The thought of me starting work in five days is overwhelming, and I'm really starting to freak out. Before I had a child, I saw new parents' reluctance and fear of leaving their child as normal, and understandable and that everything would be okay. I wish the old self could talk some sense into my new self. Let's start off with some things that I am anxious about:
1. Sleep. Right now Soren goes to sleep around 10, and I usually stay up for a couple hours afterwards. I am attempting to get myself to sleep by 11 now, but that gives me one hour to get everything I need to get done before he goes to bed. Then he wakes up at 4ish to eat, then nurses and sleeps every hour after that. That's a 5-hour stretch folks. And I will be needing to wake up at 6am every morning to be out the door by 7. I could try and get him to sleep earlier, but changing a baby's nighttime sleep habits is no easy task. I REALLY need to figure out how to get him to go back to sleep after his 4am feed and stay asleep for at least another 3 hours. What I would REALLY REALLY like is to know how to keep him asleep for the entire night without that 4am feed. But baby steps, baby steps.
2. Morning routine. I have always been one to roll out of bed, wash my hair in the sink (or shower the night before), and be out the door in 15 minutes, if it meant I had more time to sleep. Long-gone are those days it seems. After meeting with the Lactation consultant, we think I need to pump in the morning before leaving. And shower. And eat breakfast. And get ready. Thank the high heavens I don't have to add getting Soren ready on top of that. People do it all the time, yes, but this is still a big transition for me. I am a night-owl by nature, and have never been an early-morning person.
3. Preparing caregivers. Does the fact that I want to type up a "Soren's quirks tip sheet" for our caregivers make me sound like a crazy lady? Seriously, I am considering it. Things that would be on it are how to heat up breastmilk, how much, his sleep and eating patterns, how to do cloth diapers, how to get him to sleep, etc. What do you think? Silly or Genius?
4. Pumping at work. Uffda. Sounds so simple, but there's so much planning involved. Like what kind of professional clothes can I wear to allow me to wear my hands free pump bandeau bra? Where will I pump? Where will I store the milk? Will I have the time to pump? Will I make enough milk? Will I continue to be able to make enough milk? I am committed to doing it, the question is, how?
5. Food. Oh boy, meal-planning. Need to go grocery shopping and try and remind myself of all the convenient on-the-go breakfast items, things I can bring for lunch, easy dinners, etc.
I have to admit, typing this out did help decrease my anxiety some, which is good. Seriously if you have any words of advice, encouragement, etc., please leave a comment. My head is spinning and I'm emotional about leaving him on top of everything else.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Breastfeeding & Reflux Updates
I feel like it's been awhile since I updated on how our breastfeeding adventures are going. Looking back, getting started was a little overwhelming, especially given his weight drop and reflux/aspiration issues. Once we got over that initial bump, things started going much more smoothly. I can't say he is exclusively breastfed due to his night-time thickened formula feed, but I can say that we do our best to nurse for all the other feedings. Sometimes, formula is more convenient. However, it's only more convenient if I hadn't planned ahead. Now I stocked up my parent's freezer with some frozen BM so that whenever we are over there, we only have to run the bag under some hot running water. It takes probably 3 mins. longer to get it ready, but if we can distract him it's really not a big deal. While at my parent's we only do bottles if it seems like my supply is running low. He will continue to pull off and go back on but gets frustrated, and I can feel my breasts are not full. I really need to drink more water, I think that is my main issue. Whenever I sense a drop in my supply I just take my Mother's Milk Special Blend capsules for a few days and my supply jumps back up. Since Soren is going to bed around 9:30, and I don't hit the sack until midnight, I always pump before going to bed. I will usually get anywhere from 4-7oz., so I will have a bottle's worth of BM in the fridge for the next couple of days if we are going anywhere. I also feel like I have gotten much more comfortable nursing in public when I need to. Overall, things have been going well for us and I think it's because I kept putting in the extra effort to make sure that we succeed. It definitely is easy to just say 'forget about it' and take the formula route, but I'm sure glad I kept fighting and seeking help and support whenever I needed it.
