Feeding has me all tuckered out!

Steve has done a great job keeping everyone updated on our new blessing. I haven't really had much time to answer all the e-mails that friends and family have sent to us since Tyler was born. Steve was reading them to me while I was in the hospital and I thank you for all your kind words and congrats. I will try my best to answer them in a timely matter. Steve has been such a wonderful dad to Tyler. I am so lucky to have such a loving husband!!! I couldn't be any happier in my life right now! Tears of joy fill up my days now as I look at our little baby and I have been tearing up when I think of all the love I have for Steve. Life is WONDERFUL!!!!

Sleepy Little Guy

I finally got out my camera this afternoon while Steve was at school and took some photos of my little bubby. I can't believe that tomorrow he will be one week old. It seems like he has been part of our world for so long now. I just can't imagine life without him. I look at him and the love I feel makes me so happy and overwhelmed inside that I just can't help it but cry. Since Tyler has entered into our lives, I've thank God several times a day for what he has blessed Steve and I with. I feel that nothing can compare to this feeling.

I see little tiny fingers

How cute are these little fingers??!! I couldn't resist taking a picture of these too while he was taking his nap this afternoon.

After The Bath

Tyler starts to feel better all wrapped up in his towel and his mommy's arms.

Bath Time!

Tyler has his first bath at home. Mom and Dad did a good job getting him all squeaky clean. Tyler didn't seem to like the experience.

Weekend Update #2

Mom and Dad got a late start to the day thanks to a long morning nap. Dad went to shoot video for class at the Power 106.9 radio station in Syracuse. The DJ, Rick Wright, put Dad on the air. Dad talked about his Navy experiences and his new baby Tyler! Mom was too busy to get to the radio out and missed the whole thing! That's what happens when you are home by yourself with a newborn baby! Today's high temperature was 12° with a windchill of 1°. Today was also very windy with lake effect snow adding another 3 inches.

A Dad's Self Portrait

A very tired Dad takes his picture with his son at midnight. Dad shot this photo using the wall mirror. In the last two nights, Tyler was feeding continuosly from 8 pm to 1 am. Tonight he slept in his Mom's arms for about an hour right in the middle of that time. Dad should have gone to bed!

Little Baby Feet

Check out these little tiny baby feet! (When you're up all night taking care of the baby, you still have to find ways to entertain yourself.)

The Band-Aid is from the blood test at the hospital.

Sophia wants attention too.

Sophia says thank you for sending her all these wonderful flowers! She's not too happy with Heather right now. She's not to happy when anyone or anything gets more attention than her. She even sits in front of the television until we get up and move her. The cats have been a bit curious. They still keep a distance from the baby. They usually try to explore the places the baby was just in.

Mom & Tyler hangin' out on a Saturday night.

Tyler just finished eating and he thinks he's going to sleep now and be up all night. Little does he know, it's soon to be bath time! Tyler is doing very well in his new home. He only cries when he needs to be changed or needs to be fed.

First Full Day At Home

The first day at home was a success. Mom & Dad managed to get a nap for almost two hours. Dad made dinner and took care of laundry. Tyler is trying out lots of outfits today. Mom's pain is very low and she hasn't even used the medicine the doctor prescribed. We got a lot of snow and the temperature has gone way down outside.

Weekend Update #1

It's Saturday! Mom & Dad got some better sleep last night after Tyker's 8 pm to 1 am cluster feeding. In the morning Mom and Dad were up and helping Tyler with his morning feeding and diaper changes. Dad went out to get groceries, pillows and meds for Mom. He also Broaught home KFC for lunch. When Dad arrived home at noon, Mom was feeding Tyler. Once Tyler was finished, Mom ate lunch then had a shower. After 2 and a half days, Dad will get his first shower and possibly a nap!

We made it home!

The family is now home. Mom talks to Tyler's Grandma on the phone. Dad made pizza for dinner. Sophia and Luigi curiously watch Tyler from a safe distance. Everyone has settled in nicely and looks forward to getting some much needed sleep.

