5 months old!

We are 5 months old today!

Can I just say how much Sean looks like Erin here?! So crazy. 

Height/Weight: Last Wednesday we went to mommies group, and Sean weighed in at 19lbs 12.5oz. I seriously didn't even think he'd be so big. I could feel it, but geez, almost 20lbs! The person weighing him said that normally after 4 months, babies gain around 3oz a week. Well, little man gained 9.5oz per week! 

I'm not sure about his length, but I would guess it's close to 28 inches. 

Other growth/actions: Lots of growing. He keeps on having growth spurts and is so long!

Routine: Sean's naps are short and sweet lately. He takes one about every 3 hours and it's a max of 45 minutes. Giving this momma little time to get stuff done. But it's okay, because I just love hanging out with my little guy!

Eating/Feeding: Still eating every 2 hours during the day. He does go longer stretches at night (up to 5 hours). We're still exclusively breastfeeding. He refuses a bottle, so that's been tough. I'd really like to go out with a friend for a glass of wine but apparently that's not going to happen for a while! 

We're waiting to do solids until he's 6 months. We still have problems with gas, and I want to wait until he's figured that out before introducing foods. 

Sizes: He's in all 6+ month clothing. I put away all 3-6 month clothes and some 6 month items. I'd say he's 50% in 9 month clothes. He's a big guy! :)

Milestones: Still teething! I wish those little buggers would just break through already! The last few days have been ultra rough, with short and broken naps. He's starting to come out of his 4 month sleep regression, and sleeping longer at night. 

He's figured out how to roll from back to front, and he won't stay on his belly any longer! It's almost immediate when we lay him on his back, that he flips right to his belly. At first he'd get really mad about being on his stomach, but he's actually enjoying it now! 

With the flipping, comes mobility. Sean put one of his legs under him and scooted across his mat. He's also gone up on his knees many times. I'm SO not ready for a mobile child! But I'm so glad he's healthy and happy. 

Xo, Kelsey

4 Months Old...getting SO big!

This 'little' guy is 4 months old! 

We've had a lot go on this month. We bought a house and moved! It's in the same neighborhood that we were in before, but only blocks away from one of the best elementary schools in Eugene. It's a sweet little ranch with 3 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. It's somewhat updated, but we still have opportunity to make upgrades. 

This has been a very hot summer, and we've been just waiting it out. As lovers of overcast and rainy weather, this summer has been just miserable. Poor Sean is a little furnace, so he's always warm. We bought a portable air conditioner and put it in our bedroom, so he can at least nap.

And speaking of the little nugget...

Height/Weight: He had his 4 month appointment on the 12th, and he weighed in at a whopping 17lbs 5oz. WHAT?! Where did my little baby go?? He is also a very long 26 inches. 

My guess is he'll be 6'3" as an adult :)

Other growth/actions: More hair...it's coming in dark, so I'm happy he'll have my hair. Erin was a blondy until he was around 3. So I'm happy he'll look like my kid. 

He is also growing into his head, so it doesn't look so big compared to his body :)

He now has beautiful rolls growing on his legs and arms, as well as getting a double chin! Love it!

Routine: Naps are not so 'routine' anymore. He does nap well, it's just random.

Also we've implimented a bedtime routine. We play from 6:30-7pm, 7pm bathtime and then nursing/burping, reading and he passes out by 7:30pm. In fact, he's really set his bedtime to 7:30pm. It's nice, because it gives Erin and I grown up time for a few hours before we go to bed. He's now sleeping until around 1:30am and again until 5:30am. The last week or so, he's been getting up every hour or so to burp, fart, pee, whatever. I'm hoping the 4 month sleep regression doesn't last long!

Eating/Feeding: Still eating every 2 hours during the day. Sometimes he'll nap for 2+ hours, so that'll give us a 3 hour stretch once in awhile. We're still exclusively breastfeeding. 

Sizes: The 3-6 month onesies are really tight in length. So we have him in mostly 6 month clothes and some 9 month stuff! I'm excited for it to be cooler so he can wear some of his long sleeves and pants. We've pretty much had him in short sleeve onesies all summer.