Currently Soren nurses less often in the morning and does alot of feeding in the late afternoon/evening, I'm guessing it's what also helps him sleep longer stretches at night. When he wakes up after his long stretch at night (usually between 4-6am), he'll nurse for a little bit in bed with me then go back to sleep for another 2-3 hours. After he wakes up from that he keeps nursing for a bit, then back to sleep, every hour. I usually can get him to sleep a little longer in the morning when we do that for my own sanity, but soon that will be put to halt.
We are entering a couple new stages simultaneously in our breastfeeding adventures now which will make things more interesting. Soren is exhibiting alot of 'teething behavior' as the pediatrician likes to call it. Just 2 days ago he's been starting to bite down on my nipple at the end of a feeding, and it hurts in big ways. He doesn't have teeth yet, but it still makes me jump. Tonight I broke his latch when he did it and spoke firmly to him saying "no biting momma"...and he smiled and laughed. Little stinker! I have no idea how to break him of this habit, I can't imagine how bad it will hurt once he does get teeth! I notice he'll only do it towards the end of a feeding so maybe once he's starting to get 'bored'.
In a little over month we will be starting solids with him which will definitely be changing up his eating schedule. In the beginning he's more-or-less just learning how to eat from a spoon and it's not necessarily for nutritional purposes. We've already given him little licks of my mom's homemade (unsweetened) applesauce and let him gum the tip of a banana. He definitely is becoming more interested in food and when he sees people eating food he watches with curiosity. I think he's going to be a great little eater once he does start!
Also, now that I will be returning to work, I will need to somehow fit pumping sessions into my work schedule. I have talked to the HR rep. and she said there's many private meeting rooms that I could use and that other employees have needed to pump during the work day as well. She seemed supportive of it, hopefully I'll get a similar response from my co-workers. I am hoping I can get by with 2 pumping sessions during an 8-hour workday. I'm really going to need to implement taking in lots of water during my workday and will probably start the Mother's Milk Special Blend capsules as well to ensure that I am pumping enough so he has enough to eat the next day. One thing we *MAY* try implementing is what's called 'reverse-cycling', where he basically eats little during the day, but then power feeds in the evening and at night while we're together. Some babies do this naturally because they prefer breastfeeding over a bottle. We'll see how things go, I'm not necessarily going to push it because the thought of him not eating when he wants to breaks my heart.
As far as the reflux goes, I think we may have turned the corner. I'm not sure whether it's due to his medicine staying down now with his thickened feed, he's growing out of it, or my elimination of caffeine (most days, there is still occasional intake here-and-there). He does still spit-up but nothing like he used to. I also have become smarter and know when to expect now too. In the morning it's usually worse because he's been feeding laying down in bed with me. After he's been laying down any time during the day, and you pick him up, I usually am prepared. Also after a longer nursing session I expect it. But then there's the occasional time he'll catch me off guard like when I got home from running an errand and daddy handed him to me and as I went to kiss him he spewed all over my chin and down my chest and stomach. Many times he laughs afterwards, so I can't help but smile, find a burp rag and wipe myself off, and change my clothes if needed.
Soren is still occasionally aspirating, but most of the time it's only when he's nursing. I have a forceful let-down and I think it gets difficult for him to handle it. He'll pull off and cough (meanwhile I am probably spraying him in the face), gain his composure, then hop right back on. I'm glad we are continuing with his nebulizer since he is still aspirating. *Knock on wood* he hasn't been sick yet, hopefully we can continue to keep him healthy through the Winter.
Well I think that's it for now, I'll be sure to update as we start our new changes. Let me know if you have any questions or tips!
Currently Soren nurses less often in the morning and does alot of feeding in the late afternoon/evening, I'm guessing it's what also helps him sleep longer stretches at night. When he wakes up after his long stretch at night (usually between 4-6am), he'll nurse for a little bit in bed with me then go back to sleep for another 2-3 hours. After he wakes up from that he keeps nursing for a bit, then back to sleep, every hour. I usually can get him to sleep a little longer in the morning when we do that for my own sanity, but soon that will be put to halt.
We are entering a couple new stages simultaneously in our breastfeeding adventures now which will make things more interesting. Soren is exhibiting alot of 'teething behavior' as the pediatrician likes to call it. Just 2 days ago he's been starting to bite down on my nipple at the end of a feeding, and it hurts in big ways. He doesn't have teeth yet, but it still makes me jump. Tonight I broke his latch when he did it and spoke firmly to him saying "no biting momma"...and he smiled and laughed. Little stinker! I have no idea how to break him of this habit, I can't imagine how bad it will hurt once he does get teeth! I notice he'll only do it towards the end of a feeding so maybe once he's starting to get 'bored'.
In a little over month we will be starting solids with him which will definitely be changing up his eating schedule. In the beginning he's more-or-less just learning how to eat from a spoon and it's not necessarily for nutritional purposes. We've already given him little licks of my mom's homemade (unsweetened) applesauce and let him gum the tip of a banana. He definitely is becoming more interested in food and when he sees people eating food he watches with curiosity. I think he's going to be a great little eater once he does start!
Also, now that I will be returning to work, I will need to somehow fit pumping sessions into my work schedule. I have talked to the HR rep. and she said there's many private meeting rooms that I could use and that other employees have needed to pump during the work day as well. She seemed supportive of it, hopefully I'll get a similar response from my co-workers. I am hoping I can get by with 2 pumping sessions during an 8-hour workday. I'm really going to need to implement taking in lots of water during my workday and will probably start the Mother's Milk Special Blend capsules as well to ensure that I am pumping enough so he has enough to eat the next day. One thing we *MAY* try implementing is what's called 'reverse-cycling', where he basically eats little during the day, but then power feeds in the evening and at night while we're together. Some babies do this naturally because they prefer breastfeeding over a bottle. We'll see how things go, I'm not necessarily going to push it because the thought of him not eating when he wants to breaks my heart.
As far as the reflux goes, I think we may have turned the corner. I'm not sure whether it's due to his medicine staying down now with his thickened feed, he's growing out of it, or my elimination of caffeine (most days, there is still occasional intake here-and-there). He does still spit-up but nothing like he used to. I also have become smarter and know when to expect now too. In the morning it's usually worse because he's been feeding laying down in bed with me. After he's been laying down any time during the day, and you pick him up, I usually am prepared. Also after a longer nursing session I expect it. But then there's the occasional time he'll catch me off guard like when I got home from running an errand and daddy handed him to me and as I went to kiss him he spewed all over my chin and down my chest and stomach. Many times he laughs afterwards, so I can't help but smile, find a burp rag and wipe myself off, and change my clothes if needed.
Soren is still occasionally aspirating, but most of the time it's only when he's nursing. I have a forceful let-down and I think it gets difficult for him to handle it. He'll pull off and cough (meanwhile I am probably spraying him in the face), gain his composure, then hop right back on. I'm glad we are continuing with his nebulizer since he is still aspirating. *Knock on wood* he hasn't been sick yet, hopefully we can continue to keep him healthy through the Winter.
Well I think that's it for now, I'll be sure to update as we start our new changes. Let me know if you have any questions or tips!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Coming down
I am coming down off of my 'yay-I-have-a-job-our-future-looks-so-bright' high, and as I begin to plan for all the changes that will be occurring, I am beginning to feel a sense of loss. I am so very thankful that I will be working in a job that I will (hopefully) love; that makes leaving Soren a little easier. But as I begin to think about our new reality, my heart begins to break. It seems like we have just now fallen into a routine that works for us, and it will be abruptly disturbed.
The first week I start, I will be working 7 days straight for training. Then a bunch more. There will not be an easy transition period for us. I will wake up, get ready, go out the door, work, pick him up from one of 10-said babysitters, go home, cook dinner, and try to get him to bed shortly after. No more daytime cuddles, walks, swimming pools, nursing sessions, giggles, etc. My head spins and heart aches thinking of all the little things like who will take care of him, how can I teach them his quirks, how will anyone know how to meet his needs like I do? I don't even fully know if he has fallen into a typical afternoon nap and eating schedule, so how will I convey that to others? I am anxious about how I will be able to pump at a new job, how will I advocate for myself to get the time that I need to do so without starting off with a bad 'reputation'? My husband will be taking on a lot more of the caretaker duties now (which in all reality will be a good thing), but then I wonder if he knows just how much of a change to expect.
