How do other moms blog regularly?? The first eight weeks with the Bean have been an adventure in trial and error. Even now, I'm writing this in a rush - the Bean just went down for the night and I want to capitalize on the opportunity for me to sleep as much as possible, too! (I'm also trying to eat cookies while typing - not working out well.)
Our first night was a doozy. It wasn't until 4:30am that I finally realized that Sam would only stay asleep if he was on Mommy's chest. Not surprising, but there was quite a bit of sleep lost by everyone. Once we figured that out, it got a little bit easier. Sam continued to only sleep on Mommy for the first three weeks, though. Oy. God bless my mom, "Mima", for buying us a swing which helped to slowly get Sam to sleep on his own. He's now sleeping for a 5 to 8 hour block for the first part of the night, then every 3 hours.
Also, around week 4 our Bean decided to go on a nap strike. No naps, no way, no how for the next three weeks. He would sleep only 20-30 minutes at a time during the day, three or four times a day. One day we were up for 14 hours straight, with only four 20-minute cat naps. It was awful. I couldn't even put him down to eat. It also became increasingly difficult for me to keep up with his feedings because I wasn't getting a break to "refill."
I also had to start adding cereal to Little Bit's bedtime feeding - and nap time now - in order to get him to sleep for more than a few hours at a time. And what a difference it made! The first night, he slept for five hours for the first time and got progressively longer. He also was SO much happier during the day! Apparently Sam takes after his Uncle Robbie - if he's awake, he's hungry. And my milk supply is pretty good! When we started supplementing a little bit with goat's milk here and there we got even better!
Now, eight and a half weeks later, we're in a challenging but fun place. Sam wants to be held 24/7, which is very difficult - and preferably by Mom or Dad. Using my Moby wrap around the house (which I finally bought myself two weeks ago) has helped some. Often times, though, when I put him in it, he smells me and seems to 'remember' he's hungry. The Baby Bjorn, however, is a huge help when we're out and about! (THANK you, Rachel!)
He's also now in a cuddly stage, which is a blast. When I hold him now he will wrap one arm around me and hold onto my hair with his other hand. He'll stroke and rub me with his little hands while he's eating.
It was also fascinating to watch him realize this morning while we were lying in bed together that his hand is attached to him. He then proceeded to poke me in the eye about 50 times.
And now, because I vented, I'm going to brag. Sammy is STRONG. He was able to hold his head up for several seconds when he came out, and now loves to sit up and stand with assistance. I know every parent thinks their child is very smart and advanced, but it's been a blast to read about milestones and see that Sammy is advanced in most of them. He's already opening his hands all the time, trying to start grabbing things, and loves to sit and stand for several minutes at a time (all of which are 3-month milestones). He also loves to babble and smile and is starting to laugh (I think). He turns his head toward Mommy's voice and is following objects and people with his eyes. We love our smart, strong boy!
As far as adjusting goes, I think we're almost there! Ha! David is learning to help when he's home (which is not as often as we'd like because he's working so hard for us), and Sammy always gives him a big smile when he gets home from work which I think warms my heart more than his. Seeing David take over the role of father so quickly has been amazing. It has been so amazing - our love for Sammy has grown our love for each other and made our marriage even stronger.
I've also been amazed by God's timing. Just when I think I can't do it anymore, someone will volunteer to come help me or Sam will smile at me for no good reason, at 3am, when he should be sleeping. Each night I pray for the grace, strength and rest I will need for the next day. I seem to get just enough of the first two..most of the time. And it only took me 19 hours to complete this!
Also, around week 4 our Bean decided to go on a nap strike. No naps, no way, no how for the next three weeks. He would sleep only 20-30 minutes at a time during the day, three or four times a day. One day we were up for 14 hours straight, with only four 20-minute cat naps. It was awful. I couldn't even put him down to eat. It also became increasingly difficult for me to keep up with his feedings because I wasn't getting a break to "refill."
I also had to start adding cereal to Little Bit's bedtime feeding - and nap time now - in order to get him to sleep for more than a few hours at a time. And what a difference it made! The first night, he slept for five hours for the first time and got progressively longer. He also was SO much happier during the day! Apparently Sam takes after his Uncle Robbie - if he's awake, he's hungry. And my milk supply is pretty good! When we started supplementing a little bit with goat's milk here and there we got even better!
Now, eight and a half weeks later, we're in a challenging but fun place. Sam wants to be held 24/7, which is very difficult - and preferably by Mom or Dad. Using my Moby wrap around the house (which I finally bought myself two weeks ago) has helped some. Often times, though, when I put him in it, he smells me and seems to 'remember' he's hungry. The Baby Bjorn, however, is a huge help when we're out and about! (THANK you, Rachel!)
He's also now in a cuddly stage, which is a blast. When I hold him now he will wrap one arm around me and hold onto my hair with his other hand. He'll stroke and rub me with his little hands while he's eating.
It was also fascinating to watch him realize this morning while we were lying in bed together that his hand is attached to him. He then proceeded to poke me in the eye about 50 times.
And now, because I vented, I'm going to brag. Sammy is STRONG. He was able to hold his head up for several seconds when he came out, and now loves to sit up and stand with assistance. I know every parent thinks their child is very smart and advanced, but it's been a blast to read about milestones and see that Sammy is advanced in most of them. He's already opening his hands all the time, trying to start grabbing things, and loves to sit and stand for several minutes at a time (all of which are 3-month milestones). He also loves to babble and smile and is starting to laugh (I think). He turns his head toward Mommy's voice and is following objects and people with his eyes. We love our smart, strong boy!
As far as adjusting goes, I think we're almost there! Ha! David is learning to help when he's home (which is not as often as we'd like because he's working so hard for us), and Sammy always gives him a big smile when he gets home from work which I think warms my heart more than his. Seeing David take over the role of father so quickly has been amazing. It has been so amazing - our love for Sammy has grown our love for each other and made our marriage even stronger.
I've also been amazed by God's timing. Just when I think I can't do it anymore, someone will volunteer to come help me or Sam will smile at me for no good reason, at 3am, when he should be sleeping. Each night I pray for the grace, strength and rest I will need for the next day. I seem to get just enough of the first two..most of the time. And it only took me 19 hours to complete this!
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