One Magical Month

It's official... we have a one-month-old! As is typical when you try to get anything done with a one-month-old around, this post is (of course) a day late. It's been one CRAZY crazy month, but he has certainly won us over in a big way!

Life has definitely gotten easier with time, as our seasoned veteran friends and family assured us it would. The first two weeks were the most difficult - he just didn't "get" the whole day vs. night thing, breastfeeding was a challenge, he was fussy more often than he wasn't, we hadn't gotten to know his cries or what soothed him, we were exhausted and our patience was worn pretty thin... it was a recipe for lots of frustration! But over the past two weeks, he has more-or-less settled into a pattern of behavior that is relatively predictable and manageable. I've learned to recognize his cries - hungry vs. gassy vs. I-just-want-mommy-to-hold-me - and have learned what positions he likes to be held in and when he's likely to be soothed by a pacifier... things like that. Getting to know him has not only made him easier to manage, but has done worlds of good for our sanity and patience. When you know what to expect, it's much easier to handle. When you know why he's upset and you know that you can fix it, you feel much more "in control". We spent those first difficult days feeling helpless, and that was part of what made it so tough.

Now we're able to spend more time enjoying each other (as opposed to just co-existing!) which has helped to bring back a sense of normalcy to our lives. One of the toughest adjustments for us was losing that "just us" time, and now that we're better able to manage him, we're getting more of that peaceful, simple, snuggle-on-the-couch time that we were missing in the beginning. One of the most important ingredients of a healthy, happy childhood is having parents with a healthy, happy relationship, so I try hard to make sure that our marriage doesn't get lost in the chaotic shuffle of life with an infant.

We're also able to spend more time enjoying him these days, and marveling at just how perfect and amazing he really is! He's starting to spend more time awake each day, and is showing interest in hanging toys, contrasting colors, flashing lights and music (oh, and the TV!). He loves his pacifier and loves to snuggle on his belly on Mommy or Daddy's chest. He's rarely happy being held in the crook of your arm like a baby - he always wants to be upright and looking around. Nursing has become second nature and he eats like a champ - he hasn't been weighed since his 2-week check up (9 lbs 2 oz), but he's outgrowing his newborn clothes and diapers so I'm quite sure he has topped 10 pounds by now. He's also starting to coo and gurgle which is simply adorable, and is focusing on our faces particularly when we talk to him.

It's been a wild, life-changing ride, but we wouldn't change it for anything - we have a perfect baby boy that we simply adore, and our home is just overflowing with love as we fall head-over-heels for him and deeper in love with each other. It's pretty darn sweet!