3 weeks old

Here are a few more pictures.

I love all the nicknames Stacey gives Evelyn. The list keeps growing, so far we have: bug (because she stares at lights), stinkerbug, wiggly worm, bird (she looks like one when she's frustrated and trying to eat), and "the little boss".

Last week Evelyn had a doctor's appointment, and she weighed 8 lbs 12 ounces, meaning she has gained 1 lb 6 ounces in under 3 weeks, which is really fast. That's my girl!

We'll be blessing her in church on Sunday, February 3rd.

Some of you wanted to hear her, so here's a video of her crying.

2 weeks old

Here are the latest pictures.

Mom (Diane) came and visited for a few days, that was great. Now Stacey and I are trying to get back into a routine, as I start a new semester.

Evelyn has still been sleeping great. Yesterday Stacey said "It's amazing that she's still alive, and she's just drinking milk from me!" I'm just happy that she's outlasted any goldfish I ever had.

Stacey had a bad fever for a while, but she got over that a few days ago with the help of some antibiotics. Now that she isn't pregnant she's really enjoying being able to do things like lay flat on her back. Unfortunately that also means she finally has to get her wisdom teeth pulled.

My research is moving along, but I've been held up by the laptop, which has developed so many problems that I'll probably have to replace it.

That's all I have time for now. Congrats to Brionna and Adam for their engagement!

Stacey's two cents

I just wanted you all to know that the only way I made it through without the epidural is with the help of Nathaniel and my mom and Heavenly Father. Nathaniel gave me a beautiful blessing right before the contractions became really crazy. He blessed that my body would take over when the time was right for delivery and that both Evelyn and I would be safe and healthy afterwards. This did bring much peace and comfort to me but what really helped was the presence of my sweet mother and the companionship of my dear Nathaniel. I was amazed how calm Nathaniel was during the whole delivery, I really thought that my mom would have to keep us both from losing it.

It’s so weird to think that both Nathaniel and I are parents now. It’s starting to settle in more but yeah what a life changing experience! Evelyn is the sweetest, purest, little bundle of joy I have ever laid my eyes on. She brings such a sweet spirit into our home. It’s so awesome to think that not too long ago her little spirit was with Heavenly Father. I know that she is so precious to Him just as we all are to Him. I am so grateful that Nathaniel and I were able to sealed in the temple for time and all eternity and that Evelyn can be ours forever.

Last pics for a while

I'm probably going a little crazy with pictures, but that's what proud fathers do. Here are some more.

For the last 3 nights Evelyn has been sleeping wonderfully. At night she sleeps in 2-4 hour intervals, and we just change her diaper and feed her and she goes back to sleep. She has been spitting up a lot more lately, and I'm learning the art of keeping food in her stomach. She looks slightly yellow; we had a doctors appointment yesterday and she does have jaundice, which is common, but her bilirubin levels aren't too high and should go down soon. She has lost 4 ounces in the last 4 days, which the doctor said is really good since babies usually lose more weight than that at first. We gave Evelyn her first bath (since the hospital) yesterday, she didn't like that much. Stacey wants to dress her up in cute clothes all the time, but that just complicates the 8 diaper changings per day, so I just leave her wrapped up in a blanket like a burrito.

Stacey is healing but can't figure out why she's still so tired. I'm trying to get back to productive life but I'm having too much fun nesting.

Adjusting

Here are a few more pictures.

Life will never be the same again. Evelyn kept us up until 3 am last night. Stacey is a lot more patient than I am. Stacey was hoping to not be a pacifier-using family; that goal lasted almost one whole night. Evelyn has slept all day today; apparently it's common to take a couple weeks to get onto a day-night schedule, and simply keeping her awake during the day will make her cranky but won't correct the sleeping schedule. We got out of the hospital last night at 7 pm, and it has been really nice to rest at home. Hospitals are no place to recover.

Deanna has helped us so much, I haven't eaten so good in a long time, I feel like I'm back in Blackfoot. Stacey is recovering well, her uterus is shrinking back very fast and she's sore, but she's moving around. She's learned to breastfeed really well, and from the diapers I've been changing I'd say Evelyn is getting plenty to eat.

Evelyn is so sweet. We still feel like we're just babysitting and that her parents owe us bigtime, but we love her.