Seven Hour Stretch

Our amazing little man has been particularly amazing, lately. For example, he has started to smile at us. And this past Saturday night, he slept for seven hours in a row! Truly amazing. Since then, he's only done five hours at a time, but we'll take it. 

He's rolled over a few more times, too. If only I could capture it on video... He's starting to grab the toys on his little play mat, and he loves to stand up. He even marches in place while we help him stand,  and we can't help but sing the song all the kids in Tanzania used to sing, "We march like a soldier, we march..."

I'm doing pretty well now, too. Today I had my six week post-partum check-up, and I've been cleared to exercise again. So tomorrow I'm planning to go for a run. Fingers crossed it goes well! 

I go back to school this weekend, as well. I am taking classes on Tuesday evening and Saturday afternoon. And one of my Saturday classes only meets every other week, so we have one class before the new year. I tried to do some reading for it today when Parker was napping, but I ended up just taking a nap, too. Oops...

Six weeks of parenting, and we've mastered changing diapers, cutting fingernails, and giving baths. Parker tops the scale at over 11 pounds, which means he's gained more than 3 pounds since birth, so I must be doing well with breastfeeding. Getting Parker to, "Go the F*ck to Sleep" is still hit or miss, but it's getting better. So I guess it's time for Mama to get back to work! Wish me luck in my quest to finish grad school while working and being a great mom to my little man. Parker.

One and Done!

Amazing, but true. Parker has been with us for 1 month! 

Becoming parents has been both harder and easier than we expected. For example, we know that when Parker cries, he probably wants to be fed, changed, held, bounced, or put to sleep. So in some ways, it's pretty easy to figure out what he needs -- there are only 5 options. We can figure that out, easy! But in other ways, determining which of those five options will satisfy Parker's needs at any moment in time is kind of a crap shoot. Who the hell knows?! So we give it our best shot. And eventually, normally in about 3 to 6 hours, we seem to be able to figure it out.

Before Parker was born, Jeremy and I were both concerned that becoming Parents would alter our identities. However, neither Jeremy nor I think we've really changed much in the past month. Jeremy is still messy, and I'm still a bit neurotic. But if we're being totally honest, we will admit that over the past 30 days, our conversations have focused more on boobs and poops than on "intelligent" topics like the election or the fiscal cliff. Who knew there was so much to say about nipples? Who knew baby poop could be so fascinating?

And who knew that Jeremy and I were so immature?! Every time Parker passes gas or has a bowel movement, Jeremy and I are in hysterics. Maybe it's the sounds he makes. However, it's more likely that the faces Parker makes when he's trying to relieve himself are what set us over the edge. But watching our child go to the bathroom has become quite a comical past time. On one occasion, Parker went through three diapers in a row on the changing table. As soon as we would finish securing a new diaper, Parker would drop another load. And damn, did he smile with pride each time! After the third "movement" I myself peed my own pants. Luckily, at this time at least, Jeremy is still in control of his bladder and bowels.   

Are we tired? Of course! Jeremy will definitely complain that he hasn't slept very well since Parker was born. However, I must admit, I'm feeling pretty fantastic. Parker sleeps for 3 or 4 hour stretches at a time. He's even done a couple of 5 hour stretches. Dare I say it, but I'm sleeping better with a newborn than when I was "with child." Seriously. Once my morning sickness died around Week 10, I started going to the bathroom every couple of hours. 4 hours of sleep at a time is amazing for me! Thank you, Parker!

By all means, though, I am quite excited for Parker to begin "doing his nights." I'm excited for the little man to start smiling, too. I can't wait for him to begin making sounds and trying to talk. He's already grown out of his newborn clothes, and I'm sure he'll be walking in no time. But for now, cheers to Parker's first month! We love you very much, Mister Man!

Mom's Poor Attempt at a Cake
(AKA Baking in the Bjorn is Tricky...) 

Family Photo
(Dad didn't get to shower yet today...)

Parker at 1 Month Old
(10 Pounds and 22 Inches Long!)

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