Family Self-Portrait
Last Thursday, Daniel turned one month old (he’s 5 weeks old as of Tuesday)! He celebrated by a visit to the pediatrician for his one-month check up. He now weighs 8 pounds 5 ounces, an increase of almost 2 pounds over his birth weight! He is about 21 inches long, but that is more of an estimate since it is hard to measure the length of a wriggly baby who doesn’t want to relax! The doctor said he should be eating between 4-5 ounces per feeding, but he isn’t. He eats around 3 to 3.5 ounces per feeding. I’m trying not to sweat it. After all, he is gaining weight, correct? And I prefer to let him dictate how much he eats. Cutie pie still fits into newborn clothes, of which we don’t have many. I put him in a 0-3 month onesie, and it hung on him, so it will likely be a little longer before he can wear his other outfits.
We’ve had a great first month with him. So far, knock on wood, he is a pretty easy baby. He has started becoming rather fussy in the afternoons as of last week, so I’ve been rereading the soothing techniques from the Happiest Baby on the Block book. Fortunately, we have been major advocates of swaddling since day 1, and that helps a lot. All in all, though, if he’s going to be fussy, I’d rather him be fussy during the day and not at night! He’s still waking up to eat every 3 hours at night after a four-hour sleep stretch, but he goes back to sleep pretty easily, which is fabulous.
Happily, we haven’t holed up in the house for the last 5 weeks. He has been to the library, Target, the grocery store and to a coworker’s shower about 45 minutes away. I also took him to work last week to meet my coworkers. He was passed around and adored 🙂
[J and I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment with him. Father’s Day rolled around when he was 2.5 weeks old, and it was such a special day for us. Daniel and daddy cuddled all day. We’d always celebrated being cat parents, but it was extra special being able to celebrate Father’s Day with our baby at last. Fourth of July rolled around last weekend, and we had a small, simple party with my mother, stepfather, J’s mother and stepfather, and J’s grandparents. The 4th of July is one of J’s favorite holidays, and he really enjoyed being able to shoot off real fireworks this year with Daniel here. Daniel and I sat outside on the porch steps and watched, and he didn’t flinch once. I would be worried if his hearing hadn’t tested perfectly after birth!
I love seeing J’s face light up when he comes home and sees Daniel. I think Daniel is on the cusp of giving us a real smile. He may have bestowed one upon me yesterday when I read him a story, but I’m unsure. Maybe it was gas 🙂 Daniel has changed so much. He’s grabbing at more things, and he is so alert. I think we may have developed a bit of a routine. I’ve discovered he likes taking a late morning nap, and it’s usually his last one other than maybe a much shorter one in the afternoon until around early evening. He’s usually ready to go to bed around 10pm and then sleeps for 4 hours.
I started reading to him this week, and he really enjoys it! I’ve been worried that I have forever stunted his mental development because I haven’t done a lot with him yet, but the pediatrician assured me that right now, what matters most is cuddling him. That I can do and have done! I sing to him quite a bit. I’m a little disturbed at how maudlin some of the lyrics of lullabies are, so I modify them when I can.
He really is a sweetie, and I feel so fortunate to have him. I just marvel at his long fingers and toes and am happy that his cheeks have plumped out.
He is my baby boy, and I love him!
Family Building With a Twist 