Cliche, but True

They really do grow up too fast.

 Bug is only 7 weeks old, and yet already I can see him changing and growing, and leaving the newborn stage behind.  His newborn clothes haven't fit for weeks.  (I admit that I shed a tear or two the first time I realized that he had outgrown them.). He is more alert every day, and is starting to try to communicate other than by crying (making vowel sounds, etc).  He can clearly see and focus on things that are much farther away now. He has amazing head and neck control, and can sit up (against something) without needing his head to be supported at all.  And the smiles! They are my favorite part of every day.

I absolutely love that he is becoming more interactive.  I also admit that part of me can't wait until he outgrows his fussiness a bit (okay, a lot).  Still though, it makes me sad to see him growing so quickly.  I love his little baby cuddles, the little noises that he makes, the way that he smells.  I love that look of wonder in his eyes as he studies my face.  His tiny little toes make my heart melt.  I have rarely been more content or at peace than I am when I am nursing him - it is as if at that moment at least, there is nothing else in the world that matters to either of us.

As weird as it may sound, I also kind of love that he needs me so much.  That I am his world right now.  As he is mine.

So, while I am certainly enjoying watching my son grow and develop, I admit that part of me is sad to see my little baby changing and growing so quickly.

Before I know it, he will no longer insist on napping only in my arms.   Nursing while nestled against me will no longer be his favorite way to spend his time.   He will not need me quite so much.  His world will grow exponentially, and I will only be a small part of it.

I guess I am just experiencing what countless other parents have gone through and lamented before me.  It may be cliche, but it is also true - they really do grow up too fast.

Six and a Half Weeks

Samuel is six and a half weeks old. I can't believe it has been that long!  At the same time though, life without him feels like a lifetime ago.  Certainly, our lives will never be the same, so in that sense, life without him WAS another lifetime.   He is the centre of our world now - everything revolves around him, his needs and well- being.

So, how have these past six weeks gone you might ask?  Well, it has certainly been an adventure!  We are both smitten with our beautiful, sweet boy, and feel so lucky to have him in our lives.  Truly, we are blessed.  Taking care of this sweet, precious little child is a privilege that I know I will never take for granted.

On a practical level, we are finally starting to settle into a bit of a routine, which is wonderful.  You see, as precious as our little Bug is, he has been a handful since the day he was born.  :). He did not sleep at first - at least, not anywhere other than in our arms.  He refused to lie flat, so we ordered a Rock n Play from the States (don't even get me started on the exorbitant shipping charges!). He would sleep in that, but only for an hour at a time, tops.  Nights were fun! Right around five weeks, we implemented a bedtime routine, started working harder to reinforce the difference between day and night (e.g. lights, noise), and started regulating how much he slept during the day (flame away, it worked).  Almost immediately, he started sleeping for longer stretches at night.  He is now up to starting with a good 4 hour stretch, then following that with one or two 1 to 3 hour stretches, usually for a toal of about 7.5 hours of sleep (broken up by 1-3 wakings).  We are ecstatic!

He still refuses to nap anywhere but in my arms.  I know that is not sustainable, but for now I admit that I don't fight it too much.  Holding him while he dozes is one of the most amazing feelings I have ever experienced, and I know that I will miss it desperately when he outgrows it.  I will start pushing the issue more soon, I promise. :)

He continues to be a very fussy little baby.  From what I have read though, the fussiness should be peaking right about now, after which it should gradually get better, usually by about 3 to 4 months.  We are holding onto that.  In the meantime, we are enjoying the smiles that we do get, which are truly magical and heart-melting.  I still tear up when he does it.

Welcoming this little angel into our lives has been nothing short of life changing.  Sure, it's been challenging, and I'm sure it will always be in one way or another.  But I can't imagine my life without him now.  I really can't.  He means more to me than everyone  and everything else in this world, combined. I honestly just can't articulate the joy he has brought to us.  We are so, so blessed.

And seriously, he is pretty cute!