So it's been 2 months now since my life changed forever. It's been an amazing 2 months. Joseph (aka, snugglebug, I know this name may cause problems in kindergarten, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it) continues to amaze me. He's smiling and cooing all the time. Holding his head up and loves to stand. He's mostly sleeping through the night, (I know as soon as a write this I'll be sentenced to a month of nightly feedings) from about 10 to 7.
Breastfeeding is finally going well. It was a challenge for me for the first several weeks. He seemed to be a natural at it, but with my flat nipples it proved to take some time for it to be comfortable. It was pretty painful for about 7 weeks and then it got better. Another difficulty I had to overcome was my large breasts and where my nipples were located on them. They only went up a cup size so I went from a DD to an F (triple D), but the location of the nipple on my breast I think was the real issue. I still can't do a regular cradle hold because if I did I would suffocate the boy. I do a modified football hold where he essentially sits underneath my breast so his belly is touching my breast. I know it sounds crazy and the visual you have in your head at this point is probably pretty comical, but I figure hey whatever works. The double electric Medela pump has been quite useful. I'm only going back to work part-time, but I already have quite a stockpile of milk in the fridge thanks to that double-pumping action. I will admit though, I feel like a cow at the dairy when I'm hooked up to it. So much so that I switch from being a mommy to being a moomy.
He had his 2 month doctor's visit on Friday and got his first set of vaccinations. He cried, I cried, and then we rocked back and forth. It's a hard thing to watch. That was the most awful thing he's experienced thus far in his little life. I can't wait to do it all again in a couple months. As for his particulars he's 14 lbs. 2 oz, 24 inches long/tall, and he's in the 90-95 percentile on the growth charts. He's doing well.
All in all, I'm loving every minute of this new gig. It took me a while to believe he was actually here and actually mine. I still have a hard time believing this isn't one big baby-sitting job. I watch him sleep a lot, even during times I know that I should be sleeping. I can't help it. Everyday makes it a little more real.
I'll be going back to work the week of June 5th, my how these 12 weeks have flown. I'm having mixed emotions about it. I love all of the people I work with and miss them. I also miss the adult interaction and the feeling of being needed (on a professional level). I'll also miss being with him 24 hours a day and seeing him discover the world minute-by-minute. I'll be leaving him in the very capable hands of his Gramma, but it will not be ME that's doing it and that's what I'm having a hard time with.
That's it for now. I can't promise more frequent updates, but I can promise that I will update. It totally get wanting to know how it "ends," so I won't be shutting down all together. You ladies have been fantastic and I'd hate to lose the community here because you all are a great group of gals. I'll post pictures soon.
Easter Joe
He's gonna be a plummer. Poor guy, he's got nothing to keep that diaper up.
Easter Family Picture
Snoopy and Joe, BFF
This is how the boy sucks his thumb. I don't get it. We've even tried to help him curl his fingers, but he prefers to claw his face.
Momma and Joe sleeping on the couch, all is well with the world.
