3 Month update - Bennett

Here we are again, and I'm only a few days late with this one...I think I'm getting a little better about this whole blogging thing (it's only taken 2 years)!!!

It's crazy to think that 2 1/2 years ago I was writing a 3 month update about Nathan...crazy!!!

So, where to begin....

This month has been just as easy as the others...maybe even more so.  You are still a complete joy to be around.  Everyone you meet completely gushes over you and how good you are (well, except your baba but what does she know anyways...kidding).

Stats
No stats since your 2 month visit.  I'm guessing you weigh 16lbs or more by now.  You're a chunky guy, just like your brother.
Still in size 2 diapers.
Wearing 3-6 month clothes although you're starting to wear some 6-9 month stuff lately.

Sleep
This month we implemented an actual bedtime instead of just keeping you with us until we go to bed.  Most nights you are asleep by 8:00.  Since evenings are still your fussy time and also the the time when you least like sleeping, I've been developing a bad habit of nursing you to sleep.  This will probably come back to bite me in the ass but as of right now it's the easiest (and fastest) way to knock you out.

We still swaddle you and turn on your sleep sheep every night.  You still sleep in your pack and play next to us.  Mama likes it this way at 4:00am.

Usually once you're asleep you wake between 3:00 and 5:00am for a quick feed and then you go right back down.  I'm literally only awake for 15-20 minutes max and I honestly don't even mind the wake-up one little bit.  Then you sleep again until around 7:00 when you're up for the day.

Usually you take one long nap per day (3ish hours).  There are usually at least 2-3 others in there that typically last for about 45  minutes.  Still no set schedule yet, which is fine by me.

Eating
We're still nursing and it's going great.  You're starting to go longer in between feeds.  Most times now you feed every 3 hours; sometimes sooner if you're fussy and you won't settle.  For those new moms out there...boob in mouth always works. trust me.

I hate pumping so I'm only doing it when absolutely necessary.  I started working a day and a half this month so unfortunately we've had to give you some bottles (And apparently you've made it very clear that you like your milk straight from the tap. thank.you.very.much).

Likes and Dislikes
Still loving your swing.  You still have a love / hate relationship with being swaddled...understandably so.

This month you discovered that you love eating your hands.  Any chance you get those pudgy little fingers go directly in your mouth. #nomnom

Most of our "photo shoot" actually looked like this...

Bath time is now a big hit...especially when it's when your brother.  Speaking of, you LOVE your big brother.  We catch you staring at him just smiling away.  And I know he feels the same way about you too.  You already have a special relationship that will just continue to get stronger with time.

You still dislike evenings.  You are not a fan of bottles, although you will take them reluctantly.

You dislike loud noises.  Your eyes widen about 2 full inches when your brother runs around the house screaming.  

You also dislike tummy time but after looking back on pictures of Nathan at this age we realized that you're a little behind...so we're forcing you to like it.

Others
For some reason you've been giving your baba (grandmother) a hard time and have been acting like a little cranky pants for her.  I think you just really miss your mommy when she's at work though (just a hunch).

We heard your first almost-giggle this month.  Sounds more like a "huh-huh" rather than a laugh but it is absolutely adorable.

Bennett, we all absolutely adore you and it seems hard to picture a time when you weren't around.  You've already made such an impact in your short little life and I can't wait to watch you grow (but not too fast please).
XO

2 month update - Bennett

Another month has gone by and I swear, Benny you have almost doubled in size.  This month has been just as enjoyable as the last and it's so much fun getting to know you.  It's amazing how fast your little personality is changing.

So here are some updates:

Sleeping:
This month has been amazing, and Bennett, mommy thanks you for it!!!  Most nights you only wake up once, usually between 3 and 4:00, for a quick feed and you sleep again until sometime between 7:00-8:00.  I'm hoping not to jinx myself here but it's been amazing.  You are still sleeping in the pack and play next to mommy and daddy which I have no intention of changing anytime soon.

You still nap quite a bit during the day.  Usually staying awake for only an hour at a time before you start getting a little fussy.  We have quickly realized that you love being swaddled.  For the most part you won't really fall asleep on your own; you like to be "put to sleep" in either your swing or pack and play.

Eating:

Still eating like a champ.  Usually every 2-3 hours, but your feeding times have shortened over the past month.

You're still a puker.  Your mommy constantly smells like sour milk and she's become very efficient at doing laundry:)  This month you've been a little wishy-washy with taking bottles (since 95% of the time you are breastfed).  We had the opposite problem with your brother (hello nursing strike) so this is new territory for your mommy.

Firsts:

This month has been all about the smiles:)  Around 6 weeks you started showing us the biggest and gummiest smile.  And your daddy and I have been enjoying every single one of them.

Other firsts:

Your mommy started work again this month (boooooooo).  But only for a day and a half per week, so it's not so bad.  Luckily we have terrific grandparents who have agreed to babysit for a few months while we all make the transition.  

Likes and Dislikes:

You love your swing, staring at lights, smiling, eating, and diaper changes.

You still hate the evening.  Your fussy time starts around 7:00 every night.  I use the word "fussy" lightly because mosts evenings it's not even really fussing.  You just hate napping at that time.

You also hate being hungry and over tired.

