- No more swaddling; it was great while it lasted, but Cameron just isn't tolerating having his arms pinned by his sides anymore. Sleepsacks, here we come!
- Giggle contests; these are the best things EVER.
- Hair growing back in; he still has a bald spot on the back of his head, and he never lost that "old man" ring along the base of his neck, but he's starting to sprout new fuzzy growth on the top of his head!
- Hand discovery; chewing on the hands has become a comfort, and no longer relates to whether or not he's hungry. Oh, yeah, and he's been caught sucking on his thumb more than a few times! :-\
- Switch to 3-6 month clothes; he's plumping up nicely, and has outgrown all his 0-3 month clothing. I love all the rolls and dimples!
December 31, 2009
End of the year
So 2009 has come and gone, and Cameron has changed so much in his short time with us! Some of the bigger changes I've noticed lately:
December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas!
It was a busy few days! On Christmas Eve, we headed out to spend time with Chris's extended family. There were lots of people and many new faces, but Cameron handled all the commotion very well.
Then on Christmas day, we woke up and headed north to have breakfast and presents with Chris's family, then came home and had presents with my family, and then made dinner for both families.
We tried to make dinner more low-key this year by asking our guests to each bring a little something, but somehow, we still ended up taking on more than we anticipated. Ah well, it was still a good meal even if we ate later than planned!
Then on Christmas day, we woke up and headed north to have breakfast and presents with Chris's family, then came home and had presents with my family, and then made dinner for both families.
We tried to make dinner more low-key this year by asking our guests to each bring a little something, but somehow, we still ended up taking on more than we anticipated. Ah well, it was still a good meal even if we ate later than planned!
December 13, 2009
2 months!
Okay, so clearly I've been slacking with the blog updates. I have a TON of free time on my hands lately, so I really don't know what my excuse is! ;)
But really, everything is great. We now have a 2-month-old on our hands, and he's doing very well. Gaining weight like a champ, and growing taller each day. See?
We're getting lots of smiles these days, and it's a lot more fun to interact with him. His personality is really starting to shine through!
But really, everything is great. We now have a 2-month-old on our hands, and he's doing very well. Gaining weight like a champ, and growing taller each day. See?
November 27, 2009
Week 7
Up until this point, Cam has been napping anywhere: on us, in his bouncy seat, in the swing, in the Moby or Bjorn, etc. But now we're starting the process of getting him used to his crib. And he successfully napped there for the first time this week! Basically, we want to transition him (eventually) to be sleeping in the crib in his own room at night, and to do this, we have to get him comfortable with that environment, since he's only known in the bassinet upstairs in our room. So far, so good...
We're not quite sure yet when we want that transition to happen, but I'm thinking maybe sometime in December? January is going to bring about lots of changes what with me going back to work. Different caretakers, more bottle feedings, etc. I'd like to try to space out the new things as much as possible.
We also started tummy time this week. He is able to lift his head off the blanket and shift from one cheek to the other, but man, he is NOT very happy about it. Most of the time is spent lying there and crying. I'm sure it must be frustrating to be face down and not be able to do much about it! I just keep thinking about how much his big head weighs. :-/
We're not quite sure yet when we want that transition to happen, but I'm thinking maybe sometime in December? January is going to bring about lots of changes what with me going back to work. Different caretakers, more bottle feedings, etc. I'd like to try to space out the new things as much as possible.
We also started tummy time this week. He is able to lift his head off the blanket and shift from one cheek to the other, but man, he is NOT very happy about it. Most of the time is spent lying there and crying. I'm sure it must be frustrating to be face down and not be able to do much about it! I just keep thinking about how much his big head weighs. :-/
November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
I'm extremely thankful for so many things this year...
I feel very lucky to have had a pregnancy that I can look back on with fond memories, and a lovely, charming little man to show for it. I'm enjoying motherhood, and Chris is proving himself to be a wonderful father. The kitties are adjusting well to life with a new being in the house. We're all healthy (so far; knock on wood!) and happy. Life is good. :)
I feel very lucky to have had a pregnancy that I can look back on with fond memories, and a lovely, charming little man to show for it. I'm enjoying motherhood, and Chris is proving himself to be a wonderful father. The kitties are adjusting well to life with a new being in the house. We're all healthy (so far; knock on wood!) and happy. Life is good. :)
November 22, 2009
Newborn photos
We had some photographs taken when Cam was just 9 days old. It's amazing to see how much he's changed since then!
