped 3 grades instead of just one. :-)

Once more, with gusto (and mulch!)

So, the third and final installment of grandparent help arrived last week with Greg's parents Henry and Nancy. Due to distance (they live in Baltimore) they were not able to be there for the birth, so this was also their first time to meet the little guy!

Unique among the grandparents, Jude is the not the first grandchild for the Millers. They have two other grandchildren, Meredith and Andrea, who have been with us for a few years. Experience counts in the world of grandparenting, of course, particularly helping to make a number of things like diapers and bottles and soothing fussy babies seem downright routine... which is very encouraging from new-parents-on-the edge.

There was one other feature of the Miller grandparent visit that was huge: gardening. Yes, that is what I meant to type. If you know Kara and I well, you'll know that we take great pride in our yard and we find it to be a relaxing haven for us in the summer months. Kara has done a great job planning and planting and maintaining it, but this year the garden has seen no love... whether Kara was unable to bend over during pregnancy in spring or neither of us having any time to pull weeds with a new baby, the garden has been in OK shape but not nearly how we like it.

Enter Henry and Nancy.

They are very good in the garden, and were gracious enough to answer our call for help. You'll see some pictures from our adventure out to Planter's Palette near Wheaton, where we picked up so many plants we could barely fit the stroller in the Blazer! The helped us plant everything, and mulched all the beds (we have a lot). Truly a ton of work. I'm not sure what the appropriate gardener cheer is... "boy, you really turned that one over"? Well, whatever it is, Henry and Nancy get it. Basically, they saved summer for us... and now for Jude, too!

It's sad that they live further away and it will be months instead of weeks that we see them again--and we've promised they don't have to work so hard next time.

One bit of closing. We received a good piece of advice from Henry that we should pass on, in case you haven't heard it: Never try to make a happy baby happier. Sage advice as we try to figure this little guy out.

Shortly after arrival

Out on a plant-buying adventure
Hangin' with Grandma Nancy

a bedtime story

Jude is only about a month old but he already has a mini routine around bedtime. Every few days he gets a bath before bed. We usually wrap him in a hooded towel. The cuteness character heads on these are more for mom and dad at this point than Jude, who is still trying to discover that he has hands.

Jude chillin in alligator towel

Next Greg checks and changes Jude's diaper. Actually if you haven't heard, Greg changed every baby diaper for the first several days of Jude's life. It was his daddy task. And it was awesome for mom who was recovering. Finally on day 3 or 4 he showed Grandma Carole and Kara his diaper changing routine and they began to help.

Dad on diaper duty

After a diaper change Jude heads to the crib to get swaddled. If you don't know, it begins in the hospital where they wrap babies tightly in blankets like little caterpillars. Some experts say it makes baby more secure by recreating a 'womb' environment. Not having seen the womb environment, we're not sure, but we do know he sleeps much better when he isn't flailing his arms around and knocking himself awake on accident.

Prepare to swaddle

We don't use blankets to swaddle Jude. Instead we have these great swaddlers that you tuck and velcro. Thanks Tori for the great suggestion.

Caterpillar baby

After the swaddle Jude gets one more meal before bed. Both mommy and Jude found it best not to include a photo of this part. After that its off to sleep for baby Jude, usually around 9:30pm.

Jude "Dines" Out

Now that Jude is three weeks old we have successfully attempted the stressful First Bottle Feedings Away From Home. Jude dined out at the lovely Planter's Palate Garden Store in Wheaton, and less successfully dined out in the Costco parking lot.

Dad feeds Jude while Grandma supervises

Jude and his BPA free bottle

We decided to go for BPA free bottles. Its a chemical in hard clear plastics which some studies say might be dangerous. We haven't tried other bottles with him but he does fine with the Born Free line we have (Thanks Annisia & James for the bottle gift set!)

Week 3 bottle feedings are still a bit messy. Jude dribbles out a bunch while trying to eat. But its much, much better than the bottle he got at the end of Week 1. Afterwards he seemed to forget how to eat when mommy fed him later. So she banned the bottle until late in Week 2.

