1 Month!

Wow, one month has passed..and a lot has happened. First, I usually start with an update on his weight, which as of today, I am not really sure. That of course is a good thing, meaning we are not too concerned about that any more. But last we checked about a week ago, he was 3.5 Kgs which is a little over 7.5 lbs...and a whole kilo more than when he left the hospital. This can be attributed to the combination of milk from momma supplimented with some formula. This works out OK, because we are able to share nighttime feedings....Unfortunately, the formula typically is a bit harder to digest and has given him a bit of the colic...anyway, more on that in a min...

I was hoping to post more photos with everyone who has come to see Luca, sorry grandparents, cousin Chad, and all the people from our little town, but as I type, I am losing percious moments of sleep. I will try to post more soon..But for now you get to see some more recent photos..most of these taken at my favorite time with the little guy, at his 6 oclock AM feeding. As you can see, he is still very attentive, and has even started giving me these beautiful smiles. They go a long way after we experienced our first colic meltdown last Sunday. Lets just say, those are no fun...But Erin and I are learning that these are the highs and lows of our new responsibility...and we are loving it!

I dont know if this post makes any sense. Obviously, my objective was to get some more photos posted to share our joy with everyone else. So if the writing is incoherent, just look at the pics!

Weeks 1 and 2

There is a lot going on in our little town. The cherry blossoms are starting to bloom and the famous Caminata (Cherry Walk) is arriving this weekend...As I was getting ready to post this new Blog, I realize the last entry started out talking about Lucas weight, which is sort of ironic. We had a bit of a scare as we went to meet our pediatric for the first time and she informed us that Luca had lost a bit of weight, and she sent us back to the hospital. We found out that the little Peanut (check out the shirt grandpa found) was not getting all the food we though she was from mommy...so long story short...we added a little powdered suppliment and the little guy has gone from 2.38kgs all the way to 2.75! He has continued to be a dream...says a proud daddy. We have showed him off throughout our town and even in our favorite town in the Langhe (wine country)..Neive. Luca was also able to say good bye to our good friends Alice and Michael as they head back towards their homeland of Oz! They will be missed..

Erin and I are still learning our new roles and getting used to our new time schedule of waking up a couple times a night...but it is all worth it!

Luca comes home!

Mommy and baby were released from the hospital on Thursday morning. Luca was able to maintain his featherweight status at 2.5 kgs (5.5lbs), but never lost any in the hospital, which they tell me is a good sign.. We are planning a Picassa Album ASAP, but for now I will attach a few more precious moments. As I said, we have been very busy since being home. We went directly to our neighbors restaurant (i Sibilla) for an incredible Pugliese meal, and then had some visitors in the afternoon. The much anticipated first night sleep was better than expected, as Luca only woke up twice, but slept for a 4.5 hour span..(at least Erin told me so) Yesterday, the clouds broke, the surrounding mountains were out and we were able to parade him through Pecetto and visit all of our local shops who have been asking every day about his status. Three of the four grandparents in tow served as our paparazzi to document his first passeggiata.

Today, mommy is returning to form and demanding a trip to the seaside. So we are taking a little car trip to the seaside to find Grandma a nice plate of pesto. This of course will delay our album, but we promise a big collection by Sunday!

Luca...addendum

Day 2: I don't know if I finished telling the day 1 story, but hopefully mommy can add her side soon. I will just put a couple more photos on and tell you that becoming a dad has been very special and emotional. I just found myself staring at the photo I posted..and I am in awe. He is great....very alert. Cries infrequently.....mostly when being changed..which is where the photos I have posted are taken. But over all he is calm, and likes to take in his new world. Grandma and grandpa Coletti...as well as nonni (grandma) Ellingson have been great at sharing time during visiting hours. Again, thanks for all the kind words. I wish we could share him in person.

é nato Luca Enrico Coletti!

On Monday, the 22nd of March, our son was born at 5:36 am....The delivery went well. Erin tried to deliver the baby in water, but eventually had to get out of the tub to finish the job. The job of the mommy is difficult, but all in allwent well. Labor was about 10 hours and the delivery came naturally. The job the daddy has is not much easier, as it entailed a lot of seemingly ineffective rubbing of Erin's back as she screams in pain. BUT, all the trauma, physical and mental, washed away when the PNut arrived.

surprise!

a got a nice one of those on the last day of february. in italy typically they don't have baby showers, so i wasn't expecting anything of the sort, but on a typical sunday, i was dressed in my finest pjs for our trip to ikea to buy the baby some proper storage space. mark opens the door to our apartment and there were 7 ladies and Doeke! Ahhh, if i was going to have the baby early, that would have been it. Anna, Alice, and Doeke had been busy cleaning our apartment, and laying out a gourmet brunch while we were gone. After a day of good food, company, an abundance of gifts, and a foot massage (!), mom, dad & colettino were feeling pretty loved....

shes got the whole world in her hands

week thirty two