One Month Old!

The tiny fellow is growing like a weed! It's been a big month of adjustments for us all but I feel like every week we get through, things get a tiny bit easier. It's amazing how different #2 is compared to #1. Way less anxiety! Most of the time I feel like I've got a handle on the situation as far as caring for Bear's life needs, which is great. If only I didn't also have a toddler to balance with Bear, things would be pretty easy peasy. C'est la vie.

*A Note: Joe is massively busy and we've had a lot of visitors so he hasn't gotten a chance to edit the pictures he took yet so I'm just going to put in some placeholders for now. *

Approximate stats:
9lbs 3oz (weighed at the River Falls Hospital's Baby Cafe)
At least 22 inches
No sign of hair loss yet.
Eyes are lightening up a bit and still blue

The Good

Bear is a pretty laid back baby unless he is hungry. He loves to roll onto his side and that is his preferred sleeping position. He has rolled from tummy to back several times, which terrifies me. He's very strong and can lift and turn his head. He's very alert and likes to stare at lights and windows. He's starting to add more sounds to his repertoire instead of solely crying. He's been a champ at breastfeeding from the get go so there have been no food or weight concerns like with Z, which has been nice.

The Bad

The worst as far as Bear is concerned was worrying over his jaundice and having to use the billiblanket, which, in the grand scheme of things really isn't that bad considering what other terrible possibilities could exist. However, I hated that stupid thing and believe strongly that it should not be called a "blanket" since a plastic light sheet thing with a giant, heavy cord is not remotely like a blanket.

The hardest thing in general for me is how to best care for Z when I have a baby wanting to nurse every couple hours. That's been a real challenge for me.  I feel guilty about not spending enough time with Z or focused on him but I know that we all just have to get used to this new family dynamic where Z is not the center of our world anymore. I also feel guilty toward Bear because, unlike Z's newborn days, I don't spend hours letting him nap on me or carrying him around all the time because I need to attend to Z as well. I know this will get easier as Bear becomes more independent, but this first month has been tough, and I'm guessing the next couple will be as well.

This first month of breastfeeding has been going well, but not perfectly or easily, that is for sure. All I can say is OUCH! But it's getting better. We're learning to latch without pain and I'm experiencing less pain in general. Again, the toughest part is entertaining Z while Bear eats (and takes his sweet time).

THE AWESOME

I can never be thankful enough for my healthy kids. Sure, we have tiny hiccups here and there but the fact is we are completely blessed. Bear is so healthy and adorable. I'm looking forward to getting to know who he is. Infants are cute and squishy, but they are not very interesting. I know now that this little squish is going to turn into a unique and fascinating little person and I can't wait to see that start to unfold.

I feel like I need to say thank you again to all the people who have helped and supported us through this first month, sent us gifts, brought us food, texted, called and just been awesome. It was really appreciated and made things so much easier.