Week 1

What is the hardest part of having a newborn? LACK OF SLEEP. It is astonishing to think that Hinckley has been part of our family for a week. That sure was a quick time! I think part of the reason it went by so quickly is because our activities don't really distinguish day and night anymore--it's just been one long day. 

Hinckley seems to know the difference between day and night because he literally sleeps ALL day and only wakes up to eat. But at night, he wants to be awake. If only we, as his parents, could train our bodies to keep the same schedule as him until he decides to switch to our schedule. 

Greg and I are managing for now by tag-teaming. For the first few nights, Greg was pretty sick, so he couldn't be that helpful. Since he is feeling better now, we've worked out a system where I wake up to feed Hinckley and Greg wakes up if Hinckley just wants to be awake. This works best because if I hold Hinckley he automatically assumes it is time to eat--even if he ate 15 minutes before. 

I knew babies went through a lot of diapers, but I really didn't know how many that was until now. When Greg and I read the recommendations for how many dirty diapers a newborn should have, we couldn't help but laugh. The number of bowel movements and wet diapers Hinckley has a day far exceeds the standard. Every time he eats he has 1-2 dirty diapers. We talked to the pediatrician about this and she said, "Oh good! That makes me very happy because it means he is getting enough to eat!" I couldn't help but think, "Well, if you're so excited about it, feel free to come over and change him yourself." Seriously, though, changing him isn't that bad. Other than the fact that he bawls like we are torturing him every time we open his diaper, the mess isn't so bad. Something about it being your own child makes it easier...and a whole lot funnier.

He sleeps in the same room as us right now. We have a sound machine we use, but I am pretty sure Hinckley couldn't care less about it. It is helpful for me, though, because it blocks out all the little rustlings that encourage me to check on him way too much. However, if  I don't hear anything from him for awhile, I also have to check on him to make sure he is still breathing. Another reason why there is lack of sleep on my part. 

He makes really cute facial expressions all the time. My favorite is the furrowed brow. My mom said he makes a lot of expressions like Greg; I tend to agree with that. We'll have to see if it continues when he is older.

Having a baby is even more work than I could have ever imagined. It has helped me gain an even greater appreciation for all the wonderful parents I know. I often find myself wondering how people survive with multiple children if one is this much work! 

With that said, we are very happy to have Hinckley in our family. He is such a pure spirit. I don't think there is a better way to learn Christ-like attributes and experience the joy Heavenly Father is willing to give us other than by being a parent. 

Here are some pics from our first week:

The first day home from the hospital. (Excuse my tiredness.)

Haha. I love this photo of Greg! Greg was holding Hinckley and I decided to take a picture because usually he isn't in any pictures because he is taking them. Well, this was the first of many pictures we took. After half an hour, the next picture ended up being our final attempt at a good one.

He has pretty long feet for such a tiny person!

Greg calls this the diabolical scheming photo. (In reality, he was just falling over.)