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| Vito at 6 weeks |
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| So cute and happy, no date on the pic, 2-3 months I believe |
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| I had Nick snap this pic just before we went to the hospital. I'm in active labor and wearing the only clothes that would fit me for the past week. We had just gotten home from my in-laws whose friends were visiting with their new baby. I held the tiny newborn in my arms gazing at her in awe and aching for my baby to hurry up and arrive. Less than 2 hours later that night my water broke. |
At 10 weeks old Vito laughed out loud for the first time. It was the most beautiful sound I 'd ever heard. Here, at 3 months, I was finally able to get a picture of his smile. He is such a joy. I went back to work but after one week gave my two weeks notice. I couldn't stand to be away from him. We are living hand to mouth but I don't regret it for a minute.
Vito is 7 weeks in this picture and probably thinking "What is she doing to me?!" No one is home with me during the day so propping him up for pictures is a frequent occurrence. He's started sleeping thru the night which is great but makes me a little nervous. I check on him often to make sure he's okay. Soon I must go back to work and hate the thought of leaving him. My mother-in-law has graciously offered to babysit. This makes leaving him a little easier just knowing he'll be with family.
At 6 weeks Vito still wakes up every 3-4 hours at night to eat. I'm exhausted and frustrated but still having fun being a Mom. Each day is a new photo opportunity because he looks so adorable in every outfit. He's starting to babble and coo and seems to know his parents. We're renting 1/2 of an old farm house that heats with a wood stove. It's quite chilly in the morning so I put the little plastic tub near the stove so he doesn't get a chill during his bath. My mother-in-law recommends putting a tablespoon of cereal in his bottle just before bed. Despite Doctors orders ("Only breast milk for 8 weeks") I try it. He sleeps 6 hours and it's a miracle.
This is Vito's first professional photograph. We stood in line for 2 hours at the local department store to get it. He's wearing a cute little knit outfit that my friend Trudy got for him. After much crying and fussing during the wait he fell into a deep sleep just as our turn came up. The poor photographer had to coax him awake for every shot. He's about 6 weeks old and hungry all the time. He doesn't sleep much and spits up a lot but a flash of his smile makes it all worth while.
October 1st 1983 Vito was born at 7:40 am. He weighed 7 pounds 13 ounces and was absolutely perfect. His hair was a lovely strawberry blond that sparkled in the sun and was arranged in a neat little man's haircut. I was smitten at first sight. Of course you cried (don't all babies?) and wouldn't stand for being wrapped up tight in the blanket which seemed to comfort all the other babies. I just chalked it up to an independent nature, something to be admired, respected. Once, as I entered the nursery to get you, I overheard a nurse comment to another nurse "Boy is he going to give his mother trouble". Not possible, not my little angel.
