Mr. Sleepy, Mr. Stretchy, Mr. Yawny & Mr. Fussy

It is SO FUN to hear and watch Landry wake up! It's not so fun at 2:00 a.m., which Angie can attest to more than I can. But he cracks us up! It's amazing how instinctual little babies are, and how they communicate with us. Landry will be four weeks old tomorrow!! "T" minus zero days...tomorrow is the day Landry was scheduled to arrive. :)

Landry's Visitors - First Three Weeks

Thank you all for visiting Landry! Unfortunately, we don't have pictures of everyone that has stopped by - but we have most of you! Thank you all for your love and for your blessings. We appreciate you! Landry is 3 weeks, 2 days old today. He's doing very well and is steadily gaining weight. Landry is now 5 pounds, 7 ounces! WAY TO GO LANDRY!!!

Rookie Parents Take Landry for a Walk

Landry (half asleep) was excited about his first walk!

I haven't seen Angie light up like this since...we were married?

Fortunately (or unfortunately) the Fashion Police didn't confiscate Angie's sunglasses :)

G-Rod and L-Rod in front of Casa Rodriguez

Finishing it all up with a little nap and a big laugh :)

It was such a beautiful day today, that we decided to break open the stroller that NaNaw gave us. What a wonderful gift - thank you NaNaw! It took Daddy less than an hour to put it together (because he's a "Handy Man") and we proceeded to look the part of "Rookie Parents" by gingerly negotiating the smallest of curbs - and by taking approximately 1,164 pictures during the 20-minute walk. We took so many pictures, that Angie and I laughed - harder than perhaps we have in weeks. We were just imagining what others might be saying to themselves if they saw us - "Rookie Parents" so in love with their newborn that they were compelled to snap multiple pictures at every corner. But it was so much fun! More fun for Landry's parents than anything. Our son slept through the entire walk! Hmmm...perhaps he pretended to sleep out of embarrasment for his "Picture Happy Rookie Parents." How dare I be seen with them! Oh wait - that's fifteen years from now. :)

Landry's First Two Weeks

Soon after coming home, Landry slept through his first bath!

Well, he pouted through some of it :)

I love these moments - looking at Daddy with extreme curiosity

For a little guy, Landry has a strong appetite

Most of the time after feeding, he sleeps like this :)

Wow, these first two weeks have been something special. I've been under the weather, but thankfully, Angie and Landry have avoided any "Daddy germs" that might be floating around. Angie has been amazing - handling night duty while I've been trying to get over this lingering cold. I've been helping in the morning and during the day to provide much needed breaks. Overall, Landry has adapted very well to life outside the womb and inside our home. We have fallen in love with Landry more than we could have ever imagined we would. We know that he won't always be this innocent, and we know that he won't always be this cute! It's sometimes scary to think about the inevitable challenges ahead. But we're just enjoying the moment and loving him the best that we know how. It's wonderful. Tiring, but wonderful - and 100% worth it.

Coming Home

Looking handsome for the drive home!

A Kodak moment before loading the car

Forgive me for the slideshow - I love candid shots

Daddy gets to do the honors

It took awhile, but I got the seat to "click twice!"

Lovely Angie who thought she'd be here for an hour on Wednesday!

We actually had to turn around and come back, and so we did this all over again (except for loading Landry) because we forgot Angie's prescription papers! Can't forget the pain meds! YIKES! What an incredible moment. I've never driven so carefully in my life! We have the "Arriving Home" moment on video. I'll try adding that footage later. Now, we're just resting at home as a very happy family. Landry is feeding, sleeping and pooping well. The doctors and nurses called Landry a "remarkable baby." They were impressed at how well he reacted to his premature birth. Most babies of this age and size stay longer than the standard two-day stay. I've come down with a little something and so Angie is doing the bulk of the baby work right now. Landry will be around to watch his first Dallas Cowboy game this afternoon! Go Cows!!!

All in the Family

I love this picture! Aunt Guero loving on Landry.

Aunt Laura's family stopped by to meet Landry!

Proud Mills Grandparents (NaNaw & PaPaw)

Proud Rodriguez Grandparents (Gran & Pop)

My beautiful wife and our son

As unexpected as the timing was, we had several visitors - mostly family that were able to come by to meet Baby Landry. The last few days have been like a dream. I know that it won't always be this way. But happy moments like these are what we live for. This is why we love. And this is why we give thanks in every circumstance. For the hope of experiencing the highest of highs in this world with each other. May God bless Landry and may He strengthen us to be the best parents we can be for him! We love you, Landry!

The Story Behind the Name

Tom Landry coached the Dallas Cowboys during their first 29 seasons

Christopher Rodriguez was my Great Grandfather - with Dad and me!

Landry Christopher resting on my Cowboys blanket!

We had so much fun thinking about names for Landry! I'm Gregory III, and so it was tempting to have a Gregory IV. But we fell in love with "Landry" while driving home from my parents' home one day several months ago. I'm the one that ALWAYS initiated the "name game" with Angie. :) But as we talked in the car this time, Angie noticed that we were driving on "Tom Landry Highway," and then said, "What about 'Landry'?" I initially liked it very much, but it still took some time for me to fall in love with it. But I did. And of course now, I love it more than ever. Incidentally, the friend that married us has a daughter named "Landri." She was a junior bridesmaid in our wedding 2 1/2 years ago! They are a neat family and they are very special to us. It will be fun to tell them Landry's name - we haven't called them yet! :)