Growing like a weed

I know we’ve been terrible about posting updates here on the blog, but when the choice is between blogging and sleeping, sleeping will win every time. Adam’s mother was here from Sunday night until this morning, and she gave us the opportunity to get some very needed rest. Her help was invaluable and Reed so enjoyed spending time with her.

On Friday, Reed turned two weeks old. Other than his gassiness, he’s doing quite well and growing like a weed. At an appointment on Monday, we learned that he is now around 7 lbs, 14 oz. Wow! I am really at a loss as to what to do for his gassiness though. We give him simethicone before every meal and burp him after. When he is gassy, we try putting him on his stomach across our legs or bellies or massage his abdomen (which he doesn’t really seem into). I’m trying a new nursing position — since I have forceful letdown when nursing — which we thought was working since he was doing great yesterday, but this morning he’s been in a lot of discomfort. I just can’t stand seeing my little guy in pain. If anyone has some tips for preventing gas or calming a gassy baby, I’m very open to suggestions.

Now that's what we like to see!

Last Thursday, Reed had received his circumcision which was far more traumatic for me than it was for him. He slept through the whole thing (!) while I cried and cried. It definitely threw off his eating and sleeping schedule though. He is slowly coming back to how things were before, which was frantic crying from 9 or 10 pm until 2 or 3 am (coupled with crazy cluster feeding), and then around 8 hours of relative mellowness where he eats every 3 hours and sleeps in between. The afternoons are unpredictable, but he usually has one long nap after an hour to hour and a half feeding. I am sure as soon as we really get used to this he will throw us another curveball, but it’s nice to know right now when I can expect to get a bit of sleep.

It is so amazing to be able to watch him learn and grow. Already I can see big improvements in his hand-eye coordination. He can hold his pacifier, can often keep it in his mouth with his hands, and last night he even nearly pushed it back into his mouth after it had fallen out. His neck muscles are crazy strong for a baby his age. It blows my mind how quickly he is developing new skills and strength. And the best part is that it is only going to get better! I can’t wait until we see a smile that isn’t gas!!!