Oliver's First Week

 
Oliver has been with us for a whole week!  It has passed quickly, in some ways, and slowly in others.



The kids have really loved being with their Nonni some days and their Mimi the other days.  I can tell they miss Daniel and me.



Although we've been around, we mostly (and I, especially) have been spending most of the time with Oliver in our bedroom.



But both kids love getting to hold baby Oliver and give him kisses.



Elliot likes to see what happens when he jabs Oliver or kicks him, so that has produced some anxiety for me.



Elliot is very sweet to Oliver, usually--but I think he also sees him as a baby doll sometimes and is just curious about what will happen if he tries x, y, or z with him.



Elliot has also gotten into kicking this week.  Not cool. 



Any time Lucy comes into our bedroom, her first question is, "Where's baby Olif-her?"  -- and then she wants to see him and pat him and tell him not to cry (whether he happens to be crying or not).
 

She reports daily that when he gets bigger, she will give him a cupcake.



She tells me he needs to have 4 teeth before he can have a cupcake.



I'm not sure where she got that, but it makes sense to me.



I could. not. wait to start photographing Oliver in the style of modern newborn photography.



I love every photo of our kids, but there is something uniquely fun and special about being able to plan and put finishing touches on photos that are simple and beautiful and capture certain features that you love in your kids.




That's why some of these photos look more polished, and some are just casual, around-the-house shots.



I wanted to include this unedited photo to show Oliver's true coloring at this point.  His skin is so brown and yellow compared to Lucy's or Elliot's!  I know it will lighten up at some point soon, and of course the jaundice will fade -- but his skin color is remarkably dark right now! 



I've had a hard time resting as much as I should -- especially at the beginning of this week.



In the past few days, I've been much better about staying in bed or seated most of the day.  I catch myself thinking how much I can't wait to be back in a "normal" routine with the kids -- and I truly am looking forward to that.



But this has been such a special week of quiet time with Oliver in our room, and I will never have this time again, and I need someone to remind me hourly to soak it up and enjoy it and savor it.  I am grateful for these first days with our brand new son.  And so grateful for all the help we've received.



It has been a really good week.