$25,000 Baby

We just received the hospital and physician bills for Matthew's birth: $25,000. Fortunately, we're insured through Bobby's work and this hospital stay pushed us past our annual deductible. We only owe them $350 for the whole experience.

A few picts from recently:

James showing off a few snowflakes he had captured.

Grandma wanted a picture of Matthew's hands here, but all I see is a big, pink pacifier (purchased in desperation for form and function, not style...I don't like pink).

New family photo #1

New family photo #2

Matthew turns 1 month old this week. I'm still stuck in October. He's about 10 pounds, getting softer and fatter every day. He spends his conscious hours calm and happy (as long as you're holding him). He spends his daytime sleeping hours in the midst of the noisy activity that is life at our house. He sleeps through it all, dear boy. Nighttime is a work in progress. He eats every 3-4 hours and sometimes stays awake for an hour or so afterwards. Thank goodness for Grandma to take him so I can go back to bed :) Matthew holds his head up pretty well. He's smiled once really big for Grandma and once for Alice and tons and tons as he's falling asleep. It's a charming smile. Sometimes I watch him falling asleep just to catch a glimpse of it. I wonder how it will feel when he finally uses it intentionally.

Matthew skipped his first night feeding on Monday and I promptly came down with a short bout of mastitis (another one of those "oh yeah, now I remember this" moments). I'm so glad to have my mom and sister in town. The kids absolutely adore Erin. She makes everything more fun. Everything. She's taking them out on dates one-by-one, giving them lots of personal attention and special treats. Even James has decided that she's alright to smile for :)

Robert spent much of yesterday afternoon making paper snowflakes. While I was out of the room, he told Erin that she could buy him and take him home with her. She asked him "How much?" and he said "$5." Erin asked about the other members of the family and he said they would be $5 each, too, or *pause*think*think*think* $30 altogether.

WHAT?! Did that boy just do multiplication in his head?!

What if Robert turns out smarter than I am...can my pride handle it?!

James spent much of yesterday in time out. I wonder if he misbehaves sometimes just because he wants/needs some alone time. He plays and sings so happily all by himself that it's easy to leave him be. I've forgotten him in there more than once :) Do we have another introvert in the works? Time will tell.

I hear Matthew squeaking in his seat. Time for another feeding.