How's he doing?

Click here to see a video of Max smiling while I sing to him! (I fixed the link!)

So, the pictures are great and all, but how's Max doing???

He's great! He was 11 weeks on Friday, and on Thursday he had a doctors appointment. It was just a regular appointment, and everything is fine. He weighs in at 15 lbs, 2oz. and is 26 inches long! That's in the 90 and 95th percentile for his age. He's a big boy!!! People often think he's months older than he really is.

The question that we get asked most is: "Is he sleeping through the night?" My answer is yes...as much as I would expect him to! The definition of sleeping through the night for an infant is 5 hours. The definition that I prefer is sleeping through the night only waking to nurse. That's us. He goes to bed around 8:00, and is up for the day around 6:30. He nurses about 3 times a night, and barely wakes to nurse. Actually, it's getting so that we BOTH barely wake to nurse! The sidelying nursing has got better, so most of the time I am able to just roll over and feed him. Thank goodness for co-sleeping, I can't imagine having to get out of bed to feed him! Plus, he doesn't cry to tell me when he's hungry, we both just happen to stir at the same time. It's very cool. From 3 am or so he doesn't sleep as soundly and is bothered by gas, so Ron or I will snuggle up with him more and he then usually falls right back to sleep. The gas used to really keep him up and make him very uncomfortable, but thanks to eliminating just about everything from my diet, it is MUCH better.

The question that we get second most is: "Is he a good baby?" ??????????? What, is there such a thing as a bad baby? If he was crabby, would I say, "No, actually he's bad." ? At any rate, I am always a bit miffed by this question even though I do find myself telling Max, "You're such a good baby!" :-) But the truth is, he's really easy going most of the time. Today we had the first rough night of intermittent crying and screaming, inconsolable by rocking, nursing, burping, binkie, massage... everything! Except a bath, we didn't try that. He did finally go to sleep at 8:00 and hopefully will be fine overnight. We think he might have a tummy ache, he hasn't had his usual 2 poops today. But aside from tonight, he's a pretty happy baby! He seems to be very social, he really likes being out and about where there are people and things for him to see. He loves being outside, and he likes to lie on a blanket under the tree and look up at the leaves.

Breastfeeding has been better. We had another bout with thrush last week, but have done the full regiment of Gentian Violet, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Probiotics, and All Purpose Nipple Ointment and it's pretty much gone. To help with Max's gas, I have cut out all wheat, dairy, soda, beans, and broccoli. To help with the pain from nipple vasospasm, I cut out caffeine. To help with his rash, I cut out tomatoes. It sucks! Oh, and now to prevent the thrush from coming back I am supposed to be cutting out sugar. Ugh. Luckily apparently 4 months is supposed to be a magical moment when their stomachs become stronger and I should be able to add a lot of things back into my diet.

I have been working one or 2 nights a week, Ron and Max hang out together on those nights. It's working out really well. They get some guy time, and I have found that while I do miss them, I am happy to be around other adults and have some non-baby time once in awhile. During the day Max and I go out a lot, to various play groups or meetings, or just to run errands. Today we went to an API-Portland meeting, which was great! There were probably 15 moms and their kids, and the topic was how to avoid "mommy burn-out". It was really good to hear what many of them do, and I got to meet other like-minded mamas in the area. Max slept in the sling through most of the meeting, but when he was awake he liked watching the kids run around and play.

Great-Gramaw still comes over to hang out with us, or to join us on our errands and be on "Binkie Patrol" in the car. Grandpa comes over to help out, too. It's great having the family so close.

All in all, we are really enjoying being parents. He's always entertaining, and every day it seems like he is doing something new!

Click here to see a video of Max smiling while I sing to him!