Getting some Zzzzz's

Baby Sydney has started sleeping pretty well for us lately. He's been managing to clock in 6 hour stretches of sleep at night and is able to go about 7 hours between feedings. Pretty good for almost 7 weeks old!

Today, at breast-feeding support group, he weighed in at a whopping:

 12 pounds 7.4 ounces!!! 

(Last Thursday, he weighed 11 pounds 14 ounces.)

He woke around 4am to eat. Then, went back to bed (as did Mommy).

Woke again around 8:30am to eat. He's slept on and off all day today. I'm starting to hope that it is a growth spurt and that he will still sleep well tonight.

After the last feeding, he fell asleep again. He's having some tummy time on the living room floor... kind of cute the way he pushes his little butt into the air. (Maybe I will post some pictures later.) Thinking that I will take him outside in the carrier soon as he LOVES to look around outside.

YEP, hope the little man sleeps for me tonight! Otherwise, will make for a LONG DAY for mommy since she didn't nap.

Watch for upcoming photos. (We'll have to show you what 7 weeks old looks like... tomorrow! Hard to believe he is THAT OLD already!)

Busy, busy weekend brings new tires and safe travels

Sydney traveled with Grandma Olson and Mommy to WI this past weekend and had LOTS to see and do. We went to WI on Thursday night and pulled over partway home because the tires had been making a loud noise. Sydney slept nearly the whole way - only letting out a squack when the car was stopped partway home at a drivethru. We were met by Aunt Sue, Uncle Willy and the girls (after 9pm when we arrived home) because Willy and Rachel hadn't seen Sydney yet and they all "just wanted to touch him". That night, Sydney slept in the playpen in the same room as mommy, but mommy didn't sleep very well because Sydney bounces around and makes noises all night while he sleeps. (The next night, he got to sleep in Uncle Mike's old bedroom so mommy could get adequate rest.)

Sydney stayed with Grandma Olson on Friday morning while mommy went to the dentist. Still, at this age, mommy has NO CAVITIES! Hopefully, Sydney will take good care of his teeth like his mommy does/ Then, he was just waking up when mommy got back home. Sydney got to go all over town to meet all kinds of people. It was no wonder that after eating around dinnertime, that he would be tired since he had such a busy day being dragged all over town; although, he did sleep a lot of the day. He rode on mommy's chest in the Moby Wrap as Grandma & Grandpa Olson walked, with mommy, down to our favorite place for Friday Night Fish Fry. Sydney slept on mommy's chest and the entire way home again.

He'd been sleeping VERY WELL at Grandma & Grandpa's house. The one night, he ate around 9pm, went to bed around 10pm and slept straight-thru until 4am. By then, of course, he was REALLY HUNGRY and mommy was just as eager to feed him... for some relief! He was a good little sleeper though, which mommy appreciated a lot.

Saturday, we ran around to see more people, attended a bridal shower (briefly) and attended a family reunion picnic. There were countless people there who commented on what an honor it would have been for mommy's grandfather and great grandfather, who were both named Sydney, but that mommy's grandfather Sydney would have been especially touched to know of the namesake.

Sunday, we stayed at grandma & grandpa's house and company came to visit us. Great grandma even walked past Sydney sleeping in his carseat because she didn't know that we were visiting and somehow, missed seeing him. 

Grandpa Olson rotated the tires on the car Sunday afternoon, but we discovered that they were out of balance even worse after rotating so, Monday morning Grandma took the car to the local tire shop where they determined that the tires really SHOULD be replaced. (Needless to say, Mommy and Daddy are getting an early Christmas present from Grandma & Grandpa Olson - 4 new tires for the car - which we needed SOONER rather than later. The ride back home to Iowa was considerably smoother and quieter. THANK YOU FOR THE NEW TIRES!!!!)

Sydney slept the entire way back to Iowa, but was pretty hungry when mommy woke him after we got home. Overall, he LOVES his carseat and is a very good traveler.

