Hugo update: 5 1/2 months old

I started back to work last month.  Between that and being a mom, I'm finding it hard to make the time for blogging.  The transition back to work has been very hard.  Much harder than I anticipated.  It's hard to get back into the swing of things, it's hard logistically (pumping,  bottles, diapers, lunch, etc.), and it's oh so hard on me to leave Hugo at daycare.  We are slowly getting into a routine and some aspects of it are getting easier.

I am so thankful to be able to work from home 1 day a week and I just found out that I am going to be able to cut my hours down and work 4 days/week for the rest of the summer (3 days in office, 1 from home).  This arrangement is making it bearable and I could not be happier to have more time with Hugo!

Speaking of Hugo-  he is wonderful!  He  is growing like crazy and doing so many new things.  I love watching him discover the world!

Likes:

*The Johnny Jump Up!  Our friend is letting us borrow an old school johnny jump up.  It hangs on a door frame and can bounce really high.  Hugo thinks it's the best thing ever!  He could spend hours in it if we let him.  He got the hang of it really quickly and LOVES to jump, jump, jump!

*His banana toothbrush and Rusty the robot.

*The dogs.  Hugo is really noticing the dogs now.  He watches them very closely and reaches out to grab them when they walk by.  He grabbed onto Kya's tail a couple of days ago and didn't want to let go.  She is very patient with him.  

*Being outside.  He loves sitting in the back yard looking up at the sky, grabbing onto plants, watching the chickens, and discovering so many new and fun things:)  We found a pack'n play at a yard sale last weekend that we have set up in the back yard.  It's his new favorite hang out spot.  

Dislikes:

*Hugo gets fussy when he is tired or too hot.  That's about it.  I can't really think of anything else to put here.  He is truly a very content and happy baby.

Sleeping:

Sleeping is hit or miss these days.  Some nights he sleeps like  a rock, maybe waking up once for a quick meal.  Other nights he is up 5+ times to nurse.  I think the transition to daycare really impacted his sleeping.  He had a hard time taking a bottle at first and ended up doing a little reverse cycling (when they nurse more frequently at night), which was fine with me. We bed share, so it is very easy for me to just roll over and nurse him whenever he pleases.  I'm much better at sleeping through it for the most part now, so I really don't mind.

Eating:

Hugo is still EBF and eats on demand when we are together.  I'm SO glad I stuck with breastfeeding.  It is so easy now and I absolutely love it.  I love the bond, I love being able to nurture my baby, I love when he gazes up at me so satisfied.  I pump 3 times per day at work to cover what he eats at daycare  (which is currently three 3 ounce bottles).  In about 2 more weeks we will start introducing solids.  We are planning on going with the baby led weaning method. 

Breastmilk popsicle!

Playing:

Hugo loves tummy time, rolling, reading, and his playmat.  He has a handful of favorite toys that he likes to grab, twist, shake, roll, etc.  The mirror is still a hit and he is just now discovering other babies, so playdates are more fun now:)  

Firsts:

Rolled from back to tummy - 5/23/14 (4 months old)

Discovered his feet! - 5/28/14

First day at daycare (loved interacting with and watching the other kids and was "very vocal") - 6/3/14

Transitioned away from being swaddled and discovered belly sleeping- 6/7/14

First taste of "real" food (he had blueberries and LOVED them). - 6/13/14  This seemed to go well, but I'm waiting until Hugo is 6 months to proceed with solids/BLW.  

First canoe trip - 6/29/14 (5 months old)

Sat up on his own- 7/4/14

Feet!

Isn't this the most adorable thing?  He was not a big fan of the life jacket, but we thought it was the cutest:)

On the river!  He slept for most of the trip.

Sitting up on his own!

A recent OOTD

Hugo update: 3 months old

My little guy is 3 months old (just turned 14 weeks).  I'm sure every mother feels this way, but he is the most amazing baby.  He is growing and developing so rapidly.  I'm trying my best to soak up every moment.

Likes:

* Being read to.  He sits so still, listens intently, and stares up at the pages.  We read every day and go to story time at the library and at a local bookstore (Green Bean Books) weekly.

* Music.  He loves any and all types of music.  Every day when Ben gets home, they sit in the kitchen and listen to music.  Hugo gets so excited and shakes his hands and kicks his feet!  We also sometimes use music to help Hugo calm down when it's time to sleep.  He still loves dancing to sleep.  Ben and I have had a few karaoke sessions in the living room to entertain Hugo (and ourselves - ha!).  He obviously hasn't developed the ability to distinguish good singing from bad just yet, thank goodness.

* People.  He loves people watching and has started smiling at strangers.

* Airplane pose.  He smiles and laughs the whole time Ben zooms him around the house.  It's the best!

Dislikes:
*His car seat.  For some reason, he hates his car seat.  I think it must be uncomfortable somehow.  He cries and screams the majority of the time he's in it.  We just bought him a new one (a convertible seat).  I'm hoping he likes it better. 

Sleeping:

Some patterns are starting to emerge, but sleep is mostly still hit or miss.  He has started going to bed consistently at 7:30pm every night.  Some nights, like last night, he sleeps really well, only waking up once to eat around 2:00 or 3:00am.  Other nights, he's up every few hours to eat.  We had a really rough one night before last.  He woke up every 1.5 to 2 hours and slept poorly in between.  I think his tummy must have been bothering him because he seemed uncomfortable.  He has started taking a morning nap in addition to his afternoon nap (and sometimes even takes a late afternoon nap as well).  Overall, I can't complain too much.

