Has it really been over a week since Davis arrived?! I feel as though I have catnapped my way through the first week, which I suppose is a good sign. Davis has been very kind to me - we seem to have gotten into a groove with nursing, and his sleep patterns are working out to allow me reasonable rest. That'll all change in a week or so, though. Every two weeks it's a new schedule that presents new challenges and new perks. That much I remember from Round 1! I choose to simply consider myself super lucky for now.

Peter is still enamored with "his baby." He is convinced that any time Davis cries, it's because he needs milk. Admittedly, he's right more often than he's wrong! My first great challenge will be to teach Peter that he's a big strong boy and his version of gentle needs to come down a few notches around Davis. If we aren't careful, Davis will grow up thinking Peter's name is "Stop it right there!" or "Easy, buddy!"

It has been a cold and snowy week here in Nashville, complete with a few snow days that shut down schools and caused grocery stores to crowd like crazy.  While Davis slept through most of it, here are a few (okay, more than a few) pictures that captured Davis's first week:

 

  

Yep, this was quite a moment.

I know, I know... where are the pictures of Davis? 

Am I a lucky girl, or what?!

Here are profile shots of the brothers while each was at the hospital.  Davis is on the left and Peter is on the right.

Peter came to visit after church this morning.  He was very surprised to learn that Davis is more than just a head with a blanket!  Davis has 2 feet and 2 hands and 2 ears and 1 cute little nose.  He helped push his little brother to the nursery before going back home.  What a great big brother!

So far so good!

Davis is adjusting beautifully to the big wide world, though we fully acknowledge that we are only on Day 2 and have a long way to go. Nursing and sleeping take up most of his time, but there have been lots of open arms waiting to hold him.

Davis with his own picture of Peter in his isolette

We had lots of grandparent time today, but one other visitor in particular was a special VIP. Peter came to the "hopel" to see about his new baby brother! He walked into the room and had barely registered my presence before he asked for his baby. He was quite eager to hold Davis, but also couldn't really get his mind off of the strange little baby bed. Then he saw the buttons on my bed... I must say that I teared up a bit watching these two little people meet for the first time. Peter was so protective, often checking to make sure that Davis was happy despite his whimpers. I foresee a few meltdowns over holding the baby on his own, but I think that'll be one battle I choose to fight until I'm satisfied there won't be any eye gouging or baby tossing. For an introduction, though, I couldn't have asked for a sweeter scene.

Davis gave Peter a lollipop today... hey, we are not above bribery!

But Mommm, why can't I run around and press the buttons
on your bed while I'm eating a lollipop?!

Davis Andrew Bryant
January 22, 2010 - 9:45 AM
7 pounds, 10-1/2 ounces

20 inches

A few more snapshots of life pre-baby #2:

 

Yes, he is measuring me.  

Quite an ego boost. 

Happy 2010!

Yep, still here. Still pregnant. More on that in a bit....

The year is off to a busy start during the coldest January on record here in Tennessee. My boys have had cabin fever for weeks, which you may imagine is difficult at 9+ months pregnant. Thankfully, we have found ways to spend these days together without freezing. Well, one day was well below freezing....

Every year the Opryland resort sponsors an ice exhibit - a thematic display of ice sculptures - and this year it was all Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang. We awoke on New Year's Day and decided to beat the crowd by heading over early. Now, ice remains frozen at 32*, right? Right. So, we bundled up and prepared ourselves for a chilly but manageable walk through the exhibit. Upon arrival, we were each handed a large, puffy, iridescent blue jacket to wear. I inquired with a volunteer, suspecting maybe that my pregnant self might compensate for the chill. He strongly encouraged me to wear the jacket anyway, as they keep it a brisk 6 to 9* inside. Ummm, on went the jacket.

Looking for Snoopy

In the doghouse!

I think this was in the 6* room...

The past few weeks have seen only a few days above freezing, so we took advantage whenever we could to get out in the sun and breathe fresh air. We have also discovered a children's museum in Murfreesboro, about 45 minutes away, at which Peter was able to check at least one item off of his life list. I'll leave it to you to decide which of the following pictures captured that moment. Interestingly, it wasn't until I compiled these pictures that I realized just how into "driving" he is...

Testing out his new wheels

Driving an old fire engine

The water station

Driving a train, complete with a whistle pull!

To this day, he still asks to go drive the digger.

Fishing vest, driving hat, hammer, screwdriver, and flashlight.
Who needs MacGyver?

Oh, yes. Handy Mommy indeed.

So many of you have called or written in the past week or so to check on me, and for your thoughts and good wishes we are all very grateful. If all goes according to plan, we will have news late morning on Friday. Here we are down to the final few days before our family grows yet again, and I find myself seemingly less anxious this go 'round. At least this time I know what to expect, and I have a great deal more confidence in what I'm doing. As one friend put it, going from one to two is not harder because you know what to do this time - it's simply more work. What anxiety I do feel is over making this a smooth transition for Peter. Let's hope that a week from now he's not saying, "Baby bye-bye!" Please keep us all in your thoughts and prayers this week as we sprout another branch on the family tree.

Check back on Friday - the proud papa will likely have a few hundred pictures to post by lunchtime!

The family... for now!

On behalf of my boys and myself, I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas surrounded by loved ones and lots and lots of good food. It is always difficult to be far away from family, but we were fortunate to have most of our family here with us for Peter's first big Christmas. Or as he would say, "Daddy HoHo" (daddy size Christmas). Always in translation mode....

At Peter's request, Santa Claus sent a magic elf to our house for the few weeks leading up to Christmas. While this elf's primary mission was to monitor Peter's behavior and report back to Santa, he engaged Peter in a very spirited game of hide-and-seek. After each trip to the North Pole, the elf would show up in various places around the house. I am told to expect much more mischief from this fella as Peter grows up (from both fellas, I suppose!), but I thought I'd share a few spots that he liked.

There was a great deal of discussion about Peter's letter to Santa. We could not get Peter to offer up any wishes beyond the elf and bulldozers. Bulldos, bulldos, bulldos. I had to suggest that he also enjoys books and trains and trucks and puzzles and things to ride and ball games.... seriously!? I thought kids' lists were supposed to be too long, and here I am trying to expand his! We read lots of stories and sang lots of songs about Santa (this year's favorite: "Yed" - for Red, meaning Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer). We talked about visiting him when he came to Nashville to meet the good boys and girls, and Peter was all about it. Stepping into the mall and seeing the man in the red suit immediately changed his mind. He didn't pitch a fit, but he curled into Hayes and wouldn't let go for dear life. So instead of waiting in line for a bad $20 picture, we all went out to dinner. It was a great trade. :)

Nanny, Reenie and Grampa all joined those of us in Nashville for the festivities, and it was quite a hoot. There were lots of ho-hos and Hantas (Santas) thrown in with the bulldos and diggers. It's amazing how talkative he became when presents were involved!

Twins!

We brought the spread downstairs for unwrapping - and no, it's not all for him!

Santa's Loot!

A very tired Daddy... with a bulldozer to cuddle.

Gone fishin'

Choo-choos!
(We had lost the church clothes by now...)

Prepping for Christmas Dinner

Ho-ho-ho!

Boo!

Hewo Daddy!

Like son, like father?

Aerial View of Peterville...
until the next earthquake requires reconstruction

... and yes, he got a bulldozer!

Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2010!