On a gauge of 1-10, with 10 being unbearable, daddy says he missed us 8.75, which jumped from Sunday's rating of 7.25. (Daddy said the cats rated a 12!) Good thing we came home when we did! 

Tonight, it will feel good to be together as a FAMILY... as OUR FAMILY. 

Olson Family Picnic JULY 2009

 

Olson Family Picnic - July 2009

Prepping for baby's first trip

Last night, following a bath, Sydney was wrapped in his Polartec snuggle wrap in an attempt to get him warm. Turns out, when he was warm, he went right to sleep. (I had propped him up slightly on our bed so that I could pack.) At first, he fussed, but then he leaned towards his daddy's pillow and went to sleep. (Must have been comforting that it smelled like daddy. Sydney likes to nap on top of his daddy's chest so, he is familiar with his smell.)

I managed to get most of my stuff packed last night. Then, I moved onto packing for BABY. Going through his drawers, I made note that he's starting to outgrow a bunch of his clothes already. Even though it is getting a little small on him, his I LOVE MOMMY onesie is coming out of the drawer for a final ensemble.

Daddy is fearful to have mommy and baby driving alone so, Grandma Olson is coming over today and will leave her car here . Then, Grandma, Mommy and Baby will venture over the river to baby's first car trip (other than his many trips locally within our zip code) and his first sleep-over at Grandma & Grandpa's house. 

I'm sure that Daddy will miss us, but will appreciate a few nights of un-interrupted sleep (even though he normally doesn't hear Sydney cry and has been able to sleep through the night most nights since we brought him home from the hospital).

Sydney will attend his first FAMILY REUNION PICNIC on Saturday. That is where he will meet his Great Grandpa Sydney's siblings and their families. Sydney will also be the only BOY in attendance at a BRIDAL SHOWER; however, I plan to keep that visit brief, as not to steal the thunder from the bride by distracting with a baby.

Since I woke early, I think I will ATTEMPT to sneak down the creaky stairs and get myself something to eat for breakfast before Baby Sydney wakes to eat again. (He woke more frequently during the night to eat so, I'm thinking he's going through a growth spurt again.... he's our BIG little boy and we love him!)

NOTE: If time permits, I may add a video clip of his recent TUMMY TIME where he kept lifting his head and looking around. Otherwise, watch for that another time... either way, I will send an email to my regular family/friend blog followers to let you know that there is an update posted with that video clip.

At least he's sleeping

Especially for the past few days, we have been almost unable to put Sydney down. He LOVES to snuggle! He LOVES to be held! He protests sleeping in his own crib because he prefers to be lying comfortably in your arms or resting on your chest.

Granted, it is WONDERFUL to snuggle, but it is also nice to feel like a human and be able to perform ordinary household functions. Instead, I fear getting bedsores on my butt from the countless hours spent nursing or snuggling in the recliner.

Yesterday evening, Sydney went into the front pack and we walked outside until he fell asleep (holding my finger tightly in his chubby hand). Then, I put him into his playpen. That is... for a few minutes anyways.

Around 9pm, he was sleeping in my arm while I chatted on Facebook with Aunt Nicki with just one hand. Then, I decided that he had been sleeping long enough that I could put him down and HOPEFULLY get something to eat for dinner. (He REALLY likes to fuss whenever I attempt to eat, which makes me feel like I'm ALWAYS having to quickly scarf down my food without ever enjoying it anymore.) I had a few minutes to myself. I was able to go to the bathroom and take the newest load of clothes from the dryer. However, as soon as I got myself a plate from the cupboard, he started to wail. I attempted to let him cry it out for a few minutes to see if he would go back to sleep. HA! He would NOT! (While I waited, I made a peanut butter and strawberry/rhubarb jelly sandwich and cut it into 4 pieces for easier eating while holding a baby.)

He fussed and fussed. He cries even harder when he hits himself in the face with his hands that he appears to have VERY LITTLE control over. (In time, he'll realize that they are HIS HANDS and that HE is in control of them, but until then... we're forced to remind him that he hit himself.) So, with all of his fussing, even though I thought he couldn't possibly be hungry, he seemed quite satisfied to eat again. So, he ate AGAIN; then, fell asleep. So, I snuck him back into his bed.... AGAIN... and AGAIN... and AGAIN!