And then it will all change. December is going to be horrendous. It will be the busy season at my husband's job (he most likely prints all of your Shutterfly and Wal-mart holiday cards), and he will eventually need to work additional days. My schedule is going to be so crazy and sporadic as well. January should begin to feel calm once I have completed training and my husband goes back to his regular schedule.
I'm beginning to want to hold him tight and never let go. How do women do this? I know millions do it every single day, and they adjust, but how? How can I feel better knowing that others will be raising my son?
The first week I start, I will be working 7 days straight for training. Then a bunch more. There will not be an easy transition period for us. I will wake up, get ready, go out the door, work, pick him up from one of 10-said babysitters, go home, cook dinner, and try to get him to bed shortly after. No more daytime cuddles, walks, swimming pools, nursing sessions, giggles, etc. My head spins and heart aches thinking of all the little things like who will take care of him, how can I teach them his quirks, how will anyone know how to meet his needs like I do? I don't even fully know if he has fallen into a typical afternoon nap and eating schedule, so how will I convey that to others? I am anxious about how I will be able to pump at a new job, how will I advocate for myself to get the time that I need to do so without starting off with a bad 'reputation'? My husband will be taking on a lot more of the caretaker duties now (which in all reality will be a good thing), but then I wonder if he knows just how much of a change to expect.
And then it will all change. December is going to be horrendous. It will be the busy season at my husband's job (he most likely prints all of your Shutterfly and Wal-mart holiday cards), and he will eventually need to work additional days. My schedule is going to be so crazy and sporadic as well. January should begin to feel calm once I have completed training and my husband goes back to his regular schedule.
I'm beginning to want to hold him tight and never let go. How do women do this? I know millions do it every single day, and they adjust, but how? How can I feel better knowing that others will be raising my son?
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Bathtime Giggles and Exciting News!
Well, to start off with the exciting news, I was given a job offer today and I accepted! I will be working as a social worker at an inpatient psychiatric facility for children and teens. It is a permanent weekend position (Friday-Sunday), 8-4:30. Although working the weekends will have its drawbacks, I am looking forward to not having to pay for childcare, and still get to spend Monday-Thursday at home with Soren! I will be leading two groups a day and also doing case management with the families. I am SUPER excited, it seems like a great place to work and has great pay and benefits! It will also allow me to work towards my clinical licensure so I can someday be an independent therapist! I start December 5th. It will definitely be a new transition and figuring out who can take care of Soren and when makes my head spin already, but it will all get figured out; I am very blessed to have so many supportive people in my life who are willing to watch him (and free-of-charge is always a bonus too ;-).
I thought I'd throw in this video of Soren's bathtime from tonight. The beginning is kinda slow (feel free to fast-forward to :55). I just LOVE his giggles, they totally melt my heart!
I thought I'd throw in this video of Soren's bathtime from tonight. The beginning is kinda slow (feel free to fast-forward to :55). I just LOVE his giggles, they totally melt my heart!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
One Year Ago Today
The post below is from one year ago today (transferred from my IF blog):
"So I didn't test this morning...I thought, psshhh it's too early, why waste the money on a (expensive) test? Then I went to sit down to pee about 30 mins. ago and remembered I had some cheapie pregnancy tests. I thought, hey it will be negative, but at least then I can blame it on the cheapie, and I can still keep hope alive. And this is what I saw...
I thought no way, that must have been an OPK, but I looked at the packaging, and it said pregnancy test. Then I was like, no way, I'm just seeing things. Wait, holy shit, maybe I'm not! I still had cup of urine, so I took out one of the good ones. First, nothing showed up, but then, if you look real hard, you see:
It's still early, and it wasn't my first morning's pee, but holy shit ya'll!!!!! I can't even think straight right now!!! Beta on Wednesday!!! Oh- if you know me in real life, please keep your mouth shut until we get our beta confirming. I want some time to think about this and when we will tell people, but I just couldn't hold it in any longer and you guys have been so supportive!!! (Click on picture to make it bigger, tilt laptop screen)"
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I made this scrapbook page detailing that day (Click to enlarge and read):
Our little miracle has been the light of our lives. This would be the 2nd best day of our lives (1st being when he was born). We love you Soren Alan, you truly are our little miracle.