November 20, 2009
Week 6
We had Cam's 6-week checkup today. He's growing so fast! He now weighs 11 pounds 2 ounces, which means that he gained almost 3 pounds this past month.
And his stats...woo baby! He's measuring in the 75th percentile for length, the 85th percentile for weight, and get this...the 90th percentile for head size! The pedi saw those numbers on the computer screen and immediately said, "okay, so which one of you has a big head?" I raised my hand; I know all-too-well that that trait comes from my side of the family! ;)
He also got 2 vaccine shots today, which rendered him a pretty unhappy camper. It's so hard to watch him dissolve from a happy little man to a screaming, red-faced mess. :( He's napping at the moment though, so hopefully he'll feel a little better when he wakes up. Hopefully!
I had my 6-week checkup yesterday, and I'm happy to report that I'm doing well too. I've been cleared to exercise now, my doc says that I can do pretty much anything I'm comfortable with. Yippee! I have some work to do on my abs, as there's been some separation of the muscles. It's all totally normal and par for the course, but it's pretty weird to feel a big ol' divot where there wasn't one before! I also got my H1N1 shot (as did Chris), so hopefully this will be a healthy winter in our household. Again, hopefully!
And his stats...woo baby! He's measuring in the 75th percentile for length, the 85th percentile for weight, and get this...the 90th percentile for head size! The pedi saw those numbers on the computer screen and immediately said, "okay, so which one of you has a big head?" I raised my hand; I know all-too-well that that trait comes from my side of the family! ;)
He also got 2 vaccine shots today, which rendered him a pretty unhappy camper. It's so hard to watch him dissolve from a happy little man to a screaming, red-faced mess. :( He's napping at the moment though, so hopefully he'll feel a little better when he wakes up. Hopefully!
I had my 6-week checkup yesterday, and I'm happy to report that I'm doing well too. I've been cleared to exercise now, my doc says that I can do pretty much anything I'm comfortable with. Yippee! I have some work to do on my abs, as there's been some separation of the muscles. It's all totally normal and par for the course, but it's pretty weird to feel a big ol' divot where there wasn't one before! I also got my H1N1 shot (as did Chris), so hopefully this will be a healthy winter in our household. Again, hopefully!
November 13, 2009
Week 5
So I started pumping this week, and Chris has been giving Cam his bottle each night. I'm pleased to report that all is going well! He seems to be having no issues bouncing back and forth between the boob, the bottle, and the pacifier. :)
Cam is smiling more lately, and we've even heard a few laughs. One occurred while he was sleeping. It was adorable; his little belly started shaking, he had a big grin on his face, and he made a "huh huh huh" sound. I wish we had been able to catch that on video!
In other news, he's losing more hair from the top of his head. The back of his head, however, still looks the same. Pretty soon he's going to look just like my grandpa. Oh, and he's graduated from newborn size clothing to 0-3 month clothing. He's already taller and putting on some weight!
Cam is smiling more lately, and we've even heard a few laughs. One occurred while he was sleeping. It was adorable; his little belly started shaking, he had a big grin on his face, and he made a "huh huh huh" sound. I wish we had been able to catch that on video!
In other news, he's losing more hair from the top of his head. The back of his head, however, still looks the same. Pretty soon he's going to look just like my grandpa. Oh, and he's graduated from newborn size clothing to 0-3 month clothing. He's already taller and putting on some weight!
November 6, 2009
Week 4
We introduced a pacifier for the first time a few days ago. It was weird and not very tasty at first, but eventually, it was accepted. Score!
I plan to start pumping this weekend, and we'll introduce the bottle for the first time. The pedi says to start with one bottle a day, and to be consistent about offering it each day, as the window for getting babes to accept the pacifier/bottle is small (from 4 to 6 weeks), and once it's closed, it's CLOSED. Wish us luck that it doesn't interfere at all with his other feedings!
Cam is more alert during the days and seems to be more responsive to our faces. We've gotten a few smiles, and they are just the most precious thing I've ever seen. I have yet to capture one on the camera though, they're fleeting!
