Asher's Four Talents

Being only a week and a half old, Asher isn't much more than an adorable, warm, squishy blob. I'm already beginning to feel inadequate as a mother in the respect that I just don't know exactly what to do with an adorable, warm, squishy blob. Do I play with him? If so, how? His eyesight is still very underdeveloped, as is his hearing. I put him in his swing or bouncy seat thinking maybe he'd enjoy some "alone" time away from my lap, but then I feel guilty for leaving him to be entertained by some contraption. However, when I hold him for long periods of time, I then feel as if I'm not stimulating him enough. Really - what do you do with a newborn?

I have discovered that Asher does enjoy doing four things, and seems to be doing them very well. He is an excellent sleeper. I think he loves sleeping more than I do, if that's possible. During the night, he'll often sleep 4-5 hours straight if I let him, and spends probably 75% of his time sleeping. He also loves to eat. He starts making his baby-bird-reaching-for-food faces every 1-4 hours and has been known to eat for up to an hour straight. (His first doctor's appointment is on Monday, and if I find out he's lost much weight since birth I'm going to be very distraught!) Asher takes pride in being a pooping machine, too. A few days ago, in fact, he already had his first "explosive" diaper in which he managed to fire up and out of his undies. I've always said there's nothing cuter than the feeling of little baby toots on your arm as you're holding them. Unfortunately, Asher doesn't seem to have cute little baby toots - his are LOUD and upon hearing them it's very evident he passed more than just a little gas. What I love is the way he scrunches his face up and makes "ugh, ugh, UGH!" noises prior to letting them fly. At least he usually gives a little forewarning. What I find most talented about him, though, is the wide array of facial expressions he's perfected already. Seen below is his Popeye impression and above is the face he often makes while poop-tooting (and, if you enlarge the photo you can see dried milk crust in the corner of his mouth - he's a very classy little fellow, indeed).

His mommy and daddy sure are proud of him.