Dear Liam,

We can’t believe you’re a week old already!

After your mandatory 48 hour hospital stay, we couldn’t wait to bring you home. You were discharged from the hospital in the evening of July 2nd. The nurses you had were all so wonderful. Did you know that they baked you a birthday cake that we shared? They also sent you a card in the mail after we got home, and the thoughtful note was signed by all of your nurses. St. Vincent Carmel was a very supportive hospital and we are so glad you were born there.

The first few nights at home were an adjustment period for all of us, but now at a week in, we’re all feeling more confident as we get to know each other and understand each others’ cues. You would want to stay up at night while daddy and I were used to being awake during the day, so as we all got familiar with blurring the lines between night and day, we learned that you really love a quick night drive with your daddy if you’re fussy. It only took a few days for you to get used to going back to sleep at night between feedings, and the past few nights have been better for all of us. Go Team Karpiuk! (We’ll have to show you the hand signal that goes with that family cheer one day.)

Often in the morning, your daddy will take you for a walk in the park in your stroller while mama catches up on a little overnight sleep. We’ve taken you together on strolls through the park, and those little family outings in the fresh air makes us all happy.

Speaking of happy, mama is often overcome with happy emotions these days, sometimes even brought to happy tears, now that you are in our lives. Especially when I watch you with daddy. You’re like two peas in a pod and he’s so sweet with you. And while we know it’s just gas at this point, those brief flashes of your smile are magical and make us melt. We treasure these early glimpses of your happy smile. You’re such a good baby.

In your first week you met some important people, including your grandpa and grandma Means, your Uncle Herman, 18 month old cousin William, (you two will be fast friends when you get a little older!) and your great grandmas and great uncle. You even met two of our dear friends: Chris and also Laura… both will be part of the additional “uncles” and “aunts” who will surround you with love as you grow up.  Your “aunt” Michelle in Calgary is eager to meet you, as are your grandparents, great grandparents, and aunt & uncle in Canada. We can’t wait for them to meet you.

You love your hands. If swaddled, you have to have your hands accessible so that you can curl them against your cheeks or toss them above your head while you sleep. Though you don’t have the muscle control to hang on to them as long as you’d like, you are so proud when you manage to get your hands in your mouth; you’ll be a self-soother in no time. You snort when you’re really upset, and the look on your face when you’re inches from feeding time can only be described as wild, joyous excitement. We love watching your various facial expressions and imagining what’s going on inside that brain of yours.

The adventure has just begun, but time sure does fly. Blink, and a week has passed. We look forward to each new day as we get to know you, and can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Love,
daddy & mama