First few weeks of life...

6 days old

Beckett is 2 1/2 weeks old now, and the time has flown by. He is such a good baby, and for some reason we feel like he's been part of our family longer than he has. We had such an instant love for him, and Andrew even commented that he feels like he's known him longer than a few weeks. We've had a few people comment that he looks older, and bigger, than he is. Today at his 2-week apt. he weighed 9lbs. 6oz. They said they only expect them to be back to their birth weight by now (his was 8lbs.).

Here are some pictures of his first bath.

HELP FROM MOM

As I mentioned before, my mom was able to stay an extra week, which was SO great! Andrew only got 2 days off of his residency, and had to come bring me home from the hospital on his lunch break the 3rd day. It was SO nice to have the extra help. 

While she was still here, we took Beckett's first outing (4 days old) to Cracker Barrell for lunch. Cooper LOVES it because they have his favorite...eggs. He ate his 3 eggs, Andrew's 2 eggs, and Gunner's 1 egg...5 total eggs. Beckett was a gem.

We also went to Long Acre Park to try and get a few family shots... here are a few. I don't recommend getting pictures taken less than a week from when you have a baby. :) But, we had to take advantage of having someone behind the camera. It was a little windy for Beckett too. 

I also did his "First Photo Shoot" at 6 days old. I'll post a few of our favorites in the next post.

To us, he looks older than he is. He already holds his head up so well too!

He likes to sleep with his little arms up by his head, just like his dad. 

After doing all of the laundry, and cleaning the whole house, and making sure we had a few quick meals...my mom left. It was sad to see her go! Thanks so much for everything Mom!!! That afternoon Cooper said, "You were right Mom, I do already miss Nana."

VISIT FROM GRANDMA AND GRANDPA LARSON (AND GREAT AUNTS & UNCLES COLLEEN & GARY AND NADENE & GLEAD)

One nice thing about a baby coming, is we get lots of visitors! Andrew's parents and his mom's sisters flew in Tuesday. We spent the first few days eating out, making strawberry jam, and hanging out.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IN NAUVOO

We left Friday morning to Nauvoo. We stopped in Hannibal (Mark Twain's hometown). The boys loved throwing rocks in the Mississippi River, and the Yard of bubblegum from the candy store were the highlights. 

We stayed at the Nauvoo Family Suites and the boys swam twice a day. Beckett slept the whole way there and back. He spent most of the touring time in the bjorn carrier, and was such a trooper! I felt better by then, so we did a few of the "fun" tours, oxen and carriage rides, threw rocks in the Mississippi a few more times, went to a few shows, and had a lot of fun. Andrew's parents and Aunts and Uncles did more of the tours, but we have been there a couple times, so we weren't sad to miss a few. Andrew also joined them for a session at the Nauvoo Temple. Last time we were there, I was pregnant with Cooper and we were the witness couple. Time flies! 

We stopped at Carthage on the way home.

I am so thankful to the early saints of the church, and their continual sacrifices! It was really neat to have Cooper understand more about the jail and Joseph Smith being killed, and the temple being burned down. He was really soaking a lot in this time. I LOVE church history, and feel so blessed to have the gospel in my life today, because of their sacrifices. I was especially touched by all the young babies who died shortly after birth, and the mothers who died so often during childbirth. It made me look at each of my children with such greater gratitude. 

GRANT'S FARM

The weather was gorgeous, so we took a trip to Grant's Farm. The have a fun tram ride tour of animals, a few shows, feeding the goats and camels, and the Budwieser horses. It was really neat to see this elephant take a bath! 

BECKETT'S FIRST BASEBALL GAME

We went and saw the Cardinals beat the Houston Astros. It was beautiful weather, and a perfect day for baseball. It was Beckett's 1st game (and Cooper's 59th!). I have a feeling it will take Beckett a lot longer to see that many games...since baseball games are more complicated with 3 kids. :) The boys actually did really well, but it may not be as easy without Grandpa and Grandma and Nadene and Glead. :)