Tummy Time!

Came home for lunch the other day, and found Wes to be in a very good mood. He had just been fed, and was raring to go, so we decided to do a little tummy time on the Boppy. He looked so cute, and did a really good job of holding his head up and pushing with his arms!

Stealth Baby...

Bright eyed and Looking at Dad and his camera

Fighting gravity...

Looking cute...

Wes laughing...

Here is a short clip of Wes laughing at his Mom and Dad who of course are incredibly silly!
He has been such a responsive baby, alert and reactive, full of laughs and coos.

Wes and the Mobile...

Wanted to try out the video upload thing, so people can see Wes and hear him cooing...

First weekend with Wes!

Its finally our first weekend at home with Wes. This last week was a very long week, with a few sleepless nights, trying to decipher cries, and returning to work. Leah and I were both looking forward to Saturday, if for no other reason then we could sleep in, and take our time getting going in the morning.

We had a fun little morning, waking up to his squeaking and cooing to himself, and finally his deciding that we needed to get him so that mom could solve those hunger pains. He nursed for a while, and then when he had his fill, we watched him as he contentedly made big blue eyes while laying on the bed with us watching him. It was a nice little family moment, and one of those moments in time that you want to capture and remember forever. Moments like that make all the sleepless nights and dirty diapers worth it!

Now for some gratuitous baby pics!

Wes after walking up from a nap, with Daddy tickling him!

Wes with his Great Grandpa Ray

Wes finds that Grandpa John tastes like garlic!

Grandma Rachel finds out that Wes can be quite the handful!

Wes going Bananas... Okay more like sleeping, but he does tend to like to take his socks off and fling them around!

Sleep... who needs it!!

Obviously little Wes is not sleeping that great right now, as I am posting at 4 am! The only sleep he has really wanted tonight was right after he nursed for 30 minutes every hour (Leah is very tired and sore!). I finally was able to get him out for a while, by setting him on my chest, singing Twinkle Twinkle and Swing Low Sweet Chariot. I did try to put him down into the crib, but that only started a round of non stop full volume screams, so we have settled on a compromise of a sleeping Wes my chest while I check my email etc!

Wes did get to take his first expedition today, as we headed over to our family doctor to get him checked out. He looks to be really healthy, but does have a little touch of jaundice. The blood work came back, and the doc felt we wouldn't have to be very concerned about it if Wes continues to nurse and get good stuff from Leah. Hopefully this will be the case, as he is definitely eating a lot. Wes seems to like car rides, but isn't quite sure about this whole 5 point harness strapping him down!
Had a nice visit with Grandpa and Grandma Voelker Sunday night, and dinner for all was provided by Grandpa and Grandma Hall. Wes enjoyed laying in his Moses basket napping and entertaining the Grandpa's while we all enjoyed the Tamale Pie and Peach Crisp!

Just a few more quick pics for all of you!


PS... No one ever told us that a new born could produce such amazing odors! Not only do you get all the fun baby shampoos and milk smells, but occasionally you get these powerfully strong little toots that make Mommy and Daddy's eyes just water! Huh.. you learn something every day!

Baby pictures and visitors!

We wanted to share a few more pics with everyone. Jay Westermann had his first visit with Grandma and Grandpa Hall and Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Kunc last night. The little guy immediately stole the show by opening his big blue eyes and giving little dimpled smiles. Yes it probably was gas, but they sure look like smiles, and as parents we have the right to brag about our little one!He has had quite the day today, had to get circumsized, 24hr blood gas samples taken, and his official hospital pictures taken! Of course all this happened in about a 2 hour period, so the little guy was understandably stressed out and unhappy, but I deployed my secret weapon of singing "Twinke Twinkle Little Star" to him, which immediately calmed him enough for us to get him all comfy for a long nap. He is currently happily nursing away and ready to steal more hearts away!

Leah is doing well, understandably a little tired and sore, but in very good spirits. Amazing how our little Jay Westermann can bring out the twinkle in her eyes!

We are probably going to be sent home tommorow before noon, but for now are in room 2109 at Lakeside. Thanks for all the emails and comments, Leah and I are really enjoying them!

Now for what people really want to see!

Jay Westermann

Just a quick little note from room 2109, where Leah, Jay Westermann, and I are all resting comfortably. Leah and I are so excited that we have our first little one finally here for us to smother in love and kisses. Our son is quite the little looker, and as we go further on this day, he gets better and better looking each time.

Thought I would share one pic from right after the delivery where you can see his beautiful little blue eyes!

Thanks for all the love and the prayers that were sent out to us, we really did need them!

Welcome Jay Westermann Hall

Welcome to our world Jay Westermann Hall!

Jay and Leah are the proud new parents of an eight pound, 11 ounce bouncing baby boy.

Born today just after noon, little Jay is about 21 inches long and has a full head of hair, 10 toes, 10 fingers and a winning personality.

Leah had a long 2.5 days of labor and a seemingly never ending night last night. But, the results have her higher than a kite now. Both parents are ecstatic and beaming despite being awake for over 30 hours. Little Jay responds to sounds and calms when you talk to him. He also winces when photographed with flash, as he was in the picture taken with DAD!

Grandma Rachel can’t get over how beautiful this little guy looks. She is hyper-excited and bubbling over to everyone. There is definitely no chance to get a word in edge-wise now!

Jay, Renee, Britanie, Zach and Leah’s Dad and Jay Westermann Hall’s Grandpa