Jude's first bottle ever

In praise of: The Baby Bjorn Synergy

So we registered for and were given a new Baby Bjorn Synergy. It's the newest in a long line of baby carriers from the very creative Swedish company (is there anything the Swedes can't do!).

It allows you to carry the baby in a very airy frontpack--I suppose that's the opposite of a backpack?--with a tremendous level of back support and other ergonomic comfort. In my opinion, this kicks-into-submission the traditional "baby sling". Not all things new and techie are good, but this a great advancement.

It is admittedly a bit complex to put on, however. It's kind of like putting on a racing harness-style seatbelt in a race car... lots of belts & buckles that must be tightened in the correct order for it to work. And the haze of new baby world is a tough time to learn such things. But, once assembled, it works like a champ.

Kara intimidated by the complexity of her Baby Bjorn

The two real tests, though, are comfort of wearer and carried-one. I have limited experience with it so far, but Kara says it's shockingly comfortable and allows her to do a lot of tasks with him right there. Jude has fussed initially every time he gets inserted, but settles down quickly and enjoys the ride for as long as he's in ti.

Future blackmail

What's a baby without a blackmail shot...


And just in case he thinks he got off easy with this one, there are more (ha ha ha!).

When nursery animals attack...

Grandparent visit part 2 of 3

Scott and Jane Kline, Kara's dad and step-mom, came to visit last weekend to help us out for three days. It was great to see them both again... I think I failed to mention in previous blog posts that Jane was definitely the unsung hero of delivery day in the hospital. Both Scott and Jane have medical backgrounds (Scott is a retired orthopaedic surgeon and Jane is a retired pediatric nurse) but Jane's nursing background kicked in on delivery day... putting Greg to shame with how well she looked after Kara!

Well, Scott and Jane came up for round two and were great at taking care of Jude, Kara, and Greg once again.

Jude feeding with Grandpa Scott

Jude relaxing with Jane
Yummy (and pretty) dinner courtesy of Jane

The House That Greg Built

Greg has handled blog posts until now because I have been overwhelmed and under slept. I have to share with you the cool nursery Greg built for baby Jude. When we've slept more you all are welcome to have a look in person :-)

Jude's Changing Station

We bought the dresser you see below the changing pad in the center. Greg graciously agreed to my request that he build me a copy of the Pottery Barn Kids changing station around it.
I had no idea we would actually need all the baskets. Who knew receiving blankets were so necessary...for that matter who even knew what receiving blankets were? But all of it helps when the Jude star is spitting or crying or cold or needs a cuddle.

Your cards & notes above Jude's changing pad

I did contribute one interesting aspect of the nursery-- my elephant walls. This great website http://www.whatisblik.com/ has cool decals you peel and stick to make an interesting not to kiddie looking nursery. I've read babies like to look at black and white contrasts at first, so we hope Jude will "see" the value of this decor.

One addition from Kara--the elephant walls

Food = Good

Having a child is very time and energy consuming, to say the least. There is barely enough time to tie your shoes, let alone cook dinner. For this reason, we say "thank you" to the team of people who are bringing us meals all month.

At our church--and many other churches we're aware of--it is a simple assumption that the community will rally around you and provide you with the resources you need to make it through the first few hectic weeks. At our church, one of your friends typically volunteers to play point person to set a schedule, and then accepts volunteers (usually they come out of the woodwork!) to provide meals. Usually you get meals every other day, and you are given enough food to last for two dinners. Basically, you can go the entire month (or more) without having to cook dinner for yourself.

We are fortunate enough to have our friend Virginia Wang setting up the schedule (we even had more than one person volunteer to schedule, but Lynsey Steiner was on vacation when Jude decided to show up).

Our first meal was brought to us by Nancy Guyer. For the record, Nancy makes a mean baked ziti, and her brownies were yummy enough that Greg invented the concept of the "breakfast brownie" the next morning just for the excuse of wanting to eat more. Thanks, Nancy!

Nancy threatening to run off with Jude due to his overwhelming cuteness

Meals since have included lasagna, tacos (with beers!), and pork with rice amongst others. There are advantages to being part of a community.

