Sunday, July 31, 2011

Saturday, July 30, 2011

He Loves It, He Loves It Not

Baby CP will suck on the pacifier for short periods of time sometimes, but will usually spit it out.  We have to hold it in place for a while before he'll take to it and there is no guarantee that he will.  Sometimes I try to get him to hold his head facing straight up so that I have gravity on my side.  There have been a few times where he has sucked on it until his eyes closed and he has dozed off, but except for one or two instances, once the pacifier pops out of his mouth, he wakes up again.  I wonder if he'll just be one of those babies that doesn't like pacifiers...my poor ears...
Dozing off...

I've been swaddling Baby CP in swaddle blankets, but they tend to get loose, and sometimes he wriggles out of them in a way that looks like a choking hazard.  On the suggestion of a friend, I tried a Halo Sleepsack Swaddle that someone had given to me.  Baby CP didn't like it...he screamed and cried for a long time before settling down.  He did finally fall asleep, but not for long...but that could have been because he was awakened by a poop which made him cry.  The thing with swaddling is...although it helps him sleep longer, when he wakes up, if he can't wriggle out easily, he gets himself worked up trying to get himself out of it.
This past week, Baby CP seems to have learned to have a little patience...he will make little sounds to let you know he's awake rather tan full blown crying, especially if he was wrapped in something he easily got out of.  Perhaps the velcro swaddles are just too much for him.

Friday, July 29, 2011

He Loves His Butternut Squash

Not only does Baby CP get totally relaxed on his magical changing mat...he has buddies there to hang out with.  At first it was the compost bin...he would stare at it and reach in that direction...starting at a couple weeks old.  Around the same time, he fell in love with his beloved Butternut Squash Buddy...he still makes googly eyes at it today.

There was also a Green Papaya Buddy that he was quite enamored with...but alas Mr. CP ate it.  Luckily Baby CP did not witness that massacre and does not realize that he's gone missing.

I've tried to figure out what he stares at from the mat.  Sometimes he seems to just stare off into space.  The white ceiling looks boring as does the side of the cabinet.  I wonder whether he can see the sky out of the window.  Sigh...I really don't know what we'll do when he gets too big for that mat.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Baby CP's First Trip to the Farmer's Market

My brother lives in Mountain View.  They have a great farmer's market nearby that makes me super jealous - it has the variety of the Ferry Building Farmer's market without the sky high prices.  Since I'm home on maternity leave and Mr. CP is on summer break, we eat most of our meals at home and need to stock up on healthy food that we can cook, so two weekends ago, we decided to take Baby CP on his first trip south to peruse the amazing selection of summer fruits and veggies.

It wasn't a great success though, because after about 4 or 5 stands, Baby CP starting fussing and crying and we had to leave to feed and change him.  Oh well...maybe next time he'll be able to enjoy it more.
Mr. CP taking Baby CP out of the Baby Bjorn because he started to cry.
Baby CP before we changed him in the trunk of the car.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

7 Weeks Old

Yesterday, Baby CP officially reached 7 weeks old.  He weighed in at just under 13 lbs.
You can see that his head is quite large and his thighs quite meaty.
We didn't measure him, but he looks longer than the mat now, so he's probably more than 22.5 inches tall.
Baby CP has had a busy week...
 
On Thursday, Baby CP made a trip to mommy's office for the 9th Floor Summer Relays.  Although it was loud with all the people, the cheering, the running and the cap guns, Baby CP was quiet and even fell asleep for a quick snooze.

On Saturday, Baby CP went with mommy and daddy down to Menlo Park to check out a house with Uncle A and Aunt S.  It was so hot in the South Bay!  Baby CP was quiet for the most part and drank 3.5 oz of cold milk from a bottle for a refreshing drink while enjoying the breeze out on the backyard patio.  He was well behaved at the house, but was fussy in the carseat- he preferred to look out of the window most of the time rather than sleeping like most babies do.

On Sunday, Baby CP went to wish buddy Mini Burrito a happy first birthday.  Baby CP was a little fussy (hungry and tired) and refused to drink from the bottle until he got home where he drank only about 1 oz.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

I Think He's Right Handed - Baby CP's video debut

This is an old video of Baby CP when he was a couple weeks old where he starts to learn to eat his hand - his right hand. We've noticed that he predominantly eats his right hand now (though he is much more vigorous about it these days) - maybe the left is just not tasty? But I suspect he's just uncoordinated and can't figure out how to stick his left into his mouth. We'll update everyone if and when Baby CP starts chowing on the left.