Just about ready to go.

The time has come to go home! Mom & Dad are very tired and eagerly await the moment they arrive to their apartment. The doctor says Heather and the baby are doing just fine. Everything is normal and Mom is experiencing only minor pain.

Getting Warmer

Tyler is now wearing the same cape Steve wore home from the hospital 32 years ago. This Cape was hand knitted by Steve's Great Grandmother May.

Getting ready to go.

Tyler is getting ready to leave the hospital! He is wearing a hand-knitted sweater, hat and booties from Heather's Aunt Etta. Thank you Aunt Etta!!

Today in Syracuse...

A newborn child will make is way into the world. It doesn't matter where you are or what you have. Love can accomplish anything. Tyler is waiting for the doctor's final word. Tyler will be out beneath the sky for the first time. The clouds have moved just enough to allow the sun to light his first trip home.

Morning #3

Good Morning! Today Mom & Dad are very tired after only a few hours sleep. Tyler is doing well and is keeping Mommy busy with sporatic feedings. It is a cold, windy morning with lots of snowfall. Happy Birthday to Aunt Janell!

Tyler Weighs In

While Dad was in class, Mom took Tyler down to get him weighed. He gets weighed everyday. He is now down to 5 pounds, which is normal for the first few days. Tyler and Mom continue to work on feedings. Tyler is eating more and more each time! He is doing very well.

Eyes Open!

Tyler's eyes have been wide open all day. Well, inbetween naps of course. Hopefully tomorrow will be the day we all go home! Heather is doing very well. She changes and feeds Tyler will little effort. She will be unable to to left anything other than the baby for several weeks to come.

Mom & Tyler Update

Mom and baby are settled into their new room. When we arrived there were beautiful flowers from Grandma & Grandpa waiting for us. The day goes by so fast. The baby had shots and passed his hearing test. Dad has to go to class tonight, but will be able to stay over night in the new private room.

Teddy visits with Tyler

Teddy will stay with Tyler to keep him company while Mom is having her shower. Mom is taking advantage of Tyler's sleepy morning. Tyler says hello to everyone sending him messages and e-mail!

Tyler's First Visitor

Teddy arrived at the hospital about an hour ago. He is going to live with Tyler when they leave the hospital. Tyler says thank you to Grandma & Grandpa Walker and Uncle Joey, Aunt Kristin and Cousins Justin & Nicholas for sending Teddy to him. The flowers are very beautiful too!

Morning #2

Last night Heather's new roommate arrived and Dad had to go home. The hospital seems to be pretty busy in labor and delivery. Mom was able to get more sleep last night after Tyler settled in from his cluster feedings. Dad returned at 8 am to find Mommy up and changing the baby. The doctors soon came in to take Tyler off for some checks and his next appointment. The doctor also removed Mom's bandages. After breakfast, Heather goes for a nap before Tyler returns. Today Mom will get her first shower and will try to get a few walks in.

Keeping a watchful eye.

Just when you think Tyler is finally asleep... he peeps out to keep a sharp eye on his daddy. Dad keeps Mommy well stocked with food, drinks, and pillows. Dad also moves the baby and preps him for feedings. Tyler is in a "cluster feeding" phase. For the last 3 hours he has alternated between crying and feeding with short spells of sleep.

Night time has come.

Tyler either eats or sleeps, but for everyone else there is no time to rest. Tyler has just finished another feeding and feeling quite content in his mommy's arms. Mom is doing fine, but is feeling a bit tired. Her pain level is relatively low. She eagerly awaits her turn for a long nap tonight.

Mom & Baby

Mom and Tyler get some good quality time together. Later tonight Tyler will be weighed again and then start another feeding. Dad will get to stay with Mom in the hospital tonight as long as the empty bed isn't needed.

Dinner time!

Tyler loves to sleep after feeding. Sometimes he falls asleep during the feeding. Dad has to make sure he stays awake, so Dad will tickle Tyler's feet and legs to keep him from drifting off to dreamland.

