Three Months: Colin Bennett

Colin Bennett-

I cannot believe you are already three months old! Time is flying by and you are growing and learning by the day.

Size: At three months you are at least 13lbs and getting longer by the day. You are outgrowing your three month clothes and growing into your six month stuff.  I'd say before the end of September you'll be exclusively in six month onesies and suits. Your legs are too long for three month jammies so you sleep in your sleepsack or six month jammies most nights. You are also outgrowing size one diapers so we are using those up and starting size two.  At your two month checkup you were 25th percentile in weight and 75th in height. I can't wait to see what you are next month.

Eating: You are still exclusively breastfed and eat between 6-7 times per day. We've adapted a schedule and that seems to work pretty well for all of us. With that said, if you are hungry in between feedings, we'll go ahead and feed you. You've started school this week and they said you are hungry right on schedule so they've been giving you a bottle of pumped milk three times per day. You nurse in the morning and in the evening and are still getting a bottle of pumped milk at bedtime from Daddy. Sometimes you'll wake up for a quick snack in the middle of the night but it's really hit or miss. 

Loves: You love your bouncy seat and the new jumperoo but most of all... you love to be held (and we love to hold you!). You also love to go for walks in the stroller or to be outside in general. You are definatley an outdoor guy.

You LOVE to be held and snuggled. You are a loving little baby and we love to snuggle as a family. Our favorite time is early morning when we bring you into our bed and snuggle (with Dutch too!).

You love to be sang to and seem to be enjoying story time as well!

Sleeping: You take at least one larger nap during the day (2ish hours) and another shorter nap as well (30mins). You are sleeping through the night (8/8:30-6am) about half of the week and wake up once per night the other half.

Milestones: So many milestones this month! On 8/2 you started to really talk- you were telling Mommy about the ceiling fan. On 8/5 you had your first intentional grab of a toy- your connecting rings.  On 8/12 you moved your head from side to side while doing tummy time!

You can lift your booty up while sitting in your bouncy seat or laying flat on your back (Baby-size as we like to call it) and you have really started to move and groove with your arms and legs. You are a little motor boat who loves to move!

You have several nicknames: Mommy and Daddy call you beebs, C, Little C and Chubby in the Tubby. Gram and Granddad call you beebalino and bebe

Random tidbits: We have found you sleeping on your side this month- I think we are getting closer to the rolling over milestone! You have also really taken to your binkie as of recent. You also let us know you are upset but not in distress when you say "WAP" and stick out your bottom lip. You are the KING of the bottom lip and Mommy is a sucker. ;)

You bring so much joy to our lives sweet boy. We are so in love with you and have enjoyed watching you grow these past three months. Mommy and Daddy cannot wait to see what the next few months bring. Keep on being you baby C because you are simply perfect.  We love you to the moon and back our little star.

Happy three months sweet boy!

Love,
Mama and Daddy

Colin Bennett: 13 weeks

Colin Bennett is 13 weeks old, holy cow. 

Weight:  I'd say he is at least 13 pounds.

Health: Colin is one happy and healthy little boy

Social: Colin has had a very social week. He got to spend time with Gram and Granddad at the beach, go out to dinner, go out to breakfast twice and see his Grandpop as well. On Monday he got to spend the day with his Aunt Barbara and on Tuesday he started daycare. :)

Sleep: Colin made the transition to his big boy crib! The first two nights he woke up in the middle of the night. I think he was getting used to the space. We gave him the "binks" and rocked him a little and he went back down. The past two nights- he's slept through the night! Way to go little man! :)

Diet: All Mommy's milk!

Clothes: 3-6 month onesies and six month pants for length! Size two diapers.

Baby Gear Love: This week we've loved our new binkies! Gram picked up some Nuk binkies while we were at the beach and C loves them!

Crying:  Hiccups and being tired will cause a few meltdowns

Likes: We have a boy that likes a lot of things. He loves bathtime, being out doors (LOVED the beach and the deck off the condo), sitting up, being sung to, his ring toys. Most of all- our boy loves putting his hands in his mouth!

Dislikes: hiccups are still not his fav, sometimes he doesn't like getting his onesies/shirts put on over his head but it's not every time.

Postpartum: I'm enjoying being back into a routine. The days are long but I like having some structure. It think this will be good for feeling "normal" again and will help me get my weight down. Pumping and working has actually not been bad! I was really worried that it would be awkward/I wouldn't make enough milk, etc but so far, so good! I'm hoping to keep this up until Colin is at least six months old. 3 months to go!

Milestones: What a week in the milestone department!