When Mike came home around 10:45pm, I was still ATTEMPTING to get him to sleep in his own bed. (Like always, it takes anywhere from 1 minute to 10 minutes before he wakes and realizes that he isn't being held anymore.) Needless to say, at this point, after an over-filled day of holding him, I WAS EXHAUSTED and my back/neck/shoulders were begging for a break!

The little stinker even started getting smart with me! His new thing is to hold on tightly to either my bra or my shirt so that it is EVEN HARDER to lay him down. (SMART KID!)

He ended up sleeping until almost 2am. Diapered (by daddy), nursed and put back to bed. Then, slept until almost 6:30. Diapered, fed and put back to bed. Then, slept again until almost 9:30am. (Mommy and daddy BOTH took advantage of the sleeping baby... mommy kept going back to bed as well since it felt SO GOOD to sleep for a change!)

We managed to have 2 POO blow-outs so far today! The first was out the leg of the ill-fitting diaper, through the sleeper and onto the crib sheet and mattress pad. The second was a blow-out... out the leg of a good-fitting diaper, but it was overly saturated with POO. Mommy also received a SHOWER when attempting to clean up the first escaped POO by a Baby that is starting to earn the nickname of SQUIRT. (You get the picture!)

He's been sleeping inside the Moby Wrap for a while now, but HEY, at least he's sleeping! While he rode on my front, I managed to get the garbage cans inside, go through the mail and fold three baskets of laundry PLUS throw in the newest load of  crib sheet, mattress pad, diaper changing pad and two outfits. To me, that feels like a rather productive day already (especially since Daddy encouraged me to take a REAL SHOWER before he had to leave for work). 

I should end the blogging session now and go get myself something to eat.... SQUIRT will want to eat again pretty soon, too - I'd imagine. I just have to remind myself that someday he won't want to snuggle with his mom anymore and to take advantage of it now for that very reason. (He sure is cute and lovable!)

Happy times too (w/ video)

Despite yesterday being a rather difficult day, we DID have happy times too! Sydney was smiling and talking... and even showed off his strength by standing! (Check out the video clip.)

He was a little stinker again last night where he didn't want to go to bed, despite being tired. He just wanted to be held. We'd get him to fall asleep in our arms and then after a few minutes, would coax him into his bed; however, within a minute or so, he would figure out that he wasn't being held and WAAAAaaaaaaa, WAAAAAaaaaaaa, WAAaaaaa!

Once he was FINALLY in his own bed, he managed to sleep pretty well. One middle of the night feeding and snuck him back into his bed. Then, after an early morning feeding, he went right back to sleep... and so did Mommy! When he woke around 8:30am, Daddy took a turn with him.... that's when Sydney came back to bed with us and slept on top of daddy's chest for a little while.

Having a baby is tiring though so, an afternoon nap may be on the agenda. Well, I'd better go... he just realized that he isn't being held anymore!

I'm coming, baby..... I'm coming!

Times are trying with the crying

This morning was a VERY trying and tiring morning. Sydney was VERY fussy for no apparent reason, other than being tired. He was diapered, fed, and burped. He did not appear to be suffering from gas. One moment he wanted to be held; the next moment he screamed again. I tried the Moby Wrap in two different positions. We stood still. We sat. We walked. We laid down. We bounced around gently like a washing machine.

All of these techniques offered only 2-5 minutes of sleep before fussing again. 

In an attempt when all else failed, he was offered A MEAL. That lasted a few minutes as well.

At last, it seemed like I had won and he had fallen asleep for more than five minutes. And then, when I looked down at him laying in my arms – he was WIDE AWAKE! He was looking around, staring at me and smiling with those bright blue eyes.

I changed his diaper and clothed him in his I LOVE MOMMY onesie. At that point, I needed some encouragement since the morning had been so trying from this little stinker. Then, he happily laid on the changing pad on the living room floor - looking around and smiling. 

