Home with Connor

Connor has had a very busy first week at home, filled with lots of "firsts"!  We got home on Sunday afternoon after being in the hospital for 4 days after his birth.  Here are a few highlights from our first week as a family at home:

Mattie was very excited to meet her new baby brother.  She spent a few days with Keith's parents while we were in the hospital so she was excited when she got home to see us.  She enjoys sniffing Connor and trying to lick him.  Mattie has also started to experience a new set of rules for not jumping on people, which she does not seem to enjoy.  Connor has done pretty well with her - I'm sure she will have her fair share of him picking on her in the upcoming years!

Ed and Keith introducing Mattie to Connor

Now, Mattie likes to sit and stare at Connor - don't mind the pillow barriers!

On Monday night, Connor had more visitors - Mr. and Mrs. Johnston... he managed to sleep through almost the entire visit while snuggled in his swaddle!

 Mrs. Johnston

Mr. Johnston

On Tuesday, Connor had his first bath at home.  Grandma Cathy, Keith, and I put him in his bathtub in the kitchen and gave him a sponge bath.  He did really well and did not get fussy until the very end when we cleaned his head and changed his diaper.

 Connor in his bathtub on the kitchen counter - he obviously didn't know what was about to happen :)

Connor wrapped in his frog towel with Keith

On Wednesday, our friend Katie came over to take newborn photos.  We are so excited to see how cute they turn out!  Jeff, Amy, and Nate LaPlume also stopped by - it was fun to see what a difference 8 months makes!

 Connor's new friend, Nate

All four boys

Thursday was Connor's first pediatrician appointment with Dr. Barbara, which was also his first outing.  She reported that he now weighs 8 pounds, 14 ounces which puts him in great shape for hitting his birth weight before the 2 week suggested timeline.  She also commented that he has long arms and legs and is a healthy big baby boy!  On Thursday, Connor's other grandpa, "Pop Pop" flew in to spend time with us.

"Pop Pop" and his newest Aggie fan

On Friday, Keith's co-worker and friend Jason and his wife Amanda stopped by with their new baby Ella to see us on their way downtown.  We also had our first "walk" to the back of our neighborhood to get the mail.

Us with Amanda, Ella, and Jason

Connor seems to be a bit aggressive with the ladies... :) He voluntarily tried to hold Ella's hand!

On another note... Connor has some MAJOR hiccups!  He seems to eat so fast that he gets the hiccups after almost every feeding!  The doctor said this is pretty normal for babies that had the hiccups a lot in the womb, which was almost daily for us!

Last, Keith and I had the opportunity to have a lunch date while my parents watched Connor.  It was a fun break away but we definitely missed him since we have spent so much time with him lately!  Grandma Cathy and Pop Pop are headed back up to Minnesota tomorrow so I am sure we will have some interesting stories in the weeks to come without their experience and expertise!

More updates to come! :)

He's Here!!

YAY!! Connor has finally arrived!!  He was born (coincidentally on his due date) on Wednesday, April 17 at 6:15pm at Northside Hospital in Atlanta.  He was born 9 pounds and 1 ounce and 21 inches long.

Connor Russell Slagle

Here are some pictures and story of Connor's first few days at the hospital:

On Tuesday afternoon, Keith and I were anxiously awaiting a call from the hospital to let us know that they had room and could admit us for induction.  Little did we know that when we received the call, we had an hour and a half to get there - needless to say, we were rushing around to get there by 5:30pm!

After spending the night at the hospital, the doctor started Pitocin at 6:00am, which started labor.  At 5:30pm, after the doctor realized that baby was not progressing down anymore, he told us the safest way to deliver him was via Cesarean Section.  At 6:00pm, we were headed down the hall to the operating room and ready for baby.  This was a bit scary since it was not part of our original plan but we were excited to see him so quickly.

A healthy baby Connor was born at 6:15pm, greeted by the doctors and nurses singing "Happy Birthday!" - we all cried in excitement!  Connor was soon whisked away for his first bath and health screenings - all came back with favorable results, which of course made mom and dad happy - God had answered our 9 months of prayers for a healthy baby boy!

Keith got to hold him first - in his awesome doctor scrubs

My first time holding Connor

Our new family felt very special and loved with all of the well wishes, visitors, and beautiful flowers that friends and family brought us.

The Slagle family was at the hospital when he was born and were anxious to meet him.  My mom, Cathy, was en route to Atlanta from Minnesota and would meet him the next day and stay for a week and a half to help us transition with our new addition.

Grandpa Ed and Grandma Linda

Uncle Kyle

Keith's co-worker and friend, Jason and his wife Amanda had a baby the next night at the same hospital - Keith and Jason enjoyed meeting for breakfast each day!

Clint

Jeff and Amy LaPlume were excited to meet their 8 month old baby boy's new friend!

After 1,096 miles and 18 hours driving through the rain, Grandma Cathy made it to the hospital from Edina, Minnesota!

Brenda

Ajyra

Maggie (recently engaged - yay!!)

Jax

Tommy

Grandmas in yellow!

We received some of the most beautiful flowers - I just had to share! :)

 Pink and Orange Roses from the Snyders - looks just like our wedding centerpieces!

Beautiful assortment from Candace's college friends "The Quad" - Kristen, Christina, Mallorie, and Carissa

The Slagles were nice enough to take our dog, Mattie, during our hospital stay... we enjoyed having a "flower Mattie" with us in our room!

Our friends Annie and Mike (and Russell too!) sent us beautiful tulips to our house!

The nurses and staff at Northside Hospital were absolutely AMAZING and very helpful.  Did you know that Northside Hospital delivers the most babies of any hospital in the US?  They deliver over 50 babies a day!  We loved our stay at the hospital but after 5 days there, we were ready to head home with baby Connor!

 Mom, dad, and baby are ready to go!

Connor in his carseat - ready to go as well!

As of now, we are doing well at home and adjusting our schedules to accomodate nursing, changing diapers, sleeping, etc.  We are so thankful for the help that Cathy is providing us - we couldn't have gotten through these first few days without your help and advice!

More updates to come :)