Eli: month 2

Elias was two months old yesterday! Again, I don’t know where the time went. I feel like I’ll probably be saying that for the next 18 years.

The past month with Eli has been really good!

Eating: We’ve cut out all the supplement, and he’s been eating like a pro. (Can you tell by his cheeks?) Derek gives him a bottle for one feeding each night, but he seems to not like the bottle much anymore. It kind of makes me happy that he’d rather eat with me, but I also want him to still be able to take a bottle sometimes. Sorry, kiddo, mama’s gotta take a break sometimes.

He is still eating about every three hours (usually 7 feedings a day because he stretches a little longer at night), but I think we’re gonna start trying to stretch it a little more. We’ve been doing a mixture of a feeding schedule and feeding on demand. We loosely follow the schedule during the day—more for my sake than his—and then let him tell me when he wants to eat during the night.

Sleeping: Elias is also pretty much a pro at sleeping. He’s staying awake longer during the day now, but he still likes to sleep a lot. We went through a phase where he’d scream every night from about 11 to 1. He didn’t need anything, just wanted to cry. We would just let him cry in the crib most of the time. Oh, the guilt! Thanks to the other mamas out there who would remind me, “No, you’re not a bad mom for letting him cry.” That lasted two or three weeks (I don’t really remember, I think I’m repressing the memory) and he’ll still cry a little bit sometimes when we leave him in the crib, but not bad at all anymore.

Interaction: We’ve been able to introduce Eli to a bunch of people this past month. My work and Derek’s work both threw us baby showers, so he met people there, and we’ve been taking him to church. He loves church. He gets held the whole time and usually sleeps.

Eli’s been making more eye contact and smiling at us. The smiles are THE BEST THING EVER. I think I could live on those smiles. He’s also been “talking” more and we love to hear his little voice!

He had his two month check up today, and he did great! Everything looks good. Derek and I came with a list of questions, and the doctor pretty much told us that all of our concerns are nothing to be worried about. Eli had three shots and an oral vaccine—which he gulped down—and he did really well.

As for Derek and me, we’re doing well. We’ve gotten into a pretty good routine with Elias, and we leave the house now! 🙂

I’m not hating breastfeeding as much anymore. I’m still not one of those moms who loves the “bonding experience” of breastfeeding, but it’s working for us. A huge part of the improvement is just that I’ve stopped stressing about it as much. Our little chubster isn’t going to starve if he has to wait an extra hour to eat, and all my milk isn’t going to dry up if he gets a bottle for an extra feeding or I don’t pump once. That’s not to say that all of my irrational fears about his eating habits are gone, but it’s getting better.

It’s crazy how much babies change in a short amount of time. I was going through some of Eli’s clothes and kind of stressing about how he has a lot of clothes that he might not even be able to wear before he outgrows them. I think the real issue is that I was realizing how quickly he’s growing and it makes me sad. I want to cherish these times with our sweet boy!

Weight: 12 lbs, 10 oz.
Height: 23 in.
Likes: Snuggling, eskimo kisses from daddy, lights, being in the car, baths (Ok, he actually only mildly tolerates baths, but I really want him to like them. Every time he gets a bath, I say in my weird mom voice, “It’s bath time! You love the bath! This is gonna feel good!” Maybe if I say it enough he’ll eventually believe me)
Dislikes: I’m really sad to be moving “his swing” over to the dislikes section. Hopefully that’ll change. Being cold, having clothes put on over his head, being put in the car seat.
Clothing: 0-3 or 3 month clothes now!