Shortly thereafter, I put him in his carseat and we went out to run errands. We even had a lunch date with daddy. Sydney seems to like car rides, but prefers for the car to be moving. While we waited for our snack packs at Culver's he grew fussy because we were not moving, but regained his happiness once we started moving again. By the time we got to see Daddy, he was sound asleep and stayed that way for two more stops of shopping.

That happy little boy even posed for the video camera - smiling and talking. (Maybe I will try to edit that and post it tomorrow.... that is, if he ever lets me set him down.)

Times are trying with the crying, but still - we wouldn't trade him for the world!

First visit to park

This morning, after a good feeding, we decided to take Sydney to a local park. He got to ride in the front pack carrier and he was as happy as a clam. We used a burp-rag to keep the sun off of the top of his head.

Daddy has been to the park before, but it was a first for Sydney and Mommy.

We were able to view the lock & dam and enjoyed a near perfect day. Temperatures reached near 80. Skies were blue. The few clouds that were in the sky were "mostly puffy". It was a little warm and sticky with the infant carrier on, but otherwise a beautiful day.

Early afternoon, we cleaned all of the junk out of our vehicles. Daddy also cleaned up a bunch of mess in the garage. Sydney HAD TO BE HELD for almost the entire afternoon/evening. Each time we try to put the sleeping baby down, he wakes and cries.

Tonight, we enjoyed grilling chicken and eating on the deck. (Sydney discreetly enjoyed his most recent feeding from inside the Moby Wrap, also on the deck.)

Overall, it was a good day. Except for Daddy discovering that someone – presumably a deer that has been seen in the backyard – has eaten the one cherry tomato that we had planned to pick today. Also, the pepper plants have considerably less fruit (and leaves) on them. Backyard vegetation is now sporting an armor of chicken wire. (Backyard neighbor's garden is also without peppers and peas, compliments of the deer... tracks visible in their garden.)

First Bath with Daddy

We celebrated Independence Day on Friday, July 3rd with an airshow and fireworks display that were viewable from our deck. Sydney slept through most of the evening's events, but woke for dinner right as we were trying to eat. (Sadly, that seems to be a pattern for him to want to eat whenever mommy wants to eat.)

Sydney wore a red, white and blue outfit before it had started to cool off, but he was not overly cooperative with his photoshoot so, we have no (good) pictures documenting the patriotic outfit that had been given to him from a MN teacher's aide.

This past week or so, Sydney has been getting BABY ACNE, which is common starting at 4 weeks of age. Despite the acne, he's still pretty darned cute. (Although, he wasn't nearly as cute in the middle of the night when he kept mommy awake from 1:45am until 3:30am because after eating, he wanted to be held instead of sleeping in his crib.)

Tonight, on the 4th of July, Sydney enjoyed his first bath with daddy. He normally likes taking a bath, but was a little fussier tonight. We made sure to keep a wet washcloth over the BOY PARTS to prevent spray, which worked pretty well. After his bath, he got dressed in warm jammies and is still sleeping in his swing as this blog is posted. (Mommy needs to stop blogging to take her turn in the shower now.) Sydney should wake soon for a feeding and then, we can all get a good night of sleep. (At least, that is THE PLAN!)

5 weeks: growing boy smiles

Yesterday, Sydney and Mommy went to the Breastfeeding Support Group. This was the first time we ACTUALLY attended... the other times, we just snuck in to see how much he weighs and then, promptly left. Sydney slept through the whole thing. In fact, I thought it was cruel to strip him down to nothing just to weigh him... talk about a rude awakening, eh? So, I kept him in his diaper and sleeper for the moment of truth. 

July 1, he weighed in (with diaper and sleeper) at 11 pounds 10.2 ounces! (June 22nd, he weighed just 10.)

Today marks his 5 week birthday. This morning, after a good feeding, he sat with his daddy while I ran the video camera. In this video, we even got him to SMILE!  We're still working on talking. Enjoy!