Anton's Updates :: 14 Weeks

New Favorites: Giggles!! This little boy is starting to crack himself up. He loves to laugh during little copy cat games we play together. He is becoming so much fun. 

Eating: I weighed Anton at a moms group this week and he was 16 pounds. No wonder my back and arms have been so achy lately. He is a monster to carry around. I'm thinking we might need to transition from carrying him in the carseat and use the ergo more often instead. What a chunk!

Sleeping: We're still on a wonderful nap schedule. As long as I do the regular routine, he is pretty easy to get down for a nap. He even responds to napping in unusual places if I can get enough of our routine going. Swaddle, rocking, bouncing, shhhing and sound machine on the iPhone usually gets him sleepy enough to nap in my arms. Nights are still a bit iffy. Sometimes he sleeps 4 or 5 hour stretches but more often than not he has had nights with 2 and 3.....ouch - it makes for a tired mama in the morning. Now if only I could learn to nap too.

Milestones: Still working on tummy time and rolling over. I'd say his biggest milestone this week is just seeming so much more comfortable in his own skin. He is really happy and friendly now and seems to have past the crybaby days of the 4th trimester. Hopefully we can enjoy this pleasant little man before the teething days kick in.

Mom and Dad: Like I mentioned before, my back is killing me. I really need to work on better posture while holding him and rocking him all the time. Dad has been serenading his son with sweet guitar tunes in the evenings and Anton even likes to sing along. It is really a sight to see.

Activities: We really outdid ourselves this week. We've been to OMSI, Mama matinee movie, lunch with friends, moms group, neighbor play dates.... I think next week we might take it a bit easier. I've been trying to squeeze everything in since I'm starting to feel the end of my maternity leave is right around the corner. Grammy and Grampy are coming to visit next week and we are looking forward to some time with them!

Cruisin!

This awesome lovetoon was created as a special valentines day commission by our friend Mark. He did such a great job  - my favorite part is Ivalle's eyebrow. Anton makes that exact expression and it always cracks me up! Here is a link to Marks etsy site:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/LoveToons

 It captures the essence of  how I've been feeling lately. All three of us on a journey together and loving it. Peanut and Buddy included. They actually get to go outside again since we felt they were getting neglected and needed some type of entertainment. I am completely smitten with my sweet little family. The 4th trimester is over and Anton is finally the sweet cuddly happy baby I always dreamed of.  He is an energetic little baby boy who loves his tummy time and exploring the world around him. I am loving this new phase and cherishing every moment before I go back to work in April. 

I admit now that I was a bit naive about the newborn phase. I've always loved newborns, but realize I had not spent much time with them before. It was a bit of a rocky road at first. I did a lot of convincing myself things were fine... which they were. But still tough.  I wanted so badly for Anton to just feel good and act happy but he had to figure out this great big world he had entered. We had to get to know each other and learn how to trust one another. I feel much more comfortable with him now. I feel like a confident mama. I know now that with each new phase there will be some figuring out to do.  I also know that I will learn from what I have accomplished so far. I was just discussing some of the funny and frustrating moments from the early days with Anton. Here are my favorites:

-Remember when we had to turn on the hairdryer full blast every time we changed his diaper because he would cry his head off?

-Remember when I wore him in the ergo carrier 24/7 because he refused to be put down even for a minute?

-Remember when I was terrified to take him anywhere in the car because he usually cried the entire time?

-Remember when I thought breastfeeding was impossible and I just wasn't cut out for it?

-Remember when we tried about a million combinations of clothes for him to sleep in and never quite figured it out?

-Remember when I wouldn't  even close my eyes to sleep because I couldnt stop staring at his cute little face.

-Remember when the only way I could get him to nap was to put him in the stroller and take a two hour walk.

-Remember when I googled EVERYTHING all the time? I had soooo many questions.

-Remember when I did about 50 (not kidding!) laps around the living room holding him at 4 in the morning to see if he would go to sleep.

-Remember when the house was a complete disaster and I was ashamed every time Ivalle came home from work?

-Remember his first bath when we were doing it all wrong and it was no fun for anyone?

-Remember when he was so tiny we could barely find any clothes to fit him?

-Remember when I barely ate because every time dinner was ready Anton would wake up and need to eat also?

These little frustrating bits and pieces seem so silly now, but in the moment they were such a big deal. I'm so excited to tackle the next phases, whatever they may bring. Along with all of the frustrating moments from the past - there were so many wonderful moments as well. Onward..... can't wait to see what the future holds.

Anton's Updates :: 13 Weeks

 New Favorites: Tummy time! He finally likes it. For the longest time he would just scream his head off during tummy time and I couldn't bear it so we'd only make it a couple of minutes each time. Now he seems like he really enjoys seeing the world from a different angle. It definitely wears him out after awhile though. It's best if we do it right before nap or bath so he can take a rest.

Eating: Nursing is going really well. I am so thankful it is working out so well after such a rocky start.

Sleeping: I'm loving the new nap schedule. It is wonderful to have a moment or two to myself during the day and I think it makes Anton much happier when he is well rested.

Milestones: He is very close to rolling over from tummy to back and back to tummy. I'm not pushing it though. It's going to be a whole new ball game when he starts moving around the world.

Mom and Dad: Starting to be able to make plans on weekends and do the things we love. I'm actually going to get a hair cut and Ivalle is going golfing this weekend. It feels like our lives can work their way into Anton's now.

Activities: Today is my favorite holiday ever. Anton and I have a very special gift for Ivalle and we are doing our traditional lobster feast! HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Anton's Updates :: 12 Weeks

 New Favorites: Car rides! Finally he has warmed up to being in the car. He will fuss a bit sometimes but I think he is now starting to enjoy being out and about. Maybe he likes the new car? We were flabbergasted when he slept the entire way to and from Medford. That's two - four hour naps! Wahoo. We had to idea what to expect but it turned out to be a really relaxing drive. Now if he can only pull that off when we fly to Kauai in March.

Eating: Nothing new here. Just the regular every 2 to 3 hours. I'm getting quite a freezer stash for when he goes to daycare or when I have a rare night out.

Sleeping: Finally a nap schedule is starting to emerge. I was sure this would never happen but it finally has. He basically takes a nap after being awake every 2 hours or so. Usually a 9 o clock 11 o clock and then a late shorty at around 4 o clock. The duration of said naps is still a bit iffy. They are anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. I'm just excited that he isn't fighting going down for a nap anymore. We have a little nap routine and he just shuts his eyes and goes to sleep. So much less pressure to figure it all out. It's also nice to be able to plan activities and outings around his nap schedule. Thank goodness Anton taught me how he takes naps. I don't think any book could have explained his little routine better than him. And I'm counting on some changes to deal with eventually too.

Milestones:He is reaching and grabbing for things. He is also starting to notice his feet and has been reaching and grabbing for them as well.

Mom and Dad: Feeling rested and happy. I'm getting geared up to do some indoor tv workouts. I practiced a bit last week and Anton finds it hilarious to watch so I think it's a win win.

Activities: The urban mammas website has been amazing. We have been heading out the door at least once a day for new mom meet ups, library activities and walks with friends. Anton has been so cheery and cute this week aside from the occasional mystery fit. He is really developing a little personality and is so much fun to watch.