Content after bath

 

Tonight, we took advantage of the cooler weather and went out for a walk around our block. Sydney rode inside the snuggle pack, riding on daddy's chest. Then, when we got home, mommy ran some bath water so that Sydney could take a bath. (We found that it is easier to have him tag along with an adult in the bathtub instead of attempting to hold him in the kitchen sink.)

Tonight, we braved the elements and went DIAPER-less!!! (Thankfully, no incidents of POO in the water.) Sydney seems to LOVE the bathtub where we float him in the water. We do, however, make sure to keep the "boy parts" under water as much as possible to keep from "extra showers" for everyone involved. In the bathtub, he really likes to try to stand up and kicks his legs. (We're thinking that he will be an active little boy at QUITE an early age!)

Following his bath, Daddy took him downstairs to diaper him and snuggle until mommy was dried off and ready to feed. We have discovered that the pacifier is a great tool to use when he has a sucking fetish when he is tired, but not necessarily hungry. (In this instance, it was keeping him occupied until the dinner bell rang... or should I say, until the COW moo'd.)

Today, Sydney had not had a truly good feeding. All day, he seemed to graze - eating a little every hour OR every hour-and-a-half or so. Not sure if he is going through a growing spurt or if it was because he just got so comfy that he would fall asleep while doing business. (At one point, I had to inform him that this is NOT a bed & breakfast; therefore, it is not a sleep & eat establishment.)

Speaking of bed & breakfast, Sydney has now been fed and has fallen asleep. Hopefully, we'll all have a good night. Until he wakes, I think I will go join daddy and get some much needed sleep.

One Year Anniversary

Thank you for the best year of my life in this incredible journey we call LIFE.

I love you.

Happy 1-month Birthday Little One

Today was Sydney's 1-month birthday!

After watching some of the footage from the hospital (which I did last night while waiting for Mike to get home from work), I am COMPLETELY AMAZED by how much one month, one inch of added length and one pound will change a baby. (He looked SO LITTLE at birth.)

PLUS, now that he is getting good at recognizing voices (especially mom & dad) and smiling more and more, he's moving on to bigger and better things. (He really likes to kick his legs and stands up with assistance. We are CONSTANTLY AMAZED at how strong this little guy is and how well he is holding up his head. I have a feeling that he will LOVE, LOVE, LOVE having a walker to get around since he is a busy little boy now.)

Yesterday, he started making a few little noises (cooing) when I was talking to him. We'll keep working on that one... daddy hasn't heard it yet. (I try to talk to him a lot, as well as make expressive faces.)

Also, within the past few days, he was able to push himself over from "tummy time" onto his back. (Granted, some of that is LUCK, but he's done it a few times now. Tonight, Grandpa Lowell was working on him... teaching him how to roll over, which was fun to watch.)

He's starting to sleep in a little bit longer stretches, which is nice for mommy - who has finally started sleeping hard enough to dream a few times now.

He's looking around more and more. (I read that he can clearly see about 12" now, which is QUITE an improvement from the 1" he could see at birth.)

This afternoon, he experienced something new... he was fussing and I blew air into his face. He instantly stopped crying and had NO IDEA what had just happened. (WHOA, where did that light breeze come from?) A minute or so later, I did it again - taking him by surprise all over again. (I'll have to keep it in mind for when he is being fussy.... although, like the boy who cried wolf, he might figure me out. Needless to say, Grandpa Lowell and I had quite a laugh at that one.)

Off to bed for a little while... baby will probably wake  within the hour to eat and then we can shoot for a good night of sleep. (I didn't want to wake him since Grandpa had FINALLY gotten him soundly to sleep.) At least, that is the plan!

Thanks for dinner (and a quick nap)

Dinner was brought by Grandpa Lowell this evening and it was delicious.

While Mike cleaned up dinner and Grandpa Lowell fed Sydney a bottle, I enjoyed a shower. (It is the little things in life that bring such great pleasure these days.) 

Now, as I write this, Grandpa Lowell is holding the sleeping little one while Mike and I attempt to catch a quick nap (before Sydney wakes again). Funny how enticing a 7:30pm bedtime can be, isn't it?

Thanks Grandpa Lowell!

062409 Surprise Visit from Uncle Mike

On this past Wednesday, I had JUST gotten Baby Sydney to settle down from his over-tired state of fussiness by putting him into the Moby Wrap when I heard my front door open and heard "HELLO?"

Turns out, it was my twin brother (Sydney's Uncle Mike) who had taken a cab to our house. He had run a truckload to/from Des Moines and needed to shut down for 8 hours; therefore, he shut down in Dubuque so that he could see us!

Immediately, he asked if Sydney was sleeping or eating. Then, when he knew that there were no boobs involved, asked if he could hold the little guy. (Needless to say, I was THRILLED that he was there... because that meant that I would be able to hop into the shower without having to worry about the baby waking/fussing/etc. AND I would finally have a chance to check my email, etc.)

When I went back downstairs, I found Baby Sydney and Uncle Mike (both) napping in the recliner.

It was a wonderful SURPRISE VISIT. Uncle Mike hopes to get that same route again so that he has an excuse to stop by, especially when someone else is paying the gas to get there!

Celebrating Father's Day 2009

We celebrated Father's Day mostly on Saturday (instead of Sunday). Grandma and Grandpa Olson, Uncle Mike and to-be-aunt Karin and Grandpa Lowell all came to town to celebrate.

