One Month Later.

This month has been nothing but one huge learning experience. Everyone kept telling us what an adjustment parenthood would be, and how it would completely change our lives. While that's true, we both have agreed that it feels like we have had Noah forever. Even though it feels like he belongs here, that doesn't mean that life as new parents has been easy, here are our adventures of month one.

Adventure number 1- Spitting up.

Our first week home with baby was probably as close to bliss as life with a newborn can be. Besides the no sleep thing, life was going smoothly. After the first week is when the spitting up started. I mean not just the occasional little bit of spit up, but up to two ounces after every feeding. I have had half digested breast milk projectiled across my shirt and splash all over my neck, I call it my new mom perfume. Concern number one was that he is not getting enough nutrients. After I expressed my concerns about the situation to Noah's doctor at his two week check, we were told to bring him back in a week to monitor his weight gain because he was a few ounces short of where the doctor had wanted him to be. The next week he had gained almost 10 oz, which is a good sign that he is at least getting something. He is still only in the 10th percentile for weight, but the doctor was pleased with our efforts at fattening him up, so good news there. Yes the spitting up is ridiculously inconvenient, I'm doing at least two loads of laundry every day if not more, but the hardest part for me has been the fact that I can't candidly cuddle my baby whenever I feel like it. Holding my son now takes preparation and several burp rags and often frustration, and I feel like I am being robbed of precious moments with him.

Adventure number 2- Gas.

Unfortunately this is the main cause of our poor little guys spitting up, and many sleepless nights with a VERY fussy dude.

Dear gas... go to hell! Sincerely, Katie.

Adventure number 3- Doctors visits.

Seriously, this poor babe has had more doctors visits in the whole one month of his life than some people have in years.  It seems like every other day is some appointment. From regular check up's, extra weight checks, and already a visit to the ear doctor. First I have to say I love his GP. At first when we were looking into choosing a doctor for him I was adamant that it be a pediatrician because I felt like that would be the obvious best choice for a child, but my parents suggested their family doctor. After hearing their stories of how gifted he truly is, I gave in, and I must say that I'm glad I did, he's great at listening to my dumb worries and quieting my fears. The greatest appointment so far has been to the ear specialist. We were referred after Noah failed his hearing test in his left ear at birth. We spent an hour or so fighting a fussy baby trying to keep wires in his ears and electrodes on his head, that was fun, and after all was said and done, we were relieved to find out that he has perfect hearing in both ears and he probably simply had some amniotic fluid caught in his ear at birth that had caused him to fail the initial test.

Adventure number 4- Emotions.

I will be the first to admit that I am the most anxious, emotional, sorry excuse for a human and having a baby has magnified the shortcoming of mine to the extreme. The first week was the hardest with my hormones changing so drastically, I was an emotional hot mess. As time has gone by I have slowly evened out a bit more and feel better everyday, the unfortunate part is that a crying baby on top of pretty gnarly fatigue has made for a weepy Katie.

With all of that said here is some advice that I can share with anyone who needs it:

Take any minute for yourself that you can, it's probably literally a minute, but it aids in sanity.

USE YOUR RESOURCES! Seriously, if someone offers to help, accept it.

Don't try to be super mom, who cares if there are dishes in the sink, I drove myself crazy trying to do it all.

Take your time.

It takes at least an extra hour to get out of the house with a baby, give yourself the extra time.

Take extras everywhere you go, that means change of clothes, diapers, wipes, blankets, pacifiers... EVERYTHING!

Kiss those sweet cheeks every chance you get, they might not always let you, and maybe it's just me, but cuddles and kisses make me feel better.

Don't carry the load yourself, your man is a parent as much as you are, make him share the duty.


there's my limited wisdom, if anyone has an advice for me as a new mother, I SERIOUSLY appreciate it, let's exchange, especially any tips to help gas and spitting up!