Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Liam - 3-4 months

Well, Liam has grown leaps and bounds these past two months.  He has surprised us in many ways (sleeping 10+ hours a few nights, than back to up every 3 hours =(.  I swear I will never figure this kid out, which I realize is how kids go...

It's awesome to see his transition from sleeping, eating, repeat, to play time, smiling at us, and finding his hands and feet.  He loves chewing on his hands and grabbing at his feet when he can reach them.  He's figuring out cause and effect.  Like if I touch this thing, it will spin!  Amazing!  He's also become a bit needy.  I'm flattered really that he can only be happy with me in the room, but come on!  So, we have started baby wearing and moving his little chair into the kitchen so he can watch me cook or wash dishes.  What a boring life I live!

We survived his first cold too!  He came down with a runny nose and cough the night Nathan had planned for my big birthday dinner out.  We still went but I was worried then entire time.  When we got home, we did everything we could....humidifier in his room, elevated his bed, suctioned his nose like crazy and when he woke at 2, we just held him and slept on the couch all night long.  It was sort of a sweet moment looking back.  Nathan and I were up talking for about an hour after Liam fell back asleep and it was just, nice.  I can't really describe it, but I will remember it forever.

His naps are still sporadic and so is his sleeping schedule. What schedule?!  I started waking him from his naps b/c I was afraid he was missing a daytime feed and thus, waking up at night.  That worked for about a week, and just like everything else, this kid defied books and what other babies do.  He will go 2-3 nights of 8+ hours of sleeping, than be up after 6 hours the next night and then 5 the night after that.  Without any change to our day or his eating.  He is just going to be his own person I suppose.  I've asked about every mom friend I have if this is normal, or if I'm doing something wrong and the consensus is that this is normal for a baby!  Gosh, I do not want another one...for a long time! 

He is definitely a mover and a shaker.  Sometimes when I go in his room in the morning, he will be facing the exact opposite way and has worked both fists out of his swaddler and is chewing on them.  It's awesome that he doesn't cry every 2 seconds now and he will just chill in his crib for a time.  But I'm realizing he's pretty smart.  He tried very hard to knock down his blanket off the back of his crib last week (we promptly relocated that one) and he is easily bored with things.  He figured out that his jumpy thing does not play music unless you bounce in it which he can barely do but he still tries after it stops.  He does not get into "baby talk" and actually looks offended when people speak to him that way.  When I really talk to him, he just smiles and coos.  He'll even forget to eat b/c he's smiling. 

His favorite things:  Llama, Llama (we're making it his favorite), chewing on his fists, drooling, bouncing in the jumper, being outside, reaching for toys, car rides

His least favorite things: tummy time (he'll last about 3 minutes before burying his head), not sleeping =), getting changed when he's hungry
**He's ok with baths as in, he tolerates them if the water is warm enough.  Maybe once he's able to sit up, he'll be able to splash and enjoy it.

I don't know how much he weighs but my guess would be around 15lbs.  He's very long (25+inches).  As we are almost at the 4 month mark (on July 24th), I've realized a few things.  They aren't brilliant and most moms will be like, "duh," but hey, I've never done this before....
1.  It DOES get better
2. And then it gets worse (for example, sleep!)
3. I still have meltdowns and the "can I do this" mentality
4. It is very much the hardest job in the world and don't anyone think it's not
5. I have no idea how I'm going to go back to work
6. His smiles make it all worth it
7. At times, I feel I have failed as a parent, forgetting that he's still figuring out the world
8. I have great friends, sisters-in-laws, and family who give great advice even when I think I'm in this alone

Today, I am a frustrated mommy, sleep-deprived, and broke down crying a few times.  I wish he slept through the night.  I wish I could find just 3 days a week to run and not have to send him to a sitter during that time.  I wish he was an "angel" baby.  I wish he could sleep on his tummy at times (fix that flat head =(.  But, this too shall pass (and all too quickly it seems) and the Lord's mercies are new each morning (Lamentations 3).  Tomorrow is a new day and I praise God for every small hurdle we clear.  Even if we fall down the next two hurdles.

Hug your kids, friends =)





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