1 month well visit

At 5 weeks, 1 day:

Hans' stats:
Weight: 9lbs 1 oz (15th percentile)
Length:  22.25 inches (80th percentile)
Head circumference:  37.5 cm (25th percentile)

Vaccinations: 

• Hep B (2nd dose)

(Want to compare to Freddie at this age?  Weight is similar, head is smaller, and he's taller than F was at this age.)

I had no concerns, really.  I did mention his gagging/gurgling on a little spit up or something in the back of his throat every once in a while.  Reflux, she said, but just like our other pediatrician had said, it's part of being a baby and unless he's refusing to eat or showing extreme pain, she'd rather not treat it. 

She said she's not concerned yet about his weight, although she seemed to be a little.  She gave him a look over and commented that he didn't "look skinny."  Sorry folks, I just don't make babies with luscious fat rolls.  I imagine we'll follow his weight for some time like we did with Freddie, and I also imagine he's fine and will follow the growth curve. 

I forgot to give her the info to check the results of his newborn (pku?) screening with the state, so I imagine I'll be walking back over later this week to double check that.

As with Freddie, she recommended vitamins, specifically vitamin D.  I suppose I'll head over to the drugstore for that this week as well.

And as I was leaving she gently placed a pamphlet in my hand about calming a fussy/colicky baby.  Yep, he's a screamer and hard to console.  Funny thing is I don't think he's nearly as bad as Freddie was.  With Freddie I gave up dairy and felt this helped and, lo and behold, it's noted in the pamphlet as something to try.  I suppose I'll be picking up some soy milk at the drugstore as well. 

5 Weeks (and 1 day)

• A day late.  Sigh.
• There's been no sleeping the past couple of nights.  You're up every hour. Perhaps a growth spurt, although I wasn't expecting that for another week.  

I'm just hugging Hansie, Mama.

• Naps aren't really going down either.  The morning nap in the stroller is garunteed but the rest of the day is hit or miss.  When I finally get a minute to read your cues and actually sit down to help you wind down, there always seems to be something that interferes.  And that something is usually generated by your big brother.
• I think you're pretty cute.  Your ears kinda bend at the tops.
• Your hair is soft and fuzzy and filling in.  It looks like a nice reddish brown.
• Your eyes are dark.  A brown eyed boy you will most likely be.
• Although you're still not crazy about the swing you'll sit for a while in the bouncer looking around.

• I'm sorry I didn't take any pictures this week.
• You still scream an awful lot.
• Pooping and passing gas seem to stand between you and sleep as well.  You have this knack of waking the both of us up from deep sleeps with a giant poot.

Announcement

Monday Evening Exchange

Freddie:  Text message, Mommy.
Mommy:  Hand me the phone so I can read it.  Must be from Dada.
Freddie:  No. Mines.  I read it.
Mommy:  Ok.  Well what does it say?
Freddie:  I love Freddie.

The First Born

My boy loves his Tummy Brother.  He's dedicated, caring, and loving.  I think he loves his mama as well, but vying for attention has brought out some attempts for attention, both positive and negative.  He loves getting and giving cuddles, snuggles and kisses. 

He's not really napping lately, in part because our routine isn't set with visitors, but if Hans isn't sleeping he surely isn't going to sleep either.

He's a full blown chatterbox.  Some of his phrases, which he's picked up here and there, always put a smile on my face.  Some of what he's saying...

• I'm worried about you.
• Understand me?
• Check it out.
• Perfect.  Perfect. Perfect.
• How'd you sleep, Mama?
• Beat you! (Learned this from Aunt Lizzie fussing at her dogs and he uses it in the appropriate context, i.e. when he's angry with Mama.)
• Oh man.
• I'm so glad you're here.
• How was your day?
• Love you.  Whole World, Mama

He has a basket for all of his "treasures," and they are definitely treasures.  I wonder what we'll do once this treasure basket is overflowing with rocks, acorns, feathers, and sticks.  I'm secretly moving the larger sticks back to the yard.

He is also a dancing fool.  He loves to turn on his ipod and dance the afternoon away.  

He's experiencing a "regression" with the potty, but I am not sure I'd call pooping in the middle of the living room a regression.  It's actually genius I'd say.  He accomplished his mission:  Get Mama's Attention, STAT!

