The Family Cold

So first it was Curly that got snuffly, then Nutella, and now me. We all have the same icky cold. Thankfully, Curly seems to be the furthest through it and is back to sleeping in longer chunks at night. The two days after the shots though? Those were awful. We had him on baby ty.lenol every 4-6 hours, but the effects of the shots and the cold made him extremely fussy and clingy and wakeful all through the night. It’s so hard to get through periods like that, but thankfully we appear to be on the other side now. And this morning it seemed like he was actually enjoying the snot sucker. lol. My advice? Try turning everything, even nasal aspiration, into a game.

We did have some fun this weekend though. We went to an art show, to lunch with a friend, and to the zoo. I thought it would be really hard to go places with a baby before we had him, but it’s turned out to be easier than expected. He tends to nap a lot in his sling or stroller, and when he’s not, he’s very interested in his surroundings…remaining wide-eyed and quietly alert for up to an hour. He always flirts with our friends, flashing smiles and staring at their faces. He’s such a joy to show off. Usually when he gets fussy when we’re out, it’s because he’s overstimulated and getting him to nap fixes it. And we’ve found it’s easiest to change and feed him in the car right when we get to where we’re going and/or before we leave.

rock on

Interested in the red panda

Tuckered out with stuffed panda

sniff, snort, snot

Just in time for his 2 month appt (held a few days early because the Dr. is on vacation next week), Curly developed a case of the snotty sniffles.  No fever, and he doesn’t seem terribly bothered by it, but he sounds so sad when he sniffs and snorts.  Although he didn’t sleep well last night, waking us every 2 hours instead of giving us his longer 4-5 hour stretches. We’ve been treating him as recommended with liberal use of the snot sucker (nasal aspirator), some homemade saline drops, and keeping him in the steamy bathroom with me when I shower.  The doctor wasn’t concerned at his appointment today.

The first part of the appointment was uneventful.  Curly is a big healthy boy.  He’s gained a full 2 lbs since his last visit on June 2, putting him at 12 lbs 4 oz.   Length is 23.5 inches, head circumference 39cm. Somewhere in the 75th percentile for all of them.  According to our copy of  “Your baby week to week,”  he’s the size and weight of an average 3 month old.  We are just about ready to switch him to the medium gDiapers and we need to go through his clothes again to remove the things he’s outgrown.  His dosage of baby Z@ntac has also been increased to accommodate his weight gain.

Today he got his first round of vaccinations with 2 shots.  We dosed him with some Tylen*l before the appointment because we’ve read that a fever is common after receiving them. He got a combined DTaP/ HiB /polio called Pent@cel and a single pneumococcal.  Poor guy was SHOCKED and HORRIFIED.  The nurse was very quick and before he’d even taken a breath after his first scream, she was all done.  I was ready and waiting to put him to my breast and he latched right on and calmed down.  He certainly does have a fair red headed-like complexion.  His whole head turned bright red when he screamed.  For now, he’s drowsy and I hope he won’t suffer too much from these vaccinations.  No more until his 4 month appointment.  For me (needlephobic, remember?), these 2 quick shots were much easier to deal with than the horrible drawn out heel pricks for his PKU test when he was only a few days old.  As a reward for being such a good boy, Curly was sent on his way with these:

Battle wounds

Rockin & rollin

We put Curly on his tummy two evenings ago, and minutes later, he had rolled onto his back and looked mildly stunned. He hasn’t done it again since, but it was very exciting for all. He also rolls onto his side when we place him on his back.

He’s found his hands and fingers and frequently puts them in his mouth. It definitely keeps him busy while he’s waiting on getting his diaper changed or before/after breastfeeding. He responds to our smiles and babytalk with his own smiles and makes funny coos and squawks when he’s amused. We notice he’s becoming more of a “baby” than a newborn and it’s pretty exciting.

Unfortunately, the poor boy has to suffer through his first set of vaccinations on Thursday. Really not looking forward to that. We are delaying the less important ones, but it’s still a lot for anyone to go through. Hopefully our big boy will get through it ok, and we’re anxious to see just how big he is now.

Mirror Curly

how YOU doin?

Baby’s first visit to the lawyer

Our appointment with the lawyer yesterday to complete the second parent adoption paperwork was quick and easy. All forms are signed and we have provided some pictures of us, Curly, and our families for the judge, having been able to get the home visit and reference letters waived. Our lawyer is pretty sure our court date will be in late July or early August, whereupon we will spend some of the day with other gay couples in the same position and celebrate when the judge approves all of our adoptions. We’re looking forward to it!

Curly slept through most of his visit with the lawyer, and then later in the evening, we had a yummy dinner at Outback Steakhouse and he slept through most of that, too. Unfortunately, it’s been a harder week with regards to his night time sleep patterns. Sometimes it’s a 5-hour stretch, but for a couple nights in a row, it’s been back to 2-3. Backsliding is hard, but we have to remind ourselves it won’t be like this for too much longer.

sailing along

Not much to report over here.  Things are starting to fall into a natural rhythm.  Curly continues to be cute and demanding, but is getting better at sleeping during the night.  Sometimes 5 or 6 hour stretches, which is great for sleeping, but not so great for the breastfeeding boobies!

We have an appointment with our lawyer for Thursday morning to finalize the paperwork for Strawberry’s 2nd parent adoption.  Once it’s complete, it could be as little as 6 weeks before Curly legally has 2 mommies.  As much of a pain in the ass as it is, we are so thankful that it’s possible for us.

Without further ado… cute pictures!

Supermodel!

chillin' on the couch

And they call it puppy love

Snug in my nest

6 weeks for me and baby

My 6 week postpartum appointment with the midwives was Thursday. I got the green light to resume all previous activities, but was told to be gentle with myself because it should still take some time to get back to normal. Really great news is I’m back to within 11 pounds of my pre-pregnancy weight and now I’m allowed to start exercising again. With my stretch marks and everything, I’m not going to be “bikini-ready” this summer, but I have hopes for the future.

One thing that I haven’t mentioned on the blog about my postpartum  recovery is that I suffered some nerve damage in my feet and lower legs as a result of the epidural, prolonged labor & pushing while in stirrups. Immediately after birth, both of my legs were very swollen as well as numb and tingly. I could barely walk even with support. Things improved over the next few days, but by one week postpartum, I still had reduced sensation, pins & needles, and reduced range of motion in my left foot. I kept seeing my chiropractor after pregnancy and he thought I might have some nerve damage and referred me to a neurologist. I had an EMG (runs electrical current through your nerves & muscles) and was diagnosed with damage to my common peroneal nerve (which runs from the outside of your knee down to your foot). I’ve been in physical therapy for two weeks, twice a week, and doing my own exercises every day and have begun to see improvement in my range of motion, but the numbness and tingling will have to eventually go away on their own, which the doctors think will happen.

I have to say, that of all of the symptoms and side effects of pregnancy and birth, this is not one I had ever heard of or expected. It has been very frustrating to deal with. For the first few days at home, I couldn’t even carry Miles up and down the stairs safely. I’m very grateful that it’s my left foot that is affected so that I can still drive. Arranging child care for Miles while I go to appointments has been a hassle, but I’m very glad we have family close by so that I’m able to do it.

Yesterday marked 6 weeks for Curly. He has certainly come a long way. On average, he gives us 7 hours of sleep at night broken up into 3-4 hour chunks. He smiles and sometimes laughs. He’s outgrown some of his first outfits, which we are now passing along to the other couples we know with babies on the way. He has become more interactive with his toys, like the bouncer and the playmat, and likes to stare at shapes, lines, and faces. He’s also able to lift his chest up with his arms when he’s on his belly. He does well in groups of people, as he tends to fall asleep in the sling. He’s definitely much easier and fun to deal with on a day to day basis now.

