Sunday, October 12, 2008

Fast Forward

It's hard to believe that our little Neil is already 1 week old! Chris was able to take the week off from work and I had imagined that our time would be spent relaxing and adjusting to our new addition in easy, lazy strides. Not that I haven't done a lot of laying around this week, but it seems like someone has pressed the fast forward button on our lives and my week of lazy bliss has gone by much too quickly. I guess that's life!

Here's a little update on the five of us:

Chris has loved being home and hanging out with us all week. He has been an amazing help to me-- waking up early to make breakfast for Tom & Gord (plus a couple of breakfasts in bed for me!), shuttling the boys to and from school, making dinner, and just generally catering to whatever I need. Chris even braved being with all three boys by himself while I ran a couple of errands on Friday afternoon. He's a pro!



Elise-- I'm physically recovering very well. I've been a bit emotional, but so far, it hasn't been too crazy. I actually put make-up on twice(!) this week, although doing something other than a braid or the messy bun with my hair is out of the question. I think this is the only time in my life where I can honestly claim that I've lost a whopping 15 pounds in one week!

Thomas looooooooooves his new brother. He is so proud and affectionate-- it's very cute. We had Tom's SEP this week (parent-teacher conference) and we were extremely pleased to see how well he is doing in school. In fact, his teacher and I had a hard time coming up with a goal for this quarter because Tom is already on par with 2nd grade expectations. He's a great kid.

Gordon also adores Neil and asks to hold him about 20 times a day. He is very sweet and mostly gentle with him-- I think it's hard for a 3-year-old to conceptualize "patting gently", but he tries. Gord has been pretty clingy this week, which we kind of expected. It's hard to be knocked from your place as the baby of the family, and he is doing his best to cope. Luckily, Chris has been extra attentive and we're hoping that helps the adjustment continue smoothly. Gordon helped Chris pick out some flowers for me-- he was really excited about the butterfly. What a sweetie!



Neil doesn't do anything different from any other newborn-- basically, he just eats, sleeps, and cries when we change his clothes or diaper. But oh, he is so cute when he does all of these things! It's hard to imagine that he will be so different even a month from now, so I'm trying hard to enjoy the tininess of his newborn life. We love his teeny, fatless body and his husky little cry (a lot like our other boys), his blonde-tipped rock star hair and his funny furrowed brow during his brief (but so cute!) awake times. It's only been a week, but we can't imagine life without him!

11 comments:

becky ward said...

sounds like you guys are handling three without a hitch! did we really doubt?! NO! of course you will be great at it.

neil is SO cute in that picture with his voluptuous lips! i just want to kiss his cheeks and enjoy all his tiny-ness! i wish you were closer! i would wait on you too! you would probably have to send me home! (:

Becca said...

Oh yay! Your boys are all so sweet--and baby Neil looks like Thomas to me. Truman had the newborn rockstar hair, too.

That first week does go by way too fast--I hope you'll still be able to relax this week and let your emotions stabilize. Is there anything I can do for you, my Elise DeArton Hansen? (Do you have a middle name?)

Elena said...

Oh, he's changed so much all ready! Time goes MUCH to quickly after they're born. I LOVE his blonde tipped rocker hair. Carter had that too. Remember how hard you laughed at Carter's newborn wild hair picture? Well, you cursed yourself with the cutest baby ever! Hope you are feeling well and getting much needed rest. Enjoy your precious time with little Neil.

shannon said...

oh, he's so DARN sweet...i love his coloring and those lips! AHHH! sounds like life is adjusting good, i hope all keeps going well. thanks for the update!

jILl PeTeRsEn said...

What a sweetie Chris is! I know Drew always loved being home with me the first week. There's just a different feeling and it doesn't last long. Sorry you have been a bit emotional. I know all to well what that's like! I didn't get postpartum til Jack though. I hope it's not too bad. I hope everyone does the adjusting. Especially Gord. Isabelle had a rough time, but then again- she was only 21 months. My kids are a bit closer in age! What was I thinking?!!

Love you!

Caitlan said...

Ah so cute- I love your boys!

Bon said...

So cute Elise! I am glad to hear you are feeling well and recovering! You deserve it!!

Emily said...

He is such a cutie pie!

Glad you survived the first week. Having the next one scares me because I only have 2 hands!

Amanda and Andy Hansen said...

He looks kind of like Thomas in that last picture. He is so cute! I'm glad that Chris is taking good care of you.

Todd and Kristie said...

Congrats on the new baby Hansens! He is absolutely perfect!! Hopefully we get to visit soon. Congrats again!

Sherrie said...

Oh, Elise, it all goes by too quickly. I love that you are savoring every second of it. He looks beautiful, you look perfect, and it's amazing how much love a little family can grow in one super fast week. Lovely.