Adventures in Learning

Seems like now that we got our feeding issues under control, Gregory has been able to put more energy into learning about the world around him. This week he has really gotten into looking at his mobile and has been enjoying Tummy Time more. But don't let the pictures fool you - even though he looks happy in his carseat here, it is actually his most hated place to be. Once you get the straps on and get going in the car, he screams bloody murder and theres nothing you can do for him short of stopping and getting him out! No fair - I thought car rides were supposed to put babies to sleep!!!



6 wks

5 wks

Here we are heading into Gregory's second month of life - where has the time gone?? He is eating well and it shows, especially in his chubby belly! We were having some issues with the breastfeeding which we finally figured out was due to an oversupply problem....better too much milk than too little, but it was still a problem! After changing our feeding routine, it seems to be resolving and he is not only eating more peacefully and spitting up less, he is also napping better and seems to be less crabby overall. However, I have not been able to pump at all (because it would only encourage more milk) so that will be the next challenge to overcome if I ever want to be able to leave him for a little while...hopefully it doesn't undo all our efforts.

Otherwise, we are all getting along pretty well and its fun getting to know him and watch him develop. He is learning to find his hand to suck on, and really starting to smile quite a bit too, particularly when he gets up in the morning. His nighttime routine is pretty reliable - we go to bed around 11 and he wakes up to eat and get a clean diaper around 3 and around 6:30, and then can sleep until 10 or 11 in the morning! Sometimes we get up early, but sometimes we both sleep in! The daytime is less predictable but we always go out somewhere running errands or visiting with friends. We have already been to the zoo several times - gotta love the season pass! He often gets rather fussy in the evening, but we are starting to get better at combating the crankiness, so even that is improving. Mostly I wear him around all the time in our wrap - I can't live without this thing! In most situations when we're out and about its more convenient than a stroller, and when he's tired, nothing else helps. People always comment "I wish they had those things when I was having kids" which I think is so funny because its just a 5 yard piece of fabric! Not to mention, indigenous peoples have been wearing their babies for centuries... Its also a really nice way for us to bond and for me to take care of him efficiently and maybe even get a few other things done...

Our friends Patrick and Keri came for a short visit and it was really great to see them. We are looking forward to seeing them again in October for Gregory's baptism, as we have asked them to be his Godparents.

Well here are some more new pictures for you to enjoy!


4-5 wks

First Bottle

I knew it had to happen eventually - Gregory needs to be able to take a bottle. Since breastfeeding has been a little rough at times, we waited until now to try it out. So on Saturday, I expressed some milk and Dan did the honors. Gregory did not protest, but seemed thoroughly confused as I was sitting nearby - he kept looking back and forth between Dan and me as though trying to understand the disconnect. Milk comes from Mommy, but Mommy is over there.... He didn't get much milk out of that darn bottle but didn't seem to be trying too hard either as he wasn't really that hungry. Anyway, it appears that the bottle will not present too much of an issue for the little guy, which is good.





Otherwise, Gregory is really starting to be awake more and make lots of cute facial expressions - mainly from 4 to 5 am. He does nap fairly well throughout the day so I can lay down with him sometimes if I don't have too much else to do. If I don't, it really catches up with me. Dan has been wonderful helping out, even at night on the weekends. He is also feeling the fatigue though...ah, parenthood!

He's so cute, I can't help it!!

More pictures! If you ever want me to email you the files so you can make prints, just let me know. I think you can also order prints from Webshots, but I haven't done it before.


safari boy

3rd week

Grandpa Mike and Grandma Coralie were here for a long weekend and Gregory really loved rocking on the porch with his Grandpa. Gregory has been more consistent with his sleeping, which makes our lives a lot easier. He also has developed the typical "fussy period" from about 5-9 in the evening where he is a little more difficult to console, but putting him in a wrap seems to help quite a bit. Holly loves her wrap, and is getting complements on it wherever we go. Dan still prefers the Baby Bjorn, but Gregory is not quite big enough for that yet. Starting in a week or so, we are going to try to introduce a bottle, so Dan can share in the feeding duties when needed. This will be important in August when we go to California for Holly's cousin's wedding, and Holly will not be able to nurse him during the wedding ceremony. We are planning to introduce the bottle gradually, to avoid any confusion.

We have been taking him to a few restaurants, trying to see if he can make it through an entire meal. For the most part, we have been able to get through a whole meal--at least one of us.

He is starting to develop some "baby acne", which usually shows up around 3 weeks or so, and lasts a few weeks. The Baby Book warned us not to get too used to his crystal clear complexion. We have been getting some good pictures during his awake period, and are learning how much we like our digital camera. Enjoy the pictures and we are trying to figure out how to post a video, so keep checking back.


by hollydlr

2 weeks old

Well this blog seems to have been very successful at keeping friends and family updated during the pregnancy, so we'll just go ahead and continue using it to post pictures and news about our little family.

Gregory weighed over 9 pounds when our midwife came to check on us on Sunday! Pretty much all he does is eat, so I guess its not surprising. I don't get much done, but I don't mind because I know he's happy. He has started spitting up after some of those marathon nursing sessions, though, so I am trying to give him my finger to suck on when I know he's already full. We're not quite ready to give him a pacifier yet because he's still having some issues latching on occasionally. I'm having some mixed feelings about it too because I think he could easily become addicted to it and I'm not sure I want to go down that road. I think it will be something we reserve for the most needed times...like in church...

We had a very nice time with Dan's mom, Bonnie, the last several days. She had a great time rocking Gregory out on the porch, which gave me a nice break to do things like take a shower. He is starting to stay awake for slightly longer intervals so he enjoyed looking around outside. He is also starting to enjoy his mobile and the new mirrors on the wall in his room. We are gradually spending more time in there together and I am learning to lay him down in his own bed for his naps - its tempting to just want to hold him all the time, but I do think he sleeps better when he's in bed... Its also tempting to take all his naps with him, but then I would really not get anything done, including this blog! He is actually sleeping through the night pretty well - usually only wakes up once to nurse and have a new diaper - so I can't claim total exhaustion yet.

Anyway, check out our new pics from this week - just click on the picture to go to the photo album. You can't tell me this kid doesn't have strawberry blond hair!!!