Judson - 1 month

Somehow we survived the last month and I can't help but marvel at how quickly it went! Some days were longer and harder than others, but it was definitely easier than the first month with Jacob!

Judd started Zantac for reflux at around 2.5 weeks and I haven't noticed as drastic of an improvement as I did with Jacob. Praying that he gets relief soon or that we can switch to Prevacid at his next appointment.

Judd's weekly appointments this first month were all messed up because he got sick at around 10 days old and then we went in at 2.5 weeks for his reflux, so his 2-week appointment was actually on Monday, 2 days before he was technically 4 weeks old, and his 1 month appointment isn't until he's 6 weeks. But oh well! 

 

Age: 1 month

Height: 22.6" (on Monday)

Weight: 10lbs. (on Monday)

Nicknames: Judd, JudderBug

 

Milestones: In terms of head control, he can hold his head up for a few seconds and move it side to side while being held upright, and can lift it a little bit off the floor during tummy time. Within the past few days I've noticed him batting for toys on his playmat and tracking things/people more. I can tell he recognizes my voice and will even move his head around to "look" for my voice. He's also starting to "coo" which is just the sweetest little thing, and I think we're real close to a smile!

Sleep: For the first 2 weeks, Judd co-slept with me because he just couldn't stand to be away from me. At about 2 weeks we moved him into the rock & play beside our bed, and that's where he is currently. At night he gives us a good 4 hour stretch at the beginning (~9:30-2) and then wakes to eat every 2-3 hours, so we're usually up 2x each night. During the day he sleeps best in my arms, but that obviously isn't doable when it's just me here. So I just started a schedule and have been putting him down for naps in the rock & play in our room, will update next month on how that's going since it's literally been 2 days. Overall though, Judd is a much more active and noisy sleeper compared to Jacob. Lots of grunting, whining and sometimes crying in his sleep, so we're getting used to distinguishing between real cries and sleep cries, but I'd have to say he's a better sleeper than Jacob too. 

Eating: He's eating every 2-3 hours during the day and anywhere from 2-4 hours at night. Seems like he just recently went through a growth spurt because he was eating every 1.5 hours there for 1-2 days. Exhausting for a breastfeeding mama!

Clothes size: moving into 0-3 month 

Diaper size: size 1

 

Teeth: none 

Favorite toy: I guess his playmat at this point? He also loves staring at all the pictures on our wall and the ceiling fan.

Likes: his mama!, diaper changes (unless he's too cold), nursing and bath time

Dislikes: being cold or being touched by cold hands, being put down when held, dirty diapers and when he has to burp

Personality: Kinda hard to tell at this point, but I definitely think he's gonna be my mama's boy.

Best moment: Judd had a big first month! Between Christmas and New Years, he's celebrated two months and two years already!

Worst moment: Around 1.5 weeks, Judd got his first cold. Big brother brought it home from school and infected little brother. Judd had a runny nose and congestion and it broke my heart! We had to do saline + suction several times a day to get all the mucus out and he was still pretty miserable. But he never spiked a fever and we never had to take him to the ER, although there was a night I was worried about his breathing and called our pediatrician after hours. I'm already so sick of flu/cold season, and looking forward to spring time and Judd getting his 2-month shots to help protect him!

Looking forward to: getting more sleep and starting to establish a routine/schedule, and spring time!

How is Jacob adjusting?: he's doing better than expected- he never gets mad at Judd, but I can tell he's acting out (throwing things, acting wild, dumping all his toys out) to get attention, which I really can't blame him. Josh and I try to make a point to sit and play with him when we're off baby duty.

A few more pictures from our photo shoot today...