I said to your daddy the other day that you "almost" make me want to have another baby.  But then I think about the part where I have to carry another 10lb baby in my tiny 5"2 frame and I quickly snap out of it!!!

We love you Benny! XO

The terrible twos.

The terrible two's are kicking my butt.  Like daily.  

When Nathan turned two in June I kept waiting for "it" to start...you know, the tantrums, defiance, etc.  I kept thinking to myself, "this age is actually pretty easy...what's all this fuss about".  Well, then November came and it happened.  My little angel became a terrible.  And let me tell you, it's an ass kicker.  Like a swift kick in the head.  The constant fighting, the "NO's", the never listening, defiance, testing limits, tantrums, all seem to surface in the evening (and anytime we're trying to leave the house).

And everyday it's the same fight....
"No mommy, not that. Nathan wear Thomas t-shirt to school" (he still refers to himself in the 3rd person).
"Stop Mommy, Nathan brush teeth"
"No mommy, shoes are too tight"
"Mommy put on _______" (enter anything that we're asking him to try and help put on).

And from me...
"Nathan, we need to change your diaper"...followed by..."NOOOOOO"
"Nathan, stop pushing the dog"....then, "NOOOOOOO"
"Nathan, it's time to get ready for school"....and...."NOOOOO"
"Nathan, it's bath time.....again...."NOOOOOO"

And, you get the picture.

I feel like we're constantly battling with him.  We've run out of effective ways to punish him.  I mean, the kid sometimes will ask to go time out.  Seriously.  Seriously.  Whoever came up with that "punishment" didn't have a 2 1/2 year old.

But, it's not all bad.  I'm not here to scare anyone.  The terrible twos are also amazing in a lot of ways.

It's amazing to watch your child learn and soak up every little thing.  The kid has an amazing memory and is constantly surprising us.  He can tell me everyone's eye color in his classroom.  It's pretty incredible.

It's amazing to actually hear him have a conversation with you now.  He can tell me about his day at school, his likes and dislikes.  And his negotiating skills are superb.  He must get that from his daddy.

Another great thing about two year olds...they sleep.  And you can sleep too.  We're rediscovering this perk now that we have a 6 week old.

They're independent.  And they can help (granted, it's usually on their terms).

And the best part of all is when they wrap their little arms around you and tell you that they love you.  Seems to wipe away all of those "terribles", and make your heart just melt.  I wouldn't trade those moments for anything.

One Month Post

Time is flying by.  Like seriously flying.  Even more so now that I have 2 kids.  Bennett is ONE month old already.  You almost forget how much things can change from month to month with a newborn baby.

Unfortunately I really don't have any one month stats.  We brought Bennett to the doctor when he was 4 days old and he was already almost at his birth weight (9"13).  Apparently I make big babies and I can grow big babies (no shortage of food around here)!!!  So, his doctor was completely comfortable with his next appt being at 2 months unless there are any issues or concerns.

I can tell you that he is growing like a weed and chunking up nicely though.  He has completely outgrown all his newborn clothes and many of his 0-3 month stuff already.

Sleep
Sleep so far has been good (touch wood).  He's consistently giving us 3-5 hour chunks at night and napping well during the day.  The kid sleeps A LOT.  Much more than his brother ever did (thank goodness).  He has been a little difficult to put to sleep at night time but once he's asleep, he's good.

Eating
Eating has also been good this month.  Breastfeeding this time around is 1000 percent better.  I'm not sure what it is, maybe it's me, maybe it's him, (likely it's a combination) but things are easier.  I'm not sore anymore, feeding has never been really painful, and I'm never super engorged and uncomfortable. I'll spare you the details of my experience last time, but let's just say Nathan left me with some permanent scars memories.  Looking back, I'm not sure how I lasted for 6 months.


 Likes and Dislikes
His main interest right now... Food.  The kid likes to eat.  He also likes his swing, being swaddled, and being held.  He also LOVES to grunt.  I seriously had forgotten how many weird noises newborns make.  He grunts when he sleeps, when he farts, when he poops, before he's ready to eat (and you get the picture).

Diaper changes were a no-go up until recently.  Now he reluctantly tolerates them without screaming his face off.

Baths are also becoming a little more tolerable lately...as long as he's warm, he's okay.

Falling asleep at 10:30pm is painful for some reason.  Again, more grunting at this point.

Firsts
Because this kid has been relatively easy going (I'm going to jinx myself, aren't I??) we've been able to take him everywhere...

First trip to the aquarium.  Bennett, while your brother enjoyed the shark tank, you enjoyed sleeping.
First trip to the mall.  While your mama enjoyed shopping, you enjoyed sleeping.
First hockey game.  While your family enjoyed popcorn and beverages, you enjoyed sleeping.
First fancy dinner out.  While we enjoyed nice wine and food, you enjoyed sleeping.

Well, You get the picture!

Overall
Things this time around are so much more enjoyable.  Being a first time mom is stressful and hard.  This time around I feel more comfortable / confident or something.  The hard part this time is juggling 2 kids while trying not losing my shit on anyone (hubby included).  It helps that we've decided to keep Nathan in preschool (which he loves) so that I can have some alone time with Bennett.  Everyone seems a little happier this way.