I plan to start pumping this weekend, and we'll introduce the bottle for the first time. The pedi says to start with one bottle a day, and to be consistent about offering it each day, as the window for getting babes to accept the pacifier/bottle is small (from 4 to 6 weeks), and once it's closed, it's CLOSED. Wish us luck that it doesn't interfere at all with his other feedings!
Cam is more alert during the days and seems to be more responsive to our faces. We've gotten a few smiles, and they are just the most precious thing I've ever seen. I have yet to capture one on the camera though, they're fleeting!
November 1, 2009
Birthday recap
Two years ago, if you asked me what I would be doing on my 30th birthday (which, incidentally, was also my golden birthday: 30 years old on the 30th of the month), I probably would have said that I would be out with a big group of friends, drinking and living it up.
And though my birthday was actually nothing like this, it was great in a totally different way. Chris made me breakfast as I fed Cameron his breakfast. I came downstairs to find a present from each of my guys. Chris got me a box of dark chocolate truffles from this little shop in Berkeley (totally yummy!) and Cameron, that little sweetheart, got me a gift certificate to the spa. You know, in case he stresses me out sometimes, he wants me to be able to relax a little bit. :)
We went out and about for a little while, hit the farmers' market, and came back home to chill for a little while. We took a walk downtown to pick up dinner from a new restaurant. Sushi, oh how I've missed you!
I also had a bit of wine with dinner, maybe about a third of a glass. I'm such a lightweight now!
And though my birthday was actually nothing like this, it was great in a totally different way. Chris made me breakfast as I fed Cameron his breakfast. I came downstairs to find a present from each of my guys. Chris got me a box of dark chocolate truffles from this little shop in Berkeley (totally yummy!) and Cameron, that little sweetheart, got me a gift certificate to the spa. You know, in case he stresses me out sometimes, he wants me to be able to relax a little bit. :)
We went out and about for a little while, hit the farmers' market, and came back home to chill for a little while. We took a walk downtown to pick up dinner from a new restaurant. Sushi, oh how I've missed you!
I also had a bit of wine with dinner, maybe about a third of a glass. I'm such a lightweight now!
October 30, 2009
Week 3
This week was much smoother than last. We're getting into the groove. Cam's blog has a picture of him wearing a onesie that says "Eat Sleep Poop Cry", and that pretty much sums up the groove! Hah.
His eye is much better; we continue to clean it periodically and it looks great. Which is good, because I was afraid that it would be all goopy for months, and that we wouldn't be able to get any cute photos!
One of my biggest obstacles is still sleep, but for a different reason. I wake up in the middle of the night with the light off and a cat asleep on me, and freak out because I think that I've fallen asleep mid-feeding session and forgotten to put Cam back in his bassinet. He has a full head of hair...the cats are furry...see where I could get confused in my just-awoken state? Yeah. I hope this passes soon!
His eye is much better; we continue to clean it periodically and it looks great. Which is good, because I was afraid that it would be all goopy for months, and that we wouldn't be able to get any cute photos!
One of my biggest obstacles is still sleep, but for a different reason. I wake up in the middle of the night with the light off and a cat asleep on me, and freak out because I think that I've fallen asleep mid-feeding session and forgotten to put Cam back in his bassinet. He has a full head of hair...the cats are furry...see where I could get confused in my just-awoken state? Yeah. I hope this passes soon!
October 19, 2009
Week 2
Cameron woke up with a crusty, goopy left eye on Monday. I tried cleaning it, but it persisted, so off to the doctor we went. (Why is it that the days we need to venture out are the days that it is pouring down rain?) Fortunately, it's not an infection. It's a clogged tear duct, which is apparently pretty common in young babies. With a few rounds of a warm washcloth compress and a little duct massage, it's now looking much better. But it could be a recurring issue that we'll deal with for several months.
We then went back to the pedi on Friday for Cam's 2-week checkup. He has gained weight like a champ (he's up 15 ounces in 10 days, and now weighs 8 pounds 6 ounces). This is great news because now that he has surpassed his birth weight, we no longer have to wake him up to eat every 2-3 hours at night. (!!!) We can let him decide when to wake up and eat. He's a good sleeper so far, and even a 4-hour stretch at night is soooooo welcome. I'm just trying to make sure he eats well and often during the days so that he might be more likely to sleep more at night.
