Sean's Milestones

Things have been going. Not really well. Not really bad. Just kind of going. We're settling into our routines and helping Meredith to sort out her omnipotence. Ok well.... her lack of omnipotence since Sean's arrival. She's been a dream when it comes to Sean. She absolutely adores him and always wants to hold him and for him to come onto the floor to play with her. It's the listening to her parents that's proving difficult. I think, though, that it's more a product of her age rather than Sean's arrival. We're working on it.

We have been settling in nicely for the most part though. Sean nurses well. Poops even better. He goes between breast & bottle seamlessly. Which is great. Rob is able to feed him and take over some shifts from me. The only downside is that my boobs are like pop up timers. If I don't nurse or pump every 3 hours, they let me know it by leaking like faucets. I could definitely live without that and then the subsequent smelling like a dairy farm.

Sean's cord stump fell off today. I was so proud and so sad at the same time. That was Sean's last physical connection to me. Even though he nurses and we snuggle, it's just not the same. I felt the same way when Meredith's fell off.

I can't believe he's a week old already. It's insane. He's so amazing. He really feels like he fits. He is a piece of our family puzzle we had no idea was lost.

Today was also his Bris. We had our immediate family over for the occasion. The Rabbi came and he was wonderful. He gave Sean the once over. Spoke to Rob & me about what would happen. And then he gave Sean some wine. My best friend Stephanie brought Sean from his room into the living room on the pillow the Mohel brought. And then Sean was welcomed. I then placed Sean on his uncle Freddy's lap. We asked Freddy to hold him while the Bris was performed. Freddy is probably the strongest of us who can sit & watch something like that and make sure the Mohel doesn't snip off to much. Obviously as his parents we cannot, and quite frankly would not, do it. I know I'd close his legs as soon as the Mohel came near him. I'm sure Rob would too. We just wouldn't be able to handle someone hurting our baby.

Before the Bris was performed, the Rabbi gave Sean some more wine. The sugar numbs the pain. And then he did it. I was horrified. I started to cry. In fact I think all the women folk started to cry. My poor baby was screaming. It was over quickly & I was so grateful for that. After it was done, Rob scooped him up & handed him to my grandfather. My grandfather held him for his naming. We gave that honor to him as the oldest Jew in the room. We felt that as the oldest Jew, he has fulfilled his duties in making sure the younger generations learn about our past. He has made sure to carry on the traditions. He has made sure to pass on the wisdoms he has learned. And so it was. Sean received his hebrew name, Sahnan Mattityahu. Sahnan means wise & peaceful. Mattityahu means God's gift.

We decided on that name because he is wise and he is peaceful. He shows us his wisdom every single day. He has shown us a new perspective. A new way to love. A new way to live. He has opened our minds and refreshed us. And he's peaceful. Almost angelic. Ok very angelic. He has opened our hearts and made himself quite comfy. He's a peaceful force. He makes you stop & breathe. And so.... all of that makes him a gift from God. He was given to us to nurture. To teach us. To show us a new kind of love. A new more open kind of life.

We had Suzanna Finley come back to take pictures today. I can't wait to see them. Most of the day was very relaxed and very nice. We had some moments, but I guess no matter what the occasion, someone is going to get their panties in a bunch. I just wish that people would realize that these are our days. Our days to celebrate our family's milestones. Not theirs. They had their chance to do it their way. Now it's time to sit back, enjoy and celebrate with us & for us. Unfortunately, theirs at least one at every celebration. I'm learning to pick my battles. I'm learning to just keep my mouth shut & roll my eyes.

Meredith was able to play with Hannah. Meredith adores Hannah. Hannah has a way of relating to Meredith that other kids don't have. I can't put my finger on it, but..... she so "young at heart". She's 8 so of course she's young, but she able to let loose and just play. It doesn't matter that the games is beneath her in years. It doesn't matter that Meredith is 6 years younger. She just plays. And Meredith can't get enough.

Sean is now happily sleeping. Meredith is sleeping. After 10pm, I'll be sleeping. Tomorrow will be the start of another adventure.

Some pics I took from today. We'll have the ones from Suzanna in a few days.