Will at two months:
- Is socially smiling! He smiles at us when he wakes up, during nursing (the first time he smiled for me was directed more at my boob), he smiles when we play with him. He wants to play during the night after he nurses sometimes and it's so hard to ignore him! It's the sweetest smile I've ever seen and makes my heart skip every time.
- Is only waking twice, sometimes three times during the night now! In his newborn stage it was 4 - 5 times so this is major improvement! And it means Bill is no longer waking up to help with night feedings anymore so you can congratulate him! Will has 'slept through the night' twice now in the past week or so, so I am optimistic that his sleep habits will continue to improve. I am going to talk to his pedi when he's there tomorrow for his two month check up about when it'd be safe to start sleep training. I go back to work in a month so I am working on starting him on a naptime and bedtime routine. So far the bedtime routine is going well. I thought I would just watch his natural rhythms to pick up on when his wake up and sleep times should be for naps and bed but he's still inconsistent. He's waking up anywhere between 7 & 9 am everyday, he gets tired for a nap between 9 & 11 am, second nap before or after lunch, and third nap late afternoon or sometimes he doesn't take a third nap, and he goes to bed between 8 & 9 pm (or earlier if he doesn't take a third nap). So I am trying to figure out how to get him on a precise nap and bedtime schedule. I've learned very quickly how much babies thrive on schedules.
- Now fits into his newborn clothes and some of his 0 - 3 month stuff! Finally! At last check two weeks ago he was 8 lbs 11 oz's. He's been gaining an ounce a day consistently so he should be around 9 lbs 9 oz's now. It's exciting to watch him grow and makes me happy to know he's thriving and all this time nursing is benefitting him so much.
- Is holding up his head for several seconds now and turns it side to side easily, can support himself on his elbows while on his tummy, and is very strong in general. His grasp has gotten really strong too. I hear lots of ouches from Bill when Will grabs onto his chest hair. He's figuring out his hands and fingers. He can now put his fist in his mouth, thanks to Bill's coaching, and he'll reach out to try and grasp things now sometimes.
Last month we discovered he has reflux and a milk protein allergy. At about 3 weeks he started getting more and more fussy each day, spitting up a lot, and he developed eczema. So I cut all dairy out of my diet at the pedi's recommendation and it has made a difference. His eczema is much, much better (with help of daily sponge baths and Aveeno Baby), he's less gassy which makes him less fussy and his reflux is a lot better, thanks to Zantac. He still spits up but not nearly as much and as often, and he doesn't cry anymore when he spits up. I also started him on a probiotic. Being dairy free really sucks though. I really miss cheese and yogurt. I found almond and coconut milk are good and make suitable alternatives to ice cream. It's worth everyday without it though if it means Will is happier and healthier for it.
I think this month will be a little easier than the last. I am not sad to see his newborn stage go honestly. It was really tough between my own physical and emotional adjustments, our household and marital adjustments, (nothing causes more rifts in your marriage than the stress of having a newborn you have absolutely no idea what to do with and only a couple hours sleep a day), and Will's too. Each week seems to get a little easier and more manageable as we learn how to conform to our new life as parents and as Will becomes more and more engaging and interactive. Each milestone I watch him achieve makes me prouder and happier than any promotion or new job ever could. This job of Mom is all the motivation, gratification and consummation I need.
Six weeks photos:
