It takes a village

     Today marks the original due date for Josephine. It is wild to reflect back on the past eight weeks. It seems like yesterday that I was calling my dad shortly after Ali's water broke on November 1st and telling him we were going to get through this and I was going to "give it a college try."  Having a child has the same feeling of excitement as college. Everything is new and there is no lack of advice from people around you.  My favorite part about being a parent is "wakey time" which consists of about 20 minutes of Josie smiling with wide open eyes taking in the world around her. Looking through the pictures on this blog made me realize how much my little daughter has grown so fast. I will be forever thankful to the nurse on our first morning visit to the NICU that encouraged me to take an active role and change Josie's first diaper. From the start we have been in this team and there is no one else I could imagine going through these recent events with besides my beautiful wife. Ali has been doing a great job keeping up with the challenges of motherhood like a champion. I am so thankful that I married such a wonderful woman.    
      Thank you to everyone who helped us through this trying time as a couple. The amount of love and joy we have received this holiday season has been amazing. Between visitors and family get togethers, Josie has met most of her local relatives and family friends. The best gifts are the advice and stories that we  have had with the people we love.  Stay classy and thanks for all the endless amount of love that you all have sent our way.

3 Weeks Home

So I haven't had time to write, go figure!  The first few days were surreal. We jumped at every sound or lack of sound she made.  She slept like a log for a few days. We had to wake her to eat during the night.  Oh, those were the days ;-) 

Josephine is doing great! She had her one month check up on Tuesday. She now weighs 5 lbs 6oz and is 19.5 inches long.  The doctor doesn't have any concerns with her.  She just needs to keep growing. Nursing is going great too.  This was a big concern of mine.  I have weaned her off of the nipple shield which means I can stop pumping.  We are now enjoying the lack of sleep that all new parents are rewarded with.  

Jesse has been home this whole time. He goes back to work after the holidays. That will be difficult for me but I'm so grateful for the time we have had as a family.  With the snowy weather we have been shut up in our little house, all cozy with Josie. The first week we just sat on the couch and passed her back and forth. I still get sad sometimes to think about how much time my baby had to spend away from us at the beginning of her life.  The more we get to know her, the harder it is to remember leaving her. I hope we don't ever have to leave her again. 

She is sassy!

One month old! 

And she's a fighter!