TJ: One Month

I can't believe TJ is already a month old.  Man, the time flies!  TJ's personality is starting to develop.  He's even smiling when we kiss his chubby cheeks.  Did I mention he's chubbing up a bit?  It's adorable.  He is also starting to "talk" too.  Mostly when he's completely bored, which happens a lot.  I mean, what do you do with a 4-5 week old that cannot hold his head up, see super duper far, and cannot hold toys?  Apparently shop.  The boy loves being in his stroller looking at everything, which means he is momma's instant shopping partner.  He is also not really sleeping a lot during the day either.  I thought all newborns slept a lot?  I guess it is a myth.  And since he's always awake during the day, he is also really bored.  A lot.  I have been pretty creative with keeping him busy and not bored.  So far it has been working ok.  Well, except for the idea of giving him baths to cure boredom.  That is a VERY bad idea.  I really do think he thinks I am trying to kill/drown him and then eat him.  I kind of smell him after we're done cause he smells so nice.  His hair too is so fuzzy.  So fuzzy.  He's starting to get that 80 year old balding man look.  (see pictures below)

All in all we are doing pretty well.  He's sleeping a good 4-6 hours at night.  That doesn't mean we are still sleeping a lot.  He must have a lot of tummy issues cause he grunts all of the time.  I've read a lot about it online and it's common...we just have to ride it out.  How much is a night nurse? =)

TJ is very different than Libby was as a baby.  One way they are the same is with having marathon feedings.  This baby can eat more food than I thought was humanly possible.  I realize he is growing and growing fast but good grief.  Sometimes he will eat every hour on the hour and scream bloody murder if you try to stretch him to even two hours between feedings.  Usually he goes 2.5-3 hours and has 4.5 oz to eat but lately he is wanting at least 6.5 in the morning every 3-4 hours and then has 4.5-5 every 2-3.  It's insane!

Well, here is a brief summary of everything that is all about TJ:

• Eating - around 40oz per day.  Usually has 8-10 bottles per day and eats between 3.5-6.75oz each feeding.
• Sleep - some days he'll sleep all day and night and sometimes he won't sleep at all during the day and will sleep at night.  The best we have had is 6 hours at night but usually he sleeps from 7:30pm-12am and then 4am-8am.
• Diapers - I thought changing boy diapers would be harder than girls but it isn't.  It is just different.  We are going through about 8-10 per day with at least 1-2 dirty ones.
• Attitude - TJ is pretty laid back.  He really only gets upset when he is hungry or gassy.  He loves to look around now and I think he is going to be pretty sociable. 
• Likes - looking around...specifically fans, speakers, blinds, windows, cuddling, positioning himself right underneath your head on your chest so he can feel your heartbeat and skin.
• Dislikes - baths (thinks we are trying to kill him), getting his diaper changed

So now for the regular installment of the milestones from What To Expect The First Year:

By one month, your baby...should be able to:

• lift head briefly when on stomach on a flat surface - check!
• focus on a face - check! so fun!

...will probably be able to:

• respond to a bell in some way, such as startling, crying or quieting - check!

...may possibly be able to:

• lift head 45 degrees when on stomach - check!
• vocalize in ways other than crying (e.g., cooing) - check!
• smile in response to your smile - getting closer...he did this once but hasn't repeated it yet so I won't count it.

...may be able to:

• lift head 90 degrees when on stomach - I am not ready to call this yet.  He's pretty wobbly.
• hold head steady when upright - nope!
• bring both hands together - nope!
• smile spontaneously - check!  So, so, SO adorable!

Some favorite pictures I took recently.  He's just too darn cute!

(look at those adorable feet!!)