4 Weeks Old

Today marks Liam's 4th week! I cant believe it!! I feel like the first week doesnt even count--after 4 days in the hospital and 2 days stuck on the bili-blanket at home, we didnt have our baby home and off machines until the 7th day. Anyways, I wanted to write a bit about what my son is doing these days so I can remember.

4 Weeks today!!

Dear Liam,
Today you are 4 weeks old! Everyday with you is so amazing! Breastfeeding is going pretty well. You love to eat! We are still using the nipple shield, which bums Momma out. We are trying to nurse without it, but you only latch for a few sucks, then get frustrated. You currently like to nurse for about 10 minutes and fall deep asleep before you've had your fill. And of course, you wake up within an hour and want more. At night before Mom and Dad go to bed (around 11:30), you get a 4-5 ounce bottle of breast milk, your nighttime cloth diaper (lotus bumz pocket with hemp soaker), and you get rocked to sleep by Momma. You usually wake again to eat around 4am, and again at 7. Lately, Daddy has been getting up with you around 8 when you fuss, and rocks you back to sleep. Dad goes to work, and you and I wake up for the day around 9:30.

Proud Daddy :)

You love the swing! Anything with constant motion you are digging right now. Many times while Momma is cooking, you  hang out in your swing in the kitchen. You also love your rocker chair to sleep in when you are gassy at night. Momma can reach you from her bed to sooth you if needed. You also enjoy your play mat. You love looking at the patterns and colors! You unintentionally hit the toys which surprises you  and makes Momma laugh.

SMILES!!

You smile when we play with you and even laugh in your sleep. You are so expressive it's unreal! Daddy says you get his looks, but Mama's expressions! Momma's favorite is when you purse your lips together as if to whistle. You can melt Mama's heart in a second when you push out your bottom lip as if to pout. Hopefully you don't realize the effect this has on Mama, or you will probably get your way an awful lot! You love to snuggle and fall asleep on Momma. You especially love being tummy to tummy with her! You even lift your head to look around and look at the windows or other light sources.

I just cant handle this lip!! Agh! So precious!

You are growing so fast! You already are out of all newborn clothing, and with your cloth diapers, some 0-3 month are hard to snap. You seem to have a long torso, and short legs--maybe the diapers make it look that way? We haven't been to the doctor yet to know your stats, but Daddy weighed you at home, and you are a whoppin' 11 lbs 4 oz! That's up almost 2lbs from birth! You are beginning to lose your baby hair, and Momma hopes it grows back quick. She was didn't have hair for along time! Everyone comments on how adorable you are! And Daddy's family thinks you are the spitting image of him! We cant wait to see what the next few weeks bring!

Love,
Momma

Newborn Must Haves: Weeks 1-3

YAY for photo collages!! I love doing these--when I actually get the time! :) 

I have been so excited to get to do these "must-haves" and "favorites" posts!! So while little man is sleeping behind me on his playmat (#7) I figured now would be a great time!

1. I haven't braved the breastfeeding in public thing yet. I think it will be easier once Liam can hold his head up, and we are off the nipple shield. So I pump when I know we will be out longer than he can go without eating. We use the Breastflow bottles, which I absolutely love! They are more nipple/boob like and he takes his time drinking, which helps with his gas.

2. When we got home from the hospital and we had to keep Liam on the UV-blanket for his jaundice, we had to keep him comfy while it was wrapped around him 24-7. He slept in this Fisher-Price Infant to Toddler Rocker, which has a kickstand to keep from rocking. When the kickstand is being used, it is almost like a mini-bassinet. So now, during his really fussy/gassy nights, he still sleeps in here where he is sitting up more. It is next to my side of the bed, where I can just reach over and comfort him without getting out of bed.

3. I cannot say enough about cloth diapering!!! We used disposables until his umbilical stump fell off since the cloth were a bit higher in the rise, and I was not about to buy any newborn cloth diapers. Right now our favorites include the Flip covers, Lotus Bumz pockets with hemp insert for overnight, and the Thirsties Duo Covers. With the disposables, we leaked out all.the.time! But since switching, we haven't had any leaks!! This really helps with his clothes laundry! 