Milestones: So much has happened in the last month, it's crazy! It explains why he's been so fussy :)

We've been rolling, blowing raspberries, laughing and TEETHING! He chews on everything. No buds have broken through, but I can tell the poor guy is in pain. His favorite relief is the frozen teething rings and frozen keys. Lots of drool and lots of nighttime fussing. I've heard once they break through it gets easier. 

We do still deal with gas daily. He just can't figure out how to fart. So we've experimented with some remedies and found 'Tummy Calm'. It's a homeopathic gas treatment that has helped. 

We're attempting to start crib training next week. Wish us luck! He's been sleeping in his pack and play since moving, and it's so loud and he's not sleeping too well. The noise from it wakes me up all night as well. So I am hoping we'll both sleep better once we make the move!

On to the fourth month of life for my love! He does get easier with age, so I'm so glad that friends and family keep reminding me of this!

Love love love,

Kelsey

3 months - the end of the 4th Trimester!

 Look mom, I'm 3 months old ALREADY!

Seriously, I know every time I'm going to say this, but where has the time gone?!

He is the light of my life and is becoming such a funny little guy. I live for the morning smiles and coos. 

On another note, I wanted to toot my own horn. I am now 5lbs below my pre pregnancy weight! I still have a little tummy but I suppose that's to be expected since I had an 8.5lb baby inside of me not too long ago. But I've never felt healthier and happy with my body. It's amazing how your body image is put into perspective once you've carried a baby. The little things no longer bother me. I just care how I feel.

Anywho, enough about me! This is supposed to be about Sean :) 

Height/Weight: I haven't had him weighed in a few weeks, but I would guess he's close to 15.5lbs.

Other growth/actions: He is starting to grow back all of the hair that he lost when he was born. It's actually a little dark, so he looks like he's actually my kid :) 

Routine: Our routine hasn't changed much since the 2 month mark. He is getting better at napping, so that has given me more time during the day to get work done. 

Eating/Feeding: He eats around every 2 hours during the day. He does sleep from around 8:30pm-1:30am, which is our longest stretch. *update: he did 8:30-3:30am last night! Crazy!

 It's nice to finally be getting some sleep! Then after that he eats around 5am, which is when I get up for the day. 

Sizes: He officially has grown out of the 0-3mo clothes. I will be putting them away this weekend :(. But it's good, because all of the 3-6mo clothes are really cute! 

Milestones: We are starting to get giggles here and there. It is seriously the most amazing noise on earth. He is grabbing toys and putting them in his mouth. Speaking of his mouth, he is obsessed with chewing on his hands! I am pretty sure we are starting teething, because he chews on anything and everything, and the drool is out of control. We are going to try out one of those amber necklaces to see if it helps at least with the drool. 

Also, we have always struggled with tummy time. As of this week, we don't hate it anymore! In fact, he's getting quite good. We still use a towel or blanket to go under his chest, but he has gotten the concept to put his arms under him and push himself up. This is probably something a 2 month old should have figured out, but he has a big ol' noggin and has always had great neck control. And he's smiling/cooing while doing it. It is a miracle! 

Always moving :)

I think rolling might be next. He keeps moving his legs side to side and allllmost rolling over. I know things will get very interesting once that starts happening!

He's such an amazing little guy. Erin and I are so blessed to have him!!

Xo, Kelsey

2 Months!

Sean is 2 months! Where is time going? 

He had his 2 month check up on Wednesday and he's doing well! 

Sean and I braved our first road trip to Napa at 7 weeks and we survived. If I had the choice to do it again or not, I would choose not. It was long and frustrating, and it really messed up Sean's schedule. Not to mention I got serious 'mommy guilt' over him being stuck in the car seat for so long. I'm thinking it'll be awhile before we drive the whole trip again. 

My big 2 month old!

Height/Weight: He is now 13lbs 1oz and 23 inches long. That means he's gained 5lbs in 6 weeks, and has grown over an inch since birth. That explains the fussiness we've been experiencing the last few weeks.

Other growth/actions: He started getting eyelashes! Also, all of the hair that fell out when he was born is starting to grow back darker. 

