Smile!

I put Everett on the boppy for tummy time for the first time today, since he loathes it on his playmat. I had the camera handy just in case, thinking I might be able to nab a few good photos. And surprise!! I captured a smile on camera. Our first documented smile! Until now, the only smiles we've seen are when he's a) nursing, or b) Kyle's tickling his cheek.

Not sure if this one is a reflex or not (or if he can smile yet), but it sure looks genuine to me. I'll take it, reflex or not. :)

Spaz Monkey, That Funky Monkey!

My little darling is so jerky that I refer to him as my spaz monkey. While his spazzing out has lessened over the weeks he's been with us, I've come to find that every time I wake him from a nap, I still get him to jump. This video shows him spazzing three times in one waking! Kyle and I find it simply hilarious, and I knew there would come a day that I'd really wished I would have captured it on film if I didn't get it. Enjoy :)

Okay scratch that, my video was too large to upload. This one isn't as good (he only does it once and I cut off his arms), but oh well. It's still cute.

Tummy Time

Our little man hates tummy time with a passion. Within a few seconds of being put on his belly, the fussing commences. So, most times we do tummy time on mommy and daddy (he tolerates that much better). I do try to get a few minutes out of him on his playmat each day, and sometimes he decides to just lay there. This was one of those times. :) I was really hoping to catch him with his head up, as his neck muscles have really developed! He amazes me by holding it at 45 degrees for several seconds at a time. One of these days, I will catch it on film!

Mommy Lesson #6: The Nursery is a Wonderful Thing

Last night, we decided to move Everett to the nursery at night because I have been getting ZERO sleep. Instead of sleeping, I lay awake and watch him at all hours of the night, stirring at his every wimper and gurgle and grunt (and Everett is an extremely noisy sleeper). So, after the previous night of dreadful sleep, I decided it was time.

I immediately saw a big difference in both of us. I no longer was afraid to change into my PJ's or brush my teeth, afraid of waking him in our room. I no longer had to tiptoe around or felt like I couldn't do anything but quietly lay in bed without moving a muscle. He seemed to really like it as well. He slept like a champ last night - in 4 hour increments three times in a row! And better yet, mommy even slept!! Without him in our room, I was free to squirm around to get comfortable, and I kept the volume on the monitor low enough that his grunts and groans didn't keep me awake. I honestly feel like a new woman today. Praise God!

Milestone!

Today Everett reached for his toy for the first time. He's been tracking things with his eyes for a few days now, but today was the first time he actually reached out for a toy. Once he touched it, he grabbed on for a minute, and then continued touching it. It seemed as though he began making the connection that moving it meant it would rattle. I can't be sure, but he continued moving it and making it rattle. I am so excited for him!!

Sleeeeeeeep!

After what seemed like a round-the-clock nursing session yesterday, I had little hope for the night time. I settled in for expectations of being up every 2 hours, and went to bed with the attitude of "just get through the night one session at a time, it's just a growth spurt, it will pass." I fell asleep and woke 3 hours later... my little one was still sleeping! I laid in bed awake from then on, sure I must be missing his hunger cues. But he just kept right on sleeping... made it nearly 5 hours between feedings! We got up, he ate, and another 3 hours and 45 minutes went by before he beckoned again. Holy moly I feel like a new woman! Wonder if we can do it again tonight.... I'm not holding my breath. :)

Preciousness!

Photo Catch-Up :)

Mommy Lesson #5: Never Kiss Your Baby on the Lips After Feeding

I narrowly missed a direct shot of spit up to the mouth!
That is all. :)

Rough Patch

What happened to newborn and easy?? My how things change quickly! A few days ago, Ev and I started battling a pretty big hitch in our nursing giddy up. All of a sudden I found myself with a rapid let-down that left Everett choaking and pulling-off, and extremely gassy by the end. For days we struggled, trying numerous things that didn't work, and all the while I was becoming more and more agitated. I questioned my ability as a mother, thinking that something was seriously wrong with my body that I couldn't give Ev what he needed. Not a good feeling. :(

I had enough. Today, we hit the lactation consultant again to get things figured out. I left feeling refreshed and capable, my confidence restored. The consultant was amazing (we met with the same lady who saw us when everything was going swimmingly) and she calmed my fears and helped us work through our issues. I'm actually looking forward to tackling the next nursing session... something I haven't felt in awhile. It's nice to feel capable again.

And now for the weigh in... our little boy is up to 7 lbs, 11 oz! 19 days old, and up from 6 lbs 1 oz at birth. I suppose a rapid let-down is a good problem to have. The consultant informed me that she sees too many women whose babies can only get 5 or 10cc in a feeding (Ev took 88cc at our appointment). As frustrating as it's been for both of us, I can't imagine dealing with the reverse problem and your baby not getting enough.