4. Wellements Gripe Water! This really helps us at nighttime! Liam hates burping...I really think he holds them in on purpose...ok, maybe not. But seriously, this kid really doesn't burp well. And of course, he makes is discomfort known late at night. So, we have found that 2.0ml of this organic gripe water helps us make it through the night. Thank goodness!

5. I love my water!! Plus when you breastfeed, you have to keep up your fluid intake even more! The Contigo Fliptop Straw is of my all time favorite water bottles! I also enjoy using the gigantic cup I got from the hospital.

6. Medela Nipple Shield. One of the very unfortunate things I learned from my doula was I apparently have too small of nipples to easily breastfeed my son. Luckily they make these handy-dandy nipple shields. I use the contact version so there is as much skin to skin as we can get. They aren't the most convenient things, but it is more convenient than buying formula. Plus, they help shape my nipples along with the nipple shells I have just started using. So hopefully we will be able to eventually stop using both things all together!

7. I love the Infantino Jungle Buddies Playmat! We have a small house, and this mat is compact and can easily fold up. I like that I can have Liam hang out on his mat while I am doing other things around the house. He loves to look at the contrasting colors right now, plus it is easily washable if need be. 

8. I do pump when we go out for longer periods of time, as well as if I am feeling really "full". I found this Avent Manual Pump on clearance at Walmart (for 20 bucks!) and figured I buy it just to have on hand. Well, turns out I really love it! I think eventually I will have to get an electric, but I would love to stick to the Avent brand, super comfy--if that's possible for a breast pump. lol

9. I use these Green Mountain Prefold Diapers as both cloth diapers and burp rags. I love these! First off, I tried putting the diapers around Liam and securing with a snappi, but it turned out I didn't like it as much as must placing it tri-folded as an insert into the cover. Anyways, these are so absorbent and get even more so with every wash! I currently have 12 newborn size and 24 small size.

10. This is where Liam sleeps. We got the Evenflo "Gears" play yard. At first, we were using the changer that it comes with, but I found it too low, and it hurt my back. I like the feature, but I prefer our new set up. (old desk with changing pad in Liam's bedroom) We have him sleep with the bassinet part installed, so he is closer to the top and easier to reach. This may sound silly, but I did pick this pattern because it matched the red in our bedroom. :)

One more thing, that I forgot to put on the collage, we use the gumdrop pacifier. This was something we agreed never to use...and well...the first night home, Liam was screaming and we couldn't figure out why. Me, having terrible sleep for 3 days in the hospital and 4 days prior while in labor was desperate. And...it worked like a charm! Now, I try not to use it unless he is really really fussy, usually just at night or if we are out in public. He doesn't wake wanting it, or keep it in his mouth consistently, so far at least...  Hopefully he wont become attached to it. I guess time will tell.

Labor Update 2

So, my labor stalled around noon today, but there was a lot going on around me, and it was definitely distracting. I had a few contractions, but nothing compared to what I had been having. They still were just as intense and painful, however, not in any sort of pattern. At 2:00 I tried taking a nap in the recliner, and managed to fall asleep for about 30 minutes. I woke up extremely disappointed since I thought everything had stopped. I messaged my doula and told her what was up. She said that my body probably needed a break, and to make sure I ate a protein snack/meal and try to relax/sleep again. I ate, and Billie gave me an amazing foot rub while I was laying in my cool dark room. A few hours later, I began having a few contractions again (yay!) I didn't time them, but they were definitely more patterned. I was hungry again and decided to make some rice and veggies for dinner. It was so tasty! After dinner (about 8pm) my doula called again to check on me. I mentioned that I thought things were starting to pick back up since the sun was setting. She recommended for me to take a light walk and get settled in for the night. I have since walked and took a nice long shower. And here I am...about to crawl into bed time some contractions and read or just plain pass out. I have to admit, my body is tired, my brain on the other hand...has other ideas. We'll see who wins out. Hopefully my next post will be when I have my little boy in my arms! :)