Fitting in with the new year, we've started our new schedule: on Monday I returned to work-- in general, I'll be in the office on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays after this week, and home with Sean the other days. On my first two days away, Chris and Sean have done great, including the whole feeding by bottle thing, which I was worried was not going to go as well given my reluctance to give up my exclusive feeder role over the past two months. But, they both did great, adapting like pros to their new relationship as feeder/feedee. It won't be a surprise to those who know him at all that Chris is fabulous with Sean; he's infinitely patient, happy, and always looking for activities to stimulate Sean's brain, verbal skills (despite what many of you would think, Chris is the talkative parent around our son), and physical development. This includes, of course, tummy time (Sean complains loudly after 7 minutes or so), and time on his activity mat on his back with his newfound ability to whack things suspended above him.
And, while it was super super tough to leave him (and I confess, I did some procrastinating), once I get to work it's okay. Basically, I'm used to being there without a child for the past ten years. And, obviously, coming back to work after a 2.5 month hiatus, plus a new Administration and Congress, meant there is plenty to keep me busy. I did leave early (5:15; our office hours are 9-6) both days, and practically ran up the Woodley Park Metro escalators and home across "our" bridge in my eagerness to see him.
We also switched up the bedtime scene: I had been nursing him to sleep in bed (typically we both fell asleep) and then Chris would relocate him to varying levels of success-- he'd wake up in the transfer or sleep for shorter chunks. We now start a bedtime routine that includes changing him into pajamas, a long leisurely feed, swaddling him, 1-3 books, and then putting him down awake (but sleepy). It has taken him close to an hour to then fall asleep and he fusses sporadically; we go in and comfort him (usually patting him and talking to him without picking him up, since he's feeling social but not really upset). The result: he's sleeping longer (4-6 hours at least once/night) chunks, and we're now only up 1-2 times per night. I wasn't sure what to do with a whole 1.5 hours of free time last night after he fell asleep, but it was great!!!!
Plus, he naps during the day-- obviously, given my ability to post right now (and, my ability to do some work from home), though he's not in any sort of routine.
Overall, this kids loves to smile and coo. He really is such a happy baby, and his smile lights up a whole room. He's over 15 pounds now, making him pretty high up on the weight charts but our pediatrician has said that breastfed babies often do this, and then burn calories like mad once they get to the crawling stage. When he's awake he moves around a lot, including what Chris calls "the gorilla dance."
While I haven't been taking quite so many pictures, I'm still uploading some on to our Picasa site. I also uploaded a video from earlier this week, and added a few great videos to the December album as well. I am grateful that we can take short videos with our digital camera so we can capture the sounds (Sean's and others talking to Sean) and movements. As I look at the pictures (which I do at work while pumping to stimulate production) and movies, I can see how our little guy is growing. That makes sense, of course, since he's literally twice as big a when he was born (a milestone many babies hit at 6 months rather than 2).
And, speaking of videos, we are using our webcam regularly as well. This is especially fun since Sean has gotten a chance to see, and hear, his grandparents through our computer and he responds often with glee. We got Pat and Jeff a webcam for Christmas so that we can see them (either way, anyone with internet can see us). For me, this is also nice since a whole day alone with a 2 month old can lack in adult interaction, and the kind of rainy cold weather we've had in DC does not inspire adventures outside. Luckily, today is a sunny day and it's already above 40 degrees (yes, you Californian readers, I know that's not inspiring for you!!!) and so we are off soon to grab lunch with Sean's Aunt Kate and then take a long walk around town.
Happy New Year to all-- I hope you all enjoyed the holiday season feeling the love and good wishes of many family members and friends, as we did!
Plus, he naps during the day-- obviously, given my ability to post right now (and, my ability to do some work from home), though he's not in any sort of routine.
Overall, this kids loves to smile and coo. He really is such a happy baby, and his smile lights up a whole room. He's over 15 pounds now, making him pretty high up on the weight charts but our pediatrician has said that breastfed babies often do this, and then burn calories like mad once they get to the crawling stage. When he's awake he moves around a lot, including what Chris calls "the gorilla dance."
While I haven't been taking quite so many pictures, I'm still uploading some on to our Picasa site. I also uploaded a video from earlier this week, and added a few great videos to the December album as well. I am grateful that we can take short videos with our digital camera so we can capture the sounds (Sean's and others talking to Sean) and movements. As I look at the pictures (which I do at work while pumping to stimulate production) and movies, I can see how our little guy is growing. That makes sense, of course, since he's literally twice as big a when he was born (a milestone many babies hit at 6 months rather than 2).
And, speaking of videos, we are using our webcam regularly as well. This is especially fun since Sean has gotten a chance to see, and hear, his grandparents through our computer and he responds often with glee. We got Pat and Jeff a webcam for Christmas so that we can see them (either way, anyone with internet can see us). For me, this is also nice since a whole day alone with a 2 month old can lack in adult interaction, and the kind of rainy cold weather we've had in DC does not inspire adventures outside. Luckily, today is a sunny day and it's already above 40 degrees (yes, you Californian readers, I know that's not inspiring for you!!!) and so we are off soon to grab lunch with Sean's Aunt Kate and then take a long walk around town.
Happy New Year to all-- I hope you all enjoyed the holiday season feeling the love and good wishes of many family members and friends, as we did!
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