James: One Month!

 

The first month with James and as a family of four and mother of two has definitely had its ups and downs. The first week in particular was a little rough. Our little guy had not pooped since the day he left the hospital and this caused some unnecessary concern with the pediatrician and led me on a roller coaster of emotions. I was all concerned that something was wrong and it made me lose confidence in myself as a mother. Needless to say, after taking James to this pediatrician 3 times, we have now found a new pediatrician. I did not have a problem with this doctor with Zach, since we came to him when Zach was 9 months old. But seeing how this office handles newborn care, no thanks, see ya.

After the rocky first two weeks, things got a lot better. Our little man still does not like to poop that often. He will go a week or longer without having a BM! Zach was the same way when he was younger, so it must be something with my kiddos! James is a very happy and content baby. He really only fusses when he is hungry. Boy, when this boy wants to eat, nothing can stand in his way! He will also do a little whine to let us know that he is tired and will go to sleep. Besides that, he really does not complain that much, unless he wants a little attention or a change in scenery.

Zach has adjusted to the role of big brother with so much enthusiasm and joy. He loves to go up to James and say, "Hi baby. Hi baby" and kiss him many times. If James is lying on the floor, he likes to lie down next to him, talk to him and hold his hand. He gets excited if I suggest him reading a book to James and will run and get him a book. He also loves to share all his toys with James and I will find various toys stuffed in James' blanket or lying on top of him. He is such a sweet and kind big brother. Sometimes Zach is a little too eager and is still learning the word  'gentle.' James has received a few minor battle scars as a result of his brother being a little too loving. I think James is going to grow up to be a tough kid with having his brother around.

James is definitely starting to lose the newborn appearance and look more like an infant. He is filling out his clothes more and I even see some rolls beginning to form on his thighs. He is also getting to be more alert and active. He likes to lay on his back and kick his legs. He can track objects and noises. He will lovingly look back at you when you are talking or singing to him. He has even started to say "Ah goo" and  have some social smiles here and there. He really is a sweet and precious little boy. 

Eating
James is strictly nursing (besides the 3 bottles of formula I gave him in the hospital because they would not discharge us unless he had a wet diaper and the 2 days that I used formula to top him off during his first week to get him to poop). He nurses approximately 8 times a day. During the day he nurses every 3 hours, unless he asks for it sooner. He tends to be more hungry in the evening and will sometimes eat every 2 hours. At nighttime, he goes anywhere from 3-4 hours between eating. He definitely knows when he is hungry and there is no fooling him when myself of others are trying to stall him.

Sleep
James still sleeps a great deal during the day, although is getting longer stretches of being awake. He is most awake in the evening (which is also when I felt him kicking the most in the womb). After his big brother goes to sleep, it is his awake time, which is kind of nice because it allows for dad and mom to have some one-on-one time with him. He usually has his last feeding between 10:00-11:00 and will go to sleep (if he's not already asleep by that point). He usually wakes up to eat at 3:30 and then again between 6:30-7:00. He goes right back to sleep after eating in the middle of the night. There have been one or two nights where he has been awake, but I still put him down and he just is content looking around for a bit before falling asleep. Right now, he likes to be swaddled, held and sometimes rocked to sleep. Since he is a newborn, I am taking all the baby snuggles I can get, but soon I will start to lay him in his crib for naps. I don't want any bad habits forming, like what happened to his brother, and making napping and sleeping extremely difficult. He does like his pacifier to sleep, although doesn't seem as attached to it as Zach. He is still sleeping in the Rock N' Play sleeper in our room. Big brother is still occupying the crib. We are starting to make a plan for when to move big brother out and the little peanut into the crib. 

Play
James enjoys laying on his back and kicking and looking around. He enjoys the occasional rattle or toy being shown to him or placed next to him to look at. He likes being included and having people around. If I have him in his bouncer in the other room he may fuss, but if I bring him into the kitchen where I am preparing dinner with Zach, he is happy and content watching us. I think I will bring out the play mat soon and let him explore that. 

Likes: Eating, sleeping, mom, having a change in scenery/ view, our headboard, picture frames, the 'football' hold

Dislikes: Being hungry, pooping

Size
**We have been having some trouble adding James onto our insurance. Thanks to Obamacare, we have had to jump through several hoops. As a result, I had to cancel James' one month appointment so I do not have any stats. Hopefully the insurance will get worked out this week and he will go to the doctor within the next couple of days.

Weight:
Height:
Diapers: Size 1
Clothing: 0-3/ 3 months
Nicknames: Jamesy, Jamesy Boy, Little Buddy
 
Milestones
Lost umbilical cord: 6 days
Pooped [this is a big deal with all the stress that we were over during his first week]: 16 days
Started social smile: 3 weeks
Saying Ah-goo: 3.5 weeks

A Note from Mom
Little James, you are such a sweet little boy. Honestly, before you were born, one of my biggest fears was that I would not be able to love you as much as I love Zach or that you wouldn't be as cute as him. I hated having those fears and didn't want to compare the two of you. Everyone kept telling me that your love just multiplies and that I would love you as much, and they were right. The second you were born and placed in my arms, all those fears disappeared and I haven't thought of them since. I loved you so much from your first breathe of life. And you are just as cute as your big brother. I may be biased, but I think you two are the two cutest little boys I have ever seen.

You are such a precious and sweet little boy. So far, you are very easy and chill. After I am doing feeding you, you are fine just lying down or being in your bouncer and watching your big brother and I play. Your big brother loves to include you in our play. I look forward to the day (as I'm sure Zach is too) of when you two can actually play and interact with each other.

You have brought to much joy and love into our lives. We are so thankful that you are here and a part of our family. We love you, sweet Jamesy Boy!

One Month Pictures