DASNET

We can't believe it has been (over) a month since Dominic joined us. It has been great, and a bit exhausting... There has been a whirlwind of Dominic meeting friends and family, outings to the mall (and other errands) and some visits to the Pediatrician. Lots of flashbulbs from all those pictures (and some video, who can resist that cooing?) And we have totally lost count on the number of feedings and diaper changes.

For the first week, we had just family time so Mom, Dad, and Dominic could adjust and get acquainted. All too soon David had to go back to the office and a "normal" schedule. During that first week we also learned that little babies like to be toasty warm, and our AC isn't. We learned this lesson from 1-5am for three nights in a row of pacing the house and holding him. Then one day he was fussy and we stepped out onto the porch and into lovely Washington DC summer weather (hot and humid!) - presto and he went limp and comfy. Hmmm. Now he is kept well bundled up in layers and we all get much more rest at night. His two-day check up was on a friday, and we bundled him up and took him to the pediatrician - our first venture out from the house. He had some jaundice (so his great color wasn't so much...) and needed a bilirubin test performed as a heel stick. He didn't seem bothered by it, but Mom sure was nervous. We had to go back the next day for another test, and there was concern about his not getting enough milk. Thankfully by Monday his weight was up and he was looking much better - no more talk of formula supplementation. After his first visit, we also had his first restaurant trip. We went to California Pizza Kitchen for some lunch, and then since he was so cooperative, went to Babies R Us and CVS for some essentials.

During the second week Andrea's Mom took off a couple of days from work and helped out by attending to Dominic's non-feeding needs, keeping the place orderly, and making great meals. All this allowed Andrea to get some good naps in. We also did Dominic's first bath (a sponge bath), which he really didn't like much - and was vocal on that point. Thankfully subsequent baths have gone smoothly. Grandma, Andrea, and Dominic also got in some nice walks around the block. That Holiday weekend Dominic got to meet his great-uncle and two of mom's cousins from California.

On July 3rd we attended the traditional July 3rd Party with good friends, plus a birthday party for a one-year old. Dominic (and Mom & Dad) were up for both and were able to visit with friends. For July 4th, we went up to John & Jane's for a fabulous celebration with all kinds of family and great food. He even seemed to enjoy the fireworks.

David's mom joined us for the third week, and was great help in attending to Dominic's non-feeding needs, meals, and allowing Andrea to nap. She was present for Dominic's first trip to the Mall, and the race home when he was tired of being out... His 2-week checkup went great, he is packing on the pounds (and we're told at his age that is a good thing). Since then he continues to gain, crossing over into the "chunky' category.

Once Mom left, we were on our own - which meant Andrea and Dominc were on their own while Daddy was in the office. That first weekend his cord stump fell off, and during the week Andrea and Dominic went into work, along with another work Baby (Colin, and Mom Kiela) to meet folks from the office. We had a grand time and grabbed some cafeteria lunch before heading back home. Friday was the first Fair Oaks Mom's Group meeting that Andrea and Dominic attended, including lunch afterwards at Wegman's where the Stroller Brigade took over part of the place.

David had a trip to Las Vegas at the end of July to attend Black Hat and DefCon (two computer security/hacking conferences). We made sure that David got to feed him his first bottle before he left (experts recommend it be given at 4-6 weeks, and as newbies we're suckers for what experts say). Dominic and I managed fairly well all week, with much thanks to Aunt Corrin who came up to help out and play with her new nephew. Her trip up also coincided with other family in town, so we had a wonderful lunch at Grandma's (Great-Grandma to Dominic) and visited with Andrea's Godmother Mary Clare and Grandma's brother Joey.

All in all, Dominic continues to thrive, gaining weight, showing more personality , and smiling lots. Andrea has pretty much recovered from labor, now if she could just get more sleep and some of those projects done... David would also like more (uninterrupted) sleep and time to work on his projects. We're all doing well and staying healthy - looking forward to Dominic's first road trip to visit David's sister and family.

zoom One Week Old orig	zoom Future Terp? orig	zoom Two Weeks Old orig
zoom Three Weeks Old orig	zoom The 'O' Face orig	zoom Quality Nap Time orig
zoom Andrea Journaling orig	zoom Sleeeeepy Baby orig	zoom With Grandma Schuetz orig
zoom With Uncle Bryan orig	zoom With Bev orig	zoom With Stephanie orig
zoom One Month Old orig	zoom One Month orig	zoom At the Mall orig
zoom Daddy Helps Out orig	zoom With Corrin orig	zoom Corrin, Relaxed orig