Thursday, April 26, 2012

Weeks 3 and 4 Pics

Dear Elliot,
I can't believe how much you are growing and changing every single day. You are becoming so much more of a little person and I just love getting to know you. You had a couple exciting 'firsts' this week:

1. Your first real blow-out. I had just finished nursing you and handed you over to Dad for a diaper change. As he walked you upstairs, I warned him, "I think he's been working on something for awhile now, it might be bad." I had no idea just how bad it really was!

About a minute later Dad screams down the stairs, "I need a scissors!!" Super confused, I called up, "what? what for??" "Just come up here and you'll see!" he answered. So I grabbed a pair of scissors from the kitchen and ran up the stairs to your room.

Now we've seen some pretty epic poops during the last month, but this one was in a league of its own. Somehow, you managed to poop out of your diaper and all the way up to your shoulders. Your onesie was completely soaked through all the way to the neck. Still a bit confused I looked at Dad and said, "I still don't get what you need these scissors for." He looked down at you, then back at me and said, "obviously we need to cut this thing off of him."

Since it was a pretty ugly onesie anyway (but really, even if it wasn't, there was no way we could ever remove the stains from that nasty thing!), and we couldn't figure out how to get it up over your head without getting poop all over your face and hair, we cut it off. Then you got a bath.

I almost didn't tell this story because I worried it might embarras you someday, but then I remembered you're a boy so you'll love poop stories and probably think its really cool :)

and even more exciting...

2. Your first smile. You've been doing little 'gas smiles' for awhile now, but yesterday was the first time you looked right at me, eyes wide open, and smiled. It was honestly one of the greatest moments of my life. So freaking adorable. I tried to get you to do it again so Dad could see, but I guess you're saving those smiles just for Mama for now :). I can't wait for more!

Here are some pictures from the last couple weeks:

























I really don't think it's just my obvious bias talking when I say you're the cutest baby boy ever. I love you so much!

XOXO,
Mom















Monday, April 23, 2012

One month...already??

Dear Time,
How on earth is my baby already a month old?? Please slow down just a little!


Love,
Kristin

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Top 10 things I've learned in my first 4 weeks as a mom

Dear Elliot,
I can't believe you will be four weeks old tomorrow! It's been a total whirlwind of a month, but I have learned so much about being a mom during these crazy first four weeks. Here are the top ten, in no particular order:


1. Breastfeeding, while awesome, is not easy. I feel like I have to preface this by saying now that we've gotten the hang of things, I really enjoying nursing you. But I want to toss all those books that told me (and this is pretty much an exact quote) "if you experience nipple pain while nursing, you are doing something wrong" in the garbage. I spent the whole first week or so stressed out that I was "doing something wrong" because my nipples were sore. Looking back, that's just silly. Of course they are going to be sore at first. No matter how perfect the latch is, or how great your positioning is, you still have a freaking human being sucking on your boob! That is going to take a bit of getting used to!

2. The laundry is never ending. I think I've spent more time down in the laundry room in the last four weeks than I have in the last four years of my life. The mountain of items you manage to poop, pee, or spit-up through during the course of just one day is quite impressive!

And you know what also feels never ending?

3. The amount of time spent feeding. Like I said earlier, breastfeeding is hard work! When you eat every two hours, for at least 30-40 minutes at a time, it feels like my life pretty much revolves around nursing. Grandma (my mom) calls me everyday and will ask, "what are you doing?" 99% of the time my answer is "feeding Elliot, what else!?" I really don't mind because I love having all that time to bond and be so close to you, but man, you definitely got your dad's crazy appetite, Son! :)

But still...

4. I just can't get enough of you. You'd think with all the time I spend feeding and taking care of you, I'd want a break every now and then. But even when Dad gets home from work and I get to take a shower, I miss you during those 15 minutes of 'me time.' And in the mornings, when Dad takes you downstairs and gives you your one pumped bottle of the day so I can get a couple hours of sleep, I miss being able to roll over and see you sleeping next to me in your bassinet. Dad and I are going to a wedding at the end of next month, and I'm already scared of how badly I'm going to miss you while you're hanging out with Grandma all evening. I just love being around you, little boy!

