Max is 16 weeks old.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Max's First Excersaucer Ride
Max is 14.5 weeks old.
Today we put Max in the excersaucer for the first time. Well, I did anyway. Rob and Evie were at a baseball game.
This isn't the exact same one Evie had (we borrowed this from a different friend) but it is the same one we had make/manufacturer-wise. It'll be interesting to see which toys he likes compared to what Evie liked when she was little.
I can't believe he's already at this point.
Slow down, time!
Max immediately sucks on the glycerin-like star.
Plotting his next move.
Today we put Max in the excersaucer for the first time. Well, I did anyway. Rob and Evie were at a baseball game.
This isn't the exact same one Evie had (we borrowed this from a different friend) but it is the same one we had make/manufacturer-wise. It'll be interesting to see which toys he likes compared to what Evie liked when she was little.
I can't believe he's already at this point.
Slow down, time!
Max immediately sucks on the glycerin-like star.
Plotting his next move.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Making a decision to have baby #2...
My friend, let's call her Bianca (does anyone actually know a Bianca?) is contemplating subjecting herself to having two kids. She currently has one and, despite what she wants me to believe, isn't really stressing out about trying to get pregnant with #2 (but her and I both know she is quietly freaking out or she wouldn't now be asking the question, "Should I even try for #2?" Its a coping question. A question all of us have asked after having tried for many months to get pregnant only to see a "-" sign time and time again).
Bianca asked a few friends with multiple kids, "Is it worth it?"
Maybe this wasn't the exact question, but, for blogging purposes, its roughly equivalent.
The friends' reply, "It is exponentially more difficult with each kid that you have."
I can't truly comment on whether or not I agree, I mean, I only have 3 months under my belt. But, yes, so far, it is amazingly more challenging. I told Bianca that the Pro's/Con's List of having 1 kid verses 2 kids are evenly matched... it just depends how much weight you personally give each pro and con. Example:
1 KID: Pro's
1. more manageable than 2
2. less expense (overall)
3. not a scheduling nightmare (IE, only 1 nap time to work with. only one kid's extra-curricular activities to attend)
4. no sibling squabbles in the house (or ever!)
5. can be reasoned with one-on-one verses having to find a solution to fit all kids involved
1 KID: Con's
1. if this one is a screw-up, s/he's all you got (yes, its sad to admit but we've ALL THOUGHT IT)
2. if this one decides to not have kids someday, you'll never be a grandparent. Also, more dependence on this one to care for you when you are old and feeble. (see also, Con #1)
3. you are the playmate of choice (vacations can and may be hell for you)
4. kid will grow up to having little extended family (when you die, that's it!)
5. each moment is a first and last... milestones will only happen once in your household
2 KIDS: Pro's
1. potential for two distinct personalities. a variety in the family
2. you already have all that baby stuff, re-use it
3. they will entertain each other (see, 1 KID Con #3)
4. better odds at having a successful child or one that will marry/have babies or be an all-around happy adult with which you will want to come home for the holidays when s/he is older (also, better odds someone will care for you when you are old).
5. you are less inclined to put all your influence on 1 child: disbursement of responsibilities and expectations
2 KIDS: Con's
1. expensive: despite some things being reused, you will be buying 2x's the food, have 2 college savings plans, and additional clothing. don't even get me started on childcare and extra-curricular activities...
2. you no longer have any downtime. Ever. Best line of defense as parents: divide and conquer all tasks.
3. sibling rivalry and squabbling (even the best of siblings have their moments)
4. scheduling nightmare (see, 1 KID Pro #3)
5. more crap in your house and less space to put it (rooms can't always be shared, IE: when the boy and girl become teens)
OK, OK, Before anyone writes me any crap responses to what I just listed above -- bear some things in mind... I did say that "it just depends how much weight you personally give each pro and con." You might not even have these same items on your list. You might not care at all that your kid ever gets married or becomes your best friend after s/he leaves the nest. You might think your boy and girl CAN share a room into their teens. You might also have disabilities in your family genetics that serve as key considerations on your pro/con list. Or maybe you were damn lucky to even have the one kid you did have and how dare I make it sound like you might have left this one child a potentially disastrous future.
Again, this is my mental list and I whole-heartily agree many things on here are MENTAL.
I was an only child and I, personally, found it (and still find it) VERY STRESSFUL. If I fail, then my parents fail (this is at least how my family operates... perhaps other only-children are accepted and loved despite any failures they may have). I grind my teeth, have anxiety, tend to fly off the handle, am quick to defend myself with sarcasm (read: defensive) and argue ALOT with my parents. I often wonder how much of this is nature verses nurture given my only-child upbringing.
