the new normal.

We came home from the hospital just before noon last Friday. My sister had taken care of the kids while we were there, and she had quite the homecoming prepared. She and the kids made this sign, complete with stickers.

 

The house was spotless, laundry folded, and we even got chocolates on our bed.

 

We even had a cake to welcome us home.

 

Duncan's first time in his bassinet.

 

First bath. Not a big fan.

Both kids have really warmed up to Duncan since he's been home. They ask to hold him quite often. Ivy tries to bring him toys, sometimes unintentionally bonking him on the head with them. She also brings him his "binky" every time she sees it and is very disturbed if he won't take it at that particular moment. Ivy likes to "help" mommy with his diapers by throwing them in the trash, and she also throws every piece of linen she finds (blankets, burp rags, etc.) in the hamper, whether they are dirty or not. Both kids run to his bassinet as soon as the enter our room and are disappointed when he is not there. They love climbing up on the bed while I am nursing and are very interested in the whole process. Ivy does have her moments of angst when I can't hold her because of Duncan, but overall I am really encouraged by their attitudes and am hopeful that the transition will be smooth!

Duncan has been really different from my other babies in a lot of ways. He is very alert!! Silas and Ivy were dead to the world for weeks, but Duncan is wide awake much of the time. He has more trouble napping and will often be in and out of sleep. It is rare for him to go to sleep on his own, and he usually wakes up as soon as we put him in his bed. But the good thing is that he is an AWESOME nurser. He had a doctor appointment today, and he is already back up to 8 lbs 14 oz, only 3 oz short of his birth weight! I am so thankful for his good nursing...I really prayed that the Lord would make him a good eater, since nursing Ivy was so stressful for me. So far it is amazing to see how the Lord has graciously answered that specific prayer.

Also, I should note that he's a great sleeper at night...After his 10:30 feeding I have to set an alarm to wake him at 2:30AM, and then he sleeps again until I wake him at 6:30AM. Getting solid stretches of sleep makes such a difference for me!