Today, Matty is 5-weeks old. I can't believe it! In ways, it feels like we just brought him home from the hospital, but in other ways, it feels like he's been a part of our family forever.
Matty is a sweet baby boy, as you can see from this picture. He's totally hamming it up, isn't he? This was one of the rare times he kept the pacifier in his mouth. Usually, he'll only take it if he's really hungry or upset and then for only a couple minutes. He spits it out because it isn't giving him food or because he's calmer. I'm glad we won't have to worry about weaning him off it someday. He doesn't suck his thumb either, which is utterly adorable but I've heard horror stories about getting a kid to stop.
I took Matty to the doctor a couple days ago because he had a stuffy nose, a goopy eye, and a rash. She said the rash is normal for babies 4- to 6-weeks old, so no worries. The stuffy nose is due to colder, dryer weather and we need to start using a good humidifier near where he sleeps. The goopy eye is likely a blocked tear duct and I just need to keep his eye clean. So, he's good. As our doctor said, "he isn't ruined yet." I was also glad to go to the doctor because I've been wondering about his weight, especially since we switched to formula. I've worried that we were feeding him too much. Turns out, he weighs 11 lbs 2 oz!! He gained 3 lbs in 3 weeks! Our hungry, hungry hippo. I asked the doctor if that was okay and she said it was fine and he's healthy and normal. She said if he's eating too much, he'll spit up a lot, which he isn't, so I feel better.
Speaking of formula, we're in transition right now. We think the brand we were using caused him too much gas, which made him fussy and ornery, understandably. We're trying a different brand and it seems to be working better. He used to start crying a little while after eating and would continue for quite awhile until we'd finally get to him to calm down and go to sleep, usually after he burped and tooted several times. I hated to see him so sad.
He sleeps a lot, naturally, but when he's awake he likes to look at the ceiling fan in the sitting room. I sing songs to him and sometimes will move his legs like he's riding a bike. He seems to like it. I'm not good at remembering to do tummy time, especially now that I'm working in the mornings (temporarily). Despite that, his neck, arms, and legs are getting stronger. I need to put a reminder in my phone or something so I'll remember.
Every so often, Matty will smile and it's adorable! Sometimes, it's obviously just gas, but sometimes it seems like a real smile because he seems to be reacting to me. Either way, it's so cute and I can't wait to see more smiles and to hear him laugh someday.
One of my favorite faces is his "I'm about to poop" face. It's hilarious! And, it let's me know to get ready. Here are some pictures I took yesterday of him about to poop.
Matty is a sweet baby boy, as you can see from this picture. He's totally hamming it up, isn't he? This was one of the rare times he kept the pacifier in his mouth. Usually, he'll only take it if he's really hungry or upset and then for only a couple minutes. He spits it out because it isn't giving him food or because he's calmer. I'm glad we won't have to worry about weaning him off it someday. He doesn't suck his thumb either, which is utterly adorable but I've heard horror stories about getting a kid to stop.
I took Matty to the doctor a couple days ago because he had a stuffy nose, a goopy eye, and a rash. She said the rash is normal for babies 4- to 6-weeks old, so no worries. The stuffy nose is due to colder, dryer weather and we need to start using a good humidifier near where he sleeps. The goopy eye is likely a blocked tear duct and I just need to keep his eye clean. So, he's good. As our doctor said, "he isn't ruined yet." I was also glad to go to the doctor because I've been wondering about his weight, especially since we switched to formula. I've worried that we were feeding him too much. Turns out, he weighs 11 lbs 2 oz!! He gained 3 lbs in 3 weeks! Our hungry, hungry hippo. I asked the doctor if that was okay and she said it was fine and he's healthy and normal. She said if he's eating too much, he'll spit up a lot, which he isn't, so I feel better.
Speaking of formula, we're in transition right now. We think the brand we were using caused him too much gas, which made him fussy and ornery, understandably. We're trying a different brand and it seems to be working better. He used to start crying a little while after eating and would continue for quite awhile until we'd finally get to him to calm down and go to sleep, usually after he burped and tooted several times. I hated to see him so sad.
He sleeps a lot, naturally, but when he's awake he likes to look at the ceiling fan in the sitting room. I sing songs to him and sometimes will move his legs like he's riding a bike. He seems to like it. I'm not good at remembering to do tummy time, especially now that I'm working in the mornings (temporarily). Despite that, his neck, arms, and legs are getting stronger. I need to put a reminder in my phone or something so I'll remember.