So, I chose to have two kids. Why? 'Cause I didn't want one to die. Yes, this is the honest-to-God reason. I am actually now fearful that with one being a boy (and boy's are often dare-devils) that maybe I should have three kids JUST IN CASE I get down to one kid again. This is not an announcement, we are not having three... but this is the mental game my only-child brain comes up with. Scary, isn't it?
I have two kids because I don't know what two kids feels like. I want to have that Nestle Tollhouse cookie commercial where me and the kids bake together while laughing and smiling. I want Evie to come home from college much to the delight of me & Max like that Maxwell House Christmas commercial when Peter sneaks in early to make everyone a fresh pot of coffee. I think I watched too much TV.... I also have a hankering for a coffee & cookie break.
I have two kids because I didn't want to have Evie feel lonely when I die and Rob dies. I want her to have a sibling to call and lean on when times are tough. I want her (and/or Max) to have kids who will have an aunt/uncle on their side of the family.
I wanted to experience everything again. I spent Evie's infancy freaked-out about getting things "right." Some of my memory's details are hazy and I have regrets of not having enjoyed every moment to the fullest. I wanted a second kid to enjoy some things all over again and to enjoy some of the little things I didn't appreciate the first time around. I wanted to enjoy a baby without the panic that comes with first-time parenting.
What's different? A lot. Everything. All of it.
Max is a completely different human being. I know this goes without saying but, until you experience it firsthand, it's hard to grasp what exactly this means. He looks similar to Evie but every single thing about his personality is different.
Evie would stress-out and shut down in crowded situations, she wouldn't catnap (ever! not even in the car or in my arms), and Evie was very particular on how things were done/served/scheduled, etc. Again I question nature verses nurture. Perhaps some of her quirks were a direct result of us being first-time parents?
Max, so far, is less temperamental. He "goes with the flow" a bit more catching naps on the fly and accepting a variety of surroundings (noisy places seem to make him happy!). He slept through the night at 3 months and Evie took 6 months. He also seems to be growing up right before our eyes in a way that Evie didn't. This is probably a direct result to us being twice as busy now... its actually much harder to enjoy the little things that I was hoping to enjoy with him.
And speaking of time, you can forget about downtime. Rob and I used to take turns with Evie offering the other person a chance to have a night off or a morning to sleep in. Now? Now we take turns on who will get which kid. Its a rare hour when one of us can handle both kids. Its not impossible, its just twice as exhausting to watch two kids. When you have kids that are 4 years apart you have one fussing for a bottle right after filling a diaper (and its usually some place less then ideal, like, in the car while you are driving) and another one defiantly ignoring you while they get into something dangerous. Or worse still, your 4 year old finally resorts to telling you what she wants rather than simply acting up, "I just want attention, mom!" (Which, actually happened to me last week and it honestly broke my heart knowing I couldn't divide my attention as well as I wanted).
So Bianca, I hope this helps explain what there is (at least in my situation) in having a family with two kids.
Is it worth it? An emphatic yes.
Bianca asked a few friends with multiple kids, "Is it worth it?"
Maybe this wasn't the exact question, but, for blogging purposes, its roughly equivalent.
The friends' reply, "It is exponentially more difficult with each kid that you have."
I can't truly comment on whether or not I agree, I mean, I only have 3 months under my belt. But, yes, so far, it is amazingly more challenging. I told Bianca that the Pro's/Con's List of having 1 kid verses 2 kids are evenly matched... it just depends how much weight you personally give each pro and con. Example:
1 KID: Pro's
1. more manageable than 2
2. less expense (overall)
3. not a scheduling nightmare (IE, only 1 nap time to work with. only one kid's extra-curricular activities to attend)
4. no sibling squabbles in the house (or ever!)
5. can be reasoned with one-on-one verses having to find a solution to fit all kids involved
1 KID: Con's
1. if this one is a screw-up, s/he's all you got (yes, its sad to admit but we've ALL THOUGHT IT)
2. if this one decides to not have kids someday, you'll never be a grandparent. Also, more dependence on this one to care for you when you are old and feeble. (see also, Con #1)
3. you are the playmate of choice (vacations can and may be hell for you)
4. kid will grow up to having little extended family (when you die, that's it!)
5. each moment is a first and last... milestones will only happen once in your household
2 KIDS: Pro's
1. potential for two distinct personalities. a variety in the family
2. you already have all that baby stuff, re-use it
3. they will entertain each other (see, 1 KID Con #3)
4. better odds at having a successful child or one that will marry/have babies or be an all-around happy adult with which you will want to come home for the holidays when s/he is older (also, better odds someone will care for you when you are old).
