Parenthood Update!

It is hard to imagine parenthood before it happens to you.  You think you know what it will be like; that you will do things better than those you know, that the amount of energy you have will always surpass your children... But then it becomes reality.  Life begins to speed up drastically!  You pray for patience and wisdom. You hope that the remedy for colic actually works!  You go to sleep knowing that you will be lucky to get a few hours of undisturbed rest...

Long story short, life has drastically changed.  Now that last sentence can be taken many different ways.  In my case, although tiring, life has become so amazing and rewarding!  Carter is 3-1/2 months now! (Katie and I agreed that we wouldn't state "weeks old", only months) He is growing and developing like a weed (the good kind).  Katie returned to work 3 weeks ago.  We are extremely blessed by extended family and friends who care for Carter when we both have to work.  I am back into the swing of things at work, but find myself pulling back from other obligations like leading music at church, so that I have more time at home with Katie and Carter when Katie is not working.

Carter is over his Colic, and except for the occasional growth spurt, which lasts a couple days, he is an amazing little man.  He smiles so much and it brings so much joy into our lives.  He is sitting up in the Bumbo seat and tracking movement all over the room.  How awesome it is to see him develop! Oh, by the way, he enjoys reading the newspaper with me too.

Check out these pictures and try not to smile!

A Tribute to Jim Henson

So we are now the proud parents of a real life muppet!  Well, not really.  but you have to admit that Carter resembles one of Jim Henson's creations (perhaps a little less fuzzy).

Our little man is 3-1/2 weeks old in this picture and those are the first pair of shoes he has ever worn!  He seemed to enjoy them.  Daddy wore almost the same shoes, just 12 sizes larger.  We went to visit grandpa Craig and grandma Deb in Beloit to celebrate a couple of birthdays and pretend to watch the NFL All-star game.  Grandma was so happy to finally get to use her new rocking chair with Carter!

I officially went back to work this past Monday, so there have been some adjustments made around the Harrmann House.  Katie is still taking the night shift so I can sleep and actually function at work, but now she has to take the day shift as well.  Baby's are tiring, as most parents out there would agree.  Why can't they just sleep!! :-)

This afternoon we are going to the pediatrician for Carter's 1 month check up.  We weighed him last night and he is right around 10lbs.  It is nearly impossible to measure his length so i will have to update everyone after the appointment.

Mom, Dad, and Carter are all surviving and doing well.  We are still head over heels over this guy and so thankful and blessed by him.  More to come, so check back soon.

Keith

Well, we have had quite a week.  It felt great to get home last Saturday afternoon and to be in our home as a family for the first time.  The house immediately blew up into a big mess of clothes and baby stuff, which I can only assume happens to all parents the first time they go home with baby.

Carter was born at 9lb 14oz, but he had dropped to 8lb 6oz by the time we left the hospital.  He was also jaundice so we had to keep him on a bili blanket and under the lights for 24 hrs.  That dropped his bilirubin level enough to allow us to leave the hospital.  Sunday was our first full day home.  Katie and I both got a great nights sleep because Carter slept 6 hours straight!  This parenting stuff isn't too hard ;-)

We had to go in for a checkup with the pediatrician on Monday.  Carter's bilirubin level was up slightly since the last test, but not enough to cause alarm.  They did weigh him and found out that he was up to 8lb 14oz! Our little guy definitely does not have a problem eating.  Our pediatrician asked us to come back Tuesday as well for another quick checkup.  His bili level had dropped more and he actually put on another ounce.  So needless to say, Carter is healthy and happy.

We've had a number of visitors this week and Katie and I have enjoyed seeing family and friends.  Carter doesn't mind it either since he gets all the attention.

We are officially a week old today and we couldn't be happier.  The joy that a child brings into your life is hard to put into words.  We instantly fell in love with our little guy and that love has only grown over the past week.  My dad told me that some of the best memories in his life are when his kids were born, but it is hard to explain that feeling and relate to your kid until they have a child of their own.  Carter has definitely put life, values, and love into a new perspective for us.

There is so much more I could share, but I will stop here for now since my little man is crying.  he must want daddy to hold him.  He doesn't really cry for any other reason :-D  Don't tell mommy that...

Keith

Wide Eyed - Jan 6, 2012 (2 days old)

Carter William Harrmann

We welcomed Carter William Harrmann into the world and our family on January 4th, 2012.  9lb 14oz and 22in.  Definitely takes after his dad :-)