Eating:

Breastfeeding is going so much better now.  It has gotten tremendously easier  I was able to get my supply up and Hugo has been gaining an average of 1+ ounces per day (which is great!).  He eats on demand, usually about 8 -10 times per day.  I also pump a couple times a day to keep my supply up and to build my freezer stash.  Hugo does have a sensitive tummy, so I've had to modify my diet quite a bit.  I am not eating gluten, diary, or nuts currently.  I'm hoping that once his gut matures, I will not have to be so strict.  

Playing:
He is interacting with things so much more now.  He can reach and grab onto things. - he especially loves his toy robot.  He notices himself in mirrors now.  Ben held him up to the bathroom mirror one day recently and Hugo started cracking up!  He laughed and laughed and laughed at himself.  Cutest. Thing. Ever.  He has a toy mirror that he loves to look at during tummy time.

Firsts:

First hike (with his dad and a couple of friends in Forest Park) - 3/22/14 (2 months)

First "roll" (flipped from tummy to back) - 3/24/14

Discovered hands - 3/28/14

First real laugh - 4/6/14

First flight (all the way to NC to visit family) - 4/9/14 (10 weeks)

First cold - 4/20/14 (Easter)

First plane ride!  

Poor little guy

Favorite place to nap:)

My beautiful boy

Hugo update: 6 weeks

Likes:

 * Nursing!  I think he would nurse 24/7 if he could:)  I am currently breast feeding him every hour while he's awake to try to increase my supply.  He is quite happy with this arrangement.  Breast feeding has been very challenging for us. I'm so glad we have been able to work through the challenges thus far and it makes me so happy to be able to breast feed him.  

 * Swinging.  He just starting liking his swing in the past week or so.  We tried it early on and he was not  a fan.  We put it away for a while and just brought it back out last week.  He loves it!  Sometimes he goes right to sleep and other times he just likes to sit in it and look around.

 * Going new places.  He loves new places and being around lots of people/sounds.  He's very curious and I think he will be adventurous when he's older.

* Baths.  He takes baths with his dad.  As soon as he dips down into the warm water, he gets so relaxed.  We always joke that he is at the baby spa because he seems to enjoy it so much and it makes him so calm and happy.

* Dance parties.  He LOVES music and dancing.  When he is acting a bit fussy, all we have to do is crank up the music and dance with him!

Dislikes:

Not much to say here.  He is such a calm, happy baby.  He definitely dislikes being hungry!  As soon as he wakes up at night to eat, he wants it RIGHT THEN.  He also doesn't like tummy time too much, but I think that's common.  

Sleeping:  

He is a great sleeper (knock on wood).  He goes down for the night sometime between 10:00 and 12:00 and sleeps for 4 to 6 hour chunks (usually 4.5 to 5 hours).  He wakes up to eat and get a quick diaper change, then he's right back down.  He doesn't sleep much during the day.  He takes a few little cat naps here and there and maybe one 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon.

Eating:

As I mentioned, Hugo eats every hour while he's awake right now.  This is to help increase my milk supply.  Our breastfeeding journey has been rocky, but it's getting better every day.  The first week was so hard.  I ended up with bloody/sore/cracked nipples.  I started seeing a lactation consultant which has been a huge help.  I am currently taking lots of herbs plus a prescription medication, feeding him every hour, pumping after some feeds, drinking mother's milk tea, etc. to increase my supply.  Everything I'm doing is working, thank goodness.  He gained a whole pound in the past 2 weeks and I've even been able to start freezing a stash for my return to work!  Even with all of our troubles, I wouldn't trade it for anything. 

Playing:

Hugo loves sitting in the bouncer on the kitchen table.  He hangs out there while I make my breakfast in the morning.  He likes to look around and stare out the window.  He also likes laying on his playmat and looking up at the toys.  We have story time every day - he  enjoys hearing our voices:)

Firsts:

First car ride (to see the midwife and lactation consultant) 1/31/14 (6 days old)

First bath (LOVED it) - 2/2/14 (8 days old)

First smile - 2/11/14 (2.5 weeks old)

First real tear - 2/19/14

First sounds (quiet little coos when smiling)- 2/20/14

First time I  left him (he stayed home with dad while I went to an acupuncture appt.) - 2/22/14 (4 weeks old)

First bottle (of pumped breast milk).  He was not interested at first, but once he tasted the breast milk, he gulped it right down - 2/22/14

First time trying a paci (not a fan) - 2/24/14

It is such a pleasure to be Hugo's mom.  I love getting to know him, watching him learn and grown, and navigating all of the changes and challenges that motherhood brings.  He melts my heart every time he smiles.  I have seriously started bawling a few times when he looks up at me and smiles so big and bright.  The love in this house is overwhelming and beautiful.  I grow more in love with him everyday as bits of his personality shine through.  He is laid-back, curious, adventurous, happy, and just perfect!

2 weeks!

I am looking forward to sharing my birth story, but haven't had time to properly write it up just yet.  In the meantime, here are some pictures from Hugo's first two weeks.

Late night feeding session

milk drunk

First car ride at 6 days old.  We went to the midwife's office for a weight check.

Sweet little guy:)

He discovered his finger!

First bath - he loved it so much!

Clean,cozy boy

Those eyes!  Those lips!

So many cute faces