Ethan is one month old tomorrow:)

Hi all!

Well it has been a crazy past four weeks! What an adjustment and learning experience it has been for all three of us. Let me bring you up to speed: Right after Ethan was born, Andrew took off two weeks from work and stayed home with us. Boy was that needed! I could not have functioned physically or emotionally without him having been there learning, stressing and losing sleep alongside me.

Ethan has had two doctors appointments thus far and has done real well. The PA who has been overseeing his health has reported that he is growing just as he should and has been so helpful in answering all of our first-time-parent questions. I always look forward to doctors appointments and knowing that everything looks okay to a trained eye.

Ethan has learned how to breast feed, but has had some problems with gas! Poor thing- he will twist and turn and cry when he can't burp or have it come out the other end. We have tried all different kinds of suggested remedies, but he still has difficulty. He is, however, getting enough food into his system as displayed by how frequently we are changing diapers and the fact he is gaining weight. He also has to be held upright for about 20 minutes after feedings if we don't want to see it come back up again! When this happens he also cries:( He is just a fussy baby and we are learning what cries mean what... well, kinda.

Thanksgiving was celebrated at Cameron's Aunt Terri's home in El Paso this year, and Ethan did real well:) What a great meal and time with family. The following day Andrew's family came down from Santa Fe to celebrate the holiday and Brenda cooked a wonderfully tasty meal as always:)

Andrew has since gone back to work and Cameron's Mom has been up to Las Cruces a couple times a week to help with the baby and this crazy messy house. It has been a huge help! Everything just seems a little less stressfull and more manageable when she is here.

Ethan and I are getting into a schedule of sorts- - -slowly but surely. At least to a degree where he and I both get a bath several times a week and feel somewhat rested :) I am also no longer going the whole day in my pajamas and my hormones are leveling off. I know Andrew is thankful for that last one! Poor guy- - we both thought my mood swings were over once the baby came- - -no way Jose. But I am getting better:)

Today Andrew, Ethan, Uncle Stephen and I are going to be traveling up to Santa Fe for the annual "Dye Open House". Every year the Dye family cooks a bunch of good food and invites friends and family over to hang out and fill their bellies. I don't think we have missed one since we have been married and this will be Ethan's first "Open House" It will also be his first long distance trip (about four hours). I think that he is going to do just fine, but it is always a little nerve wrecking for me with any of his "firsts" until they are over.

SOOO, here are some more current pictures of our little mister:

Like Father, like son

"I am at ease, in the arms of a woman..."

"7 8 9?!!! That's why 6 is afraid..."

This video has a surpise ending.