Three Weeks

Amelia is at three weeks now and she has her own TV station - well sort of. We purchased a baby monitor that has a camera and video monitor. A small camera on the rail of her crib broadcasts to our room a few feet away. At night we can see from a distance when her little head moves giving us advance warning that she is about to want our full attention. Are we losing sleep watching Amelia TV? Yes, maybe some.

Last week we had Laura Hunter with "Moms on Call" here at the house. Laura is a nurse, mother of five, and an infant care consultant. Beyond tips on bathing and nail trimming, she gave us tips on putting Amelia on a schedule. I know it is tough being schedule our entire lives, even at three weeks, but us sleepy parents want some structure please. Laura has a book out that says babies thrive on routine. 6 AM-feed, 7 AM-sleep, 9 AM- feed, and so on is kind of how it goes. Laura has her own blanket swaddle technique to calm the baby. The swaddle is nothing new, but the white noise is a newer technique. We have a “noise generator” with various sounds like a heartbeat, a waterfall, and the one we use the most, a solid noise that sounds similar to a radio between stations. Combined with the swaddle and the white noise she calms down for sleep much faster than letting her wiggle her way to a partially sleepless night. All these things put together are said to be a womb-like atmosphere that the baby feels calmed by. It seems odd, it works most of the time; however I will admit Amelia often has her own plans and cries regardless of adult calming theories.

One Week

As of this afternoon Amelia is now one week old. On this day she made her first trip down Atlanta’s most famous street Peachtree to the medical complex at Piedmont Hospital to see her regular pediatrician for the first time. The doctor found her to be in good health. She gained two ounces since last Friday. In baby terms that means all systems are working towards growth.

So we survived a week. Of course we had hospital help up till last Wednesday and then Anna’s mother ever since we came home. The story of nighttime baby duty was a comedy in all the typical ways you hear about dads and newborns. You know the usual, put the baby down she screams and pick her up she screams more. For the first time in years I can attest that while the world is sleeping, there is a long dark connection between light, darkness, and light again. Trust me on this; I have seen it happen out the window when I wasn’t looking at a bright-eyed baby. Also, I found out CNN keeps Larry King up all night! Now, ever since my last night on duty Amelia sleeps all the time. I think she is recovering from my inexperience. I am going back on tonight.

Be sure and look at the baby photos on the flickr.com site. The link is on the right sidebar of this page. I have yet to make a photo that captures late night feedings, but give me time. So till then, goodnight.

Amelia Goes Out

Amelia certainly came into a truly “Hotlanta” August. It has been over 100 degrees a couple of times since her birth. We ventured out into the heat yesterday to the pediatrician’s office in the Little Five Points area of Atlanta. I couldn’t resist but to have a photo in Little Five Points with Amelia since I never expected one of her first journeys out to be in one of the most bohemian areas of town. With that short trip out, Amelia’s life in Atlanta now really begins.

Anna in still in her recovery mode, she stayed home while Grandmother Gillis and Steve went to the doctor with Amelia. The doctor said she looked great. We meet with our regular pediatrician next week when he returns from vacation.

Anna's brother Tot flew up to Atlanta from Jacksonville, FL in a small plane with a flight instructor to see his sister and baby Amelia yesterday. Tot was here about three hours before heading back.

Amelia Comes Home

After 12:00 midnight, in other words very early Thursday morning 8/9/2007, we arrived at the house with baby Amelia. So did we sleep? Not really. In a clichéd new parent fashion we had a rough night of figuring out the balance of baby and us at home. We will sleep later today when the baby sleeps or while Anna’s mother can assist.

Later today we take Amelia to the pediatrician. Since our regular pediatrician is on vacation, we are going to his back up, who happens to have his practice above the Star Bar in the hip Little Five Points area of Atlanta. I have seen countless bands at the Star Bar, but never dreamed I would take my daughter to the doctor in the same building.

Welcome Amelia Ann Witte

As first time parents, Anna and Steve and family are proud and blessed to announce the arrival of Amelia Ann Witte. She was born on Monday, August 6, 2007 at 3:52 PM at Northside Hospital in Atlanta, GA. Her birth weight was 5 pounds and 5 ounces. Her birth length was 17 ¾ inches. For now, I don’t think I went too wrong in calling her blog Itty Bitty Witte. She is so small and so cute. Amelia’s health so far has been good.

Anna is doing well. She is resting and so far has not been up to many visitors or phone conversations. Sleep has not been part of the deal so far. Anna now has her own delivery story to tell after inquiring with so many people about their experience.

Twenty-four hours in and so far we are working through the details as new parents. The hospital staff is helping us out along with Anna’s mother. We believe that we will leave the hospital Wednesday, but that could always change.

I came over to the house to send this out and will return to wife and daughter for the evening. Looking around the house here, I can’t wait to have her home. Thank you for the prayers and thoughts from across the miles.

Please check back for more photos in the days to come as I need to run back to the hospital to be with the mother and daughter.