Saturday, July 11, 2009

An Update...Finally!


I have been trying to post for weeks, but Daniel has been keeping my hands full literally! I have a moment now while he's listening to the mobile in the Pack N Play.

Daniel will be 6 weeks old on Tuesday--hard to believe!--and things are going well! At his one month check-up, he had gained almost 2 pounds and weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces (birth weight was 6 pounds, 7 ounces). The pediatrician keeps worrying me slightly by saying he should be eating around 5 ounces per feeding at this point, and he's eating around 3.5, but he's growing, so that's the important thing I guess. He is sleeping pretty well at night, going down for a 4-hour stretch and then a few 3-hour stretches. He wants to eat almost every 3 hours on the dot; he's better than any alarm clock at letting us know he's hungry!

He's a pretty laid-back baby, which we enjoy. He has had a few fussy periods, especially in the afternoon, but so far, nothing too bad! He is starting to coo and wiggle a lot. He is smiling, but so far he hasn't really smiled AT us in response. I'm hoping for one any day now!

Happily, the cats pretty much leave him alone. They aren't scared of him at all and will come and sniff him but move when he wiggles.

It's been a great 6 weeks! We switched him to breast milk at around 2 weeks, and he transitioned smoothly. We have enjoyed watching his cheeks firm up, and I think he has his daddy's blue eyes. We've gotten out of the house some. His first non-doctor trip was to the library! He has been to the grocery store, Target, a local bakery, work, and a baby shower.

It took his belly button three full weeks to fall off, and boy, was it stinky!!! I was so glad when it fell off. We had been keeping him in t-shirts to let it air out, so as soon as it fell off, I whisked him into a onesie. He is still wearing newborn sizes, but I suspect that won't last too much longer!

Almost all of our family members have met him, and it's been great seeing how excited they are to hold him and get to know him. My MIL feels pretty excluded from my nephew's life, so she really welcomes the chance to be a grandmother to Daniel. He is staying with her on Monday evening, and she went right out and bought a Pack N Play of her own in preparation. My mother has declared she will have to come up at least once a month.

I think Husband and I have adapted pretty well to have a small baby in the house. Each day certainly is different! I've probably cooked more meals in the past few weeks than I did in the last 6 months while we were putting in the floors LOL. We eat a lot of takeout, never fear! Never a dull moment! I'm already dreading returning to work, but I'm thankful that I still have 6 more weeks.

It's just been amazing and great. He changes each day, and I love noticing the changes.

I'll try to update more frequently from now on! Oh, I also wanted to thank all of you for support over the circumcision judgment. It meant a lot to me that you all support our right to make our own decision for our child the way we see fit. I really, really appreciated it!

14 comments:

Melissa said...

He is absolutely beautiful! Thanks for sharing a little of your little boy with us. Congratulations ... and enjoy!

Nadine said...

Glad all is well with you!! So happy to see him growing, and happy that you are enjoying motherhood :)

Sue said...

Glad to hear you're doing well. Daniel is such a cutie!

Becca Daws said...

I am so happy for you! Especially because you are a fellow UUer! He is such a handsome little boy.

Congratulations to your beautiful family!

Emily said...

Don't worry about how much he's eating. My oldest only ate 3 ounces until she was six months old...and she was in the 90th percentile! All babies are different and they'll eat what they want. You're doing a great job.

Wewurtskihit said...

Wonderful update - we were wondering if you got discourage to write because of the "person" or if you were just to busy. Glad it was the ladder.

Daniel looks amazing. I wouldnt worry about how much he eats - doctors always push the panic button toooo early. Daniel is growing and that is the main thing! he eats when he wants to and as much as he wants to. I am SURE he will make up for it in his teens!!! Watch it...he'll be a
6'8'' 275lbs linebacker!!!

Ellen K. said...

What a cutie! He sounds like a great baby. How the heck are you managing to cook? I've made maybe 3 meals totally from scratch in the past 8 months, and each time I forgot an ingredient or step. LOL. So hats off to you!

kate said...

Gorgeous boy! I am so happy to see him doing so wonderfully, and to read the joy that comes through as you write about him. I am so happy for you guys!

Sanda said...

I think our pediatricians are opposite :) Mine got upset because one of our twins was eating 6 ounces, 6 bottles a day for a little while (massive growth spurt and he just couldn't get enough - and they said absolutely no more! - he's down to 5 now but still 6 ounces) and our other twin is still eating 4 ounces every 4+ hours and just can't seem to eat more than that - his reflux doesn't help - but he gained 1/2 pound in the last week - so like you said - if they're growing - nothing to worry about! Your boy looks like he's doing awesome for 6 weeks!
Our kitty acts the same way with our boys - comes up to sniff them, but then sits at a safe distance and doesn't bother them at all!
Beautiful baby boy you've got there! Congratulations again!!

Sarah Andrews said...

Gosh Daniel is a CUTIE pie! I am so glad to hear that you are doing well! I have been thinking about you! B ate 3.5 oz for the longest time and even now only eats 5. And she is BIG! lol! Good work mama!

Two Shorten the Road said...

Thanks for the update! I've been wondering how you all were doing.

FET Accompli said...

I was so happy to read your update, and that you are adapting so well to having a little one. And boy, is he cute!!!

sara said...

He is such a cutie! You're doing a great job. Those first few months are tough. At least I thought so. I'm so happy for you and seeing those pictures just made me smile!

TABI said...

Just beautiful! Congrats!!