"So I didn't test this morning...I thought, psshhh it's too early, why waste the money on a (expensive) test? Then I went to sit down to pee about 30 mins. ago and remembered I had some cheapie pregnancy tests. I thought, hey it will be negative, but at least then I can blame it on the cheapie, and I can still keep hope alive. And this is what I saw...
I thought no way, that must have been an OPK, but I looked at the packaging, and it said pregnancy test. Then I was like, no way, I'm just seeing things. Wait, holy shit, maybe I'm not! I still had cup of urine, so I took out one of the good ones. First, nothing showed up, but then, if you look real hard, you see:
It's still early, and it wasn't my first morning's pee, but holy shit ya'll!!!!! I can't even think straight right now!!! Beta on Wednesday!!! Oh- if you know me in real life, please keep your mouth shut until we get our beta confirming. I want some time to think about this and when we will tell people, but I just couldn't hold it in any longer and you guys have been so supportive!!! (Click on picture to make it bigger, tilt laptop screen)"
******************************************************************************
I made this scrapbook page detailing that day (Click to enlarge and read):
Our little miracle has been the light of our lives. This would be the 2nd best day of our lives (1st being when he was born). We love you Soren Alan, you truly are our little miracle.
Monday, November 14, 2011
First Swimming Pool Adventure
We got signed up for a YMCA membership recently and I was (way too) excited to bring Soren into the pool for the first time. He loves his bath time, I was hoping he would like the pool too. At first he was a little unsure, didn't cry but didn't smile either. But then later on he began quickly kicking his legs and flailing his arms and smiling...it was too cute for words. I'm hoping we can start doing this every Monday. Once he turns 6 months, we can sign up for parent-child swim lessons.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Overnight Changes
It seemed like overnight, my little baby has grown so much. Just holding him now, he is the length of my torso, he requires two arms, and my arms get tired quickly. He stands now when I hold his hands and when he's tired he goes in a standing position but then burries his head into my chest. He's playing with toys now on his jumperoo. He's sleeping in his big boy crib for 7-hour stretches now (night #5 he has done this). He's going into his crib for naps. His 3-6 month clothes are starting to get short (!!!). What happened to my little baby boy? I am excited to watch him continue to grow and learn new things, but I miss my little newborn.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Soren's Baptism
Soren's baptism was on October 2nd, 2011, and it was an emotional and beautiful day. The weather was perfect, our family and friends were present, even congregational members stayed to watch him become a 'Child of God'. In the Lutheran church, we practice infant baptism, where parents and sponsors (aka godparents) affirm their faith in Jesus Christ and that they will raise the baby in the church, teaching them the 10 commandments, the Creed, etc. Once the child becomes 'of age', they participate in a confirmation program where they learn more and then confirm their own belief in Jesus Christ, and affirm that they want to be followers. My family celebrates baptisms and confirmations proudly, and Soren's baptism was no different. My mom made a vast amount of food, handmade his baptismal outfit, and we held a celebration after church.
Brian and I chose two sets of godparents for Soren, Monica & Kyle, and Jeanna & Ben. Monica & Kyle were the maid-of-honor and best man in our wedding, Monica and I have been friends for quite some time, and Kyle and Brian are cousins. After our wedding, Monica and Kyle started dating each other, and eventually got married, and had a daughter of their own a few months before Soren. They are very strong in their faith and values, which we feel will be good for Soren as he grows older. Jeanna is a longtime friend with whom I've grown in our church, and we still remain great friends today. Jeanna and I were raised very similarly in our values and we felt as though her and her husband Ben would bring another perspective on Christianity to Soren's spiritual growth.
Brian and I both want Soren to be raised in the Lutheran church, HOWEVER, we also want him to be educated on many different faiths and spiritual practices, so that when the time comes for him to make his decision on his own, he can do it with knowledge and confidence. Whatever path Soren chooses as he gets older, whether it be spiritual practice, sexuality preference, career choice, etc., Brian and I will support him, as loving parents do. We pray that as he grows and matures, that he will know the love of Christ and the love of his parents, family, and godparents.
