6 months?!?!

HA!  I'm not going to waste more than a sentence's time on how pathetic I am at this whole blogging thang... here we go.  So, Jarrett is 6 months old. Yes, I know.  BUT, I've been documenting with pictures rather than writing (...that's a good thing) and I've been posting everyday on facebook. Take that. However, I realized today when I was uploading 948 pics into iphoto that I may want to do more than just snap photos.  Jarrett is definitely eye candy (I'm not bragging, it's just true), but what are our thoughts on all of this!?  Plus, Jarrett has reached a pretty significant milestone...but more on that later. I'll start from way back when since I have more than a few months to cover.

I admit that I felt more than overwhelmed the first few (okay 4) months.  I had to swiftly put my pride aside during week 1 and accept help from my parents in the form of frequent visits and my mother practically living here the first 3 weeks. FYI- Sleep deprivation is NO JOKE. I wasn't eating the first week and that HAS NEVER HAPPENED IN MY LIFE.  Fast forward to my 6 weeks checkup (ps- it blew my MIND that I wasn't going to be "checked on" until 6 weeks... really?! I'd given birth to a 10 lb-er and I knew that was no joke... what else weighs 10 lbs? a printer, a microwave, a small television, a bowling ball, a lamp... but more on that in "birth story" that will hopefully be completed soon)  when the nurse asked if I'd felt depressed/anxious OUTSIDE of the first 2 weeks.  Apparently the first 2 weeks are a given.  Got it. AND why are you asking me this at week 6?  Glad I'm ok....  Anyways, Phil and I quickly discovered that we not only have an amazing baby, but also a very forgiving baby.  He forgave/continues to forgive us for: putting his diaper on too tight, putting his diaper on too loose, buying newborn diapers, feeding him with a level 2 nipple instead of level 1, not feeding him enough at first b/c we just KNEW he couldn't be hungry YET, for pissing him off and making him move his left arm that he didn't even know existed at the time, not packing a change of clothes for his first day at daycare, and for often thinking we have a baby.. we can't do "that" anymore. He has repeatedly proven us wrong, especially when it came to his arm.

When I was told that my baby had suffered a "birth injury" due to shoulder dystocia and that his left arm could possibly take anywhere from 6 months-2 years to function at all, I fell apart. My baby is perfect, and he's cute, and he trusts US. Enter Phil.  Phil started, from day one, "pestering" Jarrett into moving his arm,  and it is now at 6 months considered fully functional.  A few days ago, he reached over his head with his left arm and grabbed a container of wipes and started thrashing it around like it was a burp rag.  I'd say he's good to go.  I remember the first occupational therapist on day 6 (of his life) telling us that it could take up to 6 months before we saw full use, and it felt like forever away.  But, we're there and he's fine.  God answered our prayers, and our son's arm is fully restored.  I remember my MIL telling me that she'd prayed to God that if he needed "human help" that he could take the strength from her left arm and give it to Jarrett's.  I think we all felt/feel that way about our "little" man.

Here's Jarrett, at a few minutes old, struggling to use his left arm. I'm very much in love with this video b/c I only learned of its existence 4 days ago.  It is a huge reminder of how far he has come and almost makes me want to go wake him up and smother him with kisses.  almost.

and here's Jarrett at 2 1/2 months old...modeling some CK and a perfect double arm raise 

and here we are yesterday, using both arms to prop up... rawwwrrrrr. baby dinosaur.  and linebacker.

we love this kid to the moon and back.  So proud of you, Jarrett!!  I promise to document how rad you are more frequently over the new few months.