5. you are less inclined to put all your influence on 1 child: disbursement of responsibilities and expectations
2 KIDS: Con's
1. expensive: despite some things being reused, you will be buying 2x's the food, have 2 college savings plans, and additional clothing. don't even get me started on childcare and extra-curricular activities...
2. you no longer have any downtime. Ever. Best line of defense as parents: divide and conquer all tasks.
3. sibling rivalry and squabbling (even the best of siblings have their moments)
4. scheduling nightmare (see, 1 KID Pro #3)
5. more crap in your house and less space to put it (rooms can't always be shared, IE: when the boy and girl become teens)
OK, OK, Before anyone writes me any crap responses to what I just listed above -- bear some things in mind... I did say that "it just depends how much weight you personally give each pro and con." You might not even have these same items on your list. You might not care at all that your kid ever gets married or becomes your best friend after s/he leaves the nest. You might think your boy and girl CAN share a room into their teens. You might also have disabilities in your family genetics that serve as key considerations on your pro/con list. Or maybe you were damn lucky to even have the one kid you did have and how dare I make it sound like you might have left this one child a potentially disastrous future.
Again, this is my mental list and I whole-heartily agree many things on here are MENTAL.
I was an only child and I, personally, found it (and still find it) VERY STRESSFUL. If I fail, then my parents fail (this is at least how my family operates... perhaps other only-children are accepted and loved despite any failures they may have). I grind my teeth, have anxiety, tend to fly off the handle, am quick to defend myself with sarcasm (read: defensive) and argue ALOT with my parents. I often wonder how much of this is nature verses nurture given my only-child upbringing.
So, I chose to have two kids. Why? 'Cause I didn't want one to die. Yes, this is the honest-to-God reason. I am actually now fearful that with one being a boy (and boy's are often dare-devils) that maybe I should have three kids JUST IN CASE I get down to one kid again. This is not an announcement, we are not having three... but this is the mental game my only-child brain comes up with. Scary, isn't it?
I have two kids because I don't know what two kids feels like. I want to have that Nestle Tollhouse cookie commercial where me and the kids bake together while laughing and smiling. I want Evie to come home from college much to the delight of me & Max like that Maxwell House Christmas commercial when Peter sneaks in early to make everyone a fresh pot of coffee. I think I watched too much TV.... I also have a hankering for a coffee & cookie break.
I have two kids because I didn't want to have Evie feel lonely when I die and Rob dies. I want her to have a sibling to call and lean on when times are tough. I want her (and/or Max) to have kids who will have an aunt/uncle on their side of the family.
I wanted to experience everything again. I spent Evie's infancy freaked-out about getting things "right." Some of my memory's details are hazy and I have regrets of not having enjoyed every moment to the fullest. I wanted a second kid to enjoy some things all over again and to enjoy some of the little things I didn't appreciate the first time around. I wanted to enjoy a baby without the panic that comes with first-time parenting.
What's different? A lot. Everything. All of it.
Max is a completely different human being. I know this goes without saying but, until you experience it firsthand, it's hard to grasp what exactly this means. He looks similar to Evie but every single thing about his personality is different.
Evie would stress-out and shut down in crowded situations, she wouldn't catnap (ever! not even in the car or in my arms), and Evie was very particular on how things were done/served/scheduled, etc. Again I question nature verses nurture. Perhaps some of her quirks were a direct result of us being first-time parents?
Max, so far, is less temperamental. He "goes with the flow" a bit more catching naps on the fly and accepting a variety of surroundings (noisy places seem to make him happy!). He slept through the night at 3 months and Evie took 6 months. He also seems to be growing up right before our eyes in a way that Evie didn't. This is probably a direct result to us being twice as busy now... its actually much harder to enjoy the little things that I was hoping to enjoy with him.
And speaking of time, you can forget about downtime. Rob and I used to take turns with Evie offering the other person a chance to have a night off or a morning to sleep in. Now? Now we take turns on who will get which kid. Its a rare hour when one of us can handle both kids. Its not impossible, its just twice as exhausting to watch two kids. When you have kids that are 4 years apart you have one fussing for a bottle right after filling a diaper (and its usually some place less then ideal, like, in the car while you are driving) and another one defiantly ignoring you while they get into something dangerous. Or worse still, your 4 year old finally resorts to telling you what she wants rather than simply acting up, "I just want attention, mom!" (Which, actually happened to me last week and it honestly broke my heart knowing I couldn't divide my attention as well as I wanted).
So Bianca, I hope this helps explain what there is (at least in my situation) in having a family with two kids.
Is it worth it? An emphatic yes.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Postpartum: My body 3 months post-baby
** Warning! Achtung!**
If you are a dude, this post is about periods, boobs and hair on my body.