The dog is calming down

If you recall, the last time we left Jude & George there was hecticness and vomiting. Not so anymore! George is still a bit thrown off by the baby (he still has trouble finding him) but he seems to be getting accustomed to our new pet. I'm not sure George realized Jude is a person yet, or that he's our child. Still to be determined.

However, he is already much better about staying calm with the baby around, as evidenced here.

Jude uses George as a pillow

In Praise of: The Combi Pod Bouncer

One of the "must have" accessories for any baby today is (apparently) the bouncer. It's a simple device at its core, really... a soft seat that rocks/bounces/etc. and the motion keeps the baby happy.

More recent iterations typically have a vibrate mechanism built in, and a device to play a little tune in that wussy chimey sound that only baby toys make. The only options were to decide what color bouncer you wanted, and what tune you were willing to live with.

Until....

The Combi Pod Bouncer came along and includes a plug in for your mp3 player (in our case, and old-school iPod). Is this a gimmick? Perhaps. But I've got to tell you, for someone who is fussy about music it is a lifesaver. You no longer have to listen to variations-on-a-theme-of-twinkle-twinkle and, just as important, neither does the baby.

I'm not suggesting that I am really convinced that Jude's taste in music will be settled in his first few months, but I would like to get him used to listening to music that is a bit more... good, let say... than the normal baby toy tunes.

Jude in the Combi Pod Bouncer

For the record, we've tried a few different kinds of music. He loves Mozart, was woken up by (but also appeared to enjoy) Dvorak, cried fiercely at the David Crowder Band, and listened calmly to Caedmon's Call.

A visit from uncle Todd

Grandpa Scott and Uncle Todd (Kara's brother) came up for a visit on the 5th. Grandpa Scott was there for the birth, of course, but this was Uncle Todd's first time meeting the little guy.

It was a short visit, but great for everyone to meet each other!

Uncle Todd and Jude

Uncle Todd gets brave and holds the little guy
Brother & Sister (& Baby)
Grandpa Scott gets silly
Jude relaxing during the visit

Delivery for Jude Miller

Jude received his first mail today, a package from his Great Aunt Karen and Uncle Chuck. It was a funny sight at first, but one we'll get used to. I can't wait until his first credit card offer.

Jude's first mail

all jude all the time

Nothing fancy here, just pictures of Jude over the past few days. By the way, as of today Jude is a week old!

Jude chillin' after a feeding

Jude on the Boppy
Jude on the Boppy (again)
Jude trying to escape from the Boppy

grandma carole

As you may have guessed, Kara is not yet up to posting so it's all Greg all the time on the blog right now. She "might feel up to if she didn't have to feed like 12 hours a day" as per a recent quote. I think she's exaggerating... it's not a minute over 11 hours a day.

Kara's mother has been here since the day we came home from the hospital to help out a ton during the first week, which is really really helpful during the breaks between the 450 feedings per day. "Grandma Carole" deserves three cheers, a 21-gun salute, and an epic poem composed in her honor. Given the fact that Kara and I are both sleepy, it is unlikely that either of us will execute on those honors any time soon, but we do say "Great job, Grandma Carole!"

Jude with Grandma Carole

sunday in the park (ok, the backyard) with george (and jude)

Sunday was such a beautiful day in Oak Park (80deg and sunny) that we decided to all hang out in the backyard for a while. It was such a nice evening, we all dined al fresco, as well. Except Jude, of course... feeding him outdoors would be indecent at this point.

Kara, George, Jude (in stroller), and Grandma Carole

George and Jude
Kara taking a break from eating

Jude hangs out at home

The past few days have been spent with Jude getting used by being alive, and us getting used to keeping him that way. It has included all the usual (so I am told) turmoils about feeding and sleeping. But, before you offer advice note that we've read many of the usual books: Weissbluth, Happiest Baby on the Block, Baby Wise, the NAPS plan, etc. In fact, Kara made a big comparison chart of the different approaches from each of these authors. The contradictions were striking, if expected.

I have to say, though, that I would be completely lost without the advice from Happiest Baby on the Block. I was a complete infant novice (infant-averse, really) and had no idea what to do with a baby in my arms. While I can't agree with a number of the author's philosophical reasonings for his calming techniques, though, I have been able to use them like a magic potion for getting little Jude to settle down!

