one month.

one month down!

they say the first month is the hardest, right?  it just gets easier from here on out, yeah...?  well i'm not gonna bust out the whole "wow, this month just flew by!  how did we get here?"  because that aint true for me.  this month felt like a month.  and then some.  possibly because each day is about 19 to 20 hours long.  we aren't sleeping much around here but ya know what?  it's ok.  this little face makes it all worth it.

here's my little #2 all growed up to one month.

we really, really love this little guy.  i wish i could say things were getting easier but they haven't really.  the thing that has changed is elliot is spending more time during the day awake & showing more personality & i feel like we're bonding with him.  he's making eye contact, he's smiling & he's even letting out the occasional coo.  it makes my heart all melty.

elliot loves to be held.  if he had his way he'd never be put down & if i had my way i'd oblige.  this is where babywearing comes in handy!  when i'm home alone with both boys elliot spends a lot of time being worn in my wrap or when we're out & about he's almost always in the ergo.  he loooves being worn & i like it too.  he's happy to just hang out or sleep when being worn until he gets hungry... then he means business.

elliot is nursing like a champ.  he loves to eat.  he's nursing about 10-11 times a day for about 20 minutes each time.  he goes about two or three hours between sessions around the clock which doesn't make for much night time sleep.  we have yet to have consistent 4-5 hour blocks of sleep... we're crossing our crossables that happens this month.  he's gained a bunch of weight & is starting to get those awesome baby rolls.  he's wearing size 1 diapers & three month clothes, i think he was in newborn stuff for about a week.

how parker is doing:
parker still loves elliot.  he loves to rub his head, squeeze his arm {sometimes a little too hard!} & give him kisses.  he self entertains really well while i'm camped out nursing all day which makes me feel guilty & neglectful.  and then if he wants something & i can't respond as quickly as i used to he may or may not freak out.  so that can be hard.

he was having trouble going down for his nap & then i realized it was because i was taking elliot in there for stories & songs with me.  i've adjusted to putting elliot down for a nap first & then putting parker down alone which also gives us good one on one time.  he's gone down for a 2 or 3 hour nap ever since without a hitch.  we've been amazed at how well parker's adjusted.  he's such a good kid!

how i'm doing:
i feel like i'm pretty much healed from pregnancy & delivery.  i'd say i'm at about 99% because there is the occasional weird pain & i have to slow down a little but for the most part i'm pain-free.  i'm just so, so tired.  i'm kinda getting the hang of the two kids at home-alone thing or at least i feel like i'm getting less intimidated by them & am regaining control.  we have meltdowns & duel crying sessions but i can deal with it.  this crazy life is becoming our new normal.  i have yet to take them to a public store alone... maybe this month?  but we have gone on lots of successful park & playdate outings.

how sam is doing:
sam is my rock.  with working all day & driving an hour each way to & from work, i don't now how he hasn't lost it.  but he is what keeps this house going.  he's given me breaks to get out by myself  twice now & he's done extra housework to keep this place from falling apart in shambles.  i'll repay him some day with meal planning & folded laundry again soon.  maybe this month?  we'll see.

i really do think we're through the hardest part.  brand spanking new newborns are hard but they make up for it in cuddly cuteness, no?  oh my gosh & that smell.  i cannot get enough of elliot's smell!!  every time i pick him up & have to take a whiff of his head.  so, so good.

and he is just so dang cute.

love him.