Trust me, you don't want to know nor have you ever cared to know about a postpartum body.
Close your browser window and back away... you've been warned.
Max turned 13 weeks old just 2 days ago.
Today, being the 12th of August (and with him being born on an 11th), he is almost exactly 3 months old.
My body began falling apart at 12.5 weeks... the Monday I returned to work, actually.
Coincidence?
I went back to work this Monday and didn't wash my hair that morning (I had washed it the evening before). I styled it, read: curling iron, and brushed it all into place. When I was done, I looked down. Maybe it was the 15 hairs all wrapped about my arms tickling me endlessly that made me look down... who knows... but I looked down onto the sunlit bathroom floor to find an amazing twinkling, golden excelsior-filled flooring.
It wasn't excelsior.
I quickly looked up at the mirror and realized this was that moment when a postpartum woman goes bald.
Its awful. Freaking, awful.
At least I can say now, after having gone through this once before, I know what to expect.
I really did go bald last time, too. The front of my hairline - gone.
I got down on my knees and scraped at the stone tile to gather my fallen comrades. I then clawed at the bathroom rug like a cat in litter... pulling up the fine layer of cut threads that was... my hair.
Dammit! Its like I had my second dose of chemo and this is my wake-up call.
*sigh*
I spent the day at work swiping away strands that fell into my bra tickling me endlessly, ...pulling at the nearly invisible spiderweb-like hairs falling on my arms, ...and periodically grabbing my mane to catch the next group about to set sail.
On Wednesday, my period started.
Let me back-up.
By end-of-the-day at work on Monday, my body was in full-swing with a yeast infection. Yes, ladies, nothing anyone ever cares to read about... I should have included this in my warning above, but I didn't. SO. SORRY.
I knew on Sunday my body was headed in this direction... things didn't feel quite right.
Thankfully, Monday morning I called my OB/GYN to prescribe an oral medication (ladies, if you did not know this form of medication existed then you have been MISSING OUT. Remember this word: Dyflucan). I called Rob and asked him to pick it up for me. Thank God he did, because by 5PM, I was not only in 5-alarm-fire mode but beginning to look like I had fleas the way I would rub myself against anything.
I actually ended up causing myself an amazing amount of pain by this point... by night-fall I wanted to DIE.
I should have known that this is sometimes my calling card for my period's onset. But, when you haven't had a period for 1 year ...you forget these kinds of body quirks.
Back to Wednesday and my period starting.
Wednesday evening I spotted and I prepared for the next day at work by filling my bag with countless pads, liners and tampons. I have learned, again, after having had a baby, that your first period, post-baby, is an angry period filled with nothing but aggression and bloodshed.
I went to work on Thursday.
Thursday wasn't too bad actually.
I went to bed Thursday night.
One tampon and one liner.
Adequate coverage? Normally, yes. But I know better. But, ... I was also lazy and already in bed.
Fast forward to 5AM.
I'm half-asleep swatting my pajama shorts, continuously, from something tickling my hindquarters.
I know what this sensation is. You can't possibly survive Jr. High and High School and NOT KNOW what this feeling is.
I choose to ignore it 'cause I'm: 1. so flipping tired. 2. Max is supposed to wake-up within the next 30 minutes for his early morning bottle and I'll deal with this then ...and 3. I got that liner on, right? I'll be fine...
I realize I'm not fine.
I run to the bathroom.
Remember that scene in the Godfather? The one with the decapitated horse head?
OK, so not quite that bad... but bad. Lord am I stupid.
I clean myself up, leaving everything soaking in the sink and return to a not-so-bad bed... it was my clothing that took the brunt of the damage.
OK, now I'm awake.
That leaves us with today. Friday.
My only noteworthy postpartum symptom I noticed today was that I actually had to MOVE MY BOOBS into my bra.
Ladies, ladies,... do not write me telling me that you cannot believe I have never experienced this before and how you have no sympathy for me. Honestly, my tits were fantastically perky into my 30's when I had Evie. After Evie, they fell but still remained high & proud. After Max, ...well... I wouldn't use the word "floppy," but I sure as hell can no longer use the word "perky," either. I had to LIFT and STUFF them into place in my bra.
Shit.
There goes swimsuit season for the rest of my life.
If you are a dude, this post is about periods, boobs and hair on my body.
Trust me, you don't want to know nor have you ever cared to know about a postpartum body.
Close your browser window and back away... you've been warned.
Max turned 13 weeks old just 2 days ago.
Today, being the 12th of August (and with him being born on an 11th), he is almost exactly 3 months old.
My body began falling apart at 12.5 weeks... the Monday I returned to work, actually.
Coincidence?
