Well, how is that any different?
He has become more exacting with his hands. He can reach, pick objects up, explore and shake them.... He's also very active, looking around all around and being a little jumping jack.
Today we had an especially good day even though I was busy getting ready for his first Christmas. Not even a single crying episode! We had a great time, smiles, raspberries, "MmmmMmm"s, "hah hah hah hah"s, admiring strangers and all.
He also has been keeping a good nap schedule of 10-11am then 2:30-3:30.
Bedtime is around 7pm and he wakes around 7 as well.
This past week, we have been going through a struggle of getting out of mommy's cozy bed.
It all started when we were "nurse-napping" during the day- (hehe, I did get in a couple books) which led to his waking around the time I went to bed, "Oh, can I join you?"-Of course, you cozy cute little baby!
Then on tired nights, my relenting to his cries and letting him "spend the night" which led to more nights.... Well, you get the picture. Obviously, being in bed with a warm body to cozy up to is nice! But, alas, not so nice when baby knows the milk bar is open...all night long.... and mommy wants to not be woken by baby's constant stirring every couple hours. He is also more aware now and so just walking past the bed got a reaction from him.
I am happy to say, 1 week after this problem resolution has started, that things are going well.
Granted, there have been a few crying episodes- the worst have been a couple nights at 1-3am, lasting as long as 45 minutes.
And so it goes, (the ol' mommy mantra), just when you think baby is figured out, he'll go ahead and change things on you.
Moments ago he awoke crying and said a distinct "Mom" when I picked him up!
It was so neat- how does he know to say that? I guess we do refer to me as Mom and Alex as Dad. I said, "What honey, I am here."
And after a few gracious glugs, he went back to sleep.
You may wonder how we've been sticking out this whole breastfeeding thing. Honestly, it has surpised me. After all, I was fed formula from the start, and so were a lot of babies my age.
Before baby, I hoarded all the freebie formula and coupons I could get ahold of. We still have 6 canisters, if there are any takers around. But after a smell and taste of that stuff, and the realization of the benefits he gets from Mom (immunity, bonding, perhaps "refined" taste)- I am pleased we've been able to keep the course. Best of all, Andrew hasn't had any illness yet! (Knock on wood.)
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, aap.org,
"Breastfeeding has advantages for infants, mothers, families, and society. These advantages include health, nutritional, immunologic, developmental, psychologic, social, economic, and environmental benefits." They also recommend not feeding other foods until 6 months.
Now, with the introduction of foods, alas, we are around the second half of that relationship (and towards stinky diapers;;;).
Speaking of feeding, today Tevukas fed him his first taste of sweet potatoes!~ They were yum, yum, yum, gooood!
This was 2 days ago...A sudden inexplicable cry. Frustration with a toy?
2 seconds later... All better.
He prefers to be on his belly nowadays.