My favorite thing currently is his imagination.  He can keep himself busy for hours with *nothing.*  A few months ago he used "props" to create meals and fish and general pretend play.  Now no props are necessary.  He sits in his beach chair to fish in the living room and watch the dolphins swim by.  He hands me baby foxes wrapped up in blankets to care for while he rescues the baby dragon on the other side of his bed. 

So much happening with my little guy.  The change from one day to the next is amazing and makes me a little sad as well to watch everything change so quickly.  He's something else.

4 Weeks

You're a month old! Seems like forever that you've been around, Tummy Brother.  You're definitely ours.

Your legs look so long and your toes even longer.

Freddie's taking great care of you.  He checks on you each time you cry and likes to help change your diaper.  He loves on you lots, maybe a little too much?  Thanks for being so patient with all of us.

I suppose it's easy to tell that you're the second child since you just got your first bath at 3.5 weeks.  I am trying to figure out how to fit everything into our routine.  You enjoyed the bath more than I remember Freddie enjoying his first bath.  I guess being a bit older helps.

You're spending longer and longer awake during the day and keeping most of your sleep to the evening hours.  The 5+ hour sleep stretches in the evenings have returned and I am ever so thankful.  You sleep most of the night in the cosleeper next to the bed, swaddled up tightly.  I usually pull you in to bed with me in the early morning for some cuddles.  Amazingly, this seems to be the soundest sleep you get, unswaddled, lying cheek to cheek with your mama.  I don't sleep so soundly, but am enjoying feeling each little breath on my face. 

Your eyes are dark and are looking like you'll be a brown eyed boy.  Your soft fuzzy hair is filling in on top.  

 

We love you, Tummy Brother.  

Do you think he's trying to tell me something?

This morning while I was nursing Hans in my room Freddie pooped on the living room floor.  He nonchalantly led me to the mess after I finished up with Hans.

This afternoon while I was nursing Hans in my room Freddie peed on his bed.  He nonchalantly asked for Mickey undies and led me to the mess after I finished up with Hans.

Ice Cream in Central Park

He was a bit unsure of the frozen Sponge Bob confectionery he selected.  I'd even say his licks were dainty.

I took over with Hans and put the Daddy on the ice cream situation.  Charlie wiped and wiped and wiped with each drip so there wasn't a massive mess at the end.  Freddie actually appreciates clean hands along the way.

He didn't mind sharing at first but it quickly became "mines."  I'm not sure why I was surprised when he asked for another after he finished.

Another promised for next weekend, but I'm going to angle for something chocolate.

3 weeks (and 1 day)

I have a feeling that your weekly photo may end up being weekly + a day (or two or three) given how my afternoon looked yesterday:  you screaming inconsolably and Freddie hanging on my leg doing the same because he wanted to be held as well after being told I couldn't attend "the party in his bedroom" until you had been fed.  I'm trying to allow that scene to be normal so I'm not rattled or in tears.  Sigh.

I made the mistake of mentioning you were sleeping from 8.00pm-1.30am for a handful of consecutive nights.  That, of course, was enough to put an end to that.  Perhaps your 3 week growth spurt has begun, but you are not interested in sleeping, just nursing and crying. 

We've been using the Daddy's morning momentum to get us out the door each morning for a walk and some playtime.  You're awake for about half of our walk and have been pretty patient at the playground while Freddie gets some of his energy out.

You impress me with your head control already.  You work to lift it and look around at your surroundings.  I suppose your head being on the small side helps.  We've got out a few toys to get tummy time started.  I think Freddie will be the biggest entertainment to keep you motivated during tummy time.  He's definitely interested in all things Hans.

You've been left to cry more than Freddie ever did.  Sorry about that.  Things are rough with two of you and only one of me.  Something tells me you'll be ok, and maybe you'll even be more relaxed because of it.  As comfortable as I feel with this Mama thing, I don't feel as though I remember much from when I did it the first time around, although it is slowly coming back.  You're healthy and nursing and loved.  All the other stuff I'll figure out eventually, I promise.

Celebrating 37

Oh, what a night.

Weigh In

For the record, stats at birth:

Weight:  7lbs, 12.5oz (3540g) (Between 25th-50th percentile)
Length:  20.5 in (Between 75th-90th percentile)
Head circumference:  34 cm (between 10th and 25th percentile)
Weight to length percentile is 3rd-5th

Weight upon leaving hospital: 7lbs, 2oz (3230g), loss of about 9%, with 10% being within normal range

Weight on July 8: 7lbs, 8.5oz, recommended gain is 0.5oz per day, so he's gained 6.5oz in 12 days

And this can be added to the records:  Hans slept nearly six hours last night, nursed and returned to sleep for another 2 hours, nursed again and slept for almost another 2 hours before Freddie climbed into bed for cuddles

And yet another note for the records:  I dressed two children this morning, changed a diaper while insisting the other use the potty, nursed, packed a diaper bag for two kids, gathered snacks and left the house.  And I remained calm during this hour long feat.  We manged a trip to the doctor's office, the library, the post office and the playground. 