I went back to work this Monday and didn't wash my hair that morning (I had washed it the evening before). I styled it, read: curling iron, and brushed it all into place. When I was done, I looked down. Maybe it was the 15 hairs all wrapped about my arms tickling me endlessly that made me look down... who knows... but I looked down onto the sunlit bathroom floor to find an amazing twinkling, golden excelsior-filled flooring.
It wasn't excelsior.
I quickly looked up at the mirror and realized this was that moment when a postpartum woman goes bald.
Its awful. Freaking, awful.
At least I can say now, after having gone through this once before, I know what to expect.
I really did go bald last time, too. The front of my hairline - gone.
I got down on my knees and scraped at the stone tile to gather my fallen comrades. I then clawed at the bathroom rug like a cat in litter... pulling up the fine layer of cut threads that was... my hair.
Dammit! Its like I had my second dose of chemo and this is my wake-up call.
*sigh*
I spent the day at work swiping away strands that fell into my bra tickling me endlessly, ...pulling at the nearly invisible spiderweb-like hairs falling on my arms, ...and periodically grabbing my mane to catch the next group about to set sail.
On Wednesday, my period started.
Let me back-up.
By end-of-the-day at work on Monday, my body was in full-swing with a yeast infection. Yes, ladies, nothing anyone ever cares to read about... I should have included this in my warning above, but I didn't. SO. SORRY.
I knew on Sunday my body was headed in this direction... things didn't feel quite right.
Thankfully, Monday morning I called my OB/GYN to prescribe an oral medication (ladies, if you did not know this form of medication existed then you have been MISSING OUT. Remember this word: Dyflucan). I called Rob and asked him to pick it up for me. Thank God he did, because by 5PM, I was not only in 5-alarm-fire mode but beginning to look like I had fleas the way I would rub myself against anything.
I actually ended up causing myself an amazing amount of pain by this point... by night-fall I wanted to DIE.
I should have known that this is sometimes my calling card for my period's onset. But, when you haven't had a period for 1 year ...you forget these kinds of body quirks.
Back to Wednesday and my period starting.
Wednesday evening I spotted and I prepared for the next day at work by filling my bag with countless pads, liners and tampons. I have learned, again, after having had a baby, that your first period, post-baby, is an angry period filled with nothing but aggression and bloodshed.
I went to work on Thursday.
Thursday wasn't too bad actually.
I went to bed Thursday night.
One tampon and one liner.
Adequate coverage? Normally, yes. But I know better. But, ... I was also lazy and already in bed.
Fast forward to 5AM.
I'm half-asleep swatting my pajama shorts, continuously, from something tickling my hindquarters.
I know what this sensation is. You can't possibly survive Jr. High and High School and NOT KNOW what this feeling is.
I choose to ignore it 'cause I'm: 1. so flipping tired. 2. Max is supposed to wake-up within the next 30 minutes for his early morning bottle and I'll deal with this then ...and 3. I got that liner on, right? I'll be fine...
I realize I'm not fine.
I run to the bathroom.
Remember that scene in the Godfather? The one with the decapitated horse head?
OK, so not quite that bad... but bad. Lord am I stupid.
I clean myself up, leaving everything soaking in the sink and return to a not-so-bad bed... it was my clothing that took the brunt of the damage.
OK, now I'm awake.
That leaves us with today. Friday.
My only noteworthy postpartum symptom I noticed today was that I actually had to MOVE MY BOOBS into my bra.
Ladies, ladies,... do not write me telling me that you cannot believe I have never experienced this before and how you have no sympathy for me. Honestly, my tits were fantastically perky into my 30's when I had Evie. After Evie, they fell but still remained high & proud. After Max, ...well... I wouldn't use the word "floppy," but I sure as hell can no longer use the word "perky," either. I had to LIFT and STUFF them into place in my bra.
Shit.
There goes swimsuit season for the rest of my life.
Richmond Metro Zoo
So glad Mrs. H (Evie's preschool teacher from this past year) has worked out a system with us to help care for Evie this summer. Honestly, I have no idea how parents entertain their kids during the summer when they have jobs (I mean to say, parents who don't have their kids in all-day-long daycare, that is). I had no idea summertime was this long.
I know this fact makes my mother laugh.
Evie attended the zoo today with other fellow teachers and student-friends she made last year.
Breaks my heart she won't be attending this school next year. We love it and so does she.
Makes me feel better knowing her chosen vow-of-silence is part of the reason she will be attending a new school next year (fresh start).
Honestly, if I could only peel open this child's brain and peer inside...
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Max - 3 Months Old
Moving out of 0-3 month clothing and into 3-6month clothing with no looking back.