Routine: We are usually up around 5am, and he goes back to bed right away. That's what I call my 'mommy time' as he usually sleeps for 3 hours during this nap. Then we're on a 2 hour cycle for the rest of the day. He eats, lays on his activity mat/does some tummy time on mommy and then back down for a nap. 

The evenings have been rough lately. Usually around 5pm, he just can't be appeased. Doesn't want to eat, diaper is dry and doesn't need to burp. So, we've just been *attempting* to put him down for a nap. We usually get him to take a 30 minute nap (enough time to shove some food in our faces), and then he's up again. I feed him, and he's down for the night. Phew!

Then, he usually sleeps until 12 or 1, and then 3 and 5.

Eating/Feeding: He eats around every 2 hours during the day, and every 3-4 hours at night. I'm hoping the every 3 hours during the day schedule is coming soon.

Sizes: I had to pull out the 3-6 month clothes last night. Oh gosh, my sweet baby is growing so fast! I'm glad he's healthy and gaining well, but man! Slow down!

Milestones: Still smiling and cooing. He keeps acting like he wants to laugh, but it doesn't stick. Also, with all of the long naps, he hasn't had a ton of time for socializing. I'm thinking in the next week or so I'll get some laughs and less of the 'startle' reflex. 

Again, I'm sooooo happy he's healthy and growing quickly, but I am so sad he's not tiny anymore. Everyone was right when they said just to enjoy it while it lasts. I really can't wait until he starts sitting and playing, but I'm sure I'll miss this time then as well.

xoxo, Kelsey

6 weeks, back to work!

Today marks the last day of my maternity leave. It's so bittersweet to think that I have to go back to work on Monday, but I am so fortunate to be able to work from home and enjoy my sweet boy. It will take some time to adjust to my new life, but I can't wait to get back into a normal routine. 

I will normally only do a monthly photo and post of Sean, but I realized I didn't have anything that showed scale on Sean's 1 month photo, so I decided to do something to show his size at 6 weeks. This'll be the norm for the monthly photos from now on. This elephant was a gift from my mom, and I used it as the prop for his birth announcement photo at 2 weeks. He's super cute and makes Sean feel safe :).

Height/Weight: I haven't weighed him in a week or so, but I would guess he's closer to 11lbs now. Also, I'd say he's around 23 inches. He has his 2 month appointment on the 11th, so I'll have a correct ht/wt then. 

Routine: It's a little random the last few days, but this is how our days normally go:

6:30am first feeding. I bring Sean to the living room and nurse in the glider. He usually falls asleep after, so I pop him into his bouncy chair while I shower, etc

After this, I feed him about every two hours. I try to get out for a walk around the neighborhood or go to Target and walk while wearing him. 

His 'witching hour' has been around 6pm-8pm, and I get him to sleep around 8:30pm. 

I try to get to bed around 9pm, but it's normally closer to 10pm. 

He's been sleeping until around 1am, and then will wake again every 2 hours after that. So at least I'm getting 1 really good stretch of sleep from him for now. 

Eating/Feeding: Breastfeeding is going well! Less cluster feeding this week than last week, and he is a fast eater, around 15 minutes each time. 

Sizes: He has now grown out of his newborn stuff and is fitting into 0-3 months. Some of the 0-3 month things already don't fit him! :( 

He's been in the one size cloth diapers since around 2.5 weeks, but he's fitting in them much nicer now. 

Milestones: lots of smiling and cooing! He is overall a very happy and easy baby, so I'm really fortunate to be reminded of how sweet he can be whenever I get the gummy smiles and reaction from him. He's such a joy!

Xo,

Kelsey

1 Month and Pregnancy Timeline!

Today marks Sean turning 1 month old! I really can't believe how fast time has flown by. Everyone warns you of how fast it goes, but it's hard to believe until it's actually happening to you. I am overwhelmed by my love for this sweet boy, and can't believe how much he grows and develops each day. He has grown out of all of his teeny newborn clothes and wears 0-3months now. 

We got our first 'social smile' on Mother's Day and have gotten a few more since! He's such a clever and funny little guy. I can't believe how rewarding it is to be a mother!

I'll start doing these monthly photos of Sean, because I think they're so sweet! And it'll be a twist on the belly shots from my pregnancy.