Colin's first time putting his toes in the sand- 8/22

...Man I love those chubby little legs

Colin's first time putting his feet in the ocean- 8/24
Colin's first time sleeping in his big boy crib- 8/25
Colin's first full day in daycare- 8/27

Miscellaneous:

What a week. Colin's 13th week started out great! We had fun at the beach and got all settled in ready for our first day back to work and school on Monday. We were up and out the door on time and in a great mood until... we arrived at daycare. I don't know what happened but the daycare we picked out and visited TWICE turned out to be a nightmare. I pulled in on Monday and went back into the infant room (0-12months) and was greated by a madhouse. There was one teacher and 8 students ranging from a few months-6 years old. The teacher wasn't listening when I was explaining his scheudle, was yelling at the children and there were older kids touching and hanging all over the infants. The teacher even yelled at a little guy who was crying for his Mommy on his first day. I. WAS. LIVID. I knew I couldn't leave my baby in the care of this place. I was so shocked as well...being as this was a Montessouri school. I ended up working from home that day and Aunt Barbara came to our rescue. We were able to get a spot at the Kinder Care in town. We went to visit and meet Colin's new teachers and tour the facility... We loved it! Kinder Care did not have any spots when we were looking before and by divine intervention, one was available when we needed it most. Colin's new school is amazing and he is certainly in good hands. I love his new teachers and am so thankful. We are now settling into our new routine and our little family is doing so well. I certainly am feeling blessed.

Colin Bennett-
Now that Mommy is back to work, our relationship will surely change. I miss you so much during the day that my heart aches. I miss our snuggles, I miss our play time, I miss spending all my days with you. I know that being a working Mommy will be challenging. I know that it means we can't spend as much time toghether... but I know we are making the right choice for our family. I work becuase I am passionate about what I do. I work because I have a career that will allow us to have a wonderful life and I work so that you will have a roll modle in BOTH of your parents. I work because I worked hard to get an education and I want to utilize it. I work because I want you to be proud of your Mommy!
It has only been three days but I do hate being away from you. I promise to make our time together count. I promise to always put you first. I promise to soak up all of the time we have together and cherish the moments that make us smile. I hope you know that you are my pride and joy and that I am your biggest fan. I know you will thrive in daycare and I'm sure this week has been harder on me than you. I know you are being taken care of and loved all day while Mommy and Daddy are at work. I can't wait to see you grow and develop relationships with your peers but of course I wish it was me you could be with all day!
In closing, this has been a big week of change for us but I know it is all going to be ok. I love you to the moon and back, Colin Bennett. You are my shining star.

Love,
Mama

Colin Bennett: 12 weeks

Happy 12 weeks to our sweet baby boy!

Weight:  I am guessing somewhere close to 13 pounds! He's such a big boy! Every day I look at him and think "my gosh- he's gotten bigger". 

Health: Healthy and happy little man

Social: Colin is on his first vacation at the beach! Gram and Granddad are with us and we are having such a good time! 

Sleep: C has transitioned to the pack and play this week. It has gone well! We are hoping he likes his crib next week.

Diet: All Mommy's milk- I am going to miss nursing him all day when I go back to work next week. :-/

Clothes: We tried some six month suits on this week and they fit- my big guy. The three month suits aren't "too small" but they aren't going to last too much longer.  Gram and Granddad outfitted C for the fall at the outlets this week. Can't wait to dress him for school! He is still fitting in his size 1 diapers but I think this is the last pack we will buy at this size. 

Baby Gear Love: We are lovin' the pack n play this week!

Crying:  This week has been great! He has been fighting going to sleep but otherwise he had been great! He is a boy who loves love. He wants to be held and has a hard time "going down". 

Likes: being held and hanging out with the family.

Dislikes: poopy diapers- can you blame him?

Postpartum: feeling great!! Next week when I return to work, I am going to get back on track with healthy eating. I need to get these lbs off ASAP. I'm going to cut way down on the carbs and way up on the juicing. 

Milestones: lifting his booty up while sitting or laying down. We call this "baby-size". 

First vacation!!!

Keeping this post short and sweet- time to go soak up all the vacation I can!!

Colin Bennett: 11 weeks

Happy 11 weeks to our sweet baby boy! 

Weight:  I'd say he is close to 12 pounds!

Health: Colin is very happy and healthy. No issues that we are aware of. He does have a serious case of cuteness...

Social: This week Colin spent Thursday evening with Gram and Granddad while Mommy and Daddy went to see Justin Timberlake and Jay Z! According to his adoring grandparents- he was a perfect angel. :) Friday night Colin's Great Aunt Barbara and Great Uncle Ralph came to visit and Sunday Uncle Chip came to visit. 

Sleep: Colin slept through the night Thursday, Friday, Saturday then woke up once Sunday and Monday. It's hit or miss with sleeping through the night but if he does wake up, it's only once. I think part of the problem is that Colin is getting to long for his sleep n' play. We love that thing- its so snuggly and it keeps him on an angle which I love for safety  but Colin likes to stretch out, which he can't do in the sleep n' play anymore. We will probably make the transition to the crib sooner rather than later.

Diet: All Mommy's milk!

Clothes: 3 month onesies and six month pants for length! Still in size one diapers.