5. It's all about trial and error. I'm quickly realizing that raising a baby requires trying lots of different things until you find something that works. For example, we started out putting you down to sleep in your bassinet. After noticing you weren't comfortable flat on your back (due to what I think is some mild reflux), we stuck a blanket under the top of the mattress so you'd be on an incline. Then after it became apparent that you really liked falling asleep to movement, like when you're in your vibrating bouncer or driving in the care, we rigged the vibrator box from your Pack N Play to your bassinet. Add a portable white noise machine attached to the side, and I think we may have finally gotten your sleeping area settled! I also swore I wasn't going to do the whole pacifier thing, but a couple crying fits later, and I can't wait to get that thing in your mouth as soon you start screaming (especially in public!)

And speaking of screaming in public...

6. It's a given that you will decide you want to eat at the precise hour I attempt to take you out in public by myself. I swear, Dad and I have taken you to Target like 10 times already and you've always just slept the whole time. But of course the first time I decide to take you there myself, you start screaming your head off five minutes into the trip. And by screaming I mean the blood-curdling screams we call the 'goat cries,' where you sound all shaky like a baby goat. I tried picking you up and dancing around with you in the cereal aisle. Didn't help. Tried popping that pacifier in your mouth. Helped for about four seconds, until you realized it wasn't going to give you milk, at which point you spit it out and continued screaming. I quickly realized you were inconsolable and started booking it to the check-out at the front of the store. On my way there, I got lots of sympathetic looks from strangers, and even a couple sweet, "hang in there, Mamas" from older, more experienced moms. I was so frazzled by the end of the ordeal, that I almost left my bags at the register after paying for them (a big thank you to the woman who called after me, "Ma'am, do you want to take your bags with you?").

7. Things that are really gross, are somehow not so gross when its your own kid doing them. If anyone else in the world sprayed pee in my eye, or threw up all over my hair and down my bra, or pooped on my hand, I'd be pretty upset. But when its you doing these things, its actually weird how little it bothers me. Somehow, even your pukes can be kind of cute :)

8. Boys are just as much fun to dress up as girls. I totally thought I was going to save so much money because there just aren't that many cute boy clothes to be tempted to buy, but that is just not true. Okay, so boys don't get to wear the frilly dresses, but oh my goodness, sweater vests? Old man cardigans? Tiny little hipster skinny jeans? Flannel shirts just like Dad wears? and of course all the hats? Dressing you up is so much fun. I'm getting my fill now, before you grow up and start hating me for it, ha.

9. Everything you do is magical. Really, you are the most entertaining little creature ever. Dad and I are constantly calling each other into the room and saying, "oh my gosh, look at his face right now!" or "hurry, come look at how he's holding onto my finger!" Just the fact that you are here, living and breathing and growing is a miracle to me. And those moments when you look me in the eyes and I know you know I'm your mama? There is simply nothing more magical than that.

10. Motherhood everything I've heard it was, and more. Being a mom is just as exhausting as people said it would be. Just as scary. But it's also just as amazing. There's a Dixie Chicks song I sing to you all the time that says, "life began when I saw your face," and it's so true. I can hardly imagine life before you, Elliot. My life has taken on so much more meaning. I've never been as excited for each new day, for the future, as I am right now. I love you like I never knew I could love another person. Holding you in my arms is worth dealing with all the sore nipples, embarrassing public meltdowns, dirty laundry, pee, poop, and puke in the world, a million times over.


All my love,
Mom

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Week 2 Pictures

Dear Elliot,
I am so behind in writing about your first few weeks. There are so many moments I don't want to forget, but it seems like even during the times you're napping during the day, all I want to do is cuddle and watch you sleep. So another photo bomb post will just have to do for now :)

 Big baby hands

Uncle Brandon was so excited to hold you!

One week old!

Goofy boy

 First attempt at tummy time

Dreaming of money with his Mega Millions lotto tickets, haha

First sponge bath

 Chillin with Dad

 Snuggles with Mom

Best feeling ever

 Little chicky ready to celebrate Easter with the Cooks

 Long feet

 Sweet booties all the way from Australia :)

 With Auntie Katie

 With Auntie Rachel

With Grandpa Cook

 First Easter basket

 lol

Elliot and Maddie--cousins 10 days apart!

Got a good grip on Dad's finger

 Wide-eyed boy

Your favorite sweater (another gift from Danii and Eben!)

Not a fan of baths

 Bathtime fun, haha

 Peeing all over Dad as revenge :)

 Hanging out before bed

2 weeks old!

Easter at the Ziemke's

 Gifts from Uncle Brandon

 Sleeping through the Masters with Grandpa

Getting so much more alert

Silly faces

 Our little family

 So cute

Nap time with my girls and boy

Family photo :)

These last few weeks have been the most exhausting, happiest days of my life. We love you more than words can say.

Love,
Mom





 
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