My big boy, at 10lbs 2oz (up from his birth weight of 8lbs 8.5oz!):

SMILING!! :)

 And being a little cheeky :)

He is developing so fast, I can't blink or I'll miss something!

Speaking of the belly shots, I always love seeing a collage of the progression of pregnancy once baby has arrived, so I decided to put one together. It's SO crazy to see how quickly my body changed over 9 months! The first photo is at 5 weeks, the day I found out I was pregnant. Sooo tiny!

The last photo is me at the hospital, when I was about to be induced. I was so bloated, swollen and done that I just don't even look like myself. When I see that picture though, all I can think about is how excited I was to meet my baby!

Xoxo,

Kelsey 

2 weeks postpartum and my birth story!

Hello all! Please excuse my absence, I've been a little preoccupied with this little man ;)

I mean, can you blame me?! 

The last 2.5 weeks have been a blur of nursing, diaper changes and trying to sleep whenever I can. My mom was here to help for the first week that he was home with us, and the rest of my family came to meet him last weekend. He is a pretty easy baby overall, with all of the normal needs of a newborn. We're so smitten with his little nose and sweet eyes. 

I've been debating whether or not to post my birth story, as it's not exactly ideal. But, it's the truth, and it's what happened (no matter how gruesome!). And, in the end, it brought me my sweet son. 

I'll preface this story with what I wanted. I wanted a totally natural and low intervention labor. No meds, drugs, or C-section if possible. Also, I wanted to labor at home as much as possible, so I would avoid the intervention. But, that's not what was in the cards for me. 

Here goes...

I went into my 40 week appointment expecting to get my membranes stripped, and my initial blood pressure was really high. After getting them stripped, the BP was even higher. Doctor decided it was time to induce. I was so freaked out that I would have to be induced – the complete opposite of my all natural and low intervention birth plan. My mom was already staying with us so she came with me to the hospital while Erin was at work. He would get there around 3pm.

They started me really low on Pitocin at 1pm and then broke my water at 6pm when my doctor came to the hospital to check on me, since nothing really was happening. Started upping the Pitocin and it became obvious really fast that baby was posterior, from my horrible back contractions. I labored in all positions and had no relief.

By 8pm I was a 4, and at nearly max pitocin, so at least that was promising. I decided to get into the tub to see if it would help with the contractions and help me relax and dilate some more. After 20 minutes I realized the tub wasn’t helping (like I was really hoping it would) because baby’s head was against my tailbone and making it worse to be sitting in the hard tub. Got out, and I was still only a 4. I was devastated.

So back to bouncing on the ball and trying to get through the excruciating back labor. I should mention that Erin was so amazing and helpful through everything – always there to rub my back and help me relax.

Finally around 2am I was a 6. I felt defeated but the nurses were optimistic. They asked if I wanted any pain meds and I figured it was probably a good idea if I did, so I could relax and dilate some more. Before they could even call my doctor to do the order, I started going into transition. A baby turning specialist came in to get him to face anterior. Not sure why this was just now happening, but I guess they do it so he’s not likely to turn back around. That whole ordeal was awful and baby did not want to turn around. So I just moaned my way through the worst pain in my life like a wild animal. The rest is a blur. 

I then went to a 9 in an hour.

The last few contractions of transition I could tell were really forcing baby down. My doctor got in and they realized his cord was around his neck. They put a sensor on his scalp and his heart rate dropped with every contraction. C section was imminent and I was really upset but wanted what was best for baby. When they went to check his position, he was crowning and doctor said it would be safer to push than to wait and get a C section. So I bore down and pushed with all of my might. During the last few pushes, I could hear that his heart rate was stopping. It just motivated me more to get him out as soon as possible. 18 minutes later and my sweet son came out!

I wanted skin to skin but because of his cord being wrapped around him, they had to take him and pink him up/get him breathing well. I was so terrified but everyone said this is normal, just getting him healthy and ready for me. He gave us a few quiet cries, and after some oxygen, he belted out a very lustful cry. A couple of minutes later, I was holding my little man and our lives were complete!

Definitely NOT what I wanted in my birth plan but such is life, right?

The light of my life, Sean Patrick Stanton, 8lbs 8.5oz and 22 inches long!

Xoxo,

Kelsey