Baby Gear Love: While Gram and Granddad were here last week we picked up a jumpero. He is still so little but he loves to be upright so we thought we'd give it a try and he loves it!
Crying:  Hiccups, tired, fussy time (6-7 at night)
Likes: going for walks, sitting up like a big boy, baths, his toy rings and his toy ball. He also likes reading stories and singing songs. 
Dislikes: Getting out of the bath, tummy time

Postpartum: Feeling good. I'm not seeing as much weight fall off as I'd like, especially since I'm exercising most days. I may need to measure inches because I do feel like I "look better" each week. I'm going to pick up the amount of cardio and decrease the amount of carbs I'm eating to see if that helps!

Milestones: Colin can turn his head from side to side while doing tummy time!- 8/12 
He also rolled from back to front while snuggling in Mommy's bed with her (but it could have been a combo of the way we were laying and his effort)- 8/13

Miscellaneous: 

Now that Colin is on a schedule, I thought I would document what a typical day has been like for the two of us:
Between 6-7am Colin wakes up. It's time to eat! Mommy breastfeeds's him lying down and then we snuggle for an hour or so in bed/play/talk/snooze.
Around 8am- We get up, get dressed for the day and head downstairs. Mommy makes breakfast and pumps a bottle for his bed time feeding
9am- time to eat again!
9:30-10- play time. We do tummy time, play with the rings or ball, talk, read, giggle
10-11/11:30- Morning nap
12-time to eat!
12:30-3- Colin typically takes a 2 hour nap while we go for a run in the jogger, run errands, do chores, etc.
3- time to eat!
4- Go for a walk and wait for Daddy to get home
5- play with Daddy
5:30- time to eat!
6-7- Go for a walk, pass back and forth between Mommy and Daddy for fussy time
7:30- bath time!!
8- Daddy feeds Colin a Bottle while Mommy reads everyone a story, we say the magic words (goodnight, sweet dreams, We love you, see you in the morning)
8:30- bed time for baby!

Slowing down...

I think its in my nature to always be focused on the "next thing I have to do"/ the list of chores that needs to be done, the position statement that I need to write for work, the work out I need to do and the pounds I need to lose. I tend to stress out until the house is clean and all my "to dos" are done.

 I'm always on the move. 

Having these 12 weeks home with Colin has been good for me. It has finally hit me that I need to relax and just ENJOY. I need to slow down every once in a while and just take in our beautiful little life. I have a perfect little son that wants to hang out with his Mama. Laundry can wait, he won't be this little forever.

On that note- I'm going to go snuggle my baby.

Colin Bennett: 10 weeks!

How is it that I only have two and a half more weeks at home with this sweet face?

Happy ten weeks baby!!!

Weight:  If C is gaining about an ounce per day- he should be a little over 11 and a half pounds. 

Health: Doing great! Little guy does have a clogged tear duct that has flared up maybe three times since birth. It flared up on Monday and Tuesday but is much better today. 

Social: Colin had another eventful week. He was visited by his Grandmom, Aunt Leslie and cousins on Friday, Brittany and Gina on Saturday and Aunt Julie on Tuesday!

We also had our first outing as a family of four! We took Dutch to "yappy hour" at our favorite spot- The Wine Bin. 

Sleep: Ever since C's shots, sleep has been off. He is still going 5 hour stretches at night but hasn't slept through the night since the day before his shots. He is still going to bed by 8 and will only wake up once before 6- not too bad! 

Daddy on the other hand...

Diet: All Mommy's milk! I was beginning to stress about how I'm going to pump enough to feed him at daycare once I go back to work but I've elicited some advice and am feeling much better about the whole thing. I really, really would love to make it to my six month goal of breastfeeding but I can't stress- its not good for me and not good for our family. I will feed him breast milk only for as long as I can and will only supplement once we have to but I'm not going to beat myself up over it if that happens before November 29th. 

Clothes: all three month onesies and size one diapers. He is a string bean (long and lean) and was able to wear six month sweatpants for the length this week.

Baby Gear Love: Connecting rings! Our boy seems to be very entertained by these this week! We loved seeing him intentionally grab them for the first time on Monday.

Crying:  Baby is still a bit colicky in the evening before bed for about an hour but its getting MUCH less severe and much easier to handle. He calms down by sitting in his bouncy seat outside, getting some lovies, going on a walk or listening to music. 

Likes: His connecting rings, singing, his ball, going on walks, watching the fan and definitely- BATHS!

Dislikes: gas, hiccups, tummy time, being swaddled and getting out of the bath...

Postpartum: Feeling great and wearing pre pregnancy pants! I am down another pound this week which always boosts the confidence. I have a long road to go to reach my goal but every bit  helps. 

Milestones: Intentional grab of the rings and ball- 8/5

Colin Bennett- I am so not looking forward to sending you to daycare everyday. I am going to miss spending so much time with you. It breaks my heart to think that someone else gets to spend the day with you and I don't! I know I will make the time we have together count in the evening but I still will miss you so much! I am going to soak up all the sweet baby time I can over the next two weeks!
Love you to the moon and back,
Mama