Inside the life of a Little Rebel: April 2011

I'm finally getting a chance to update since Eli was born... being a new parent is quite time consuming, but I wouldn't trade it in for anything else in the world. I've always wondered what it'd be like to be a mom, but the reality of it is better and more exciting than I'd imagined :) Elijah fills my heart with such happiness and joy, I'm truly blessed with this amazing gift from God and I thank Him everyday for such a wonderful, happy, healthy baby boy.

Month 1:

I was in complete newborn/newmom-zombie mode.. Eli was eating frequently and napping on and off all hours of the day/night, so I followed suit. He was born "tounge-tied", making breastfeeding hard for both of us. He wasn't able to get a good latch and unable to get enough to eat, so we went to the bottle. I pumped as long as I could, until the "tap" went dry, and went through 3 different formulas before finding the one that agreed with him best: Enfamil Gentlese. We also went through EVERY SINGLE type of bottle that is out there, before finally getting the Dr. Brown bottles. Before I had Elijah I would always ask my friends that are already moms, "How do you know what type of formula/bottle/pacifier/diapers/wipes to use?! Trial and Error. And boy, did we go through tons of those in that first month!! I was on maternity leave at home with him for the first 3 weeks, then we went back to work. I'm SO blessed to be able to take him to work with me (Thanks Mom & Dad!)

Bath time!

Sleepy boy

Month 2:

Back to work! My parent's office has definitely turned into a nursery (or obstacle course).. there's a baby swing, rocker/glider, bouncy seat, pack&play crib, and a sleep/play rocker, oh and his car seat, diaper bag, and stroller on occasion. He was still on a sleep/eat on-demand baby and becoming alert. He had his first smile and started coo-ing and "talking" towards the end of the 2 month mark. He had his 2-Month well baby visit at the Dr's office and got his first set of shots, he hated that.. poor thing. He was 12.4 pounds and 23-3/4 inches long, which put him in the 50th percentile for both weight and height. He was eating about 3 ounces every 2-3 hours and started sleeping for longer periods through the night, waking only 2/3 times to eat and then would go back to sleep.

He found his thumb!

Cute in Camo!

All ready for church

Sitting like a big-boy in his Bumbo

Cuddle time with my love

Month 3:

We both began this month being sick. I had an upper respiratory infection that I could not get rid of, and he had allergies that led into something more.. Eli had a nebulizer treatment in the Dr's office to clear up his chest a bit, and was put on an antibiotic, steroid and de-contestant for a few days. I was put on my second round of antibiotics and after a few days, we were both feeling (and sounded) SO much better. Hallelujah! Being a single parent is tiring enough, but being sick and taking care of a sick baby is a whole other level of exhausting!

Eli is much more active now and is a chatter-box! He loves "talking", and is Mr. Independant, he wants to face the world and see whats going on, he is always moving around his arms and legs and looking all around and loves being walked around so he can see everything. He's my best bud, I talk to him all the time and he just soaks it up. He can hold his head up all on his own when you hold him in the "sitting" position. He does NOT like tummy-time just yet, but I keep trying it everyday. He did roll over ONCE when he was about 2 months old, but it hasn't happened since then. He's now eating 4 ounces every 3/4 hours and almost sleeps through the night. He goes to bed around 8pm and will wake once in the early morning, eat a little then go right back to sleep. I am loving this "sleep" thing.. I'd forgotten what that was until just recently, haha.