A Life

About the only thing I liked when I read the controversial parenting book Babywise, was the idea that a baby should fit into the life of a family rather than totally take it over. Of course, babies do change lives in small and in enormous ways, but I was drawn to the idea that our baby would positively add to the life we had created rather than negatively turn everything upside down. We've had our upside down moments, but for the most part this post-baby life is similar to the one we've been working on building since Chris and I met.


We've still visited the usual summer events that are important to us - Arts Fest, Pride and later today ComFest - but now we push a stroller through the crowds and we don't stay as long. Saturday mornings are still spent in the yard drinking coffee and tending to our garden, but now we take breaks to check in on a napping baby. The weekend is still capped off with Sunday dinner at my parents, but now they're more interested in seeing Milo rather than us (and we wouldn't have it any other way). Other things have stayed the same, too. I still come home from work tired, but now I have the sweetest little cuddle buddy to laze around with.
I'm absolutely loving the life we've created and while I can still remember life before Milo, I can't imagine not having him now.

Three Months

Today I had an e-mail from a new mom asking how you get through those first weeks and wanting me to tell her it gets better. I'm not sure how you can really assure someone of this, but I did my best to tell her to hang on, that everything that is so new will become second nature and it is all worth it. In those early weeks it's hard to know that you'll come out on the other side and suddenly it is three months down the road. You're a little more rested and have a happy, babbling baby. It really does happen fast.

I can't believe our little guy (if 16 pounds can be considered little) is three months old. For the first time during this picture session, Milo was reaching for and grabbing onto his sign. He wants to make sure everything within reach is tasted just in case it might contain milk. You know just to be safe.

Like he did when he was younger, Milo still reaches over and grabs my hand during some feedings, but now it is more intentional and his palm is open. Seeing his chubby little dimpled fingers reach for me still melts my heart. As much as he enjoys nursing, he also has no problem taking a bottle which has been a good skill for him to have at daycare.

This past month we survived our first time apart. He spread his gummy little smile to daycare and I returned to work. It wasn't so bad, but I do miss my little one. We also survived our first mother / son cold. He might have handled it better than I did.

With Milo being more aware of his surroundings, he's starting to notice toys. The zebra on his bouncer has been a friend from a long time back, but lately he's added Hedgy the rainbow hedgehog and a firefly (thanks Sara for these!) to his clique.

We were on a roll for a few days at the end of May (from tummy to back), but he then decided rolling was so last year and went on a rolling strike. Tummy time is still hit or miss depending on his mood, but he's gained almost constant head control.

Next month we look forward to Milo's baptism and hopefully lots more evening walks. Each month brings so much change and development, it will be interesting to see what we have to look forward to next.

How do I Write it Down?

I'm trying to write out a note about Milo's schedule and his likes and dislikes to send with him on Monday to his first day of daycare. I have the bare outlines of his schedule down such as when he sleeps and when he eats. I've let them know that he will typically babble in his crib before falling asleep for his mid-morning nap.

What I'm struggling with is how to let them know that he likes me to pretend to munch on his face when he's particularly inconsolable. A couple of kisses and pretend bites and my smiley, happy boy is back, but I don't really want anyone else munching on his face anyway. I'm also not sure how to include that we both like to listen to Jack Johnson and wiggle around on the floor. Or that reading him a book and using funny voices will distract him through tummy time. I've picked up these little tricks in the last three months of spending my days with my little guy and there is no way I can communicate them all to the daycare people.

I realize plenty of children go to daycare and probably every mom goes through this guilt of leaving her baby with someone other than herself. It's just that as Monday inches closer, I question my decision more each day and I already can't stop the tears from coming.

One {More} Thing

One thing I am really loving about Milo these days is that he won't let a laugh he hears go unaccompanied. Even if it's Mommy giggling at his frowning face, or Grandpa laughing at the ridiculous hat on his head, Milo will join in on the joyous noise. I hope he doesn't lose this skill anytime soon. If there's a choice to laugh, stay silent or even to cry, I say let loose and laugh little man. It will always serve you well.