And then...

HaHa! Today he was so fussy! Poor little guy...I think it is from the crazy, busy weekend we had and teething. It just struck me as funny considering my previous post.

Angel Baby

Patrick had a very busy weekend! First, we went to visit Crys and Rog in Ocala (ok, not technically Ocala, but it is the closest "large" town to where they are) and then on Sunday we went to Joy's baby shower.

On Saturday Patrick slept almost the entire day! We had been running around all day Friday, so I think he was pretty worn out still. When he was awake, he was his usual alert and happy self, for the most part. Then, at Joy's shower, he was awake 90 percent of the time and was just an angel! Joy stole him right away and she and Jose had him for a good 45 minutes before he was returned to me (still not fussing). He actually didn't start fussing until the very end and we had been there for a little over 3 hours! He had finally had enough of all the noise and people. But we really got to enjoy the shower, almost up to the end, and focus on Joy and her special moment, because Patrick was totally chill and was happy to be bounced or just hang out on the table.

I just can't get over how lucky we are! He is SUCH a good baby. And people keep telling me he is so well behaved and they are usually quite awed by it. And I wonder why this is. Is it just his personality? Is it us being so relaxed? A little of both? Is it because of how happy I was during the pregnancy?

I wish I could know.

There are people who tell me that "the next one will probably be a devil child, because you only get one good one"

Is this true? or a load of hooey? Is it meant to freak me out? It does a little...

What what does it really mean to have an "easy" baby vs. a "difficult" one? Are they difficult just because they cry? Aren't babies supposed to cry? And sure, some babies cry more than others...but why? Certainly, not because they are "bad" babies...

I dunno, this concept of bad and good babies is so odd to me. I know this is my first one, and I know that he is "really easy" but is it because he's just a "really good baby" or because I don't let things phase me and so as a result he is more relaxed too?

I guess we could keep going in circles with this forever, and there will really be no peek into the answer to this question until I have a couple more of them...(babies, not questions)

And for the record...Patrick does cry. And sometimes I have no clue what to do about it. I just remind myself that he only has a couple ways now of expressing himself to us, and crying is the main one when he's got something important to say. Then I give him a squish and a kiss, and just let him cry it out.

Anemia

So what happens when you focus solely on taking care of your baby and forget to take care of yourself? Well, you could get sick, drained, overwhelmed, or...you could take a problem that was mild and make it REALLY bad.

Hello Anemia.

I am giving it a week with diet, herbal iron liquidy goodness and Chinese medicine & acupuncture. If it isn't better...I am off to the Dr. Yes, it is THAT bad! Tight chest, extreme fatigue, feeling like I can't catch my breath (I can), weakness, hair falling out (I think there may be a breastfeeding-hair falling out-anemia/vitamin deficiency connection here), funny finger nails....

I felt this way right after I had the baby...then I was better...but after a few months of slacking on my vitamins and such I am in even worse shape.

The frustrating thing is, I KNOW THIS!

I KNOW a new mother has to take time to take care of herself! I know I need to take my vitamins,drink water, etc. I know I need to be healthy and take care of myself...

So how did I let this happen!?

I've never been good with splitting my focus...and it has ALL been on the baby.

Lesson learned? Man, I hope so...

A happy mommy means a happy baby too! And it only take a few seconds here and there to do important mommy care things like drink water and take vitamins. Duh!

Happy 3 Months!

My little Patrick is now 3 months old! I really can't believe it!

I'm not sure how long he is, but it looks like he's hit atleast 26 inches. And weight...are you sitting down!? He weighs in at a little more than 15 lbs! He's growing so fast! Teething, laughing almost all the time, babbling constantly when he's awake...grabbing at things and of course putting them right in his mouth...he's almost sleeping through the night. And that little personality is showing more and more every day.

He really is just an absolute joy! Whoever thought I'd actually enjoy being a mommy? Of course it helps to have such a happy, healthy baby =)

So how am I 3 months postpartum? Pretty good really. My moods have been mellowing out, and I am definitely feeling more upbeat, if not a teeny bit on the sleepy side. I have discovered that I am anemic. Yuck. At least now I know why I am so tired. Also, I have hit this huge brick wall of "I just don't wanna" when it comes to anything not directly involved with baby care and play. Clean? Don't wanna. Work out? Don't wanna. It's quite silly really. But I have been told that it is very normal for that first year with a new baby.

Regardless, I need to push past it at least a little bit and start getting some stuff done. I am turning 30 in July and I want to feel nice, look nice, and live in a nice clean home. Not to mention...my little bundle of joy will want to play more and more, and I need the energy to do it!

Happy 3 months Patrick! Let's go take a nap =P

Teething!?

Patrick has been sucking on his hands alot lately. He also makes a slobbery drooly mess almost constantly. Not to mention occasionally crying for no reason we can figure out. My mom mentioned he might be teething.

"No way!" I said. "It is way too early for that...isn't it?"

I looked it up. It is a little early, but not uncommon. Wow! I didn't expect teething to start until around 6 months. I was obviously quite mistaken!

I have read that it can still take a few months for the tooth/teeth to surface once teething begins. It really all depends on the baby. I am just really surprised by this, it is happening so much sooner than I thought it would...

My little plumpkin is growing so fast! =\

The Milk Monsters

So, I think Starbucks got a very important part of my coffee wrong today...the soy. *sigh* My poor little Patrick is screaming his head off and burping and spitting up like crazy. I feel so bad.

I will have to watch them very closely next time I go there...

I can't wait until I am able to have dairy again. Then I don't have to feel bad if I have a little dairy slip, or if Starbucks has a moment of evilness.

*********

Later:

Plumpkin is finally settled down and fast asleep. Poor little guy wore himself out. =( Stupid Milk Monsters!

Papa & GiGi

So we have Grandma and Grandpa D, Omi, my mom who still is nameless (though she said she likes "Grams") and my dad and TerriAnn who have been transformed into "Papa & GiGi". I think it's kinda cute.

The trip to Kentucky was really great. Mom and I enjoyed the drive. Patrick was so wonderful on the trip, even when he was really over it all, he was just so happy to be snuggled and slept most of the way. He got a little fussy towards the end, but that's all. My dad is totally smitten with the baby. It was the greatest thing to see! EJ also really loved the baby, as did TerriAnn of course. Josh was ambivalent, but he's nearing 15, he doesn't need to like babies right now.

Patrick's Papa and GiGi spoiled him like crazy! He got a couple of books, cute socks, two new small toys, and an activity gym and swing. Goodness! But they didn't leave me out at all. I got an awesome hat! I'm totally geeked out about this hat. =P

It makes me so happy in my heart that Patrick has this big huge family full of love for him! We always want our children to have things better than we did, and while I truly enjoyed my childhood oh so very much, I always wondered what it would be like to grow up surrounded by a big, loving family. Family that wants to know me and be in my life. Patrick gets to have that. It is wonderful! And what's really weird...I'm not the least bit jealous.

I am, however, a teeny bit jealous that Dad bought both Josh and EJ an Xbox360, but not me...but that's a different thing entirely. =P