Growth

There's been a lot of growing going on in this household.  Growing grass to be mowed.  Growing my identity as a mom. Growing into this new thing called "our family." And, of course, a rapidly growing baby boy.

Did anyone ever tell me life with a newborn is hard?  I know they have-- but it's one of those things that you don't get until you're in it.  I've spent more than a few days in the past 4 weeks watching the clock simply waiting for the next feeding, predicting how long Obi will sleep, and hoping he'll sleep well at night.  Only to wake up and do it all over again.  I can cry almost on cue thanks to those post-pregnancy hormones.  I worked hard to get out of the house with him, if even for just a walk around the block.  I needed that more than he did.  I was simply enduring each day.  "Enduring" in the best possible connotation. I am enjoying my days and enjoying my son.... but also partly getting through each day!

And then after the weekends, I look back and can't really remember what last week was like.  Or in the evenings I don't really remember how tired I was getting up the previous night to feed him. After a few hours of peace, I forget what his cry sounds like!

I think I can actually say that days are moving fast!!  We have a 4 week old. Whoa! We're watching him pack on the pounds-- or rather the ounces.  And we're also watching his eyes turn a steely gray blue and his hair turn blonde!!  Those blonde hair roots just happened recently.

Here's his appointment stats at just 18 days old for my sake of recording...

8lbs 13 oz, 75th percentile in weight

22 inches long, 90th percentile in length

14 1/4 cm,  40th percentile in head circumference

By now, he's at least 9 lbs and a few ounces.  (which is actually how much I weighed at 1 day old!!)  

So he's growing!!- at least an ounce a day since leaving the hospital- so something is working there!  We've noticed more awake time and alertness from him lately.  He can be awake and content fairly easily! But watch out when he's hungry or tired.  He needs his mama or needs to be swaddled and tucked under your chin to fall asleep.  His daytime napping is sporadic-- sometimes a good couple hour stretches, other times its random 30-45 mins.  His nighttime sleeping is going well (gotten 6hr stretches the past several nights!!)... and hopefully will continue! 

And finally, the pictures:

Where we took a nap today

Fist pumping... "Whoo--hoo..... I survived 4 weeks!"

I think baby clothes are hilarious.  Nothing quite looks like it fits right :)

And this was a tummy time session with daddy at 3 weeks.  His neck has always been freakishly strong for a newborn-- he's a little sleepy during this practice though :)