One Month Old

Wow this past month has really flown by.  I can't believe Nyles is already a month old (actually 5 1/2 weeks today)!  There are days when I feel like we're going to be in this stage forever, then there's days when I feel like growing so quickly.  Some days I feel like all I get done is to feed him and change his diaper, repeated many many times.  Each day and week has been getting better and better though.  I feel like I'm getting more sleep (most of the time) or just getting used to the constant interruptions at night.  This past week I also have been able to make meals every day for Steve and I and do some other things that I needed to get done.  We've also been taking Nyles out a little more and have been going on walks w/ him the last couple days.  It's been nice to get out and feel like I'm actually accomplishing things again, in addition to taking care of our cute little boy that is.

Here is a quick update on Nyles since we got home from the hospital with him.  Steve was in between school semesters, which turned out great, so he was able to be around to help me with Nyles.  After we got home we had to go back the next day to check on his jaundice levels and weigh him.  When he was born he was 6 lb 9 oz, then when we weighed him again that Wednesday (three days later) he was 6 lb 4 oz.  His jaundice also went up so we had to bring him back the next three days to be tested and weighed.  His jaundice had increased so much though that they had us put him on a bilibed for a day.  It was sad to see him on the bed and not be able to hold him, but thankfully it got rid of it.  Then next couple days we didn't have to have him on the bed because they wanted to see if his body could get rid of it on its own, which it did thankfully.  His weight also slowly went back up to 6 lb 6 oz, then 6 lb 8 oz.  And at his 2 week appointment he weighted 7 lb 4 oz.

Little Nyles on his bilibed

Steve and Nyles showing off their muscles

Stacie and Conor came over to hang out on August 17th while the rest of the family was at a birthday party for Chandler since they were still so little.  We ordered pizza and watched a movie, well had it on but mostly just talked. ;)

Cousins, 2 weeks apart, Conor and Nyles.

Nyles first bath.  He loved it actually!

The next week my mom came down to help us w/ Nyles.  Unfortunately the day after she got here we learned that her dad had a stroke and wasn't doing well.  That night my mom went down to be with him and ended up staying overnight in the care center with him.  The next couple days she'd come stay at our place, make some food, then go back down to American Fork to be with him.  He passed away that Friday morning, August 24th.  It was hard for my mom, but I guess the good thing is that she got to be here with him a few more days.  My mom went home for a couple days then came back down for his viewing which was held on the 29th and funeral on the 30th.  My dad came down w/ her this time, along w/ my 2 brothers Dexter and Daron and some of their family.  Steve missed his classes that morning so we could go to the funeral, but I was glad we could all go together.  Rose also went to the funeral.  We didn't get much of an opportunity to chat w/ anyone unfortunately because we had to head back up to SLC so Steve could go drop off some things for school.

Nyles w/ his Grandma Hegerhorst

Cute little Nyles in his bassinet (cute little chicken legs)

Such a rough life :)

We put some shelves in the closet in Nyles' room so we can be a little more organized.  We still have our food storage in his closet though since there is no where else to put it.

The week my mom was here, Steve's sister Carrie also went through the temple and was sealed.  Since my mom was down w/ her dad we asked our neighbor Melissa to sit w/ Nyles while we went to the sealing.  Thankfully he just slept the whole time and we got back just in time to feed him.  It was a neat experience to be at the sealing; the Spirit was really strong.

Draper temple on date of Carrie's sealing (August 22nd)

Over Labor Day weekend we went up to the cabin.  It was fun to get out of the house for a while and to be w/ others.  The weather was rainy Saturday and Sunday, but it gave us a chance to visit and also for Steve to get done w/ his homework that he was catching up on.  Nyles right eye had discharge on Saturday so we took him to Heber to get it checked out at the Instacare.  The Dr said it was an eye infection so we got some drops to put in his eye.  It broke my heart to see him in pain.  When we got back on Monday (after Steve went fishing w/ Dave in the morning), it still wasn't better, so we made an appointment to see his regular Pediatrician.  His Pediatrician said it was actually a clogged tear duct so there was nothing we needed to do (no more drops thankfully) other than put a warm wash cloth on it to help clear it up.  Luckily a few days later it did clear up.  When we went in to the Dr, Nyles also weighed 8 lbs 3 oz, so he's still gaining weight at a good pace.

 Nyles w/ his Aunt Kim at cabin

Cute Nyles at cabin

Hanging out w/ his Grandma McGrath

 After we got back from the cabin, I had a meeting w/ my RS Presidency (finally after a month).  I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things.  We went to sacrament meeting that week, September 9th, but then came back to feed Nyles and didn't make it back.  This last week though we stayed for all 3 hours.  It's still a challenge to balance when he needs to feed, but its getting better.  I've also been able to go on RS visits w/ my counselors again, which has been nice to meet the new sisters that have moved into the branch.  This past Sunday we had lots of changes in the branch.  We actually got a new Branch President.  We also got a new Elder's Quorum President and a couple weeks before that we got a new Primary President.  We still haven't got our new Sunday School President, but I'm sure that'll come soon.  The branch definitely has changed, as it always does every so often.  Many people moved out in July and August also, so since we've come back from having Nyles it really seems different.   We were able to meet w/ President Thorup before he was released in order to get our temple recommends renewed and to get tickets to the Brigham City Temple dedication coming up this Sunday.  It was good to talk w/ him one more time and discuss the needs of the sisters.  I'll miss working with him. 

Chillin' w/ dad, looks like he's watching TV

 So happy ..... after being fed :)

Steve is enjoying his classes for the most part.  This semester he has 2 classes at SLCC, 2 online classes, 1 hybrid class which is mostly online, his capstone project, and one other class at the U in order to finish his Bachelors Degree this Fall.  He's got quite the load with 22 credits, but luckily he'll be done after this, then he only has his prerequisites to finish in order to apply for PA school after that.  He's got his work cut out for him, but I know he can do it. 

This past week Nyles has made great progress.

• He has switched from newborn diapers to size 1
• His newborn outfits are getting tighter, so we're starting to use his 0-3 month ones
• He started using a bottle w/ no hesitation.  We wanted to introduce it now so when I go back to work it won't be a struggle.
• He started sleeping in his crib and now sleeps there all the time.  Steve is pretty happy about this one ;)

Here are some more pics of cute little Nyles.

 He truly his "Daddy's little buddy"

Exhausted after talking w/ Grandma McGrath ;)

Passed out, enjoying his cocoon/sleeping bag that Great Grandma VaLere made for him

Doesn't want to let go of the Binky, silly boy ;)

We're loving having Nyles around and his precious spirit.  He's such a joy to be around.  Even when he cries he is just soooo cute; I can't help but smile.  We're going to bless him on October 14th.  We'd love to have anyone come that can.  Have a great week!