We have had a lot of fun adjusting to life at home with Gavin. We are learning a lot about him and figuring out what he likes and doesn't like. It's amazing how even though they are so young they already have such a strong personality.
Andrew was able to take three days off from work while we were in the hospital. But the day after we got home, he was back to work. Luckily my mom came to help me out so I wasn't alone.
The day after we brought him home he had his first doctor's appointment. I was so glad to have my mom there to help me get him in and out of the car and up to the doctor. He initially lost about 6 oz. but within a week he had gained it all back, plus some! Way to go!! We quickly learned that whenever his diaper is off, that is the time for him to pee. The nurse at the office also learned this as she put him on the table and he proceeded to decorate their table, wall and the framed picture behind him. She can't say that I didn't warn her! Here he is at the doctor's office.
Those first few weeks he slept a lot! He loved to sleep, which was nice for me. We learned that he loves his hands. He always wants them out and available to put in his mouth. So he does not like it when we swaddle him tight with his arms at his side. We still try to swaddle him with his arms out, but it just doesn't work as well. This is how he always sleeps. Andrew calls it the "touchdown pose."
I bought a sling to carry him around in. This is the first time I put him in it, and he fell right asleep. But now he refuses to go in the sling.
I've mentioned that he wants to be held ALL THE TIME! He does not like to be put down. I am really hoping he gets over that soon so I can get something done (and type with more than one hand!) In the meantime I continually try to put him in these things to try to steal a few minutes to shower, etc. He will go in this little chair for about 15 minutes. The vibrating part broke so we need to figure that out so maybe he will stay in for 20 minutes!
He only lasts about 5 minutes in the swing.
And he does not like to be on the love sac by himself.
Andrew is already trying to indoctrinate him. But he seems to like hanging out with dad whether they are watching football or whatever else.
He absolutely loves to go on walks. He will scream when I put him in his car seat but as soon as the stroller starts moving he calms right down. Here he is on his first stroller ride with Grandma.
So it has been a good month adjusting to this new life. Everyone's first question is "how is he sleeping?" And he is doing pretty good. At night he will sleep anywhere from 2-4 hours at a time. I obviously prefer 4 hours, but it seems like 2 is more common. During the day he will take short naps, but he will only sleep if I am holding him. He can be in a deep sleep, but as soon as I put him down he will wake up and cry. I pick him up again and he goes right back to sleep. It's exhausting, but I don't know what else to do at this point. I was surprised those first few weeks how exhausted I was. There were days that by about 5:00 I was so tired from the day that I couldn't do anything. The emotions were also really surprising. I would cry for absolutely no reason! I told Andrew that it was so frustrating because you have this beautiful new baby that you want to spend time with and enjoy those first few weeks, but you are so tired, sore, and emotional that it's difficult to really enjoy. But luckily you learn to adjust and slowly things fall into place. It's wonderful how quickly you love this new little person and embrace your new life.
He didn't really enjoy that first bath very much. Because we couldn't submerge him in water yet, he got cold really quickly. I don't think he really knew what to think about it!
I love his fluffy hair after we give him a bath.
We were excited when we could finally put him in a real bath. He seems peaceful here, but then it went downhill from there. He didn't like the big bathtub, so we now stick with the sink. He actually seems to really like his baths now.
He does always seem to have this very concerned look on his face after every bath.
And here it is again.
He didn't really enjoy that first bath very much. Because we couldn't submerge him in water yet, he got cold really quickly. I don't think he really knew what to think about it!
I love his fluffy hair after we give him a bath.
We were excited when we could finally put him in a real bath. He seems peaceful here, but then it went downhill from there. He didn't like the big bathtub, so we now stick with the sink. He actually seems to really like his baths now.
He does always seem to have this very concerned look on his face after every bath.
And here it is again.
