Saturday, September 29, 2012

Sleeping through the night

For breastfeeding babies, "sleeping through the night" is defined as 5 hours. This is apparently because breast milk is digested so much more quickly than formula. However, naturally there are parents that report getting 8-10 hours, even at an early age.

Guess what?

For the past two nights, the Blueberry has done 7 hour feeding blocks! As you know, a feeding block is timed from the start of one feeding to the start of the next so I can't say precisely how much sleep we got. However, I am certain that we slept for more than 6 hours last night, likely 6.5!

What a sweet baby!





Thursday, September 27, 2012

2 Months Old!

In case you've been following this blog closely, yes I'm back-dating this entry since I posted much of the contents of this post on my Facebook page and it's really not anything new.

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.

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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.

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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.
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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.
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Monday, September 24, 2012

Weekly Weigh-in

I'm happy to report that the Blueberry now weighs as much as a bowling ball you're likely to find at your local bowling alley. This afternoon, he tipped the scales at...

10 pounds, 4 ounces!!!

It might just be all those muscles he's building by doing baby push-ups... Photobucket

But personally, I think it's pure cuteness which makes these pants too perfect.
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Sunday, September 23, 2012

My Baby is So Awesome!

I know every parent thinks their child is the bees' knees or however the expression goes. Every parent assuredly also thinks their child can be a huge pain in the rear at other times. This morning was definitely one of the former occasions for me because...my baby let me sleep an extra hour!

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.

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Mom, why is your camera always in my face?

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Well? I'm waiting for an answer.

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Very well, I might as well bonk Daddy on the nose for Mommy. Then maybe she'll put away the camera and feed me.

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Happy Baby.

Friday, September 21, 2012

I Think We're Going to Need a Bigger Basket

A few months ago, I stumbled upon a really clever idea--likely on Pinterest, but I'm not certain. The idea consisted of taking my baby's picture with an item of fixed size, such as a laundry basket, on a regular basis to show growth. If I remember correctly, in the post I saw, the parent had taken pictures of her child from infancy through the toddler years. Taking a look at the Blueberry's 4-week and 8-week pictures, I'm not sure this basket will last that long. While he hasn't grown too much in height, maybe an inch or two, you can definitely tell that the cute baby chubbiness is finally in the works.

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4 weeks

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8 weeks

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

I'm Growing!!!

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...and I know it!

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!"

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I can also shadow box.

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Take that!

Guess Who's Taller?

I'm kicking myself, but I somehow failed to take a picture of the Blueberry seated in his car seat until now. Thus, I don't have a "before" shot to show you. However, I was taken aback when we placed him in his car seat this morning and saw this:

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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...

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At the time of this posting, he's been sleeping peacefully for about an hour and a half!

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Ole!

Lunch time

My husband already posted this on Facebook, but in case you missed it, here's the Blueberry (age 2 weeks) and his daddy.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Growing!

At last night's weigh-in (age 6 weeks, 4 days) the Blueberry clocked in at 9 pounds, 4 ounces!

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As you can see, the Blueberry's very excited about his progress.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Mr. Wiggle Monster

Back in June I posted pictures of the Blueberry's crib. However, since the baby's sleeping with us for the early months in his various bassinets (see them here and here), he hasn't spent much time in his crib at all. This morning, I thought I'd see how he liked it. He liked it so much he got all excited and wiggled out of his blanket, which was a decent swaddling job if I do say so myself, and let loose the smiles.

(Disclaimer: he was due for a diaper change).

By the time I grabbed the camera, he was completely untucked, but still smiling.

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Wednesday, September 5, 2012

The Blueberry's First Bath

Bubbles, bubbles everywhere! Actually, these baby shampoo/body washes don't seem to generate many bubbles which surprised me. It might be due to the "low" chemical content. Or perhaps breathing bubbles (or eating them as baby might be inclined to do) might be bad for baby or something like that. Oh well, so long as baby gets clean bubbles can wait until he gets older.

The Blueberry's first bath occurred early in week 3. Though the doctor informed us that a bath could be given prior to the umbilical stump falling off, we decided to wait for both the stump to fall off and for his belly button to heal as it scabbed a little bit after the stump fell off.

Let's just say that the first attempt wasn't much fun for any of us. First of all, the Blueberry was still a little small for the mesh sling and kept slipping. I think in the first 30 seconds he got a mouthful of water, which naturally freaked Mommy and baby out. Then I struggled to clean some lint or residual gauze from his little sensitive area, which didn't help matters. Finally came the rinsing of his hair and face--let's just say that was the least fun.

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At first he's curious.

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Looking all around.

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Novelty ends. "I DO NOT like this!!!"

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"Mommy, wash me faster."

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Well, at least someone's having fun.

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Finally, all done.

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And happy in a Pooh towel, of course.

About five or six baths later, I'm fairly certain we've improved. I even managed to give him a sink bath at the hotel we stayed at this weekend with minimal screaming and without konking his head (I padded the sink and counter with a thick wet towel). For the most part, he tolerates everything but the rinsing of his head and face. Sometimes if he's in the mood we let him play in the warm water for a few minutes before soaping him up. I'm hoping he'll come to like bath time, although I've heard kids are moody about baths and may like them one day and hate them the next. We'll have to see.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Weekly Weigh-In

Still growing rapidly, the Blueberry packed on 10 ounces since last week for a new weight of 8 pounds, 10 ounces!

Giggles?

I swear I heard the Blueberry giggle this morning! He was in my arms, unfortunately looking the other direction, but it definitely sounded like a giggle. Too cute! I can't wait until they're deliberate.