Grandma Sue's visit

Where does the time go? Phineas will be three weeks old tomorrow, and we're already at the end of Grandma Sue's visit. Grandma arrived last Monday night, and it has been wonderful having her here. I had no idea how much work these little creatures are! I mean, I KNEW they were a lot of work, but when the day after day after day needs of an infant keep piling up, and the sleep does not keep up with it, that's when it hits. Phineas and I had a difficult first two weeks as we worked hard to learn the essential job of feeding. He has been slow to gain back his birthweight, and nursing has been challenging for both of us. But somehow, the same day Grandma arrived, things started to improve. Phineas has been gaining weight beautifully over the past week, and we've all relaxed quite a bit. I'm still a bit of a nervous mom, but having such wonderful support from my mom and Brent has made my life so much easier.

For those of you who know her, you'll recognize the flurry of activity that comes along with my mom's day-to-day activities. Here's the rundown of what's been done (in case you missed her facebook posts).

In the freezer we now have: spinach enchiladas, bean soup, chicken rice soup, split pea soup, lasagna, ratatouille, special K cookies, two loaves of French bread. We have eaten all of the scotcheroos- so there's none left to put in the freezer.

Phineas has gotten from her countless: snuggles, diaper changes, burping, outfit changes, a bundle of new cute boy clothes, and endless love.

We settled into a nice routine of late mornings with coffee, one outing most days, mid-day nap time (with Grandma caring for Phin while Brent and I got some z's), late afternoon saunas, and a home cooked meal at night followed by dessert and tea. Of course that sounds so idylic.  To get a more realistic look at our days, add in feeding the baby 8-12 times per day (setting the alarm every 2-3 hours at night to wake up to feed the baby), changing about that many diapers per day, and just keeping up with the day to day needs of life such as laundry, walking the dogs, cooking, and all that stuff (yeah for Grandma!!).  We all cherish the "angel time" when Phin is snuggly, coo-ing, and just so loving.  Those quiet moments seem to erase all of the sleep deprived, groggy/foggy, cranky feeling moments, and make it all worthwhile.

It will be hard to say goodbye to Grandma Sue in the morning, but the good news is that we'll see her and Grandpa John when we go to Arizona to meet The Grandparents Edwards and Hafner family in a few short weeks.
Enjoy the photos from the past couple of weeks.

Phin tries to say "hang loose" during angel time (note the peach fuzz).

 Look at that full head of hair!

Phin looks like he is eating his hands.

Grandma Sue getting to know Phin.

Phin is starting to look around.  

Phin is milk drunk again while Grandma takes a shift burping him.