The First Month

Our little Grayson was one month old this past Wednesday – sorry, sweet boy, that I’m doing your one month post 5 days after the fact, but one day you will have small kiddos of your own and will know that things don’t always proceed on time! 

We had your one month checkup last Thursday, at which time Missy (the ARNP at our pediatrician’s office) looked you over and declared that you were “just perfect” – and I couldn’t agree more!  You weighed in at your one month at 8 pounds and 15.2 ounces, and measured 21 inches long.  You have gained almost 2 1/2 pounds and grown 2 inches since birth, which is not surprising given you have a VORACIOUS appetite and could nurse all of the time if I let you!  We are exclusively breastfeeding and I have to say that I feel some pride seeing you grow and knowing that your nutrition comes solely from your mommy. 

Even with that great weight gain, you are still a little peanut!  It is just in the past week or so that we have started moving out of Newborn sized clothing and into 0-3 month clothing, and they are still very big on you.  I’m not too worried about your size, though I am worried that all of the clothes we have for you for the summer will be way too big!  Grow, baby, grow! :) 

You have the prettiest olive skin (slightly flawed at the moment by a little bit of that baby acne that seems to afflict most newborns for a week or two), and a head full of dark blondish brown hair.  You have huge expressive eyes that are the deepest blue in color – so pretty – though I know the color is subject to change.  I stare into your eyes and often wonder if you will have beautiful blue eyes like your Daddy and sister or if you will have hazel green eyes like your Mommy – I’m going to bet on blue.  We are currently battling our SECOND round against conjunctivitis in your left eye, I will be so happy when it clears up.  We’re giving you drops in your eye and you’re such a trooper and don’t seem to mind too much when we have to give you the medicine. 

We are still on newborn diapers, and boy do we go through a lot of them!  With a hearty appetite comes a LOT of dirty diapers.  Your digestive system has caused more than a few chuckles in our household – I can often hear you passing gas from the next room!  Your burps are equally impressive.  What can I say, you are all boy!

We are not really on any set schedule right now – you are fed on demand and that seems to vary anywhere between 1.5 hours (yikes!!) and 3 hours.  I keep waiting for that 4-5 hour stretch of sleep during the night before you wake up for your next feeding, but so far, no dice!  You wake up every 2 to 3 hours to eat during the night, making for a very tired mommy.  You are currently sleeping in a bassinet in our room which makes middle of the night feedings much easier. 

When you are awake during the day, you are very alert and take in your surroundings with such a serious expression.  Your little brow furrows and we all crack up because you look like a little old man when you do that – sometimes I call you our little “Benjamin Button!”.  You are very observant, which I love.  I have been placing you on the play mat and you are starting to stare at yourself in the mirror.  We are also doing tummy time and despite your small size, you are very strong and love to stretch your neck so you can look up.  You also are a big fan of your bouncy seat (so is your big sis, she likes to pull the toys and dance to the music!), but you are not liking your swing so much.  Oh well, neither did your sis – you both preferred to be swayed back and forth in our arms as opposed to the swing!

You are not very fussy, sweet boy, but when you are not happy or you want something, you certainly let us know all about it! You are generally at your fussiest around 6pm to 7pm, though you are certainly not colicky like your big sis (thank goodness!).  When you are fussy, you like to be held and have us dance around the room, bouncing you up and down.  I succumbed and bought a pacifier, but so far you don’t seem to have much interest in it. 

Your big sister Alexandra loves you SO very much!  She really enjoys doting on you, generally calling you “Baby Brother” as opposed to Grayson.  She uses a sing-song voice to describe you, stating, “Look at his tiny feet!” or asking if she can “Hold Baby Brother’s tiny hands?”  She likes to hug on you and kiss your head, and I’m trying to get her involved as a helper in diaper changes.  While she is very sweet with you, unfortunately I feel that she is having some issues with adjusting.  She is much clingier to me, and at bedtime insists, “hold me, hold me, hold me!”  She also is acting out a lot more, but honestly I’m not sure how much of that is related to her getting adjusted to baby brother and how much of that is the Terrible 2’s/3’s. 

 

Sweet Grayson, you are such an absolute joy!  You are a very easy baby, which has helped with the adjustment from one to two kids, though it has still been more challenging than I had anticipated.  I just adore you and my heart bursts with happiness every time we snuggle together.  I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!