We are back from vacation, fresh and ready to go 
Of course I research everything, so before we left on vacation, I checked out this article to make sure it was ok to take a 2 month old on a little mini vacation. Everything seemed to be a go! We packed everything we thought we’d need and went on our way. It turns out that what you need for a baby is a lot. There are the many many outfits so that we’re not stuck with a peed/pooped/spit-up-ed on onsie. Then we had to pack his Amby Baby Hammock, stroller, baby carrier (bought the new Ergo carrier by the way, it’s the best baby purchase EVER). Our car was jam packed.
The place we went to was on the beach and very low key. It was fabulous. I was, of course, nervous to do everything at first. We had never taken him to a restaurant, and only briefly in stores. I decided that if we were to have a good vacation I was going to have to be more bold. I put him in the baby carrier and away we went. To my surprise, he did not fuss at the restaurant we went to, allowed us to walk the beach and enjoy the breeze (the Ergo has a sunshield), and we walked around the quaint little shops. Whenever it got too hot or we/thebaby were tired we walked back to the house we rented.
I am so glad I went and got over my fear of doing some of these things with a baby. I really think that you can do many of your normal activities, even when you have a little one. Your life doesn’t have to totally change, and the parts that do are for the better.
The only part that was hard was I think the little guy is used to our routine. He’s used to his house and his things. To be in a new location doing new things seemed difficult for him at first, but we also got a lot of smiles out of him
My baby’s fever didn’t go beyond 100.5 last night, and the pediatrician just said to keep an eye on it. I was very worried about the little guy because he was sweaty and just didn’t seem like he felt well. The fever wasn’t high enough to go to the emergency room (we checked with the pediatrician), so we went to bed and I got up periodically to check on his temperature. It went down instead of up which was a good sign. I did give him Infant Tylenol drops, which I won’t do next time. I think it was a first time mom mistake! I was concentrating on getting him to feel better when I should have been making sure his fever didn’t spike too high naturally! The ped. told us to give him the Tylenol, but things I read online later stated the importance of monitoring the temperature without medicine.
Anyway, I called the office and took the baby in this morning. Everything came back wonderfully as far as they could tell. We are supposed to still monitor him, and he’ll have to undergo testing if the fever gets too high (101 degress F). They think that he may have picked up a little virus that he’ll get over in no time.
As a first time mom, it’s so hard to see your baby hurting. He can’t really express himself other than to cry, and it’s the saddest sound I’ve ever heard. It’s different than the hungry cry or tired cry. It is a sound unto itself. I just want to do all that I can for him, but don’t feel like I can do enough.
Here is a link to my favorite site discussing what to do if you suspect your baby has a fever or is ill. Dr. Sears really has very sound medical advice, but of course calling your own doctor is the most important thing.
I think I’ve been pretty good at not worrying too much about my baby considering that I was an anxious mess throughout my pregnancy. I like knowing that I can see him and see what’s wrong with him. Lately, though I have been thinking about the *what if’s*. What if he gets sick and I don’t know it, or what if he get sick and is inconsolable? I know it is part of a mother’s nature to want to do what’s best for your baby and to never see him sad. But I can’t seem to squash this nagging fear lately.
I took the little guy’s temperature last night and it was 99.8. He had just had a bath, so that may have raised the temperature more than normal, and it is still below what they consider *too high* for a newborn. I really don’t like for it to be that high though! I’m definitely going to take it again tonight, he just feels a little hotter to me than he usually does. Ahhhh, the ramblings of a worried mommy,,,
My baby is about 7 weeks old. For a 7 week old, everyone says he’s exceptionally strong! This was put to the test when we visited my parents last weekend. He was being held by his grandpa, when he put his feet down and pushed up hard. My dad was a little surprised, but the baby seemed to enjoy himself so they made it into a little game. The baby would play the “standing game”, being supported, but using his full strength in his little legs to push up. It was so cute! He looked like a little standing man. He’s also turned himself over already and can fully hold his head up. I think he’s ready to hit the gym any day now ;) I just hope he doesn’t grow up too fast!
I always say that when my baby cries it is like a have a “Spidey” sense. On my husband’s days off from work he takes the baby downstairs and lets me sleep in a little. Even if I happen to fall into a deep sleep, with the door closed and air conditioning on, I can still hear the cries of my baby.
This phenomenon really makes you think about the biology that is wired in us as mothers. The bond is so deep, down to our innermost workings. The cry of my baby breaks my heart. I’m glad it’s there, even so. It tells me what my baby need, and when he’s sad. I want to do everything in my power to make it better.
As long as my Spidey sense stays in tune, I can attend to my baby’ needs. That is, after all, how God intended it.
I’ve noticed that it takes a very short time to get to know your baby. You learn their noises, facial expressions, and movement. You notice things that other people don’t notice, because it’s your baby, and as a mother you are super in tune to their needs and wants.