If you listen closely, you can hear "Taps" playing softly in the background whilst the last of your newborn baby clothes are packed up waiting to be handed off to another family excited to have a boy.... meanwhile I sob (just a little).
But seriously, you're huge, Max. You were out of 0-3 months at the beginning of 3 months and not a thing would fit past 2.5 months. But you're chubby and cute... and I like you this way.
At 9.5 to 10.5 weeks (July 17-24) you were in the Outer Banks with mom, dad, Evie, Pop-pop and Lala. More specifically, Avon, North Carolina. This is your second out-of-state trip in the first 3 months of your life. I'll say it again - you've traveled more than your dad did in his first year!
I posted some more details in separate posts regarding this trip...
Speaking of travel, you fare pretty well I must boast. You seem to "go-with-the-flow" pretty well, I think. We borrowed a beach resistant pup-tent for your use while on the sand and we had you sleep at night in the Pack 'n Play in our room. You did get a little fussy in the wind while at the beach but you also did sleep for decent stretches out in that aforementioned tent.
I worried a LOT about you being in a mini pressure cooker on the sand... I patted you down with wet wash cloths periodically. I also took turns with daddy holding you against our chests (in the shade) with wet wash cloths while at the pool the one time we brought you there. It was record heat the week you were at the beach, and despite my desire to get you wet, intelligence triumphed. After a few times outside, we ended up deciding to take turns keeping you indoors. You're just too little to throw into a pool at this time. Ah, if only it were the 1960's and still socially acceptable to pull such maneuvers with such a small baby. ;-)
At 10 weeks you suddenly slept from 9/9:30PM (last bottle around 8:30PM) until 4:45AM/5AM! That's... 8 hrs w/o a bottle, woot!
We would have been more excited if you went back down easily after this twilight bottle feeding... but still its nice to see that we can finally get longer stretches of mom & dad time and sleep-time. Also worth noting: this sudden change in sleeping patterns did take place while we were at the beach so... all things considered, it could be a fluke*.
*Nope, its carried on through 12 weeks! Seems to have stuck! Mom and dad actually now take turns with the twilight bottle and getting to sleep in. An arrangement we both appreciate greatly.
**Actually, now at 13 weeks (which is how old you are on this 3rd month celebration), you now take a last bottle around 7:30/8PM.... go down around 8:30PM and sleep through 5:30/6AM. We tend to stay up after this feeding although you still go down for another hour or so (a little milk-induced cat nap, if you will!) This all goes to show you how quickly you've changed just week by week....
You are, in a nutshell, a happy & easy-going baby.
With Evie, I was very focused on getting her into a routine. After reading books, hearing from friends and understanding that dad would need a life after I returned to work... a "routine" seemed like the answer. After she hit 6 weeks old it was like boot camp establishing when she should eat, when she should sleep and when she should be playing. After having had Evie before you (and yes, I still agree a routine is very key) I realize babies kind of fall into a routine that just works for everyone... and they do this naturally on their own. We aren't flaky parents who let nature be our guide (IE, continually feed on demand or let you decide that waking up for the day at 4:30AM is OK). But, we do let you cat-nap when you cat-nap and we let you take a bottle within a 2-4hr time frame. You tend to wake-up anywhere around 5:30AM-7:20AM... and you go down between 7:30PM-9:30PM. I can live with this and you seem to be working with it, too. I know this fluctuating schedule will firm up over time when Evie has to go to school, I have to go to work (note: I went back to work when you were just hitting this 3 month window), you have to eat solids, and dad has to know when to anticipate having time to get projects done... but, so far, this laid-back approach has been so much more refreshing compared to how it was when we were first-time parents. It leave me wondering how we'd be with a 3rd kid... but I digress...
Drooling. Starting around 9+ weeks we noticed you were becoming a drooler. Teething? Just spitty? Who knows. But, I find myself wiping your mouth more and more with each passing day...
Your hand. You love your hand. You have actually begin to get better at fine motor skills and are discovering how to put your left thumb in your mouth faster and faster each time you try it. You have been, very recently (at 13 weeks) been sucking your thumb more confidently. Dad and I don't know whether to encourage it, discourage it or ignore it. The thought of losing a pacifier and having you scream is enough to make us cringe.... but watching you suck your dirty fingers after touching a public staircase makes me cringe, too. Ah, parenting. Nobody told me it was filled with stress over the most minor of things.
Peeing. Man, do you pee! You seem to wet the bed more and more (long stretches mean lotsa potty-time). You also just sometimes flood the diaper (ah, the fun of a boy...). We kind of can't wait till you move to size 3 diapers when the selection for more absorbent "overnight" diapers will keep us from having to change your clothing and bed frequently. Till then, I still do many loads of laundry each day. The bibs and burp cloth usage is also still through the roof so between all your bodily fluids... I am a busy woman.
My last week of maternity leave was while you were 11.5-12.5 weeks old. I got to stay with you much longer than when Evie arrived (I went back to work when she turned 9 weeks old). Your older age combined with how big you are just makes my mind spin at how fast all this time has gone! You are such a big boy and able to do so many things... you are most certainly not a newborn anymore.
It broke my heart washing the last of your 0-3 month onesies about 3 weeks ago. I squirreled away a few items I'd like to keep (I seem to be much more sentimental with your things than I was with Evie since I know there will be no more kids after you...) and I cheered myself up with the thought of what you could be this Halloween. Having a late spring (or summer) baby is great because when you go back to work all saddened... you have the pending holiday season to look forward to to keep you going. I can't wait till we can go for evening walks again in the cooler air that will come at the end of your 3rd month... :-)
If you listen closely, you can hear "Taps" playing softly in the background whilst the last of your newborn baby clothes are packed up waiting to be handed off to another family excited to have a boy.... meanwhile I sob (just a little).
But seriously, you're huge, Max. You were out of 0-3 months at the beginning of 3 months and not a thing would fit past 2.5 months. But you're chubby and cute... and I like you this way.
At 9.5 to 10.5 weeks (July 17-24) you were in the Outer Banks with mom, dad, Evie, Pop-pop and Lala. More specifically, Avon, North Carolina. This is your second out-of-state trip in the first 3 months of your life. I'll say it again - you've traveled more than your dad did in his first year!
I posted some more details in separate posts regarding this trip...
Speaking of travel, you fare pretty well I must boast. You seem to "go-with-the-flow" pretty well, I think. We borrowed a beach resistant pup-tent for your use while on the sand and we had you sleep at night in the Pack 'n Play in our room. You did get a little fussy in the wind while at the beach but you also did sleep for decent stretches out in that aforementioned tent.
I worried a LOT about you being in a mini pressure cooker on the sand... I patted you down with wet wash cloths periodically. I also took turns with daddy holding you against our chests (in the shade) with wet wash cloths while at the pool the one time we brought you there. It was record heat the week you were at the beach, and despite my desire to get you wet, intelligence triumphed. After a few times outside, we ended up deciding to take turns keeping you indoors. You're just too little to throw into a pool at this time. Ah, if only it were the 1960's and still socially acceptable to pull such maneuvers with such a small baby. ;-)
At 10 weeks you suddenly slept from 9/9:30PM (last bottle around 8:30PM) until 4:45AM/5AM! That's... 8 hrs w/o a bottle, woot!
We would have been more excited if you went back down easily after this twilight bottle feeding... but still its nice to see that we can finally get longer stretches of mom & dad time and sleep-time. Also worth noting: this sudden change in sleeping patterns did take place while we were at the beach so... all things considered, it could be a fluke*.
*Nope, its carried on through 12 weeks! Seems to have stuck! Mom and dad actually now take turns with the twilight bottle and getting to sleep in. An arrangement we both appreciate greatly.
**Actually, now at 13 weeks (which is how old you are on this 3rd month celebration), you now take a last bottle around 7:30/8PM.... go down around 8:30PM and sleep through 5:30/6AM. We tend to stay up after this feeding although you still go down for another hour or so (a little milk-induced cat nap, if you will!) This all goes to show you how quickly you've changed just week by week....
You are, in a nutshell, a happy & easy-going baby.
With Evie, I was very focused on getting her into a routine. After reading books, hearing from friends and understanding that dad would need a life after I returned to work... a "routine" seemed like the answer. After she hit 6 weeks old it was like boot camp establishing when she should eat, when she should sleep and when she should be playing. After having had Evie before you (and yes, I still agree a routine is very key) I realize babies kind of fall into a routine that just works for everyone... and they do this naturally on their own. We aren't flaky parents who let nature be our guide (IE, continually feed on demand or let you decide that waking up for the day at 4:30AM is OK). But, we do let you cat-nap when you cat-nap and we let you take a bottle within a 2-4hr time frame. You tend to wake-up anywhere around 5:30AM-7:20AM... and you go down between 7:30PM-9:30PM. I can live with this and you seem to be working with it, too. I know this fluctuating schedule will firm up over time when Evie has to go to school, I have to go to work (note: I went back to work when you were just hitting this 3 month window), you have to eat solids, and dad has to know when to anticipate having time to get projects done... but, so far, this laid-back approach has been so much more refreshing compared to how it was when we were first-time parents. It leave me wondering how we'd be with a 3rd kid... but I digress...
Drooling. Starting around 9+ weeks we noticed you were becoming a drooler. Teething? Just spitty? Who knows. But, I find myself wiping your mouth more and more with each passing day...