For sleep it looks like we're going to be working with some hybrid of Weissbluth and NAPS, but we're trying to keep an open mind as we figure out our own parenting predilections and Jude's temperament.

Speaking of Weissbluth, we had a little bit of fun at the hospital. To be checked out of the hospital, you need a pediatrician's approval. Our pediatrician, Dr. Claus of Pedios in Oak Park, does not have medical privileges at Prentice downtown so we had to choose a hospital-only pediatrician who has Prentice privileges (this is apparently very common?). We received a page of recommendations from our OB, and the first name on the list was.... Dr. Marc Weissbluth! His practice is based in Chicago, in the same building as our OB. We did as any starstruck book reader would do, and we signed up to have Dr. Weissbluth as our hospital pediatrician. We ended up seeing two of his partners, no the famous doc himself, but it was fun in a silly sort of way to have his charts and bassinet label (which we kept) show that his doctor was Marc Weissbluth.

Well, since we've been home we've been to see our actual pediatrician, and the report is that he is a very healthy (and chunky) baby. Here are a few pictures from the past few days at home:

Mother and son napping

Nursing confusion part 1 - trying to feed on dad's arm
Nursing confusion part 2 - trying to feed on mom's finger
First visitors at home - Greg's friends/co-workers Byron and Evelyn

George

George is our dog. He is a seven-year-old mix of German Shepherd, Beagle, and Rottweiler (size about half-way between a Rott and Beagle, oversize head and paws like a Rott, coat like a Shepherd). His features and disposition make him seem like the perpetual puppy.

We picked up George at the Chicago pound in September of 2001, and he's been an integral part of the family ever since. I'm not sure how to describe it, but he seems to have a more detailed and expressive personality than many dogs we've met. Kara's mom even refers to George as her "granddog".

Well, we tried as hard as we could to prepare Mr. George for the baby, but we were limited by his lack of English skills. He was continually curious about what we were doing in the Guest Bedroom--now the nursery--but seemed to have made peace with that a while back.

The arrival home was nothing short of a chaotic spectacle. Kara and I went in the house without Jude at first, petted the dog a bit after being away a few days, then Kara held George on a leash while I carried the car seat with Jude into the house.

No sooner did George spot the baby, but he went into a hyper frenzy and vomited on the carpet in our foyer (out of excitement?). This was a never-before-seen behavior. Almost as soon as George had his moment, Jude promptly spit up all over himself and the car seat... this was Jude's first spit-up. The dog started yelping, the baby started crying, and Kara and I simply stared at each other in sleep-deprived hazy disbelief.

Fortunately, things have gone uphill. George is still excessively curious about the baby, and he makes an effort to lick Jude whenever he's in reach--as you might guess, he's not in reach very much!

The oddity is that George has difficulty finding Jude. We can't quite figure it out... George can't seem to notice that the baby moves around from place to place. He constantly returns to look for the baby the last place he saw him, even when we try to point Jude out directly to George. I don't know if he has trouble seeing the baby (often only Jude's head is exposed) or identifying his smell yet. Either way, I'm sure it will get better soon.

We are still working on the whole dog/baby coexistence (last night George actually barked at Jude when Jude was crying loudly as if to say "you're being impolite to scream at mommy like that!"), but I'm sure they'll be best of friends soon enough.

Picture from the homeward trip

We all left the hospital on Thursday afternoon, as evidenced by the following photos (our nurse was Paige, who really knew her stuff):

Paige handing Jude over to Kara:

Kara and Greg with Jude ready to leave the hospital: Little Jude in the car, ready to go:On the way home Jude got to experience his first stop-start-stop car ride in Chicago rush hour traffic. Fortunately he took quite readily to the car seat and sleep soundly the entire way.

I really really want to use the car seat as simply a car seat (rather than all-purpose baby carrier or occasional bassinet) on principle. However, I can perfectly well understand why many people default to the car seat as an all-purpose baby device. The kid just curls up and sleeps.

There are no pictures of us arriving right at home due to the craziness of the dog. An upcoming post will detail that situation.