one month old!

Yesterday was Otto's one-month birthday. Or whatever you call that. We went to the pediatrician's office for a 'weight check' and he is (drumroll...) 10 lbs., 11 oz. Ye Gods! Mama's got some sweet milk. He's also around the 80th percentile for height and head circumference. What a bruiser.

Now that all the visitors are finally gone (The Husband's folks left on Saturday), I feel like our lives as parents have truly started. Its a little weird being home everyday...I keep thinking in the back of my mind that I'm going to have to get up and go to work...but in reality, that's not for another 8 weeks! I'm so glad I'm taking the full 12 weeks of maternity leave. Right now, I can't imagine handing this little guy over to strangers...(sob)

The weather has been really pretty so we've been trying to get out everyday- taking the dog for walks, visiting the husband at work, running errands. Housework has been put on the back burner, but honestly, I really don't care. I'm keeping up with laundry and dishes and the other stuff can just wait, as far as I'm concerned.

All in all, I'd have to say I'm enjoying the Mama thing pretty completely. I've had a couple moments of feeling down in the dumps but they tend to pass pretty quickly and be replaced by complete awe at this new little dude that takes up so much of our time.

Sigh.

3 weeks

Otto is 3 weeks old. Hard to believe its been that long and yet it seems like he's been here forever...if that even makes any sense. Nursing is going really well...at his last check up he was up to 9lbs. 1.5 oz. He is super long and already growing out of most of his newborn clothes. I think he'll be in 3-6 mos. stuff here pretty soon.

The last 3 weeks have been pretty crazy, though. The Husband's granddad passed away and we had to go to the funeral when Otto was only 10 days old...it was 2.5 hrs away and a really long, trying day for all of us. Due to the long car ride, I got engorged the next day, which was no fun. Fortunately, my mom was here and knew just what to do...I took a hot shower before feeding the little guy to soften things up a bit and then used ice packs after he ate. That and a little ibuprofen for the discomfort seemed to do the trick.

We've also had a steady stream of visitors...first my mom was here, then my best friend from college, and now the in-laws. I'm really looking forward to having the house to ourselves and hopefully getting into a nice daily rhythm.

So, aside from the sleep deprivation, I'd say we are doing just fine. Otto is a trip, man. He doesn't fuss much so far and when he does, he is very easily comforted. He does seem to love sucking, though, so we introduced a pacifier a couple of days ago. We've only used it a couple of times - when he's been well fed, diapered, etc. and just needed a little help falling asleep. Its a little more convenient than a pinky finger which is what we had been doing.

I feel like this post is all rambling but there's nothing for it...someone needs to eat...again!