wow, time flies

So Kieran's now 2 weeks and 3 days old, and we're still surviving, which is good stuff. He's a really good baby, although is currently going through a cranky stage / growth spurt, but we've been assured it doesn't last. Here's hoping. I'm pretty tired, but we're getting into more of a routine with the eating and sleeping, so things are settling down. What to say? Hmm. Things we've learned so far.

Babies don't like baths at first, but generally get to like them as they have more of them.
If your baby weighed 8lbs9oz at birth, and weighed 8lbs11oz at his 1-week checkup, and 9lbs7oz at his 2-week checkup, you will be horrified, but the doctors will be thrilled and tell you to keep doing what you're doing, whatever that is.
Babies do not like being startled by cats jumping on them or by things falling near them. They cry really sad, scared cries when things like that happen.
Babies can make horrific, sounding like they're being torn apart by wolves sounds, for no good reason other than that they have been in their carseat for what they think is too long, and they want out.
You will probably cry the first time your baby makes that sound, because you're really hormonal and you don't know why your baby is making that sound.
That's ok. You'll probably cry some other times too, for similar reasons.
That's ok too.
You'll find it really hard to keep in touch with people, and will just cross your fingers and hope they understand that it's not because you don't want to talk to them, but just that if you do find yourself with a moment during the day where there isn't a baby attached to your breast or sleeping peacefully on your chest (because he does sleep SO well there, and looks so cute, and you just aren't willing to chance that he'll wake up when you put him in his crib, so you just sit and watch him sleep and quite possibly fall asleep yourself), that generally there is something more pressing, like the need for clean dishes and undies for you and sleepers for him.
Actually having a baby is a good reality check for all your idealist notions of how you're going to do things. Drug free labour? Sweet Jesus no. Baby in bed with you? Regularly, no. Sometimes, yeah. Makes the night feedings *so* much easier. Pacifier for the baby? Again, regularly, no. Sometimes, yeah. He won't keep it in his mouth long anyway, but those few seconds of quiet while I'm changing a diaper at 3am are more valuable than my worry about him becoming one of 'those babies' who always has a soother in his mouth.

That's all I can think of for now, I'll let you know as we learn more.