Arthur's first week with us was very full – full of fun and crazy adventures that come along with having a newborn baby in the house.  He has been absolutely amazing so far.  In fact, he is so good about only crying every once in a while, and being happy, that we think he is lulling us into a false sense of security :).  In his first week he . . .

CUDDLED WITH MOM

How can anyone resist holding and cuddling a new baby?  I have been holding him as much as I possibly can.  I kiss him and smell his sweet baby scent, and am trying to enjoy every minute of this phase.  I know from experience that it goes by too quickly.  And when I wasn't holding him, he . . .

CUDDLED WITH DAD

Kevin has been enjoying the amazing blessing of getting to hold our baby boy as well.  And, unlike our other babies, he has been able to get quite a bit of time off work to help me out and just enjoy our new little guy, whom he loves to call "Chewie."  When Chewie isn't with one of us, he is usually . . .

CUDDLING WITH HIS SISTER AND BROTHER

Lily has taken to Arthur so well, and she is so excited to hold him, sing to him, talk to him, etc.  Derek loves him as well, and although he isn't quite as excited about it as Lily, he still loves his baby brother very much, and I am always catching him doing sweet things, like singing to him or reading him a story.

Aside from cuddling with us all, he likes to entertain us by . . .

MAKING FACES

He makes funny faces for his dad all the time.

He makes funny faces at all of us, in fact.  It is great that we have our phones handy, because it so fun to take pictures of him :).

Arthur has also had a few fun firsts this week . . .

HIS FIRST BATH

He did not like his bath, but once he was clean, he was so happy.

FIRST NAP WITH DAD

One of Kevin's favorite things to do with all of our babies has been taking naps with them.  There is just something about holding a sleeping baby that puts you to sleep.

SLEEPING IN HIS BASSINET

Our friends told us about these cool new bassinets that rocks like a cradle, and we got one for Arthur.  We love it, and luckily, so does he :).

FIRST OUTING

We had a crazy adventure getting Arthur all registered in DEERS for the Army and Tricare so we could get him in for his newborn checkup.  After countless phone calls and going from place to place, I never did get Arthur in to see a doctor. It was actually a very frustrating and upsetting experience, but luckily it all worked out in the end. 

To cheer us up a little, we went to the golf course on post for lunch which was the fun part of the day, and Arthur's first real outing :).  (And hey, he got to go to a golf course already.)  That was his first restuarant experience, followed by a trip to Chili's for lunch a few days later, after his real doctor's visit.

FIRST DOCTOR'S VISIT

After all the frustration of trying to get Arthur into his newborn visit, it finally worked out, and although he was 7 days old  for his 3 day check-up, it was a great visit.  We are very happy with his doctor.  And Arthur was so adorable for the nurse – making faces and being completely irresistable. 

FIRST FOOTBALL GAME

 

Arthur's first Sunday home, he got to watch football with his dad and big brother.  He was born just in time to get to see an NFL game, since the play-offs were almost over :).

During all the excitement of having our new baby at home, Kevin was really wonderful about taking care of me.  He bought me the beautiful roses that were waiting for me when I got home from the hospital, he cleaned, he took care of the kids and got them to and from school, etc.  He was fantastic. 

And the other day, when I really wanted chocolate chip cookies, he dropped everything and made them for me.  What a fantastic husband I have.  He has definitely made the transition of having a newborn so much easier for me, and this first week has been so much better because of him.

And Lily and Derek weren't forgotten either, as a few of the packages we have received with gifts for Arthur, also had fun little things for them.  So fun, and they loved being remembered.  It has been a wonderful week for all of us :).