Tea & Fleur De lis : December 2014

Happy 2 Months sweet buddy!!

I cannot believe how fast these months have gone!! I remember thinking those first few weeks, "I am not going to survive. I need sleep. I cant do this." But then telling myself, "it will get better, it is not always going to be this hard. Take it one day at a time and remember this too shall pass." Man o man there have been good days and bad. But all in all I am beyond obsessed with and head over heels in love with this sweet little guy. I cannot imagine my life without him and I cannot imagine loving a tiny person more. Do not get me wrong, there are plenty of days where being a stay at home mom is that hardest thing I have ever done. But no matter what, when Harrison gives me that big old smile or talks to me, it all goes away. And all that matters is this little baby. This little guy who needs me to make his world go round. And in the process he makes my world go round. I cannot tell you how much fun he is now. During his second month there are so many things that have changed, I just hope I can put them all into words for y'all!!

Here are some bullet points about Harrison's second month of life:

- Weighing in at 13lbs 15oz

- He is 24 inches long

- He discovered and is obsessed with ceiling fans. They can be on or still, but they rock his world!

- He loves baths. He doesn't always love the drying off and getting dressed part. I have noticed that if we get him warm and dry before laying him on the bed that helps. Also having a binky handy. He enjoys being sung too, our current song sessions are me making up songs to Christmas music. I cant tell if he smiles are my lyrics or "amazing" voice....

- He is obsessed with his letter wall and talks to them when he gets his diapers changed. He likes to be naked so I let him hang lose if it has been substantial time post nursing and he has had a solid full diaper.

- He has become the mostly smiley baby. It is amazing how he recognizes Chris and I an just gets this big old gummy smile. It melts my heart and takes my breath away every single time. I don't think I will ever get used to it!!

- Dr. O says he has the neck strength of a 6 month old. And man o man is he strong! If he kicks and you move into it hurts, when he gets a grip on your finger he doesn't let go.

- He is mostly a happy baby and seems to really appreciate being on a schedule, see below for talks of our schedule.

- On Tuesdays we go to bath time babies swim class

- Harrison took his first road trip. We went to Houston for Thanksgiving. He did great!!

- He survived his 2 month shots with no reactions or fever. Phew! What a releif for mommy and daddy

- He met the big guy aka Santa! He was not sure what to make of him. I think he did not appreciate Santa's beard. He didn't cry, but he most definitely didn't smile... See pictures below

- Grandpa, Uncle Paul, and Aunt Sue all came to Dallas to meet Harrison. He was instantly smitten and in love with his Grandpa! It was mutual!

Around thanksgiving, when we were in Houston he began only having one night waking for a nursing session, then back to sleep. It was amazing how much that change really benefited us as a family. We were all much happier and well rested.

Our schedule is:

(disclaimer: I keep to this time frame within the hour or 30 minutes. Some days he isn't interested in eating then, or he is sleeping, or he wants to eat a little sooner. I have learned to go with the flow and except that is is not going to be exactly the same each day. But I do keep it as close to the desired time as possible. Man parenting has made me flexible, I wouldn't go as far as to say I am no longer type A though... hehe)

- Wake around 7am

- Social time for 15-30mins

- Nurse 730am

- Read/Play/Talk/Activity mat for 15-30mins. Depending on when he starts to show signs of tiredness.

- Swaddle and Nap in swing from 8/830-10/1030. It is usually a good 2 hours. This is the time that I get things done, pump-clean-wrap Christmas presents-wash dishes-fold laundry-etc...

- Nurse 1030am

- Get dressed and hang in the solly wrap for little and then we run our daily errand. Unless it is yucky weather, then we snuggle on the couch

- 130 Nurse

- 3pm take the pup dog on a walk and distract baby from wanting to eat

- We begin out cluster feeding at 4pm. Nurse 4pm. We have found that if he stuff him he sleeps better.

- 430ish Daddy comes home

- 6 cluster feed session #2. Nurse 6pm.

- Cook dinner as a family after Harrison finishes nursing at 6

- I take a shower shortly after his 6pm nursing or after dinner. Then Chris takes Liuzza on a walk. If I am lucky I get a bath. A bath where the baby is not crying and I can enjoy it.

- Bath or butt wash (depending on the night) begins around 745/8. Also depends on how Harrison is and how his day went.

- Once he has been lotioned, massaged, and covered in lavender Christopher gives him his bottle that I pumped that morning. I pump while they bond and freeze what I pumped.

- Chris has been giving him the first 4 ounces and I finish up with 1-2 more.

- We then swaddle him and put him in his bassinet. This is usually around 830-930.

- Once he is down we both take full advantage of sleep and climb into bed until he wakes us up again.

- He wakes up for his night nursing around 3-330am. Knock on wood he would go back to sleep pretty easily after being nursed.

- He wakes up around 7 and we begin again!!

We are off to Louisiana for my cousin Ryan's wedding in Lafayette and 2 weeks home in NOLA. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!!

Here is a glance at some of his second month: