Eight Weeks old on Christmas Eve

Life with Drew has been wonderful so far. I have already forgotton way too much, I wish I could preserve every moment.

We were talking how much more enjoyable the Christmas season has been so far because of his presence. He brings an excitement and anticipation that has been missing for some years now.
Meeting Santa this past weekend was great fun for all three of us - a tradition we will uphold each year. Other traditions will include watching "It's a Wonderful Life" and baking cookies, attending church on Christmas Eve and reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas". So much fun!

Drew is up to 11.2 pounds and becoming more vocal each day. He is good at finding his fist and soothing himself while gnawing away on his little fingers - if he doesn't startle himself or gnaw to hard.

Santa!

Seven Weeks Old

It's amazing to see someone actually learning all of these small yet very important movements that we take for granted each day...rolling over, lifting up your head, grasping objects. Each achievement paves the way for the next.

Drew has been rolling to his side and he is especially adept at 'conversing' with us. He loves to hear us talk to him and then he responds with his own little sounds. Again, it's practice for being able to form his own words in the future. I can't wait to hear him say "Mama!" but that's getting a little ahead of myself.

Meanwhile, we put up our first real Christmas tree in the living room downstairs. It has colored lights on it and is full of a variety of ornaments, many from my own childhood. Both Andrew and I are enjoying this tree because it does remind us of our own Christmases past. And our hope is to give Drew very special memories as well. Christmas is going to be very special!

Six Weeks Old Already

Drew is a constant joy. He really enjoys his pacifier, adding grunts, squeaks and sound effects to the obviously pleasurable activity. Andrew and I began to put up Christmas decorations and Drew has been enjoying the lights. I also noticed Drew observing his own hands while nursing this week. This is a step that eventually helps him to gain more control of those little hands, once he realizes that they are connected to his own little body.

Last night we took him to a Christmas Party for Andrew's work. He met Andrew's co-workers. "Precious" and "so much hair" were comments used to describe him.

This week has been our first official week of the 'new normal'. Family has gone and Andrew, Drew and I are falling into our own routine and learning how to manage our new little family. Drew drives all of my activities now, allowing me time to eat, sleep and maintain the home while he sleeps or hangs out in his chair. He is good at occupying himself for short stretches. And Andrew jumps in to help when he gets home, bathing Drew or holding him when necessary.

Special things: I love holding him up on my shoulder and embracing him. His little arms stretch out to hold me back--it's such a sweet time...he is very interactive with us cooing and making many facial expressions often--he looks like he's about to say something and just doesn't have the words yet...he still has jerky little movements but not quite as dramatic as when he was just a couple weeks old...he loves to look at the black and white graphics we printed for him while being changed, they keep his focus quite a bit and are helping to stimulate his brain activity...

Five Weeks Old

Yep, that's a real smile! He smiled at me in response to some prompting that morning and isn't it sweetness personified? He's getting better at holding up his head and even is working on supporting himself on his forearms and looking around. The doctor told us he was amazed at how animated he is for a one month old. We're working on a baby genius and he's coming along nicely...

Kidding, but for the most part Drew is doing amazing. He is a joy each day and so easy sleeping most of the time. Yes, that will change, but we feel fortunate that he is such an easy baby so far.

Today he went to Chuck E Cheese with his cousin Spenser and he also experienced his first snowfall this week. He's definitely got the good life so far!

Drew and Daddy checking each other out

Four Weeks Old

This past week Drew rolled over in his bassinette, went shopping at the mall, had his picture taken professionally with his Mom and Grandma, entertained himself for several minutes at a time, held his head up more, visited the WW1 museum, hung with and was fed by Daddy a couple times...he also met his NeNe and Poppa (paternal grandparents) this week. They are all enjoying lots of hugs and kisses and spending time together.

Grandma went home on Monday and we're missing her. It was fun having her around and watching her and Drew get to know each other, not to mention the help she gave us around the house. We've been spoiled by her!

We celebrate Thanksgiving again on Friday when Jen, Jeff and Spenser arrive (Drew's aunt, uncle and cousin). We have lots to be thankful for this year!

Three weeks old

Drew is so cute! I can't help but plant kisses on him. I really can't wait to see that first smile that is in response to me (and not just gas!) and really get to know him and see how his personality emerges. Some cute things that he does so far are how he stretches after eating...he throws his head back and scrunches his face and purses his lips and seems completely satiated.

He spends a majority of the time sleeping still, but when he's awake he spends lots of time looking around and absorbing his new world. He especially likes to look at the light coming in through the blinds or the shadows on the wall. He loves to be held and likes to lay belly to belly with me or Grandma. He will entertain himself here and there for a few minutes by 'playing' in the activity gym.

He coos lots, while he's eating, when he's finished, while he's sitting in the car seat, when he's looking around...sometimes while he's eating he will give some throaty baby grunts that seem to convey complete satisfaction.

Some firsts this past week were a first card from his Auntie Brooke for Thanksgiving, first week away from Daddy (which neither of us has enjoyed), first time meeting our cousins Jerry and Renae, and his first Thanksgiving Dinner (we celebrated a week early with Brooke and David who were in town).

Grandma has been visiting with us since the 4th. Her help around the house and with Drew has been invaluable!

Two Weeks Old

This week we finally decided that Drew will be what we call little Andrew and AJ will be a nick name. It's been fun just hanging out with our little one and getting to know him. He's growing quickly and people say that he already looks different from the first time they saw him.

He has started tracking things with his eyes: an IQube with black and white images is one thing he likes to look at and he likes to hang out in his 'activity gym'. He also turned on his side all by himself while hanging out there! We can almost see the synapses forming.

Yesterday we went for a walk down in Parkville by the river and he also met his Auntie Brooke and Grandpa David. Today, his umbilical cord stump fell off---another milestone come and gone already.

Andrew and I can't help but be very proud and excited about our little one. He's brought lots of joy and happiness to our lives already!

Drew's Bath Time
11-8-08
He loves having his hair shampoo-ed by Daddy!

Drew in Bassinette at 6 Days Old

Pictures

A New Life Begins

Here are the first pictures of Andrew John McDowell

Born: 10-29-08
Time: 10:31 am

Drew's Birthday (shortly after he was born)

Attention Family and Friends

We will be updating this site with the current happenings in our growing family once our baby arrives in October. We would love for you to post your comments and/or thoughts to this site as well. You can do so by clicking on "Comments" below each post.

Thanks and we look forward to sharing this site with you all,
Alexis and Andrew

Our new family blog

...we'll pick up here when alexismcdowell.com is finished (when the
baby arrives!) in October.