Ugh, this week....

Today marks two weeks since my husband left for a month (plus a completely useless week) of training. Last week, I was so busy I honestly hardly even noticed that he was gone until it was time for bed. But this week...ugh. Insomnia and exhaustion are battling for dominance, and it's a trifle draining. Mommy's attention is completely consumed during the day and constantly interrupted at night, which means housework has been puttering along. Here's hoping I can actually get it completely clean sometime in the next three weeks so I don't look like I was slacking off the whole time my guy was gone! I try to nap when Alex does, but the last two days he has been skipping naps completely, resulting in an overtired little one who can no longer sleep through the night.

That's right, I said no longer. He did do it, folks. Twice, even! Two blissful nights in a row he slept for eight glorious hours! But then I had to go and tell my mother the good news, and now I am back to the newborn every-two-hours-hungry cycle. I had a feeling I was jinxing myself when I said it. *sigh*

Draining me at an equal velocity is my attempt to re-enroll in college, which involves choosing (and sticking to) a course of study/certification. What I want to do with my life and the practicality of what I should do for my family are brutally at odds. Logically, selecting a certification program that could net me good money in a stable career would be most beneficial to my family, and I could enjoy the work. Ideally, obtaining a Master's in literary or fine arts could usher me into a career that I have the talent and deepest of desires for. People say to do both, and I could, I suppose. But I have a family of my own now. It's young, and it needs to be nurtured, and in a few years it may grow. It's hard to imagine working, going to school, and raising my very young child(ren). For now, I am making sure I have all my core classes knocked out, so I still have a little time to consider my next move.

In baby news, Alex is healthy, happy, and extremely social. He hasn't gained much weight in the past few weeks, but he was already way ahead, and he eats all the time, so I'm not terribly concerned. I mean, 17.5-18 lbs is still in the 95th percentile for a 4-month-old, and he still has two weeks 'til he reaches that milestone. He is a strong kiddo....Stands (with help from mommy), rolls, and even supports his weight on his arms to stay up in a sitting position for a while! I'm so proud of him. By the time his daddy gets home he's going to have an arsenal of new tricks!

Baby Update-4/5/2010

Soooo, we had Alex's 8-week check-up on Friday (4/2). It was set for 3:20, but I got a call early in the day to reschedule it for 2:40. No problem; it's not like I'm booked up or anything. We get there 20 (maybe 30) minutes early and don't get seen until about 3:30. WTF, people? Frustrating....

Anyway, Alex is doing great! The nurse was taken aback by his weight. I got "What are you feeding this baby??" from pretty much everybody, which I expected. He was a doll for the whole appointment, very responsive to the doctors and nurses up until he got his shots. He didn't really like anyone for a couple of minutes. He stopped crying the second Daddy picked him up, though. We picked up some baby Tylenol from the pharmacy, but we've hardly had to use any; no fever, no fussiness from anything other than his normal needs. He's a real trooper.

Weight: 15 lbs. 10 oz.; above 95th percentile
Height: 22.75 inches (apparently I don't know how to measure); between 50th and 75th percentile
Head Circumference: 39.5 cm; above 95th percentile

Baby Update-3/26/2010

We've weathered the storm of the cursed DST change and 6 week growth spurt! It was tough for about a week: Alex refused to be put down at bedtime; had to be walked around for about an hour and fed continuously before he fussed himself to sleep in my arms. But the fussy time has gotten incrementally shorter, down to about 15 minutes, if at all. He has begun to amuse himself now, which means Momma can put him down for 5-10 minutes before he demands undivided attention. And when he naps, he actually sleeps long enough for me to do a few chores! Life is good.

I set up his 2-month appointment today, so I'll have "official" stats in a couple of weeks, but here are some unofficial stats for right now.

Weight: 13.5 lbs.
Height: 24 inches

P.S. Anyone with an Infantino Slingrider and/or Wendy Bellissimo carrier, get on that recall ASAP. I'm sending my stuff in today. Here's the website.

Nursing Covers!!

I cannot be the only mother who LOVES these things! When I was preparing to buy one, I researched the 'net for reviews and recommendations and stumbled across quite a few opinion pieces that seemed scathing condemnations. There was one relatively tame one recently covering "The Delivery" episode of The Office. The blogger was "thrilled" that they portrayed breastfeeding as "something positive, and normal", but viewed their choice to have the character Pam utilize a Hooter Hider brand nursing cover as a disappointment, and even went so far to refer to them as "Aprons of Shame".

I understand that there are mothers who are open, uninhibited, and proud of breastfeeding without the need for a cover. I wish I had that kind of attitude! But I also find absolutely nothing wrong with the concept of nursing covers for those mothers who wish to avoid dealing with the (unfair but present) social stigma of popping a boob out in public to nourish their child. It's important for me to be able to interact with others normally, and for anyone who isn't my husband or family, it would certainly serve as a distraction to be laid bare for all to see.

I recently bought an Udder Cover(s) and adore it! It's lightweight so Alex doesn't overheat, has a rigid neckline so I can see and adjust him if need be, and, most importantly, helps me more confidently nurse out in the open. They're running a promo where you only pay for the cost of shipping ($9.95), which is a LOT cheaper than most nursing covers! Click here for the store, and at checkout, put in the promo code "backorder1". :) Ciao!

Baby Update-3/11/2010

It has been a looooong five weeks. Who knew how physically draining looking after such a small child could be (put down your hand, Mom, of course you know :))? Pregnancy is (almost) smooth sailing in comparison. But despite the sore back and arms, the sometimes unreadable cries, and the copious amounts of fluids excreted on my hair, clothes, and various surfaces, there's something about that cheesy smile and gurgle he's been doing lately that makes it all easier to handle. Emotionally, at least.

*Milestones So Far*
Holding his head up/pushing up on arms: Still a bit wobbly, but he lifts, arches, and turns his head toward things of interest.
Following objects with head, occasionally with eyes: When I put him down to get dressed or prep dinner, I am very closely monitored.
Smiling

Weight: 13 lbs.; up five pounds from birth weight
Height: 23 inches; up 2 1/4 inches from birth