Baby Check: 1 Month

Has it been a month already?  In some ways, it seems like there is no way E is a month old and in other ways it seems like he's been a part of our family forever.  It's funny how hard it is to remember life without him.  It is definitely true, a baby takes your world and flips it upside down.  And, sweet Eli, we wouldn't trade this upside-down world for anything.  We love you so much.

During your first 10 days of life, Daddy and I kept wondering if all newborns were as good as you.  You ate well, slept well, never fussed, and were very alert.  I think you were just giving us some time to catch up on our sleep before you started seeing what we were made of.  Don't get me wrong, you are still all of those things, but you've also given us a few challenges along the way.  At about 10 days you decided you weren't so sure about napping.  You could take it or leave it.

You're still taking pictures?!!

It was also around this time that you started getting congested.  Apparently Daddy and I are going to be those parents...you know, the ones who call the pediatrician's office 3 times in the first 10 days.  Luckily, we have an 'in' with one of the labor and delivery nurses and also an amazing nurse practitioner in Overland Park.  We'll spread our questions among all our 'resources' so our pediatrician's office will keep taking our calls.

I said I don't want to!

Around 3 weeks mama learned that she can't eat 'gassy' vegetables or lots of garlic.  It only takes about an hour of a fussy, gassy baby to make you ward off any food, no matter how much you like it.

Fine, you can take my picture, but I don't have to smile.

During this first month you have also had lots and lots and lots of visitors.  We have had only a few days that didn't include a visitor and I've loved it.  Granted, it is a little challenging to get your baby in a routine when every day is different, but I love having the company during the day and E loves meeting all of his new friends and family!

This is how tummy time is done people.

 
At one month you...
- are a wonderful sleeper at night.  Our bedtime routine includes a few bedtime stories (or watching the Olympics) while you eat, a clean diaper, your 'chef' shirt, swaddle, kisses and you're out.  You sleep anywhere from 3-4.5 hours before waking mama up to eat.  When you're done eating daddy comes to change you, re-swaddle, give kisses and you're out again. The kid knows his parents need their sleep!
- hate having your arms swaddled.  No matter how tightly we wrap you, you can Houdini your way out of that thing so we have given up swaddling your arms at all.  You always sleep with your arms by your head or over your face.
- aren't so sure how you feel about naps.  For the first 10 days of life we could lay you anywhere at any time and you would fall asleep instantly.  Now you prefer your 'bouncy' and are much more awake and alert.  If you're tired enough, you will fall asleep.  You like to nap in your bouncy, in your crib, or sometimes on your tummy (with mom or dad watching of course).

Ahhh, ma - turn out the lights!

- love reading books (favorites are Goodnight Moon, Skippyjohn Jones, Little Blue Truck, I Love You Through and Through and Willie's ABCs) and singing songs (Jesus Loves Me, The Wheels on the Bus, I Like to Ride My Bicycle, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and the K-State Fight Song)
- can hold your head up for about 45 seconds and can turn your head from side to side.  You usually like tummy time and are getting stronger every day!

Hi guys!

- have a pretty strong grip and have started 'supporting' your own weight and bouncing when daddy holds you up.  
- love your carseat.  Whether it's for a walk or for a drive, it doesn't take you long to hit dreamland in this thing.  Let's hope it stays that way :)

- eat like your father.  That is, you eat only when you want to eat and never an ounce more.  You eat every three hours during the day, but we usually have to wake you up to keep you on schedule.  Unfortunately, you are sometimes more interested in sleeping than eating.  Mama just loves it when you purse those lips together as if to say "make me, mom."  Ha.
- have started cooing and talking.  I especially love it when you 'talk' to the characters in your books.
- have rolled over three times.  Pretty sure they were all a fluke, but it was still fun to watch!
- smile and laugh....when you have gas.  No responsive smiles yet, but we're getting there :)

Got your tickets to the gun show?!?

- fart like it's your job.  If you have held our son while he's sharted in your arms, you know what I mean.  You were probably politely thinking to yourself 'this kid just pooped all over me, but he's tiny and he's cute so I'll just keep smiling and talking like nothing happened.'  So far, he's only blown out his diaper on mom and dad.  If I'm wrong about this, Eli says he's sorry :)
- seem to enjoy your baths...or at least tolerate them without crying.  You really seem to like getting your hair washed which is good because it won't be long before mama is dumping water over your head getting you ready for the swimming pool.
- are completely loved by your parents and completely spoiled by your aunts and grandparents.

Your stats:
Birth weight:  6 lb 1 oz
Weight at 1 week appointment: 6 lb 1 oz.  - Good Job!
Weight at 2 week appointment:  7 lbs.  - Holy cow...we've got an eater!

1 month appointment:
Weight:  9 lb. 6 oz - 31%
Length:  22.5 in - 60%
Head - 37.5 cm - 29%
You also got your 2nd round of Hep B vaccine.  You gave a pretty good holler when she stuck you, but you calmed down quickly.  Great job bubba!

We love you baby boy and think you're just about the best thing ever.