Grandma Olson was overly-anxious to feed Sydney a bottle; however, Mommy denied her request so that Baby Sydney could breast feed instead (offering Mommy some MUCH NEEDED relief from her discomfort.)

We were guessing that Sydney had a thrush infection in his mouth. Turns out that our guess was confirmed at Monday's appointment and medicine was recommended: anti-fungal suspension drops for Baby and an anti-fungal cream for mommy.

Daddy got a cook book from Baby Sydney.

After everyone had gone home for the weekend, Daddy bonded with Baby Sydney on the couch. Sydney kept lifting his head and looking around the room so, we video-taped him. (He looks a little like a bobble head doll at this point, but demonstrates a lot of strength for only being 3.5 weeks old.)

Sydney continues to want to be held A LOT and is currently hanging partway out of the Moby Wrap while I type. It isn't the best positioning, but he seems happy enough to be sleeping contently there, being supported by my left arm while I type. He also starts to stretch from time to time... offering that precious DRUNK SAILOR LOOK. (He's a funny kid.)

Enjoy the pics and video clip of Baby Sydney at 3.5 weeks old, celebrating Father's Day (while wearing a onesie that says I LOVE DADDY.)

CLICK ON THE TRIANGULAR PLAY BUTTON TO WATCH VIDEO CLIP posted via Blogger.

3 wks: 10 pounds, 22" and first medicine

This was a photo from last week... in WEEK 2. 

At yesterday's 3-week Well Baby check-up, he weighed in at 10 pounds and measured 22". That means that he's  grown an inch and has gone up considerably from his initial weight drop. (Last week Wednesday at the Lactation support meeting, he weighed 9 pounds, 9.4 ounces.)

Sydney does have thrush in his mouth (a yeast infection that is treated with antifungal medicine). So far, he's not a fan of the medicine, as he spits a lot of it out... smart boy.... knows that it is NOT breast milk. Hoping that it will go away soon. Does NOT seem to affect him too terribly much; the pain on my nipples is QUITE another story.

He's really catching on to breast feeding now. AND... has been sleeping in longer stretches, but not regularly enough to plan on yet. (I really SHOULD go nap now since I got him to go down for a nap.... especially since I was awake a lot again last night.)

Birth announcement envelopes are addressed and stamps are on. Need to lick them all shut and throw them in the mail. (Better late than never.)

DARN, baby just squacked.... hoping he will go back to sleep (so I can too!) BETTER RUN!

Feeling like a cow... nothing, but MOO!

I am pleased to report that the pregnancy weight is coming off rather quickly. (Mike and I stopped in the hallway by the scale the other day at the doctor's office... for curiosity's sake.) I left the hospital wearing a maternity shirt and looking 5 months pregnant. Now, two weeks post-baby, my stomach has shrunk considerably and I even managed to squeeze into a pair of pre-pregnant capri pants the other day. (One week post-baby was do-able, but obscenely tight... two weeks post-baby is breathable and less obscene, but still a little tight for my liking.)

So, about this whole "feeling like a cow-thing".... well, it is NOT my weight! It is the fact that ALL I EVER DO IS pump or breastfeed!!! I feel like that is the majority of my day!

Today is my first day alone with baby. It is nearly 6pm and I have been wishing for a shower most of the day and am starting to get hungry again. Baby just ate and is asleep in his baby swing... I have been meaning to pump ever since I fed him last... did not get a nap in yet today so, am hoping for a good night of sleep tonight (knock on wood)...

I feel like I always need to hurry up to eat... wish I could relax a little and enjoy my food.

So, I am hoping that some sense of normalcy will return to my life.... or at least a little bit of a routine.

Pumping is winning out over a shower... DUTY CALLS. (I guess I can look forward to a shower once Mike gets home tonight.)

BIG FOOT

Baby Sydney has some BIG FEET!!! He has wide, broad hands as well.

Wishing I had more hours in the day... feel as if I am missing out on blogging and other fun life activities. (Feeling like MOST of my day is spent breast feeding or pumping. Mike informed me that 1/3 of my day IS spent doing those activities.) Thankfully, Mike spent the week (on vacation) home with us.

Hoping to develop some routine in our daily lives. Hoping that Sydney will STOP BITING and will continue to nurse well. 

It's a learning curve for everyone.... we'll get the hang of it (eventually).

Not enough time in the day

I am finding that having a baby is EXHAUSTING... especially when that baby doesn't quite grasp breast-feeding. It seems that all we do is pump, feed and sleep... of course, with some diaper changing in there as well.

I am finding that my twice-daily mandatory bathtub soaks (for healing) are my only REAL time to talk on the phone. Otherwise, I manage to find VERY LITTE TIME in the day. 

There are SO MANY things I would like to be doing:

• SLEEPING

• snuggling with Mike (or with the cats)

• finishing up the birth announcement cards that I want to have printed

• journaling or blogging

• taking pictures

My bath water is ready and Mike is in bed. Baby is sleeping in his crib... hopefully for quite a while. (It seems that he required LOTS of holding today in order to keep him happy.) Mike was busy with domestic duties today while I pumped, ate and napped. (Although, we did put Sydney in the Moby Wrap and enjoyed a short walk in the afternoon sunshine following my afternoon nap.)

Tomorrow, we plan to call the pediatrician's office since Baby Sydney has GOOP in his one eye that is gluing it shut despite MULTIPLE attempts to clean it with warm water and cotton balls.

Hoping for a good night... and some MUCH NEEDED sleep!