Sam at Home: Week One

Today, Sam is one month old. Can you believe it?

You've heard a lot about his time in the NICU, but since he's been home, it's been less of a drama than an intermission. There's lots to do around our house; we're even now still converting the office into Sam's room. I'm really going to miss my big corner desk.

He came home on a regimented 4 hour feeding schedule. We've tried to stick to that, even when he sleeps through the four hour period. Yes, be jealous: he's already a good sleeper (and I'm knocking on wood and hope he stays that way.) He went close to five hours last night and then pounded down his bottle. He's on a two pronged feeding regimen: breastfeeding (mostly at night) and bottles fortified with formula at the other feedings. He's alert and awake about 3-4 hours a day (best guess) and sleepy/asleep the rest of the time. He loves to be held and will conk out if you hold him for any length of time in the cradled position. He's got big, bright eyes and looks around regularly. I remember Jack's eyes took a few days to get accustomed and would go cross eyed and roll back from time to time, freaking us out. Sam doesn't seem to have that problem, but he was also 3 weeks along by the time he went home, unlike Jack who was home about 3 days later.

We've had lots of love and support over the past week. It comes in many forms: food, presents, visits, and calls, and we appreciate all of it VERY VERY MUCH. Thank you! Please don't hesitate to call but forgive us if you get the answering machine - we're playing man-on-man defense right now.

I would ask those that read this with any regularity to encourage Ashley to start posting to it. She checks her email nightly and I have told her that she'd save a bit of time by writing here and then answering specifics on her email, but she's all about personal communication. I'm like the Wizard of Oz: Short and hiding behind a curtain. Oh wait, I'm missing the Emerald Castle and flying monkeys. Note to self: (1) buy monkey; (2) teach it to fly.

--TJR

Jack has ALL the answers.

I took Friday and Monday off to help backstop Ashley while she adjusts to having Jack and Sam home together. Monday afternoon, Jack contracted a bout of "cabin fever" so we headed off to the Club to see if we could burn off some of his energy hitting some range balls (which I never mind, being a self-described "Range Monkey"). We arrived to find the Club totally empty, which was great except for the fact that Jack had no golf balls in his little bag. (We did find some range balls scattered about so we used those and he had a good time smacking them around and playing in the practice bunker.)

After about an hour, he was pretty red and I was drenched in sweat so we retreated to the clubhouse to get some water and rest a bit. We sat down on a bench that looks out over the practice green, the 18th green and the water fountain that sits next to 18 green. He plopped down (okay, he climbed up and scooted to the edge of the bench, but whatever, he's 2 and a half) and we had a nice little chat. It went something like this:

Me: So, are you going to be a good boy for mommy tomorrow.
Jack: (Nods in agreement, pauses) Why?
Me: Because Daddy has to go back to work tomorrow so you and Mom and Sam will be home alone all day.
Jack: Why?
Me: Because someone has to pay for all of this, pal.
Jack: Why?
Me: Because we have to pay for our house and the food we eat and all of your toys.
Jack: (thinks a moment, pauses, looks up at me with certainty in his eye and says,) Daddy, all you need is a box of dollars.
Me: (Chuckles) Oh yeah? That sounds good. Where do I find a box of dollars?
Jack: (Looks around. Points to the fountain) Daddy, there are pennies in the fountain.

Even a seasoned veteran (if I can call myself that after some six years now) of the adversarial system gets a little choked up to see that my progeny is starting to figure out how the world works and put things together.

I'm off to find that box of dollars.

--TJR