Conrad - 2 Weeks Old

Hi. I am Conrad Cross Barntsen and I just turned 2 weeks old last Sunday.

By way of introduction, I thought I'd tell you a little about myself since I'm so new to the group. I'll start off by letting you know how much I appreciate your warm welcome - it's made me feel so loved.

 • I know how much my mommy loves surprises, so I thought I'd throw her completely off guard and make my grand arrival on an afternoon when she was least expecting it. I think I got her pretty good!

• My stay in the hospital was quite nice. I had the finest of nurses and care, and loved meeting my new family. My parents were running on adrenaline and didn't have a care in the world (yet.) Ha.

• I went to church when I was only a week old and slept through the entire thing. That's about a month and half sooner than my big sister! I think it's definitely true that second time parents are much more chill. That or I'm just an angel baby. Perhaps both.

• Some people like to sleep in beds or cribs or bassinets, but to be honest, I prefer to be as close to my mom as possible so I'm getting the VIP treatment and have requested to be held the majority of most nights. Being so cute and all, my mom has yet to say no to me. She's tried swaddling me and putting me down in the bassinet in their room a handful of times - sometimes it works for short periods and sometimes I voice my opinion quite loudly that sleeping on my own is just not going to work for me right now. Too much I don't want to miss out on and life is much more comfortable in someone's arms.

• I mean, how can you blame me? I've been just a bit spoiled the first two weeks of my life having both sets of grandparents here helping and holding me at the drop of a fuss.

• I accompanied mommy and daddy on a date to Red Lobster last Saturday evening. I woke up right when they were ordering their food, but in my defense it had been almost two hours since I last ate and their 40 minute wait and subsequent errand runs to kill time can't be blamed on me. Timing is everything guys. I still think they enjoyed the time out together.

• Mom and dad seem surprised by how many diapers I go through. Have they forgotten everything in only two years?! Only one massive blow out so far.

• There are typically four reasons why I cry: I need to burp, I need to poop, I'm really tired and just need to go to sleep, or I would like to be held. Or all of the above. So five reasons. See, I'm not that complicated.

• Sometimes...if the light is juuuuust right...my hair will look a shade of red. Mommy's not getting her hopes up.

• Speaking of my hair, supposedly I have the softest, smoothest head and skin they've ever felt. Oh stop, now I'm blushing....

• I have had my days and nights figured out from the very beginning. Isn't that nice of me? No wide awake times at night so far! I go to bed around 9:00 or 9:30 and I barely even cry during the night (unless I have to have my diaper changed), nurse for 10-15 minutes, and pass out again.

• Still squeezing into a few newborn outfits, but not for long. Already wearing size 1 diapers.

• Walks and fresh air are great. Mommy and daddy are quite the sight...each pushing a stroller.

• So far my nicknames are: Baby Brother Conrad, Goose, Mister, and Con-man.

• Some people think I look like my daddy, while others think I look more like a Sinclair. One person said my Uncle Scott and my Grandma thinks I look like my Uncle Brent. At first I didn't look at all like my sissy, but now mommy and daddy think maybe I do. I think I look like a newborn baby and everyone should just stop guessing.

• Speaking of sissy, she hugs and kisses me a lot and I don't mind one bit. I really love her.

• I surpassed all expectations and was 2 oz over my birth weight at my doctor's appointment when I was only 6 days old. My pediatrician said I'm well on my way to being chubby, which made mommy laugh b/c Gwendolyn has only ever had one half roll in each thigh. What can I say, I like to eat!

Here are my stats:

Height: 21 1/8" - 95%

Weight: 8 lbs, 10 oz - 80%

Head: 14 1/4" - 90%

Well it's time for a mid-morning snack. Better run.

Love,

Conrad