Bath Time

It took a couple of weeks but the last of the umbilical cord stump finally fell off. That meant one thing bath time. No more sponge baths or quick wipe downs. We were probably more excited than Joshua as this little man loves to sweat - such a boy.

Daddy was filling the tub and we were finally able to use one of Aunt Jenny's gifts, a rubber ducky whose belly would let us know if the water was too "HOT". A tub full of warm water plus one naked baby equals bath time.

Joshua wasn't quite sure what to make of this new adventure. As we placed him in the tub he looked startled with his arms up in the air. It appeared as though he was going to cry any second until daddy grabbed a cup and started pouring warm bath water over his body (Joshua's, not daddy's). That's when Josh started getting into bath time. He especially liked getting his hair washed.

"I'm not sure about that soap stuff, but keep bringing on the warm water, Dad."



It wasn't long before Joshua started piecing it all together. He was naked, and we were taking pictures.

"You're not going to show these to my prom date are you?"

Don't worry Joshua, all the pictures are modest. If you keep sleeping well at night it will stay that way too.

A bath wouldn't be complete without a hooded towel - also a duck. Drying off was his least favorite part. He didn't want to get out of the warm water, but all good things must come to an end.

After a warm bath and clean clothes it was time to feed and take a nap on mom. Did we tell you this boy likes to snuggle and sweat? Upon waking from his nap the side of Joshua's face and head were dripping with sweat. So much for the bath.

First Grandparent visits

Grandma Norma
This has been a big week for Joshua. It all started when Grandma arrived for a long weekend visit. The airport parking garage wasn't the most scenic location for a first meeting, but we don't think that she minded at all.

Grandma also got lucky with Richmond weather, which was unusually cool and not humid. We all took a long walk to see the house and Grandma scored some snuggle time on the apartment patio.

Grandma took care of the adults by handling cooking, although Joshua's belly does not yet like garlic, green peppers, and onions - which is very unfortunate for Sara because Michael gets all the lasagna leftovers. No worries, though, as Josh is getting back to normal and he looks so much like an Angelino that it shouldn't any time before he's consuming yummy Italian food indirectly or directly.

Josh also got a surprise onesie from Nana & Grandpa and so we put it on (it says "brand new") for his 10-day doctor's visit. He's doing really well eating - he weighed in at 9 lb, 1 oz - he gained 12 ounces in 1 week! At that rate he should be over 10 lbs by the time Nana & Grandpa visit and he won't fit in this onesie anymore.

Grandma Norma's last bonding activity included bathtime with Joshua. She did a great job because he seemed to love every minute of it (Daddy is not so good yet).

Papa came in town next and he clearly loves his first little grandbaby. They spent many hours just hanging out at the apartment and snuggling. Papa got Josh very used to on the chest resting and he keeps demanding that comfort position even after Papa left.

First week

It's hard to believe that our big guy is now just over a week old. Joshua has been such a delight to watch. Every day there is something new for him and us to discover about the world and each other. Team Mehler has made the transition home quite enjoyable. Michael makes sure Sara is fed, showered, and not stubbornly doing more than she should. Joshua has been a great help too. He is a champion breastfeeder, and sleeps 3-hour stretches at night.

He recently has become more alert with longer wakeful periods. Just in time for the first of what we're sure will be many family visits.




This picture is from his first trip to the Pediatrician. The hat is too big, but we couldn't resist.

He gained 4 ounces since discharge and we return Monday to make sure he has achieved birth weight again. The way this kid has been eating it shouldn't be a problem.






We realize with this blog we have created some picture craving family members. We will try to oblige as often as possible. Here is another to enjoy.


Thank you all for your comments, phone calls and emails. We are enjoying the love, and Joshua the kisses you all send.

Trying to keep up with all the comments has been much more difficult than we thought it would be. Please know you are all in our hearts.

Coming Home

The Virginia Mehler household expanded yesterday with Joshua's getting out of the hospital. We all made the escape by mid-afternoon. For those who don't believe that I'm involved in this, there's actually a shot of me holding Joshua in the hospital as we were waiting to be discharged. If you can't tell, he's become quite the blondiem, and a hairy one too!. His eyes are, at the moment, a very dark blue-gray. We'll see what develops over the next few weeks.











We got the little guy dressed in a cute little froggie onesie (from his Grandma). We later sqeezed on some sockies that his Uncle Sean & Aunt Julie got him. His feet, although huge, still fit in them.... for now.










Mom got in one last feeding at the hospital, which led to one last nap for the dynamic duo.


















Once home, Mom established her little nest in the baby/guest room. They have been doing a great job in establishing a feeding system. By the middle of the night, Luther had decided to jump up on the bed and join them. He's being a very sweet older brother to Joshua, sniffing at his little head. I think he's just making nice, waiting for all the scraps Joshua will throw to the floor once he moves on to solid food.

It's a BOY!

We welcomed Joshua Nicholas Mehler into the world on June 28th at 6:02 pm. Mom and Josh were champs throughout the entire event.

We woke up that morning and Sara was in labor. It continued steadily throughout the day with a last 40 minute burst of energy that brought Josh screaming and kicking. He actually came out in a Superman pose (he's already so aware of American culture - Michael is a proud papa!).





Josh is a BIG BOY. He weighed in at 8 lbs, 9 oz and measured 22" in length. He has his great-grandpapa's nose and his daddy's long toes. He has a very full head of sandy brown hair, but blonde eyebrows and eyelashes. He's the most beautiful person either of us has ever known and we're still amazed about the fact that they're going to let us take him home with us.

Josh decided that he wanted to wait until both of the midwives he knew - Margie and Kathryn - were around for the birth. Kathryn had knit Josh a little blue cap, which helped keep his noggin warm the first night.

Josh is taking to feeding very well, which is making mom and dad quite happy and proud of him. He likes snuggle time with either of us, although there are times that dad just doesn't cut it and it's time to hand off to mom.

So, we're all doing well and expect to be at home tomorrow (Friday) to enjoy our first weekend together. And to think, there's only 25 days until we close on the new house and get to move....

Snaffle

So, apparently we cannot spend a summer in pure relaxation. In addition to writing about 200 pages of academic muck (Michael) and giving birth to new human life (Sara), we decided that we wanted a house as well.

The house has enough room for 2 parents, 1 baby, 1 dog, 1 cat, and as many next-of-kin babysitters as we can cram into the guest bedroom. If you're willing to share with Michael's office (aka the sun room), you won't have to sleep in the same bed with another not so next of kin guest.

It's a wonderful house, with room to expand for one more (although at this point, we are sticking with 5 mammals). We're in basically the same neighborhood, so neither commute will be any longer and most importantly, we'll have a big back deck on which we can sip margaritas and look out onto our own little personal pond (well, we share it with several neighbors, fish, frogs, turtles, and the occasional snake). Sara and Michael are very excited about this, but not nearly as much as Luther will be once he moves in. Thank goodness there is the large deck on which he can dry himself before bringing his stinky furry butt into the living room.

If all goes well, we should be moving in the last weekend of July and then hosting a big baby party in late August.

As you can tell, so begins our life in the 21st century. We decided that with family and friends spread out all over the place, this might be the most efficient way to let you what's going on with the Virginia Mehlers and include some pictures in the mix. Feel free to read, comment, or both.

Michael & Sara & Squirmy-little-baby-running-out-of-room