 

Here's some random pictures from the first month...

first Christmas, someone had fun!

meeting cousin Autumn for the first time

 

Jacob - 1 month

Age: 1 month
Height: 21.85" (67%)
Weight: 10lbs 12oz (75%)
Milestones: Jacob is able to hold his head up really well, especially when being held or laying on someone's stomach.  He just recently started reacting to laughing, smiling and kisses.  He loooves kisses from his mama, and I think a real smile will come very soon!
Sleep: Up until 3 days ago, Jacob would only sleep at night when being held - as soon as we would lay him down, he would start fussing - so Josh and I had been splitting the nights (4 hours each) on the recliner holding him.  During the day, however, Jacob would nap in several different spots, including the Sleep & Play Rocker from Emma, but never the pack & play (I don't think he likes being flat on his back).  So 3 days ago we decided to really commit ourselves to getting him to sleep in our room in the Sleep & Play Rocker at night, so we started a bedtime routine (bath, PJs, feed, book, rock, bed) and swaddling (which I thought he hated) and he is finally sleeping independently!  Some nights are better than others, but it's so nice to sleep in my own bed with Josh!
Eating: Jacob is eating like a champ!  He eats about every 2-3 hours during the day, and 3-4 hours at night.  About 2 weeks ago he started fussing really bad during feedings, which I originally thought was a dairy allergy, so I cut out as much dairy as I could (milk, yogurt, cheese, etc.)  The fussing continued, along with what seemed like choking, so I then decided it was an over supply and/or fast letdown issue.  I started pumping 1-2oz before each feeding and that has helped tremendously!  I'm now trying to decide if I should continue to avoid dairy, or slowly re-incorporate some and see what happens.  We'll see.
Clothes size: Officially in 0-3 clothes.  Thank goodness because I didn't have many newborn outfits!
Diaper size: Size 1
Best Moment:  These few weeks have been such a blessing, so it's really hard to narrow it down to 1 best moment.  But, if I HAD to list only 1 - it would be 2 nights ago when he slept 12 hours (9-9) with only 3 feedings.  That morning I thought to myself, "he's not a newborn anymore."  And sadly enough, he's not!  He's officially a 1-month old!
Worst Moment: I still laugh thinking back to our first night home from the hospital - how dumb Josh and I were!  We literally laid Jacob down in his pack & play and just thought he'd go straight to bed.  No rocking, no white noise, no swaddle, no bath, no nothing!!!  Needless to say, we didn't sleep AT ALL that night and Jacob was probably wishing he was still in the hospital nursery.  HAHA!  We've definitely learned from that experience.  I also want to mention that his 2-week growth spurt was pretty terrible, too.  No one ever told us about growth spurts, so when Jacob was suddenly eating every hour and SCREAMING between feedings, Josh and I were really freaked out!  We spent 48 hours nursing constantly, and didn't get any sleep.  Thankfully we survived, and are anxiously awaiting his 6-week growth spurt. :)
Teeth: None yet, thankfully!  Not sure how I feel about breastfeeding with teeth?!?!
Looking forward to: Taking Jacob out more, introducing a bottle so I can get out more, my 6-week check-up so I can start working out, and general growth!

This first month has taught me so much about myself, Josh, our relationship and life in general.  It has definitely been much harder than I ever imagined, but so much more rewarding!  Even after a night of screaming and crying, I look at Jacob and can't help but smile.  He's the best thing that's ever happened to us, and we are so so so glad to have him!  As precious as this first month has been, we're definitely looking forward to the future - when he will start laughing and smiling and cooing.  This first month has been alot of "giving" without a lot of "getting", so I'm really looking forward to getting a little back from him (I hope that doesn't sound selfish).

The dogs are adjusting really well, I don't think they're even bothered by the crying anymore.  You can tell Maverick is very protective over Jacob, always sitting next to him and kissing him.  Schatzi is a little more reserved and timid, but she's starting to warm up to him and I think she'll be a great big sister when the time comes.  I can't wait til Jacob is old enough to interact with them, it will be fun to see the dogs' reactions then!  So many people told me that the dogs would be pushed to the back burner after Jacob arrived, and while the amount of attention and lovies they receive has decreased, I still love them so much and try to give them as much attention as I possibly can.  They're sleeping on either side of me as we speak.

Overall, I'm just thankful we survived the first month!  I love my husband so much, and am sooo thankful for all his help, support and patience.  The hormones running through my body are out of control, and unfortunately he receives alot of the backlash, but I seriously could not do this without him.  Hopefully as things "settle down" and I get into more of a rhythm and schedule, I'll be able to blog more about day to day happenings.

Love,
Kate