Baby CP Makes New Friends

Unlike his parents, Baby CP has been making some new friends recently. He didn't much care for the pineapple friend or the singing seahorse, at first, but it appears that he's starting to enjoy the company of his new underwater friend.


Poor pineapple friend - he's getting elbowed in the face. Maybe Baby CP will be gentler and kinder to you tomorrow!

Monday, July 25, 2011

The Terrible Kicky Feet

When Baby CP gets very upset, he kicks his feet very rapidly...it's like he's stomping his feet, but in the air.  Here's an action shot.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

6 Weeks Old

As of yesterday, Baby CP is 6 weeks old.  I don't have any new pictures to share, but we measured Baby CP last night and he's 22.5 inches.  That means he's grown 2 inches since birth.

This past week, Mr. CP was successful in getting Baby CP to drink about 2 oz from a bottle a few times.  The little guy still wants to eat from the source right after, but this is good progress.

Today, I swaddled him before putting him down for 2 naps.  During the first nap, he managed to wiggle his way out of the blanket without making a peep (so I had no idea until about an hour and a half later - sneaky!) and fell back asleep on his own.  During the second nap, I heard him whine a little and I saw him try to wiggle out but I was starving so I ignored him to get a couple bites of my lunch...and what do you know...3 minutes later, he had settled back to sleep on his own again.  Mommy is very impressed!


BTW - He still hates the pacifier.  Oh well.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

The More Humane Swaddle

If you read my earlier post on swaddling, you know that I forced Baby CP into a Size S/M SwaddleMe pouch a few days ago that seemed awfully tight.  The next day, I tried to do it again and there was just no way it was going to fit.  The company has failed me...how can you fit a 14 lb baby into that thing??  Baby CP is already too long so the top of the swaddle pouch at best couple go around his shoulders and it is way too tight around the chest area.   Mr. CP found this unsuitable, so until I locate some larger swaddle pouches, it's back to the art of swaddling with receiving blankets which is more humane for 2 reasons - first, it's not so tight that he can barely breathe and secondly, I let his legs dangle free.
A very useful gift from Aunt T

I usually use the soft cotton muslin ones by Aden and Anais that everyone loves, but sometimes a persistent Baby CP is too strong and he can break out of the stretchier material after a bunch of wiggling.  When I need a little more structure, this flannel receiving blanket by Swaddle Designs really does the trick.  Baby CP slept for 6 hours straight!  (No, he doesn't do that consistently yet.  I blame the hibernation phase of a growth spurt.)

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Tummy Time

Nowadays parents are advised to have their babies sleep exclusively on their backs to avoid death resulting from SIDS or suffocation.  As a result, babies need to be placed on their stomachs for "tummy time" so that they learn to pick up their heads and strengthen their neck muscles.  Baby CP is still young, so I only place him on his belly every few days and for a couple minutes at a time.
The blanket that Auntie S knit for Baby CP is perfect for this because it's so thick and soft.
Gathering his strength for a pushup
He manages to lift his head for a second and then is able to maneuver his head and hand to just where he wants them.
He's had enough!
If we can get Baby CP accustomed to the blanket on the floor, he will have a safe place to play for now, especially if I have to run to get something.  Although he loves his changing mat, it sits on the counter where he will soon be in danger.  He sometimes can almost roll over especially when flailing his arms.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Baby CP's First Stroller Ride and Another Weight Check

We stopped by the pediatrician's office again today because Baby CP's belly button is not 100% healed.  The doctor doesn't seem too concerned though as long as we keep it clean and keep an eye out for fever and infection.  She advised that it could take up to a few months to close up permanently unless we want to consider having them put silver nitrate on him to burn the skin closed which would could lead to permanent skin discoloration.  Ew.  She also said that we did not need to avoid baths, so we don't have to limit Baby CP's bath time to sponge baths.

Of course the nurse always weighs the little guy when we get there...take a look at the scale...

11 lbs 8 oz!!  Even if you discount a couple oz because he just ate...he's getting very heavy very quickly.  I noticed he felt like a brick yesterday as I was placing him into his bassinet.  I guess I wasn't imagining it.
Rather than have to park the car near the hospital, we broke out the stroller and took Baby CP out for a spin in his new ride.  When researching strollers, I found that there was way too much information out there and so many choices.  You basically come to the conclusion that there is no "perfect" stroller.  On the recommendation of a friend, I finally settled on the Baby Jogger City Mini.  It's pretty lightweight but sturdy and has a one handed fold and can turn 360 degrees easily.  It's not cheap, but it's not one of those really expensive strollers so many San Franciscans seem to have. 


