Happy 2-month birthday! It's hard to believe that the Blueberry is already 2 months old! In case you're tracking by weeks, he'll be 9 weeks tomorrow. Time has certainly flown. As I shared earlier this week, the Blueberry has broke that 10 pound ceiling. In fact, at the doctor's he clocked in at a whopping 10 lbs 12 oz! (Note: this was fairly close to right after a feeding, so I'm still thinking he's closer to 10 and a half pounds, at best. Nonetheless, he's getting sturdier by the day. Length-wise, he's now 22.5". Finally, he's fitting into some of his 0-3 months clothes, though he has not outgrown the size newborn outfits completely.
We're still working on establishing a bedtime routine, but most importantly, doesn't he look cute in his little nautical sleeper outfits?
More on the 2-month check up...Developmentally, from what I've read or been told by the pediatrician, he's on track--no more, no less. He can focus on objects and follow them with his eyes; look up; respond to noises; gurgle; laugh; and smile. He's still working on head control but can raise it, hold it steady for a few seconds, and even do some baby push-ups (where he lifts his head and shoulders off the ground). Granted he might be farther along if we did "tummy time" more rigorously but he's progressing.
At the doctor's, in addition to being weighed and measured, the pediatrician poked and prodded him apparently to make sure everything was developing as it should. For the most part, the Blueberry was most tolerant of the doctor's attention to detail, though he wet his diaper just as she was removing it to inspect the diaper area. He also fussed a bit when she looked in his ears and mouth, but after each trauma he recovered quickly. I was reassured to be informed that he will grow out of thrush. Though she renewed his Nystatin prescription, she told me not to make myself crazy trying to get rid of the yeast in his mouth so long as it stayed the same and did not bother him (which it doesn't). He developed thrush during week 3 or 4, possibly due to our overuse of pacifiers or possibly because babies are prone to thrush, but hasn't seemed to be able to kick it completely.
Finally, it was off to get his first set of vaccinations. Three shots, plus one oral were the dose of the day. I saw my baby's first silent scream, which I can only interpret to mean was a reaction too painful for words. Fortunately, I had brought the baby sling (Baby K'Tan carrier), which plus his pacifier, soothed him right back to sleep. (It also made juggling the infant car seat and diaper bag much easier.) I'm not looking forward to the next batch of shots. Though he was fine immediately after the shots, the rest of the day and even part of the next were a bit rough. First, the area (both thighs) were tender from the large needles. However, since we pick him up by his bottom and I often support him under his knees when he's on my should, it was hard not to jostle that area. All afternoon, he required a pacifier and slept only while held.
That evening, he was fussy and needed to constantly be held. Around 8 or 9 pm, my husband remarked on how warm he felt, so we took his temperature. Sure enough, he had a slight fever. Though it was still with in "normal range", it was elevated compared to his normal temperature. That coupled with the pain he was in convinced me to give him infant Tylenol. (Yes, I have to remind myself that little babies don't have their mommy's aversion to drugs, particularly pain meds.) Finally, he was able to sleep comfortably. The next day, he was mostly recovered albeit a little fussy. I've heard from friends that the first batch is nothing compared to the second dose...I can't wait.
The next day, he was recovered enough to play peekaboo during a feeding.
In case you're wondering, that is the Bebe Au Lait nursing cover, which makes nursing in public much easier. Since he was still a little unfocused, I put him under it during a regular feeding at home. It worked a little, though I think he had more fun playing peekaboo during burping.
Here's one last look at the Blueberry in his adorable sleeper.
10 pounds, 4 ounces!!!
It might just be all those muscles he's building by doing baby push-ups...
But personally, I think it's pure cuteness which makes these pants too perfect.
First, let me provide a little background. The Blueberry has had a couple 4 or 5-hour feeding/sleeping blocks per day for at least a month now. This means that from the time he begins a certain feeding till the time he begins the next feeding is X amount of time. These blocks mean a high likelihood of anywhere from 3 to 4 hours of sleeping for both mom and baby! (Before you ask, the only reason he's occasionally up for hours in the middle of the night is when mom and dad stupidly allowed him to do these long blocks during the day. We're working on it.)
Typically, after a long nap the baby wakes up famished and has to refill his tummy on the double. However, this morning the Blueberry gave me a 5 hour block (i.e. 4 hours of sleep) even though he only slept soundly for 3 hours! Yes, you read that correctly. I fed him at 2 am and we were both in bed by 3 am--generally, he takes about 30-45 minutes to eat and I give him 15 minutes of cuddle-time to either fall asleep or get really drowsy before I put him in his bed. Just before 6 am I awoke to hear his grunting and gurgling that often accompanies his tummy workings, e.g. gas or pooping. I put on my glasses and peered down at him from our bed. Wide-eyed and wiggling, the Blueberry was awake as can be. However, he wasn't crying and wasn't exhibiting any signs of distress. I waited. This went on for several minutes (or more as I may have dozed), finally I heard a noisy fart or poop. I looked over and the Blueberry's eyes were closing and off to sleep he was drifting. Not a single wail! Back to sleep I went and in another hour he woke me up as usual (no big fit to suggest he had been waiting impatiently) for his diaper change and breakfast.
Have I mentioned my baby is awesome? Granted, this happening might not occur again any time soon, but I shall definitely express my gratitude while I can.
He's also quite patient as Mommy snaps picture after picture trying to capture his precious smile.
Mom, why is your camera always in my face?
Well? I'm waiting for an answer.
Very well, I might as well bonk Daddy on the nose for Mommy. Then maybe she'll put away the camera and feed me.
Happy Baby.
4 weeks
8 weeks
I'm pleased to report that the Blueberry can finally fit in at least one of his adorable outfits. Until now, the only clothes he fit were Gerber 0-3 onesies and Carter NB shirts. They were very unexciting, indeed. This onesie features a teddy and a duckie and says "I'm so cute!"
I can also shadow box.
Take that!
See how high up his head is? When we first brought him home, and for at least the first month or so, his head only reached about halfway up the little headrest. Amazing!
Also, if you're keeping track...at last night's weigh-in, the Blueberry tipped the scales at 9 pounds, 13 ounces!!! After growing so sluggishly during the first three weeks, I am absolutely thrilled.
He's also sleeping, at least for naps, in his bassinet. This is a huge step towards getting him to sleep in his crib. As you know, the week or so after we brought him home from the hospital he abruptly refused to sleep in the bassinet--mainly he was too hot and/or the startle reflex would keep him from being comfortable. Now look at him...
At the time of this posting, he's been sleeping peacefully for about an hour and a half!
Ole!
