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We had a great time! My parents are completely smitten with Daegan. My dad playing with the little guy brought back good memories of him playing with me when I was little...my mom sang him all the French songs she sang me...I do think it's the only things she sings somewhat in tune!! And my dad said all his 'phrases' that I haven't heard since I was small!! It was really neat! It reminded me what great parents they were/are! My mom even changed diapers! My sister wouldn't touch the cloth!
What a weenie!My sister may be 'moving up' her baby timeline!
She does have some growing up still to do though, she needs to become a little less selfish 
....but she really will make a great mom! Unfortunately her hubby couldn't make it...he had to work...he's a good guy, really laid back. And he would've loved this part of Louisiana...he's an outdoorsy redneck!Daegan continued his 'sleeping through the night' gig. I really feel blessed with this. I heard a lot about breast fed babies not sleeping through the night even at almost a year old and I was a little worried. I'm on the upper end of the bell curve...probably even an out-lier needing ~10-11 hours of sleep a night...and maybe, just maybe Daegan inherited that? Good for a baby, bad for an intern on-call!
*disclaimer* I know things can still change!! *end disclaimer*Because this is my blog, I feel I can be honest with my feelings...even if they aren't very politically correct or perfectly moral or whatever.
Daegan has been developing pretty much right on track for his adjusted age and even with occasional milestones for his chronological age. I'm soo relieved each time he hits a 'milestone!!' I know he didn't have any apparent complications from his prematurity...no brain bleeds, no lung damage from the vent...but still....I don't want a 'short bus' kid. Having my mom and sister reiterate that he's on track and not funny looking or anything helped too! He started batting at toys this week. His 'speech' has intonation and emotions...it really sounds like he's talking to us...just in super secret baby language!
His hands are exploring more...he's even managed to bring his thumb to his mouth a few times...seemingly on purpose! It's great!! He's no longer just this blob that I carry around, feed and change diapers on!! But, he's no longer a blob I can carry around! I actually have to engage and interact with him now! His awake times are for playing and learning! One of the down sides is that we can't really go out to dinner anymore. Russ and I go out fairly often...and more with my family here. (I do love to cook, but oftentimes I just want to be served!! I'm such a spoiled princess at heart! 
) Daegan doesn't like all the stimulation...he's no longer at the 'shut down' phase...it'll be good for us! And the budget!Speaking of budget...I'm at about that time when I need to be thinking about where I'm going to work. And what to do with Daegan, when I work. I'm not ready. I'm really not ready. We're slowly sinking almost a grand a month. OK so that's really not that slow, but....the theory is that there is an end in sight. My part time salary should double our income...or more. It really would jump our lifestyle up even with the added childcare costs...it'd be nice....but is it worth it? Russ hasn't pressured me anymore about working. I really appreciate it...I think it might come up again soon though...especially since we're getting close to the original 'deadline.' Daegan is only little once....I'm not going to rush this. Soon I might need to work for *me* but I think I'm going to hold off a little longer. Some days though I do miss being the doctor. It definitely gives you a feeling of importance! I know being a mom is important...it just isn't as tangible yet as being a doc was!
OK for the froufrou Christmas-y part...
Daegan is enjoying his new cloth diapers! He also got a monkey toy and a turtle toy from his aunt. Memere and Grandpa got him some bonds and a really nice engraved wooden chest for important stuff like papers and smaller keepsakes. They also sprung for Daegan's first photo shoot! Grammy and PaPa also got him some bonds, a playmat, and some books. Daegan bought everyone a picture frame. Russ ordered me my favorite beer! Rogue Dead Guy Ale. Mmmmmm.....beer! I got him a handheld Zelda game for when he needs a "me" moment at the hospital. He also got the DonkeyKonga Bongo Drums game for us. Sometimes I think my playing video games with him is a present for him!! My mom and dad gave us money and a nice honu tree ornament. My sister gave us the 4th Scrubs season DVD and she gave me a beautiful wooden plumeria for my hair and a turtle ornament from Hawaii. His mom went overboard as usual! She gave me a gift card to Sephora, him lots of money, and us a really nice and big bird feeder for the backyard. And she also sent a big box with a lot of little gifts for us, the dogs and Daegan. The dogs got some extra people food from us, pancakes for breakfast....fresh ham for dinner. They also got a fresh pork bone for the New Year!
Russ is on ER this month. I hope it goes well. The schedule seems pretty nice on paper! I'm hoping for some good baby-daddy bonding time! Russ also got an Ergo Baby Carrier...so we'll see how that goes!
Right now Russ is on his 5th hour of solo video game playing....this is following the hour we played together. I'm starting to get a little pissed! At least I was napping with the boy for ~3 hours of it. I'm trying to be nice because he was pretty darn good when my family was here...we're really social people and Russ is definitely a hermit oftentimes! I hope he gets his 'alone' time out of his system! He's off tomorrow and I want to reconnect with my hubby!!!