Celebrations:
~ Breastfeeding...yes I can actually say we made it over the hump and feedings are going well!! I never thought the day would come to be completely honest. It has been difficult for me and in the beginning for Eli to figure out this crazy thing...they say "breast is best", but I will be very honest and say there have been moments where I've just wanted to stop...move on to formula...and give up. I've just been reminding myself that feeding is such a special time for Eli and I to bond and get that extra cuddle time, breastfeeding has SO many health benefits for the both of us, and I am giving him a fantastic start to healthy eating habits :) What a crazy thing to think the flavors change depending on my diet. The human body is an amazing thing! Just a side note to jog my memory in the future (You can stop drinking caffeine...you did it during the time in your life when you were getting the least amount of sleep!!! YOU CAN DO IT)
~Bottle feeding.... also going great! He does fantastic switching back and forth, I've been pumping and Jared has been feeding one more way for them to bond and enjoy some snuggles!
~ Sleeping...once he is asleep (yes he fights sleep like a toddler) he is going 4 hour blocks of time with a feeding in between at night time. We are still trying to shift these blocks of time from 5-9pm and 9-1pm to 8-12 and 12-4am :) Day by day Eli is making this idea of a routine a bit more manageable for Jared and I. We are working on moving into the crib bit by bit (one-ish nap a day)...Yes he is almost 2 months and NO he is not in his crib. This momma thinks it is important for our rest and daily functioning that he "rooms in" with us and at times co-sleeps with us like we did for the first month or so! Sleep is cherished with an infant...I mean even an extra minute helps the day go more smoothly.
~ Playing...Eli enjoys playtime more and more everyday! I know he especially enjoys listening to music of any kind!! He LOVES our ceiling fans it is hilarious to watch him squeal and smile when we turn them on! The high contrast black and white books and pictures we have are also a favorite of his. This also includes his "big brother" Kobe. Who knew having a black and white dog would be beneficial to our infants eye and brain development!! He tracks Kobe when he is playing on the floor as he walks by it is fantastic. He is playing for 2 hour blocks or so then needs a quick rest and gets up ready for more. This is especially fun when daddy gets him smiling HUGE smiles...hilarious to watch Jared figure out the "funny" things. Just to name a few...pretend sneezes (aaaachoo), the word poop (but you have to draw out the "ooooo" and really emphasize the "p"), and laughing out loud.
~Tummy time...he does great...now its just our job to remember to do it 3-4 times a day!!
~Pooping... :) yes the things we celebrate as parents. Eli in the 3-5 week range began only pooping 2 times a day which was surprising to us because he had been pooping 6-7 times a day and he seemed really uncomfortable. SO we made a few trips to the chiropractor (Dr. Frankie Hutchinson at Manhattan Family Chiropractic is amazing, helpful, and most of all works so well with Eli and is a fantastic resource for us!) I had read in the past about babies who are fussy, "colicky" or just uncomfortable because of gas in the tummy having success from chiropractic adjustments so we went for it. No harm can come from it so we thought why not, I have been going to the chiropractor since I was 12 and I feel fabulous after an adjustment. Dr. Frankie explained every detail to us even down to the amount of pressure they use on infants. It is no more than the amount of pressure you would use to dent a tomato with your finger. AMAZING it worked immediately..Eli returned to pooping 5-6times a day was much easier to sooth and the gas was passing (sounding much more like an adult man than an infant) much easier! We returned for a follow up a week or so later and he checked his adjustment and again Eli literally passed gas immediately. Hilarious really to watch. So successful pooping and passing gas has continued and we have a much more comfortable baby which is the main goal!! :)
Things we are working on:
~riding in the car seat....LEAST FAVORITE PLACE IN THE WORLD FOR ELI! When I say least I mean it. It is so sad to listen to him cry in the backseat and not be able to do anything about it, but just keep driving (just keep swimming, swimming, swimming). So we are working on just spending some time in it each day just in small amounts. Luckily he won't be traveling far in the car when I go back to work each day. It's about a 5 min trip for us.
~bath times...again not a time that Eli loves just yet, but he definitely will someday I know Jared and I cherish the hot showers we get to take now!! We are trying different things, but really open to any suggestions!!
~ Sleeping...not Eli, Jared and I :) I think this will be on the "working on" list for a while!
Some pictures from the last month or so...he has already changed SOOOOO much :) ENJOY!!!
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| the Swafford side of the family |
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| love this one with Auntie Sarah! |
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| belly button! woop woop |
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| Skype time with the floating head- Auntie Sarah |
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| reading time with momma |
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| 1month 10 lbs 22.25inches |
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| Father's Day 2012 |
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| MMMM |
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| "What are those things?" |
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| sitting up with support! SO big :) |
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| Family photo |
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| "our little firecracker" |
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| "Baby I'm a firework"-yes my mom is crazy |
With love & laughter
Beka, Jared & Baby Eli