Who wants to take a nap?!

After lunch Mom took a short nap while Tyler was sleeping. Around 1:00, Dad woke Tyler up by changing his diaper and washing his face. This gets Tyler ready to feed with Mom. The specialist comes in to help out. Both Mom and Tyler are doing a good job.

Lunchtime!

There's Mom! She has begun eating a regular meal and drinking lots of juices. Her I.V. is gone and she is now up and about.

The first pediatrician visit.

The doctor says Tyler is doing just fine. He is 22 inches long. His head measured 33cm. Tyler just had his first bath before the pediatrician came in.

Morning update...

Good morning! Heather was moved to the maternity ward last night at about 10:30. We are in a shared room, so no dads allowed after 10. Dad did get to stay until after 11, but had to go home to sleep. Heather tried to sleep, but the nurses came in every 30 minutes. Heather was a little sick last night and this morning, but was given medicine and is doing fine. Heather is not in any pain this morning, either. Heather is eating a tiny bit and drinking juice now. Tyler is doing just fine. He continues to sleep. The hospital does not measure the baby, so his lenght will not be determined until the pediatrician arrives. Later today Tyler will get his first bath and practice feeding.

Good morning!

Good morning to my family and friends in the USA, Canada, Italy and England! Thank you so much for welcoming me to the world. Thank you so much for sending my mommy and daddy so many wonderful messages of congratulations and prayer. I can't wait to meet you all, but for now I must get a little sleep.

Tyler & Dad

There's my little boy! Tyler says hello to his grandmas and he can't wait to see them.

Oh my goodness!

There he is getting weighed for the very first time. 6lbs. 6oz.

Baby Tyler

Tyler is now with his mother in the recovery room. We will all be in here for the next hour and a half. The nurse is checking the baby and mom every 15 minutes.

Tyler Steven Smith.

Tyler's first photo... Tyler was born 7:27 pm. He weighs 6 pounds 6 ounces. The procedure was perfect. The doctor also had to remove a cyst. We were in the O.R. a little longer than we expected. So far so good! Thank God for all he has done for each of us and our family.

The time is now!

Well, this is it. They came and took Heather to get ready in the O.R. I will follow in about ten minutes. I am so excited. Heather didn't seem too nervous. She's going to be great! I love her so much. We will be back in about an hour with our son. It's 7:05 pm EST now.

Counting down the minutes!!

Well, here we are! Isn't modern technology great? We have just a short time before we go in. We are both very excited and almost overwhelmed. Our baby is just around the corner. We are so happy!

Doctor has arrived!

The doctor was just in. He says we will begin the operation in one hour!! Well this is it... one baby boy on the way!

Little Update

Steve's cousin Kimmie just informed us that they usually play Baby Chimes when the baby is born...now we are even more excited!!! The contractions I was having earlier have gone down significantly, which is what the Dr. wanted. The baby heartbeat is doing excellent. Dr. Larussa should be finishing his normal office hours in about an hour, so we should be soon hearing whether he plans to do the section tonight or tomorrow.

Heather updates the website.

Heather is doing her best to keep everyone up to date. We'll see how long she can keep this up...

Heather is at the hospital!

We arrived at the hospital this morning at 7am to do our amnio test to determine whether the baby's lungs are mature enough to go through a cesarean within a couple of days. After quickly filling out some paper work, they took us to triage to prepare for the test. Dr. Larussa greeted us and with the help of the sono tech, they were soon doing the procedure. The first part of the test came out positive and now they are monitoring my contractions and the baby's heartbeat. They also have me hooked up to an IV to help hydrate me to keep the contractions down. The nurses have been super nice to us offering tea and coffee and giving me a nice warm blanket that came out of the dryer to help keep me warm. We are now in a private room for the time being and we are just waiting to hear whether Dr. Larussa would like to do the cesarean tonight or tomorrow morning. Stay tuned....

New Smith Family Website!

Welcome to the new Smith Family Website! Here you will find the latest news and photos from our family. Check back often! ~Steve & Heather