The sleeper she’s wearing here could have been a Christmas outfit, but she was too little for it. It’s hard to believe that at 7 weeks, she’s probably only about as big as Simon was a week or two after he was born. And she is steadfastly against sleeping at night for longer than 2 hours at a stretch. I know that’s totally normal, but it is also totally normal for me to be eager for that stage to end!

Simon (left) and Mary (right) at Week 6.

I had every intention of bringing my camera along for my brother’s birthday celebration yesterday and taking lots of pictures, particularly of Lucy with family members, in the hopes of getting a good shot for the weekly picture. Kate asked me if I remembered the camera about 3/4ths of the way to their house. Yeah, I completely forgot it. So this week’s shot was hastily assembled during a few minutes of good awake time she had before “bedtime.” I use the term very loosely, at this point.

Simon (left) and Mary (right) at Week 6.

Several weeks ago, I heard the following conversation happening over our kitchen table between Simon and Mary. I’ll throw it out there with minimal commentary.

Mary: . . . and grandma and grandpa and great-grandma and great-grandpa
Simon: Great-Grandpa died.
Mary: I know.
Mary: When will he be alive again?
Simon: Never.
Mary: Oh. Why?
Simon: That’s just the way it is.

Mary: When will we die?
Simon: Not for a long time.

Mary: Maybe in 7 days?
Simon: No, much longer than that.
Mary: Oh.

And then their eating resumed with barely a pause.

We were hanging out watching the Giants/Falcons playoff game when it came time to take picture of the week. The light from the windows gives Lucy some interesting catch-lights in her eyes.

Simon (left) and Mary (right) at Week 5.

Kate’s parents came down to help out for a couple of weeks, and we SO appreciate their assistance. Her mom is actually going to be here until the 7th. A few days ago, she requested that she be in picture of the week, and really, how can I NOT put her there after all the assistance they’ve provided! So major props to my in-laws, my parents, and all the other family and friends who have lent a hand in various ways (hospital visits, entertaining kids, meals, laundry, cleaning – the list goes on and on) over the past three weeks. We really appreciate all the help and caring that everybody has provided!

Lucy’s hair looks a bit red in this picture, but I think that has more to do with the white balance of the photo than any actual real read hair.

Simon (left) and Mary (right) at Week 4.

It’s been an eventful past couple of days for Lucy. At her two week appointment she hadn’t put on any weight since leaving the hospital. We’ve spent the weekend changing her feeding schedule, and Kate has been an absolute champ with the nursing and supplementing, so we’re hoping that her followup appointment tomorrow yields a positive trend in the weight department. With the weight stress and the (good) craziness of Christmas, it’s been an exhausting weekend! I go back to work tomorrow, and it may well be more restful than being at home! This week’s picture was taken on Christmas day.

Simon (left) and Mary (right) at Week 3.

It’s only week 2 and already Mary has infiltrated Lucy’s weekly picture. Both Simon and Mary will probably be making frequent appearances here, if for no other reason than they always want to be holding, touching, or just NEAR (read: hovering over) the baby. Anyway, I couldn’t resist using this one. Lucy’s got one eye open as if to say “hey! what’s going on here!” and Mary is as enthusiastic as always.

Simon (left) and Mary (right) at Week 2.

This is the beginning of a year-long photo project. I’m going to post a weekly picture for Lucy’s first year. I did it for Mary, and Kate did the same thing for Simon during his first year.

The rules will be the same as they were for the Mary Picture of the Week project. The goal will be to post a new picture from the previous week on Sunday or Monday evening each week. The picture will preferably be taken over the weekend so the spacing between them will be similar, but I’m not going to box myself in if we get a good picture from a different day.

I’m off to a bit of a rocky start here, as I’m already behind. I figure that this is how Lucy would feel about my tardiness with her very first weekly picture.

Simon (left) and Mary (right) at Week 1.