My baby is 6.5 weeks old, and it is so amazing to note the changes that are taking place each day. He has discovered his voice and now loves to make cooing noises. I never tire of hearing these noises and it is so neat to see the development taking place.
Of course my favorite development has been the social smile. Nothing has melted my heart faster than those smiles. He does it more and more often now, every day we’ll have a few *smiling sessions* and I can’t imagine anything more perfect that that.
He’s also growing and developing those cute little baby fat folds on his arms and legs. I look at pictures we took soon after the birth and compare them. It is so amazing that so much has changed in such a small amount of time.
Everyone will tell you that the time with a child passes so fast, and they often spout the cliched “They grow up so fast”. I’m finding that’s so true. I want to pause this time in my baby’s life and live in it forever. It is absolutely the best time in my entire life. If there is a meaning to life that people so desperately search for, this is it.
Yesterday someone said to us, “Don’t you just wonder what you did before you had a baby!?” My husband and I both gave the expected giggle and nod. I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but our *normal* activities haven’t changed very much! Now, don’t get me wrong, our lives were tremendously enhanced by our new smallest edition. We now have someone else to take care of, have to be less selfish, etc. But, we are so blessed with such an easy going baby that our daily activities have been able to remain fairly stable. Our baby will let us sit through the occasional movie, he’ll sit through me writing in this blog, he’ll sit through my husband playing video games. He’s content *most of the time*, and when he’s not, he’s easily comforted or quickly gets over whatever was wrong.
People said this about marriage too, that it would be so hard and the first year is the toughest and all that. I have to say, I didn’t find the first year of marriage all that rough either! Before you go on hating me, I must say that I am not naive enough to think that being a parent or wife will constantly remain steady and easy. I know there will be rough patches and as the little guy grows older he’ll require more and more attention (different than the constant holding and cuddling of the newborn stage). I know that my husband and I may not always agree on the best way to raise him. I suppose what I am trying to convey is that, no the things we do in our daily lives have not changed that much, but the reason for getting up in the morning and loving life has changed significantly.
I’ve often heard of separation anxiety in babies. They can’t stand to see their mom leave them with some stranger. The truth is, I feel like I have separation anxiety too. I’ve been feeling intense urges to be by my baby’s side at all times. Many mothers feel like they need a break from the baby when they’ve been caring for him/her all day. That never happens with me. I never get my fill of hanging out with my baby. I LOVE when his daddy is home and gets to hold him and hang out with him, but it’s not with a sigh of relief that I hand the little guy over. Just a tiny part of me would be alright if I were able to hold him all the time. I rarely put him down during the day. I carry him in his baby sling (Maya Wrap_Love it!), hold him, prop him up on my lap-whatever. We have such a good time with me working at home on the computer, and him in my arms.
I feel like this urge to be my baby’s everything may be normal at this age. He’s just a little newborn, so helpless. And I really can’t get over those smiles! Who would want to leave the sight of something so absolutely beautiful and perfect?
For now, I’m not going to worry. I’m lucky enough to stay at home with my little man and take care of what he needs. It is tough at family events to have him passed around and not be *able* to hold him. But mostly, I get to hold him. And I truly am the luckiest person in the whole world.
I remember being very worried during my pregnancy that I would give birth to my son too early or that he would be a low birth weight baby. I prayed and prayed this wouldn’t happen as low birth weights open the door to all sorts of medical problems for babies.
I was fortunate enough to have the opposite problem and gave birth to my son who was over 9 pounds! He was as healthy as can be and scored a 9/10 on the Apgar! I know that I am a very lucky momma. Check out to find out how you can help those mommas and babies who aren’t so lucky.
I have a friend that I used to teach with that was born at 25 weeks gestation and was 1.5 pounds. It’s amazing to me that babies can survive such a trauma. But then I think about the sad news reports you hear about the babies who aren’t so lucky. Today I just felt like counting my blessings and praying for those little babies out there.
My little man has always been a REALLY good baby. He usually only cries when he’s hungry or when he’s getting his diaper changed. Last week I asked my husband if he thought having a baby was easier or harder than he’d anticipated. Just like I suspected, he said it was easier. I completely agree! I was terrified, but our baby is so wonderful and easygoing.
Lately though, he’s been getting a little more fussy. Apparently that is common for this age (6 weeks) and will improve with time. What makes matters worse is that he’s been producing *real* tears now that spill over onto his cheeks and break my heart! Sometimes I get frustrated because I don’t know how to help him, he’s been so content up until this point. Whereas he’s been calmed by nursing before, now he’ll pull off and fuss even more if he’s very upset. As a new mother, it is very difficult to accept that you don’t know what to do to help your baby.
One of my favorite resources is Dr. Sears. I purchased his book “The Baby Book” while I was pregnant and read it cover to cover. In a desperate search this morning, I found his website and tips on what to do when your baby is fussy. Dr.Sears
I’m definitely going to take these tips and MOVE more with my son. He is usually very content just cuddling, but perhaps now he really needs that motion!
Here are some links to products that might help your baby’s fussiness!
