The Life of Rob & Jess Plus Two: The First Two Weeks

Well, we made it through the first two weeks as a family of three! It has been filled with many adventures! My mom was home with us the first week and Robert took a week and a half off as well. My sister Kate has been able to stay with me during most of the week days as well. They have all been a huge help!

Mom has kind of struggled with feelings of being completely overwhelmed and struggled with some anxiety. Mom has had some days where she just cries and has big bouts of anxiety. But, it does appear to be getting better. In fact, we made it through our first day together all by ourselves on Tuesday without fault. This helped mom a lot with her confidence! I still have to remember to take one day at a time and enjoy every moment so that I don't get completely overwhelmed with anxiety about the future.

Dee Dee Nana is back in town for the fourth of July, so she is helping me to get out of the house with you for short trips. We've already been to see Aunt Kate's new apartment in Houston!

Mom has struggled some with breastfeeding. You lost over a pound when we left the hospital and then went on a complete feeding frenzy when we got home. There were some days where I feed you more than 14 times a day! But, we haven't had to resort to formula yet. I had some cracked and bleeding nipples, but I seem to be heeling and they certainly don't bother you! But, boy was it painful for momma! Luckily, no infections have happened. I've met with a lactation consultant who also helped me. When we weighed you after you ate, you ate 1.5 ounces in just 15 minutes. You're quite the eater! We are slowly getting the breastfeeding thing down and I have started pumping so that we can begin to introduce a bottle to you in the next few days.

That's enough about momma, so here's a quick review of what we have learned about Parker so far!

You came home in newborn diapers and while we were at the doctor they said that you needed to go up a size! So, we still have a few newborn diapers we want to get through, but then we will be into size ones!
Your umbilical cord still hasn't fallen off. But, it is hanging on by a thread so it should fall off soon.
You aren't a huge fan of sponge baths. But, if I can get you to calm down, I think you enjoy the feeling of the warm water. I can't wait to put you in some water once that umbilical cord falls off.
At your two week appointment you peed on the nurse and on momma!
Dee Dee Nana once had to change your diaper three times in a row because you kept pooping.
You have some explosive toots. Sometimes I feel like they could rival those of an adult.
You are developing a little diaper rash because you toot all the time and every time you toot, you poop just a teeny, tiny bit.
The first week you did not sleep very well. We can't keep you swaddled because you are like Houdini. You love your arms and hands. You sleep with them out by your head or folded across your body. You sleep very open, which I think is a sign that you will be independent and are comfortable in your own skin.
Over the past three days, you have extended your sleep time at night to 6 hours! Mom was very nervous about this because we had to have good weight gain at the doctor or we would have to switch to formula. But, we got the blessing at the doctor to let you sleep. Woo hoo! Barring you changing your sleeping patterns on me, you sleep about 5-6 hours at night and then eat and sleep every 2-3 hours during the day. We try to keep you awake in the early evening so that you will sleep better at night.
You sleep in your swing in your nursery at night. You also like sleeping in the Mamaroo during the day. But, mom loves it most when you sleep right on her chest.
You sleep with your mouth open most times just like your mama.
You don't have too much awake time right now.. you seem to like your sleep if you aren't eating just like your daddy! We have a hard time getting you to fall asleep on your own if you haven't eaten. Once you're alert you pretty much just want to eat!
You love going on walks with your daddy. Mom goes too, but she is still healing from surgery and doesn't walk nearly as far as you and daddy.
You get hiccups all the time. They don't seem to bother you, but you can't sleep through them.
You don't spit up too much, but I have started to notice some more spit up recently.
While you know the smell of me, you also know your daddy. You do really well with him and enjoy having him bounce you around the house.
My favorite time with you is in the morning when you have just woken up and are still a little drugged with sleep so you just look at me with those big gray eyes and curl up into me like I'm your favorite person in the whole world. And of course, because I'm your food source, I am definitely your favorite person. :-)

We love you so much Parker James! I hope you keep up these great sleeping hours and I look forward to watching you grow and can't wait until you smile at me on purpose instead of because you pooped!