Naked tummy time

Oooh toy

Sweet sleeper

The elusive smile

Ladies and gents (but mostly ladies I’m sure), we have achieved a milestone. Curly…smiles! It started happening a couple days ago and was unmistakable last night, when Nutella & I sang songs to Curly and he smiled on and off throughout. They are difficult to get pictures of, but I have a couple gems below. It’s so entirely rewarding to get to this point.

We were at a baby shower this past weekend and as my good friend was opening her presents, I thought about what we found to be highly useful, sometimes life-saving products in these past few weeks. Since there have been some awesome BFP’s in the blog world recently, as well as many expectant moms, I’ll list them out here in case anyone is interested.

Pacifiers (specifically NUK): We weren’t planning on using these until a few weeks passed, hearing so much negativity against them, but they are freaking lifesavers. As soon as Curly came out of the womb, all he wanted to do is suck…even when he wasn’t hungry. It’s still all he wants to do much of the time. These truly do “pacify” him and we’d be at our wit’s end without them. Use them. Early. Often.

Sleep positioner: At first, I thought this thing was dumb when someone gave it to us. But after only 3 days, I was digging it out of the closet. It helps elevate a baby’s head (the ones that have a mesh pillow), and when you need to lay your baby slightly on its side while swaddled, to help with reflux/spit-up, this keeps them there safely.

The Ultimate Baby Wrap: This is my personal favorite baby wrap. I’ve also tried the maya and the bjorn with lumbar support, but this one is the most comfortable for both me and the baby. It’s lightweight, stretchable jersey material, and though the downside is that it takes a while to put on, once it’s on, it keeps the baby snug and secure. Can be worn 5 ways, although we mostly use 2. 100% adjustable for whoever’s wearing it, although if you’re short & thin, you’re going to be wrapping a bit more material around yourself.

A squishy bath pillow (like this from SummerInfant): Since Curly loves the bath and our backs were hurting from  holding him up the first couple times, this thing was awesome. He can lay in it for a long time while we bath him and he just loves it and finds it so comfortable.

Boppy lounger: Good for only about 3 weeks, but during that time, it was great to have a specific place to put him while we went to the kitchen or the bathroom for a few minutes.

Yoga ball: Still a lifesaving device. Babies love bouncing and this helps you do it efficiently and for a long time. Great for burping him, and great for your abs, too!

White noise machine: Great for keeping the baby asleep, and for hiding small sounds they make in their sleep that do not necessarily mean they’re waking up.

Laptop table, laptop and wireless internet: A breastfeeding woman’s best friend.

Little chunk

Today was our 1 month well baby appointment for Curly.  I took him solo for the first time and we did pretty well, I think.  After having his height, weight and head circumference measured, he was happy as a clam to hang out on the exam table/ scale wearing only his diaper and waiting for the Dr.  Until he let go with a huge poop.  Then he started screaming and I held him to calm him down.  I knew the Dr. would want to remove his diaper during the exam and take a look, so I wanted to wait on the diaper change.  I was right.  In fact, after I told her about our problems with painful reflux, she asked to take the poopy diaper to examine it for traces of blood in the stool.  Fortunately, it came back all free of traces so we seem to be dealing with good old fashioned reflux.  Miles is very healthy, gaining weight, and growing taller,  just as he should for 1 month. And holding his head up better than expected, too.  I now have baby Z@ntac for him to take 2 times a day to help eliminate the pain of his reflux.  We hope this will help him (and us) because it’s been awful on the occasions when we hear his painful cries and screams, see him arching his back, kicking his legs, and pulling off the breast while nursing.

Now for the stats!

Weight: 10lbs 5 oz
Height: 23 inches
Head: 37 cm

Wow, that would certainly explain why he is growing out of some of his earliest outfits and why the car seat is so difficult to carry!  Go Super Curly!

Super Miles!