Your hand. You love your hand. You have actually begin to get better at fine motor skills and are discovering how to put your left thumb in your mouth faster and faster each time you try it. You have been, very recently (at 13 weeks) been sucking your thumb more confidently. Dad and I don't know whether to encourage it, discourage it or ignore it. The thought of losing a pacifier and having you scream is enough to make us cringe.... but watching you suck your dirty fingers after touching a public staircase makes me cringe, too. Ah, parenting. Nobody told me it was filled with stress over the most minor of things.
Peeing. Man, do you pee! You seem to wet the bed more and more (long stretches mean lotsa potty-time). You also just sometimes flood the diaper (ah, the fun of a boy...). We kind of can't wait till you move to size 3 diapers when the selection for more absorbent "overnight" diapers will keep us from having to change your clothing and bed frequently. Till then, I still do many loads of laundry each day. The bibs and burp cloth usage is also still through the roof so between all your bodily fluids... I am a busy woman.
My last week of maternity leave was while you were 11.5-12.5 weeks old. I got to stay with you much longer than when Evie arrived (I went back to work when she turned 9 weeks old). Your older age combined with how big you are just makes my mind spin at how fast all this time has gone! You are such a big boy and able to do so many things... you are most certainly not a newborn anymore.
It broke my heart washing the last of your 0-3 month onesies about 3 weeks ago. I squirreled away a few items I'd like to keep (I seem to be much more sentimental with your things than I was with Evie since I know there will be no more kids after you...) and I cheered myself up with the thought of what you could be this Halloween. Having a late spring (or summer) baby is great because when you go back to work all saddened... you have the pending holiday season to look forward to to keep you going. I can't wait till we can go for evening walks again in the cooler air that will come at the end of your 3rd month... :-)
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Sure, its not pentagrams...
... but Evie's compulsive behavior toward patterns and order is still disturbing and/or freakish.
This is how Evie "plays."
When should I call in professional help?
Playing with legos.
Organizing our shoes at the front door.
This is how Evie "plays."
When should I call in professional help?
Playing with legos.
Organizing our shoes at the front door.
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
Finally... a soak...
17 months.
17 months ago the addition was officially done leaving me with a new bathroom complete with very deep soaking tub.
I enjoyed it for 1 month before I discovered I was pregnant. That was April 1st. My soak days were put on hold...
until...
I miscarried in May but couldn't bathe again until mid-June.
By July I could soak again...
until...
I discovered I was pregnant 1 week into September.
I had a baby the following May...
whom I had via C-Section.... and whom I nursed so I couldn't soak again until...
today.
Ahhhhh.......
17 months ago the addition was officially done leaving me with a new bathroom complete with very deep soaking tub.
I enjoyed it for 1 month before I discovered I was pregnant. That was April 1st. My soak days were put on hold...
until...
I miscarried in May but couldn't bathe again until mid-June.
By July I could soak again...
until...
I discovered I was pregnant 1 week into September.
I had a baby the following May...
whom I had via C-Section.... and whom I nursed so I couldn't soak again until...
today.
Ahhhhh.......
Monday, August 01, 2011
Max is filling in his tub nicely.
Max is 11 weeks and 5 days old.
Tonight I gave Max a bath in his little plastic tub.
I poured water all over his bullfrog belly keeping him both warm and entertained. It occured to me that he might no longer require the green, fabric "hammock" that clips to the top edge of the tub to keep newborns safely afloat.
I unclipped the hammock near Max's feet and propped his butt up in the ridge designed to hold bigger babies in a reclining position.
He instantly kicked his legs as if each sudden fling of his leg would propel his tub like a boat headed down river.
Water flew up in spurts hitting me in the face.
He was ecstatic.
Max began to hold his arms (rigidly) out in front of him in a rowing position and bounced them up & down in synch with his flinging legs... he laughed aloud and grinned ear to ear.
This boy is gonna be fun.
Tonight I gave Max a bath in his little plastic tub.
I poured water all over his bullfrog belly keeping him both warm and entertained. It occured to me that he might no longer require the green, fabric "hammock" that clips to the top edge of the tub to keep newborns safely afloat.
I unclipped the hammock near Max's feet and propped his butt up in the ridge designed to hold bigger babies in a reclining position.
He instantly kicked his legs as if each sudden fling of his leg would propel his tub like a boat headed down river.
Water flew up in spurts hitting me in the face.
He was ecstatic.
Max began to hold his arms (rigidly) out in front of him in a rowing position and bounced them up & down in synch with his flinging legs... he laughed aloud and grinned ear to ear.
This boy is gonna be fun.
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