Merry Christmas!

The boys were asked to set up the scene for the family photo...  This was during dress rehearsal while the rest of us were still getting ready.  The final photo is below; less fun maybe, but still a pretty sweet reminder of Christmas Eve.
 

 

It's cold outside!

 

But warm inside next to Grandma and Pop Pop on the couch. Happy times.

 

Growing Soren...

 

 

Sweatshirt and Slippers

 

 

Soren/Alden

Uncle Kent took the one of Alden on the right.  A photo from Soren yesterday on the left.

living room floor

 

bar hopping w the grammas

We have transitioned from Gramma Lo to Gramma Sam after a half-week on our own (not sure how we made it without grandmother support for that long. . ).   Oddly, we have taken Soren to the local Irish bar now twice in his short life, once with each Gramma.  Both Grammas handled this similarly: happy to relish in pub-fare and the compliments of other bar-goers - "what an adorable baby!" and (without any evidence) "he must be very smart!", but also occasionally a little guilt-ridden for allowing their grandsons to hang at a bar.

Yesterday, we watched the Bears in a frustrating loss to the Packers, but at least it was in projected high-definition.  Soren, for his part, seems to enjoy the place, with the heavy Christmas lighting and bar noises.  Above, Gramma Sam put him on his tummy, which he seemed to enjoy/tolerate.  Alden is up for the bar also, since no one minds if he runs laps/bumps fists with strangers (U of M soccer coach, yesterday)/randomly measures items with a tape measure from Gramma's purse ("christmas tree . . . 2 pounds. . . . arm. . . 10 pounds.")

Truthfully, these have been great days as Soren has pretty consistently dropped to two feeds a night (down from, say, 10.)  Mom and dad are re-surfacing to the world, looking forward to holidays with family coming.

soren 1 month

The kid is now just over a month (also just at his due date).
More photos here (including thanksgiving, first bath, and visit from Okie Thom and Elena):  Soren One Month

Saturday Nap

 

head control

Soren is growing up before our eyes!  His due date is today, so hes officially "term", but has been with us about 4 weeks now.  The dude has put on some good weight -- up to 7 lb 5 oz at last check (up a 1lb from birth).  Also continues to be very calm, spending long chunks during the day just staring at the world.  As he gets bigger, he has been using his muscles/energy to search for more milk -- as shown here.  Enjoy:

http://youtu.be/wm898qfizoM

For those Alden enthusiasts, we had a simlair posting of him a few years ago, alongside our favorite uncle, Uncle Kent . .
http://morekoschmanns.blogspot.com/2009/10/head-flip.html

Birth Weight!

In a crowning achievement today, Soren regained his birthweight of 6lbs, 5oz.  It has been a team effort and we are all proud of him.  Below, an especially proud Grandma Lois shares a gaze with her grandson.

 

the philosopher part 2

 

We have noticed that Soren is a quiet uncomplaining young man so far.  At times, when you combine this with his features and reflective-appearing gazes, he seems contemplative and wise beyond his years.  Those of us who have gotten to spend time with him are doing are best to capture the calm and wisdom in these moments, but we probably fall short, thinking of errands and emails that loom.  Its good to be around him and work on this goal, either way. . .

week 2

 

 

 

 

 

soren - week 1

A couple of shots from the first week.  Above, Soren in the quilt made for him by Gramma Sam (retirement has allowed for some new hobbies).

The last two shots below are from a short re-admission to the hospital for jaundice.  For those less familair with the term (as uncle Fredo put it, "I looked it up on wikipedia, but I still dont really get it"), elevated bilirubin (blood cell breakdown products) in newborns leads to yellow skin and increase in sleepiness, and it is fixed rather briskly with exposure to UV lights (the blue lights below).  Our admission  was quick and relatively painless, and his jaundice is now improved.

 

 

 

Comments from a big brother...

Alden has been a real trooper through his recent transition to being a big brother.  He has mostly held it together, with a few sprinkles of mischief and whining here and there - sometimes cute and endearing, sometimes not so much.  Whatever his behavior, though, we are getting a sense of some of his inner turmoil, given voice when his guard is down.  Here are a few comments we've recently heard:

"Mommy, dad and I are going to go play a game that babies can't play, and mommies can't play, either. Only tall dads and sort of tall kids."

"I want to be Soren. I don't want to be Alden, because I am getting to be too old. I want to be a baby."

"Mommy, I want to feed Soren. [Lifts up his shirt to to his neck.] I will use these 'nickles' to feed him."

"Mommy, can I have that breast milk?"

big brother

Alden has had his existence overturned with the addition of his new brother.   He has done an awesome job so far -- very gentle and affectionate with his brother, trying to help him when he cries, etc.  We've also seen a little flare of behavior to get more attention (as expected) -- throwing tortilla chips on the kitchen floor and stamping on them, for example, but this is pretty rare.  We even had this exchange in the bathtub that didnt make much sense but showed how much Soren is in his thoughts.

(talking about a video about a manatee rescue at Sea World . . )
Alden: ". . . and then the man, who had hair that wasn't like Soren's, saved the manatee."
Mom: "Oh.  Did he remind you of Soren?"
Alden: " . ..  well, he was really tall, like this tall [hands stretched high], and Soren isn't tall. . . well he was also a little like Soren although he saves manatees and Soren doesnt do that . .. "

Here's a video of his gentler side, navigating the territories of where its best to kiss his brother: Watch the video.

The First Five Days

It's been a whirlwind past few days, but we are enjoying some precious moments together. 
Here are a few representative shots:

https://picasaweb.google.com/108052752405437702853/Soren

the philosopher

“Where am I? Who am I?

How did I come to be here?

What is this thing called the world?

How did I come into the world?

Why was I not consulted?”

― Søren Kierkegaard

(as recited to us by our friend and neighbor David Manley)

Soren Ebey Koschmann

Announcing the birth of Soren Ebey Koschmann!

6 lb 5 oz and 18.5 inches, born 11/4/12 at 2:01 pm.

He is a beautiful calm kid.  Here are a couple videos from the first day (click link below picture).

First bath. Watch video here. 

Awake and quiet (first night). Watch video here.

Doughnut, um... I mean, PUMPKIN Patch