Here are some pictures and video of his baptism:
Brian and I chose two sets of godparents for Soren, Monica & Kyle, and Jeanna & Ben. Monica & Kyle were the maid-of-honor and best man in our wedding, Monica and I have been friends for quite some time, and Kyle and Brian are cousins. After our wedding, Monica and Kyle started dating each other, and eventually got married, and had a daughter of their own a few months before Soren. They are very strong in their faith and values, which we feel will be good for Soren as he grows older. Jeanna is a longtime friend with whom I've grown in our church, and we still remain great friends today. Jeanna and I were raised very similarly in our values and we felt as though her and her husband Ben would bring another perspective on Christianity to Soren's spiritual growth.
Brian and I both want Soren to be raised in the Lutheran church, HOWEVER, we also want him to be educated on many different faiths and spiritual practices, so that when the time comes for him to make his decision on his own, he can do it with knowledge and confidence. Whatever path Soren chooses as he gets older, whether it be spiritual practice, sexuality preference, career choice, etc., Brian and I will support him, as loving parents do. We pray that as he grows and matures, that he will know the love of Christ and the love of his parents, family, and godparents.
Here are some pictures and video of his baptism:
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Excited to See Daddy
Soren and I went down to IA this weekend while daddy stayed home because he was working. When we got home Sunday, I got him into bed and Brian got home shortly after. He went in to give Soren a kiss, and Soren woke up as soon as he heard Brian's voice. Soren was cooing and smiling at him, I just had to get video. Don't mind the beginning where I interrupt their bonding time ;-)
Monday, November 7, 2011
4 Months Old!
Soren turned 4 months old this past weekend, and he is beginning to look like such a little boy!
Today at his 4 month appt., he weighed 13lbs. even and was 24.5 inches long. He is still in the 10th% for weight, but the pediatrician is very happy with his numbers as he is staying on his growth curve.
Soren's eating schedule is not so consistent anymore. He's starting to use nursing as a soother, so sometimes he wants to nurse at 30 min. increments for just a short time, and other times he can go a long time without nursing. It's frustrating, but at the same time, I am his safety and security, and there's nothing wrong with that. He also is starting to want to nurse to fall asleep. This last week we went to a nursing mother's group and the lactation consultant reminded us that babies nurse for many different reasons, not just for eating. That made me feel better about his nursing habits as of lately. I just wish there wasn't such a stigma attached to nursing.
I have started giving Soren a 4 oz. thickened formula bottle at bedtime to help keep his medicine down and also keep his belly full for a longer night stretch. He seems to be tolerating it much better now and it doesn't seem to be backing up his bowels like it did before. Sometimes giving a formula bottle is more convenient (in the car, at a restaurant), but I really need to start nipping this in the butt. I have plenty of breast milk, that's what he needs to be eating. It will just take a little bit more planning on my part. I think I need to buy a car bottle warmer, and also another bottle warmer to have at my parent's house.
A few weeks ago, Soren began sleeping for 5-6 hour stretches at night in his crib, and it was glorious! Then we went down to visit family in IA, and his whole routine got thrown off and when we came back, he was up every. 2. hours, just like a newborn. That's when I decided to try the thickened bottles. Since then, he has been back to sleeping for a 4-6 hour stretch at night. Once he wakes up, I bring him to our bed and nurse him off and on for the remainder of the night. Co-sleeping is beginning to get more difficult as I wake up with an achy, sore back from not moving at all out of fear of rolling on him. He is also getting heavier too, so when he lays on my arm I also often wake with a numb arm. I'm not sure where we will go from here, whether I will try to nurse him in his room then put him back in his crib or what we will do. I do know that our morning cuddles are precious and I love them. Soren is also now starting to be able to fall asleep in his crib on his own. I do rock him a bit before laying him in there, but then he will just fall back to sleep on his own. He's doing great in the sleep department, and I think it's because we followed his lead. We will continue to try new things as I feel that he is ready, but if he's not, that's okay.
Soren's reflux is still a PIA. I sure love this baby stage, but I will NOT miss the constant spitting up. I think the Prevacid helps to make him feel more comfortable, but it does not decrease the frequency or volume of his spit-up. I have even tried cutting out caffeine but it doesn't seem to consistently be helping. When I spoke with his pediatrician today, she said caffeine in moderation is fine, but lots of caffeine can worsen it. Most days I drank caffeine in moderation, so who knows. I'm just starting to get really irritated about it, especially when he does it out in public, and it gets all over the floor, furniture, etc. It's exhausting. His pediatrician said it will also get worse now since he is scrunching, rolling, sitting, etc. which all can put pressure on his stomach. Once he begins standing and walking more, it should get better.
