eyeMom: Babies and Residency

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Thomas 3 Months

Happy 3 months old to our sweet, little Thomas Joseph! When I think back on this last month, I think of the word "smile". Thomas has learned how to smile and does it so very often! His whole body is taken over from his sweet smile. It can just warm your heart! Thomas has had many firsts this month including meeting his cousins from both sides of the family, visiting daddy at work, venturing out to the grocery store, visiting Kelsey (aka Mrs. Sisk) and her students at FRA and meeting up with various friends for playdates. I guess you could say Mommy was ready to get out of the house! ;)

Thomas continues to sleep so well through the night. During the day, his newborn "sleep all the time" phase has begun to fade. He will nap somewhere between 45 min to an hour and a half. I am working on helping him learn how to fall asleep on his own. He has done very well thus far. This month Thomas has really done a great job learning how to hold his head up while being held. Thomas eats about 6 times a day with his first feeding beginning at 6:30 am. This past month my milk supply has remained very steady! (Praise!) Thomas has already grown out of 3 months clothes wearing 3-6 month - 6 month.

Big brother Andrew has really began to notice his little brother. He loves to come over to kiss on his brother, hold his hand or give him a hug. It just warms this momma's heart! :)

Brothers!

Napping just about anywhere!

Morning smiles!

Uncle Clark came to visit!

Meeting his cousin Hudson who is just weeks younger than Thomas.

Meeting cousins Ellie and Heidi!

Brotherly love!

Big boy holding up his head so well!

Sweet smiles!

Outside time!

First time to the grocery store! Success!

Smiling with mommy!

Loving this warmer weather!

Happy boy!

Snuggles with mommy!

First time visiting daddy at work!

Bath time!

Snuggle time with daddy after a long night shift at the hospital!

Visiting Mrs. Sisk!

Not too crazy about the Bumbo yet...

Love this sweet smile!!

Monday, February 3, 2014

Thomas 2 Months!

Our sweet little Thomas is 2 months old! He is weighing in at 11 lbs 2 oz (50th percentile) and is 22.5 inches long (50th percentile). His 2 month check- up went well. Our doctor was very pleased with his growth and overall happiness. :) This check-up did include Thomas's first set of shots.... :( However, he did great! He cried for about a second and then stopped as soon as I picked him up. I think I was more upset watching than he was.

Thomas continues to be one laid back, content little fella. He is oo-ing and ah-ing along with smiling from ear to ear. Thomas sure does bring us so much joy! He loves to lay around on his play mat, watch big brother run around and sleep. It is definitely a challenge to ensure he gets enough awake time during the day. If I would let him, he would probably sleep all day! Thankfully, he has caught on to his schedule and is now sleeping through the night!! He began doing this at 7 weeks old (just like big brother)!! He goes down at night at 10 pm and wakes up at 6:30 am. With Thomas and Mommy getting a full nights rest, our days have begun to go much more smoothly!

Thomas continues to eat very well. He eats about every 3 hours and knows his schedule very well. I have continued to pump after every feeding that I can. However, my supply has begun to decrease over the past few weeks. I am fortunate enough to have just the right amount Thomas needs for each feeding. When I pump afterwards, I am not accumulating very much. I am just thankful to have what he needs. I still have my goal of nursing for 1 whole year. I cannot control what will happen in the future months, but I am thankful for today's supply.

We are so thankful for our little Thomas and cannot wait to see what God has in store for his sweet little future!

First bath with big brother!

First snow day!

Doing what he does best!

First smiles!!

Loving this sweet little smile!

Hi there!

Just hanging out with big brother Andrew!

If I walk away from Thomas, he normally would fall right to sleep. I thought I would let him walk around with me to keep him awake... As you can see, that didn't really help! hehe

Morning giggles!

Crashing with daddy!

Love seeing Andrew being so proud of his little brother!

Ready for church!

Working on some tummy time!

One of the best feelings on earth- holding your sweet little baby!

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Thomas- 1 month!

Little brother is already 1 month old (as of January 2nd)!!

This little boy brings us so much joy!! Thomas is one happy, laid back, content baby. After having so much success using "Babywise" with Andrew, we started using the same principles with Thomas the first day back home. Eat, wake time, sleep... eat, wake time, sleep... Sums up Thomas's life right now! He has done so well with this routine. By four weeks old, Thomas is already going 6 hour stretches at night! (yay!!) Thomas can sleep in just about any chair, swing or bed. He doesn't require swaddling (like big brother), but has a much more sounds sleep at night if he is swaddled.

Thomas has also done so well with breastfeeding. Unfortunately, I had trouble producing enough milk when breastfeeding Andrew. I had set a goal to feed him until he was 1, but was forced to stop at 6 months. After talking with friends and reading about this process, I learned the more I stimulate the first few months, the more I will produce for my baby. Therefore, I am now pumping after every single feeding!! Is it challenging? YES!! But am I willing to do anything for my children, especially if it benefits their health? YES!! With all this pumping, I sure have accumulated quite a stash in my freezer for future feedings. :)

We have had lots of help during this first month! Daddy had off the whole first week of we were home! (Thank you Vanderbilt!!) Gran, Papa, Jenna and my friend Kelsey have been present or a simple phone call away whenever I have needed them. Unfortunately, my incision sight became infected 6 days after Thomas's birth. It has been a painful, healing process. During this time, I was not able to lift Andrew the first 3 weeks after my surgery. :( Thankfully, our amazing Gran was up and at our house by 6:30 every morning when David left for work. Jenna and Papa also came to help when they could! By the time Thomas was 3 weeks old, I was flying solo at home with only my two boys. Let me just say, two children under 2 is quite the challenge. Fortunately, I have been able to get both boys' naps scheduled at the same time! This 2 hour window helps me so much! Plus, Andrew has been so good! He plays so well independently. He has learned if he wants my attention, he brings toys and books to me while I am breastfeeding or pumping. I am so proud of my sweet Andrew!

For Thomas's 1 month check-up, he weighed in at 9 lbs 1 oz and is measuring 23 inches long. (birth weight- 7 lbs 12 oz, 21 inches long) Praise for a healthy, growing baby! This month has also brought many "firsts" for Thomas- first bath, first bottle, first time napping in his crib, first Christmas, first outings, first time at church.