The Chair Project

Someone at St. Georges gave me the idea for the Chair Project, which I am beginning here at 5 weeks. Over the course of time Brooks will be photographed in the same chair to see how big he is getting. If only I had known or thought to do this earlier, but oh well, better late than never. So here he is in the Green Chair, week 5:



5 weeks



Yawn

Aging

Bright Eyes

Brooks is 5 weeks and already experiencing male-patterned baldness and acne, poor thing. We are curious to see what color hair comes in underneath, and we are guessing blond. Even with these cosmetic blemishes, he is as my neighbor and friend, Margaret, says perfection.



Houdini Hand






Funny thing about his being 5 weeks already. I have been telling people he is 4 weeks and again it was Margaret who corrected me and I realized he's only 5 weeks and already I am losing time! I have lost a week and next thing you know I will be dancing at his wedding. Slow down, Time - SLOW DOWN!

What!?



Smirk





I see you



A Growing Boy

Sleeping on Mom

Brooks is a little over a month old now, it's hard to believe! He is a growing boy. Today was his one month check up at the Dr's office and Mom and Dad were eager to see just exactly how much he has grown. 10 lbs and 2 oz!!!! And in the 74th percentile for his height. Our Dr., who we love, had nothing but positive comments to make about sweet Brooks, and about Mom and Dad's jobs as parents. It was nice to hear such compliments given the ups and downs we have had in our short time together with Brooks - mainly Mom has the ups and downs. Luckily, Mom is learning how to surround herself with the positive and supportive people she needs rather than the stressful ones who seem to offer more critques than help. Since taking this sage advice from her sister Mom has had more Up days thank god!





Zonked



Brooks has been enjoying the break in the cold weather and has managed to get outside with Mom and friends Ania and Nina for some much needed sunshine, fresh air and walking. Brooks and Nina sleep most of the time while the Moms walk and chat about what else - motherhood!

Cheek to cheek

Thank you to the makers of - The Sleep Sack, Swaddle Me, Moby Wrap and Baby Bjorn! Each of these have saved us from insanity at some point in time recently. The sleep sack gave us our first full night of sleeping in the co-sleeper without coming into bed with us, while the swaddle me perfected our imperfect swaddling techniques, which often ended with Brooks breaking his hands free and thus startling himself awake at night.



Owlish




The Moby wrap and Baby Bjorn have added some freedom in Mom's life recently. Not only do they both allow Mom to get out and get much needed fresh air, but they have allowed Mom to finally be "hands free." There is rarely a moment when Mom isn't holding Brooks as he has made it known on many occasions that he doesn't like to be put down. The compromise came in the form of the baby carrier, and for the first time in a long time, chores have been started - although not always finished.


Having fun with Dad





Wiggler









Three Weeks



Gazing

 At three weeks (February 10th), Brooks was busy eating, sleeping, and growing. From the start he has been tracking with his eyes, and now he is even more alert and aware of who holds him and talks to him. He is working on lifting his head, which he does best when being held. Each day he gets tummy time for extra practice. Mornings seem to be his favorite time of day, where he often smiles, coos and gazes around the room. His favorite things to look at so far are Colin's books and a picture of a bicycle. He is truly his father's son! Some days. Brooks gets to take a walk around campus with Mom, either in his Moby Wrap or Baby Bjorn. Often he takes advantage of these moments and grabs a nap. Plus he gets one nap each day with Mom!



#1 Fan

 Over the weekend, Brooks's Big E came to visit and bond with him. They spent many hours together, while Mom was given free time to try to put the house back together. Dad was away with the Varsity Girls Squash Team at Nationals, so Brooks decided to send them good luck wishes. Big E helped carry out the task. It seemed to help because the girls went from being 10th in the nation to 6th! Brooks also got weighed at this time and he was 8lbs and 10oz meaning he was almost a pound bigger from his birth weight!





All Smiles



Little Thinker



Cute Owl



First Moments

In his first few days at home after his stay at the hospital, Brooks enjoyed the company of his Grammy Sue, and received lots of kisses from his dog Lila. Grammy Sue helped Mom take Brooks to his follow up Dr. appointment and there he received a clean bill of health. In one week he had almost gained his birth weight back. Of course while at the appointment Brooks did what he does best - peed on the table. This wasn't like the first time he surprised everyone, and his parents had left  the diaper bag in the car overnight causing the wipes to be completely frozen. That time we were also at the Dr's office only the pediatrician didn't have any wipes to lend. What pediatrician doesn't have spare wipes??? Luckily, Mom was prepared this time and ready to tackle any tricks Brooks might have up his sleeve.  Since it was winter and still snowy outside, Mom and Brooks stayed inside and found ways to entertain themselves with the camera. A real cutie, Mom and Dad were able to catch Brooks in some of his sweetest moments. Some snapshots:

 

Peek a Boo



  



Holding On




Sweet Dreams













 





Sleepy Head





A Start



Brooks Arthur Mort

Brooks Arthur Mort was welcomed into the world on Thursday, January 20, 2011 at 4:12 pm. Brooks weighed 7lbs 12oz and was 20in long! Cozy in the hospital, Brooks nestled in with Mom and Dad  right away - he had no idea it was snowing so much outside, a true winter baby! Brooks also met his Aunt Laura, who was there supporting Mom and Dad through the whole delivery. While at the hospital the nurses were constantly checking in with Mom and Brooks, poking and prodding, and making it challenging to get some much needed sleep. After two night s, the Morts were allowed to go home. Although Brooks had jaundice, he was given the "ok" to go home on Saturday. At home, Brooks was greeted by Aunt Laura and Grammy Sue, who flew in that day to help out.


Going Home



Monday, January 24th was Grammy Sue's birthday, and Aunt Laura's departure day. Mom and Dad took Brooks to the Dr. to check out his umbilical cord stump and while that was ok, the Dr. decided Brooks needed to get his bilirubin levels checked out again at the hospital. This was not a fun experience as the nurse had to draw blood from Brooks's little heel. The levels had risen quickly, therefore the Dr.sent us back to the hospital for treatment. Brooks, Mom and Dad spent the next two nights on the pediatric floor, while Brooks "tanned" under the ultraviolet lights. Luckily by Wednesday, Brooks  had made enough progress to go home for good! Mom and Dad were happy to be home and ready to settle in to a new family life with baby Brooks and Lila.



With Dad on Pediatric Floor

Tanning