Soren is now standing straight when you hold his hands which seems to enjoy. He also can sit up straight when you put him in a sitting position, but he's not quite ready to sit on his own. When laying on his tummy, he pushes his head and chest up using his arms, can hold the position for quite some time! He's beginning to try rolling from his back to his side. Just this last week we put him in his jumperoo, and he started reaching for the toys and tries to manipulate them. His hands are still in a semi-clutched position when he does this, but he loves feeling them now. Soren is also getting very 'grabby' with his hands. Yesterday he grabbed my friend's necklace, and he is often grabbing our hands tries bringing them to his mouth. His hands are in his mouth constantly now, and he is starting to drool, indicating 'teething behavior' as the pediatrician calls it. Usually he will put 2-3 fingers in his mouth and go to town. He also loves sucking on my knuckles and sides of my fingers. He's not-so-much a fan of putting toys in his mouth yet, but I'm sure that is just around the corner.
Soren is becoming more fearful of strangers and loud noises. I am able to comfort him if he becomes scared, which feels pretty special for me. He is also doing alot of sad-laughing lately where he laughs and coos, but also starts to pout...it's kinda funny actually. He used to love his car seat, but since this weekend, he's not liking getting put in his car seat... I wonder if it's because he is getting more curious about his environment and feels trapped in it. He does still do well on car rides though, so that helps considering the many trips to IA we take. Soren is 'talking' much more now, using many different sounds and pitches. On occasion he will even match our pitches we give him. He is beginning to squeal and giggle now too.
Soren is wearing 3-6 month clothes, and I have officially packed away all of his 0-3 month clothes :-(. It's so hard to pack them away, not knowing if we will ever use them again (another blog post for another day), and also knowing he will never wear them again. We are needing to go and buy more 3-6 and 6-9 month clothing because he doesn't have enough...especially when we're averaging 5 outfits a day from the reflux. His precious newborn bear hat is starting to get too small on him, so I'm thinking about ordering another to have for the Winter. He is also still wearing his one-size (fits all) cloth diapers, and fuzzibunz perfect size smalls. We just received a free itti bitti d'lish in a medium and that seems to fit him very well too.
We've been pretty busy this month visiting grandma & grandpa Johnson for 4 days, and also this past weekend we visited my friends for the weekend. We also just signed up for a YMCA membership, so hopefully we'll start getting him into the pool and used to the water. At 6 months we can start him in parent-child swim lessons.
I have to say, I really love this age. I love the interactions we get to have with him, and I love all the new things he's learning.
I'll try and post videos later.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Soren's First Halloween
One year ago I was in my two-week-wait wondering, hoping, and praying that our 8th IUI cycle had worked. Seeing all the little ones in costume made my heart yearn even more for a child of my own, a child to someday take trick-or-treating. Little did I know at the time, that little Soren was growing in my belly.
Tonight was fun dressing him up in his costume and taking him around the neighborhood. I'm thinking next year will be even more fun. He happened to fall asleep right before prime-time trick-or-treating, but we took him out for a couple of houses in my parent's neighborhood. I don't have mittens for his little handsies yet, so we didn't stay out for long. I went generic and warm this year for his costume: a monkey. Next year we need to step up our game and think of a more creative outfit for him. It will probably be the last year that I will get to pick :-/. We didn't get too many good pictures of him in his outfit because he was tired and really wasn't so much a fan of the costume. But, for your viewing pleasure:
(My brother & Soren)
Tonight was fun dressing him up in his costume and taking him around the neighborhood. I'm thinking next year will be even more fun. He happened to fall asleep right before prime-time trick-or-treating, but we took him out for a couple of houses in my parent's neighborhood. I don't have mittens for his little handsies yet, so we didn't stay out for long. I went generic and warm this year for his costume: a monkey. Next year we need to step up our game and think of a more creative outfit for him. It will probably be the last year that I will get to pick :-/. We didn't get too many good pictures of him in his outfit because he was tired and really wasn't so much a fan of the costume. But, for your viewing pleasure:
(My brother & Soren)
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