Chris went back to school this week, so Cam and I got our first few days alone together. I'm pleased to report that things are going very well. I don't always get a lot done (okay, I don't really get anything done), but the little man is happy. I'm trying to nap when he naps, but that's much easier said than done!
We then went back to the pedi on Friday for Cam's 2-week checkup. He has gained weight like a champ (he's up 15 ounces in 10 days, and now weighs 8 pounds 6 ounces). This is great news because now that he has surpassed his birth weight, we no longer have to wake him up to eat every 2-3 hours at night. (!!!) We can let him decide when to wake up and eat. He's a good sleeper so far, and even a 4-hour stretch at night is soooooo welcome. I'm just trying to make sure he eats well and often during the days so that he might be more likely to sleep more at night.
Chris went back to school this week, so Cam and I got our first few days alone together. I'm pleased to report that things are going very well. I don't always get a lot done (okay, I don't really get anything done), but the little man is happy. I'm trying to nap when he naps, but that's much easier said than done!
1.5 months later...
and my rings fit again. They're snug, but I can get them over my knuckle! :)
I'm still too scared to try on some of my favorite shoes, though. I'll be pretty sad if they don't fit.
I'm still too scared to try on some of my favorite shoes, though. I'll be pretty sad if they don't fit.
October 16, 2009
Week 1
Whew. What a week it has been! I'm actually marveling at the fact that it's been a week already...time has definitely become more fluid and hard to track. I find myself unable to remember when events occurred. Tuesday? Wednesday? I just don't know. I'm happy to report though that all is well.
We were discharged from the hospital on Sunday morning, and have been taking care of Cameron at home since. When we left the hospital, Cam was down 6% from his birth weight. (Some weight loss is normal, as babies are born with excess fluid to tide them over until mom's milk comes in.) We had an appointment with his pediatrician on Monday to check for jaundice and weight loss. The jaundice was not too bad, but he had slipped down to a 9% weight loss. This was of concern because the pedi has a cutoff of 10% before they want to intervene and supplement with formula. We were sent home with an appointment to return the next day for another jaundice and weight check.
Fortunately, feeding has been going very well. It put a bit of pressure on me knowing that I had to make him eat enough and gain weight overnight, but he came through with flying colors. He had gained 5 ounces by the next visit, and the pedi was thrilled. Now, we just have to make it back up to his birth weight by his 2 week appointment. And the pedi thought that jaundice wasn't going to be a big issue for us. The slight yellow tinge to his skin will likely subside on its own in the coming days.
Sleep (or lack of it) is proving to be the biggest hurdle so far. We're making do. But it's hard when we have to wake him up to eat every 2-3 hours. Feeding takes 30-40 minutes, plus the time for a diaper change, burping, and soothing back to sleep. All that adds up to about an hour. And the 2-3 hour window starts from the beginning of the feeding, so even if he wants to eat only every 3 hours, that's only 2 hours of sleep (max) for us in between. But I wouldn't change it for the world. :)
We were discharged from the hospital on Sunday morning, and have been taking care of Cameron at home since. When we left the hospital, Cam was down 6% from his birth weight. (Some weight loss is normal, as babies are born with excess fluid to tide them over until mom's milk comes in.) We had an appointment with his pediatrician on Monday to check for jaundice and weight loss. The jaundice was not too bad, but he had slipped down to a 9% weight loss. This was of concern because the pedi has a cutoff of 10% before they want to intervene and supplement with formula. We were sent home with an appointment to return the next day for another jaundice and weight check.
Fortunately, feeding has been going very well. It put a bit of pressure on me knowing that I had to make him eat enough and gain weight overnight, but he came through with flying colors. He had gained 5 ounces by the next visit, and the pedi was thrilled. Now, we just have to make it back up to his birth weight by his 2 week appointment. And the pedi thought that jaundice wasn't going to be a big issue for us. The slight yellow tinge to his skin will likely subside on its own in the coming days.
Sleep (or lack of it) is proving to be the biggest hurdle so far. We're making do. But it's hard when we have to wake him up to eat every 2-3 hours. Feeding takes 30-40 minutes, plus the time for a diaper change, burping, and soothing back to sleep. All that adds up to about an hour. And the 2-3 hour window starts from the beginning of the feeding, so even if he wants to eat only every 3 hours, that's only 2 hours of sleep (max) for us in between. But I wouldn't change it for the world. :)
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