Every so often, Matty will smile and it's adorable! Sometimes, it's obviously just gas, but sometimes it seems like a real smile because he seems to be reacting to me. Either way, it's so cute and I can't wait to see more smiles and to hear him laugh someday.
One of my favorite faces is his "I'm about to poop" face. It's hilarious! And, it let's me know to get ready. Here are some pictures I took yesterday of him about to poop.
Aren't they funny! I love them.
Before we switched to formula and he started being so fussy after eating, Matty was really good at being put down to sleep, at least during the day. He likes to be held at night, which means I don't get a lot of sleep, but we're managing. With the gas issue, Matty started needing to be held during the day, too, which meant I was almost constantly holding him. It made working interesting because I had to do everything one-handed. Luckily, now that we're getting the gas issue taken care of (hopefully), he is a little more willing to be put down. He has a bouncy seat that he does really well in, a swing that he's okay with sometimes, a bassinet that is his favorite but not very portable so I can't use it upstairs while I'm working or in the kitchen while I'm cooking, and a little seat that my friend Jennifer gave us. Last night, I sat him in it while I was cooking dinner. It worked pretty well. Occasionally, he'd be fussy enough that I'd have to hold him for a bit, but then he'd be fine when I put him back.
Before we switched to formula and he started being so fussy after eating, Matty was really good at being put down to sleep, at least during the day. He likes to be held at night, which means I don't get a lot of sleep, but we're managing. With the gas issue, Matty started needing to be held during the day, too, which meant I was almost constantly holding him. It made working interesting because I had to do everything one-handed. Luckily, now that we're getting the gas issue taken care of (hopefully), he is a little more willing to be put down. He has a bouncy seat that he does really well in, a swing that he's okay with sometimes, a bassinet that is his favorite but not very portable so I can't use it upstairs while I'm working or in the kitchen while I'm cooking, and a little seat that my friend Jennifer gave us. Last night, I sat him in it while I was cooking dinner. It worked pretty well. Occasionally, he'd be fussy enough that I'd have to hold him for a bit, but then he'd be fine when I put him back.
I work in the same room as his crib, so I thought I'd be able to put him in it while I worked. Nope. He hasn't been liking it. Until today! I put him in there this morning and he stayed there for about 30 minutes! Woohoo!
My hope is that he'll slowly get more and more used to not being held while he sleeps and will go longer and longer without needing to be held. That said, I absolutely love holding him and if it weren't for pesky things like showering, working, fixing dinner, etc., I'd be happy as a clam to hold him all the time. I know that he's only going to get bigger and someday I won't be able to hold him all the time. So, I'm enjoying it while I can. He's still such a little guy but he's growing so fast! I finally understand why my sisters-in-law always said they wanted their kids to stay small. I always wanted them to grow up so I could play with them. Hopefully, I'll be able to enjoy each phase of his growth.
It may be too early to tell what his personality will be like, but I'm betting he's inherited his dad's laid back, easy-going attitude. He likes to be held and doesn't mind being held by other people besides mom and dad. He loves peeing on dad and has done it lots more than he has on mom. Yay!
He hasn't figured out Sadie yet, and she's still trying to figure him out. Someday, I bet they'll be the bestest of friends. Right now, she's probably a little peeved with him because his stroller is constantly getting in her way during our afternoon walks. I keep thinking she'll figure out that she can't walk in the same place as it, but she's not the brightest tool in the shed. Most of the time, she ignores him, but sometimes when he's been really fussy, she's come over to him and licked his hand or head or feet. It's pretty darn cute. Like I said, someday they're going to be friends, I just know it.
He's a good boy and I love him to death. One of my favorite sights is Steve holding Matty...my two favorite people. I'm a lucky woman.
It may be too early to tell what his personality will be like, but I'm betting he's inherited his dad's laid back, easy-going attitude. He likes to be held and doesn't mind being held by other people besides mom and dad. He loves peeing on dad and has done it lots more than he has on mom. Yay!
He hasn't figured out Sadie yet, and she's still trying to figure him out. Someday, I bet they'll be the bestest of friends. Right now, she's probably a little peeved with him because his stroller is constantly getting in her way during our afternoon walks. I keep thinking she'll figure out that she can't walk in the same place as it, but she's not the brightest tool in the shed. Most of the time, she ignores him, but sometimes when he's been really fussy, she's come over to him and licked his hand or head or feet. It's pretty darn cute. Like I said, someday they're going to be friends, I just know it.
He's a good boy and I love him to death. One of my favorite sights is Steve holding Matty...my two favorite people. I'm a lucky woman.