MILEStones

We had our first visit to the pediatrician on Monday- the uber-friendly Dr. Gottfried. Miles marked his territory in true animal fashion by hosing down his first-ever medical chart and two nurses during his weigh-in. Jesse and I were so proud! His aim is always on the mark- just ask Jesse, Jesse's pants and shirts, our bedroom floor and surrounding walls- yes, he's that good. At my new moms group, Miles caught me and my table by surprise while I was changing him. I think he was aiming for the ceiling lights. The mom next to me called me a rookie. Looks like we are still being initiated into the parenthood club.
Miles has already grown over two inches. His weight is rapidly improving. On Monday, he weighed 5 pounds and 6 ounces even. Today he weighed 5 pounds and 12 ounces. Soon he'll be filling out those adorable new born outfits which have until now simply swallowed him.
His hair is looking blonder day by day. I think he's been sneaking my lemon juice during his naps in the sun. He is gearing up for his role as a beach baby. However, he has to wait a few years until he gets his first surfing lesson from Dad.
Tomorrow he will be 2 weeks old. In no way does it feel like he's been here for 2 weeks. Time, in the traditional sense, has melted away. This could be attributed to our insane sleep schedule, but this is more likely linked with the fact that we are still in shock over his arrival. We planned for 8 1/2 months (in our case) on the logistics and physicality of receiving a new baby. Our hearts have had to play catch up after his arrival. As ready as I felt on March 7, I could never have imagined how much mental changing would be occurring- and at such a rapid rate. I am falling in love with Miles ever day. Before he was born, Jesse and I were in love with the dream of Miles- the flutters he caused in my belly, the heartbeats we heard at Dr. Keller's office, his sonogram pictures. Now that he is here, Miles is filling in those blanks that our collective imagination couldn't before write- the true beauty of his face, the calming force he brings to anyone who holds him, his excellent baby smell, his amazing tolerance of perpetual puppy kisses (which are linked to his good smell), the closeness Jesse and I are feeling. To quite the new proud papa, "This is the happiest time of my life."