Baby CP liked it on the way there and was very well behaved at the doctor's office.  On the ride back he got very fussy though so we had to hurry home.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

All caught up

I think I have finally posted my last catch-up post and now I am up to date.  As of yesterday, Baby CP is 5 weeks old.  He's been acting a little fussy since yesterday evening and although he sleeps about 3-4 hours (if you can get him to sleep), he wants to eat constantly while he's awake.  Maybe it's another growth spurt or maybe all that night time grunting burns too many calories...sigh.  Time to drink more of that Mother's Milk tea...

Stay tuned as we continue to update with new adventures of Baby CP.

Stinky Hands

This week, we discovered that Baby CP has developed stinky hands.  It's caused by his "eating" his hands when he's hungry or when they've been in the mittens all day and he's been sucking on those.  Gross!  Time for a bath to eradicate that smell!
The ever-growing belly.  (Mr. CP thinks he looks like an asian gangster at the steam baths.)

Back to Swaddling

In the days after Baby CP was born, the hospital staff showed us how to swaddle our little one up tight.  It seemed to soothe the little guy and you could easily rest him on your chest or up near your shoulder and he could do a little "tummy time" to strengthen his neck muscles.

As time went on during the first month, Baby CP seemed to HATE having his arms bound.  This started rather early and he prefers to sleep in what Mr. CP likes to refer to as the "I surrender" position. 
I surrender!

This was fine during the first couple weeks, because Baby CP was a sleepy one and would basically just fall asleep after each feeding.  All that changed at some point between week 2 and 3 and putting him down without waking him up has become an exercise in extreme patience and a source of frustration.  I walk with him, his eyes droop and he can't hold out anymore...he's asleep...but the moment I put him down in the co-sleeper (or 10 minutes later, which in some ways is even more frustrating), he wakes up.  After putting him down, even when done with the MOST gentle of motions, his legs and body will twist and wiggle and his arms look like they're trying to swat some imaginary flies away from his face.  This of course wakes him up.  I try to wait until he's in a deeper state of sleep, but sometimes my arms or back just get too tired or there are random things that need to get done so I feel rushed. 

Today, I decided to try the Summer Infant Swaddle Me again.  It's the small size, which I believe is for babies up to 14 lbs.  Baby CP is only between 10 and 11 lbs, but the darn thing seems so tight!  But I was in an experimental mood today, so I figured the company must have done adequate research into sizing and I wrapped him up very tight.  He screamed and cried, but after a couple minutes, since he was a little tired, he got quiet and drifted off to sleep.  It's 3 hours later and he hasn't woken up yet.  I'll have to try this a few more times to make sure it's not just a coincidence.
Mommy WHY are you doing this to me?!?

Nighttime Grunting

Starting at about three weeks, Baby CP started having episodes at night during which he would grunt, squeal, kick and twist arms, legs and body all over the place.  The weird thing is, he is asleep while he's doing it.  It started the couple of days that I tried to introduce a bottle, so I blamed this new development on the bottle.  I haven't really used a bottle since then, but last night, the grunts came back.  Some internet research tells me that it's normal behavior that will clear up over time, but when Mr. CP and I watch our little one go through it "this can't be normal" runs through our minds.  Poor thing...

Let the Fin Begin!

Bath time is more fun with funny outfits.  =)

1 Month Old!

Baby CP is now officially one month old!  Time flies...even when you're exhausted.

On Baby CP's 4th week (2 days ago), he was able to stay awake for somewhere between 30-60 minutes without crying.  He still fussed a little here and there, but there he was able to "hang out" for a bit peacefully.  He even sat in the swing without complaining until mommy and daddy finished dinner.

On the very same day, it appears that Baby CP has started on the path of being able to fall asleep on his own.  Whereas before, Baby CP could only be put down in his bassinet while sound asleep after a feeding or being held by someone, we noticed that he was able to fall asleep on his own even though his eyes were open periodically while in the drifting off phase.  Hopefully he can continue progressing in these two areas.

