The Shower

We've had a big week since we've been home. Grandma Szurkus visited us for the weekend, and we had a FABULOUS time. We didn't DO much of anything-- we just spent the days with Grandma fawning over Alex. Alex did a lot of smiling and laughing at her. Apparently, they have a mutual admiration society.

We've done a lot of "swimming" this week. We like to go to the pool in the early evening, after it has cooled down (from the 98 degrees that it is in the day). Alex is really enjoying it. Yesterday, he let me hold him facing me while I dragged him through the water for about 10 minutes. He kicked and made little silent laughs. Lots of fun!

I'm starting to feel like a normal person again. Today, while Alex took his midday nap, I actually showered without rushing. I even removed the chipping polish from my toenails and shaved my legs! Then I lathered on some good smelling moisturizer and brushed my teeth. I felt like a new woman! Makeup and hair were accomplished after The Bean awoke but while he entertained himself in his bouncy chair (THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, CONNIE!).

We're expecting another visitor this afternoon-- my cousin Hilary is coming to spend a couple of days. Should be fun!

Home Again, Home Again Jiggity Jog

Alex and I are just home from a week's visit with my family in Atlanta and South Carolina. We had a GREAT time. It was Alex's first time seeing his Aunt Kathy, Uncle Dan and cousin Sarah (who is just 2 months older than him). After a few days at their house having a wonderful time doing pretty much what we do here (playing, strolling, and swimming), we drove up to see Grandma, Grandpa and Abuelita in their rental house in South Carolina. Alex loved the nonstop attention he got from his grandparents and great grandmother. And, I loved having all the extra helping hands around.

Other than the travel through Atlanta airport (which gets worse every time I go there), it was a really relaxing and fun trip. Next time (which we hope isn't too long from now), we're going to drive and miss out on the baggage and security snafus of air travel.

Go Baby

Another week has passed-- I'm sure some significant things have happened in the world, but here the world has shrunk. We're excited because Alex is asleep IN HIS CRIB tonight. As you can tell from previous posts and photos, he's resisted the crib sleeping pretty effectively up until this week. I feel like we've rounded a bend though-- he's eating better and sleeping better and fighting for only about 45 minutes after he's put down for the night. Sigh.

We had lots of fun this week. We went to the concert in the park in downtown Pensacola, took a swim in the pool, and ate out at the Fish House. Dennis was on call Sat., so Alex and I spent the day with a girlfriend, going out to lunch and doing some shopping.

I attach photos of the concert (of D and mini-D), swimming, and portraits of the most beautiful six-week-old in the world (at least to me).

The Rotation

Well, we've finally settled into a routine after our return from the trip.

Alex and I are pretty boring. We just rotate 4 activities all day long. We start with nursing. Then, short play and diaper changing. After that, it's time for Mommy to try to convince Alex to sleep. That takes about an hour. Finally, he succumbs and dozes off-- for 20 minutes! And then we start it all over again. In the evening, we throw in a walk and bath. It breaks up the monotony, and he likes both things.

Thank goodness for Dennis. He provides distraction from the routine as the social planner for the family. This weekend, he was on call. But, the reward for that was that he was free yesterday. So, we enjoyed a nice lunch on the porch of a restaurant downtown.

As you can tell, the adjustment from lawyer to Mommy is not easy for me. I'm grateful for all the friends & family who check in on us, invite us to activities, and offer advice. We need it all. Please keep it coming.

The photos are of bath time and nap time. Note the lengths to which I will go to get the little dude to sleep!

Well, for some reason, I can't make this entry have a title. It was to be, "A Traveling Man."

We've just returned from a 10-day trip. What kind of Szurkus would Alex be, after all, if he didn't travel?! We've been in Orlando, FL, Lynchburg, VA, and Tampa, FL. Dennis had interviews in the first two places. Then, Alex and I visited Grandma Hill in the last. We drove long distances and flew (with two connections). It was a great trip-- Alex was a total doll, sleeping through most of the actual travel, until the second to the last day at Grandma's when he melted down. But what can you expect of a 1-month old?

Dennis's interviews went well, and we are getting close to knowing where we'll be settling for the long haul. It feels strange, having been on the move our entire married lives, to make a long term decision like where to live for the next 20 years. But, it also feels good. We're looking forward to it.

Well, the laundry and bills call. I'll be in touch. Attached are some pix from the trip-- Alex's first smile (at G'ma Hill), first airplane ride and sleeping in the hotels.

Thank You Mr. Bjorn!

We've had a challenging but rewarding week. We're learning what Alex likes (to be held, to ride in the stroller, to be outside, and to have baths) and what he doesn't (to lie down by himself, to have his diaper changed, and generally everything else, so far). We're both happier since I decided that, even if he isn't 8lbs. yet, he's riding in the Baby Bjorn. He thinks he's being held, and I get two hands to do things with.

An aside-- Those damn lawyers will put safety labels on anything! Instead, they should have Moms write the labels-- only real safety concerns would be identified. And labels would identify things you CAN do, not just things you SHOULDN'T. For example, pacifiers would come with a label that says, "If you blow on this after it falls on the floor, you can put it back in your child's mouth." And, the portable swing would say, "If you decide to move this swing while your child is sleeping in it (forbidden by the lawyers), use both hands."

I must brag that the child is a good night sleeper. In fact, I've decided he's just like his father-- won't go to bed until 10:30 but wants to sleep all morning. I had to wake him at 8:30 a.m. to nurse!

We had some good tummy time this morning. I'm attaching photos.

We Emerge (In More Ways than One)!

It's been a while since the last post, and I hope that most of you have heard or assumed by now that is because The Bean was born.

Alexander Peyton Szurkus made his arrival on his due date, June 9, at 10:57 a.m. He weighed in at 7 lbs., 10 oz. and was 20 inches long. He has a lot of curly black hair and huge blue eyes (Dennis's friends at the hospital are calling him Mini Me because he looks so much like D). And, he started proving right away that he has a healthy pair of lungs!

We had a very nice (and short) hospital stay. All the gang at Naval Hospital Pensacola was super to us, but we wanted to be home. So, we packed up the next day and were home in time for lunch.

Kristina's mom, dad and Abuelita arrived while Alex and Kristina were still in the hospital. Grandpa and Great Grandma stayed for just a couple of days; but Grandma is still here, helping with the rocking, cooking, laundry, etc.

It's hard to believe it's been a whole week. But, it's easy to see that our lives have been changed by this beautiful baby boy.

Photos attached. More later . . .