2 Weeks

You're nursing, nursing, nursing....nursing so much in fact that your diapers are soaked within an hour or so and leaking.  This is not conducive to sleep.  I am not sure how to approach this but hoping your nursing settles in the next few days.  Maybe you're in a growth spurt?

Daytime napping has been hit or miss.  Some days you're doing long stretches of sleep in the cosleeper and some days you will just take catnaps in my arms.  I sure hope you develop an appreciation for sleep.

Freddie checks on you quite a bit

You cry a lot.  Especially at night.  Why? Why? Why?  Sometimes it is definitely gas, and it's usually as soon as you lie down.  (Does sleeping on an incline help gas or just reflux?) Right when I think we have finished up our "bedtime nursing" you look at me with wide eyes and start screaming.  You are in charge, little man.

Dada and I think you look just like your brother.  Your eyebrows are finally showing up and the hair on top of your head is filling in.  I love gently rubbing my cheek against it and running my finger over the swirl right in front.  Will that be a cowlick?

You haven't been outside since we've gotten home, but I'm trying to figure out a schedule for the three of us.  Perhaps next week will bring a trial run?

I look at you and your brother a lot.  I'm the mother to sons. 

Butterflies

I've got a one student school here.  Poor Freddie, a teacher's son, will have a lot to put up with over the next 18 years of school.  I've decided to be a little more structured in my approach to exposing him to the world.  Don't worry, nothing too crazy, thanks to Hans.  But there are some things I want this city boy to experience.

When teaching young students I loved learning about the life cycle, and I was always equally amazed to watch the caterpillars transform in my garden.  Unfortunately, no garden here, so I when I saw the butterfly habitat on Woot for a fraction of the cost of Amazon, my main shopping venue, I jumped on the deal.  I quickly ordered a book to help Freddie with understanding the metamorphosis.  He's just about got The Very Hungry Caterpillar memorized, but the concept of the change from caterpillar to butterfly was not evident to him with all the cute food the caterpillar munches on in the story.

Preparing to form chrysalises

Five painted lady caterpillars arrived in the mail, complete with a food supply, and we began observing.  They got big quickly.  And formed a chrysalis within about 7 days.

Pretty amazing to see caterpillars dangling in the morning and by the afternoon there were chrysalises in their places.

The chrysalises form on the top of the container which has a paper liner.  The paper liner is then removed with all chrysalises attached and pinned to the inside of the habitat, just a few inches from the bottom so the butterflies aren't injured when emerging.

All five caterpillars formed cocoons and from all five cocoons came a butterfly only a week later.  Some orange Gatorade on a cotton ball was "nectar" for a few days while the butterflies dried their wings.

Freddie and Charlie released the butterflies in the yard next to our building after a few days.  They begin laying eggs within a week, so it is best to get them outside before then.  We weren't prepared to provide nourishment for another round of caterpillars.

Thankfully Freddie was off and chasing a few of the butterflies and missed a bird making off with one.  That's another lesson.

Homecoming

The doctor doing rounds granted permission to leave a day early to escape the horrors of having a roommate in the hospital.  You mean you want to get some rest? she asked.  A quick scrip for pain killers and a discussion about incision care and iron supplements and I was off. 

The hospital packed us a large bag of "goodies" which included the standard diapers and thermometer, but also included a stack of disposable panties and and a Ralph Lauren footed sleeper and Chanel gift bag.  Yes, Chanel perfume, lotion, lipstick, all tucked nicely next to a wad of disposable underwear.  Shrug. 

The hospital offers free parking on the day of discharge so Charlie picked me up in the car.  I'm not sure we would have made the walk to the tram or train with the heavy car seat.  Not room for much else in the back seat with two car seats in there. 

Freddie and Gammie had prepared the house for our arrival.  I was most excited to see my own bed and climbed in wearing the lipgloss I neglected to apply in the hospital. 

This is when the fun really begins.   Home sweet home, with all three of my guys.