At the one month mark, we can start introducing some new things:

1)  We've been exclusively breastfeeding Baby CP, but now we can introduce a bottle.   So far I have tried to feed Baby CP with a bottle 3 or 4 times and I've only been mildly successful once.  One thing is for sure though...the bottles definitely give him extra gas.  If we can work this out, this will free mommy up to go on little excursions outside of the house.  Mommy needs a haircut.

2)  We can also introduce a pacifier.  Sometimes, mommy feels like a human pacifier when Baby CP can't figure out how to fall asleep on his own.  So far, Baby CP will suck on the pacifier once in a while, but it has only helped him fall asleep once and sometimes it has the opposite effect of waking him up more because it's new to him and/or aggravates him.  Oh well...

First Bath

After Baby CP's umbilical cord fell off, it was time for Baby CP's first bath!  He cried a little at first, but overall found the five star spa treatment very relaxing.

Baby CP's freakishly large belly
A little bit of newborn rash on his cheeks
 

Baby CP's First Outdoor Walk

Apart from his visits to the pediatrician, Baby CP and I have been confined to our home.  Grandma CP did all the cooking and cleaning while she was in town for a month, so there was no need for us to leave. Plus, with the recovery that my body needed and the frequency of the feedings, it was pretty inconvenient to go out.  A little after Baby CP's 3rd week, Mr. CP put him into the Baby Bjorn and we took a walk to Natural Resources to weight the little booger.
Strapping him in
A cute hat for sun protection
Mr. CP, Aunt L and I took bets on how much weight Baby CP could have gained in his 3 weeks...Aunt L was the winner.  It's hard to see, but the scale says 10 lbs 7 oz, but Baby CP was wearing a shirt and a diaper, so we think he's approximately 10 lb and 6 oz!

The Swing

We tried the swing on three separate occasions before Baby CP stopped hating it.  He can now tolerate it quietly for about ten minutes if he is calm before being put into it.  We're still working on it...

Happy Fourth of July!

Some friends came over for a BBQ on July 4.  Baby CP was well behaved for the most part, but Uncle A caught him crying his lungs out on his changing mat.

Sleeping on Auntie L
Buddy Mini Burrito

Grandma and Grandpa CP and Auntie L

Grandma CP has been with us since Baby CP was born, but during Week 3, Auntie L and Grandpa CP came to visit from New York.

Three Weeks Old

Baby CP continues to eat A TON!  Grandma CP would swear that he seemed bigger every few hours.  No, that probably isn't discernible by the human eye, but over the three weeks, you can tell his hands and feet have definitely grown.  In just a couple weeks, his mittens (which protect mommy from being scratched by a frantically hungry baby) will probably no longer fit.
Once Baby CP hit the third week mark, we noticed a couple new things.  He can lie down and look around with his eyes wide open for a few minutes at a time while awake without crying.  This doesn't last long yet, but it's an exciting development.  He's also developed a couple new cries, some softer whimpers and a loud ear piercing one.  Baby CP seems a little more aware in general these days, but unfortunately, that also means that putting him to bed is more difficult.  He wakes up very easily when you try to put him down and he has taken on the bad habit of needing to fall asleep on someone rather than just passing out after a feeding.
Look at those big mitts!.  He loves to look around while lying on his changing mat.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Still Planning World Domination

We do not pose him, I swear...

Two Weeks Old

Although you might not be able to tell from the photos, Baby CP has been growing steadily.  He has already outgrown several of his newborn outfits and his newborn diapers.  Look at that BIG belly!
[Photo deleted at the request of Grandma CP]


One week old

After the jaundice episode, Baby CP started to eat like a champ.  He regained all the weight he lost (and then some) within about a week after birth.

Look at that chubby face!

June 10 - Back to the Hospital

Unfortunately, Baby CP had jaundice and the formula that we were told to feed him wasn't enough to flush the bilirubin out.  So on June 10, the day after we brought Baby CP home, we had to return to St. Lukes for one night, where Baby CP was subjected to the phototherapy box. 

I love this shot - It looks like he's tanning and clubbing at the same time.  Check out his shades.

This was one of the most stressful nights we've had with Baby CP.  We were given a very strict schedule to follow for the evening.  Feeding every two hours with no more than 30 minutes outside of the box each time.  They should have just told us not to even think there would be any chance of sleeping and we would have better managed expectations.  By the time you force the baby to eat and change his diapers and get him back to sleep, your two hours is up and forget about staying out of the box for no more than 30 minutes...Although we probably failed at sticking to the guidelines, luckily Baby CP's bilirubin levels dropped enough by the next day for us to all go home.