7 weeks old

Cooper's 6th week of life was a busy one!  He has become a social butterfly as we experiment with more outings.  Cooper and Mommy had a LOT of togetherness because Daddy had to work ridiculous hours due to the Union/First Market Bank merger.  Poor Daddy didn't get to see Cooper awake for most of the week, so we've all enjoyed a little bit of time together this weekend.

Cooper wasn't happy from the 3 shots he received at his 6 week check-up.  Poor thing!  Once again, we were amazed to learn his weight...10 lbs. 11 oz.

Amazed at how much more alert he is every day. Working on a smile, too!

Sporting some "real" clothes

First trip to the grocery store

Love the face!

First trip to church.  He was very well-behaved in the nursery.

So relaxed...

6 weeks old

Cooper is 6 weeks old today!  Thanks to the beautiful weather and less fussing, we were out and about a lot this week.  Even though we're still figuring out the gas and reflux issues, they seem to be improving and we're all dealing with them a lot better.  It is so fun to watch Cooper become more alert and interested in the things around him.  He is so close to smiling.  This week, he went as long as 5 hours between a couple of his night feedings!

St. Patrick's Day outing to Panera. He slept the whole time.

He loves his activity mat and will play there by himself for 10-15 minutes if he's in the mood.

He takes a bottle when mommy's away or needs a break.

Hanging out with Great-Grandma Bobbie

Visiting Great-Grandma Yogi

Great-Aunt Sharon was there too!

Reading with Grandma and Grandpa Browning

Victory!  First successful nap in the bassinet (instead of the bouncy seat or someone's arms).

I forgot to take pictures, but Cooper and I visited my work this week.  He loved meeting my co-workers and they doted all over him!

We have good days and not-so-good days, but all in all we're adjusting to life with a little one.  Looking forward to what the next week will bring!

5 weeks old

Maybe someday I will get these posts up by Sunday (Cooper's actual birth day)!  I never understood how people could be so busy with a new baby, but now I do.  The days just fly by between feeding, sleeping, soothing, playing, and taking care of the rest of life!  Many days, I have to choose between an essential (like eating) or checking my email...you can probably figure out which one wins.

Cooper is continuing to grow and change every single day.  He is eating SO MUCH and gaining weight very rapidly.  At breastfeeding support group today he ate 5.5 oz. (only needs to eat 3-4 oz.) and weighed 9 lb. 13oz.  That's a 10 oz. gain in less than a week.  At this rate, he'll be a little butterball in a matter of weeks!  It's weird to look at pictures when he was 2 or 3 weeks old - he hardly looks like the same baby.

In other good news, we are have had a couple of good days/nights in a row.  I hate to jinx us, but he seems to be doing better than he was even a few days ago.  Now that I know how much he's eating, I wonder if he's spitting up from overeating rather than reflux.  His gas has gotten better over the last few days too.

We've really enjoyed a steady stream of visitors since we don't get out of the house too much.  Because of the risk of illness and his moodiness, we've stayed close to home except for doctor's appointments, breastfeeding support group, infant massage class, and the occasional trip to a family member's house.  We really enjoy taking walks when the weather is nice.  This mom - who is used to being out and about - is looking forward to more outings as the weather improves and Cooper becomes a bit less fussy!

Reading with Daddy

Aunt Carrie

Chillin' on the tummy

Sleeping peacefully

Cooper's "alert" face

Checking out his custom-made Mini Cooper from Grandma and Grandpa Huffman

Update

Cooper went to the doctor yesterday so we could discuss his gas/reflux issues.  He now weighs 9 lbs. 3 oz.  He gained a pound in a week!  Oh my goodness!!

We have a list of things to try to help the gas/reflux, including drugs for Cooper and dietary changes for me.  I know it's too early to draw any conclusions but today didn't seem much different to me.  We may just have to ride this one out and hope that this phase ends soon (although I don't want to rush Cooper into growing up)!

1 month old

I'm typing this post in a race against the clock b/c Cooper will probably wake up any minute and want to eat NOW!  3 weeks ago I had to wake him up to eat but the times have changed.  Another change is that our content, peaceful little baby has turned quite fussy.  We're headed to the doctor tomorrow to discuss his gas/reflux issues in more detail.  The good and bad news is that every day is different, so our roughest days/nights are usually followed by a few better days.  Our basic routine is eat, fuss, soothe, sleep, repeat. We have learned to minimize the fussing by holding, bathing, or distracting him.  At least we know this is a phase and it will get better!  And I know that there are parents out there who have it much harder.

Cooper seems to be having a growth spurt because he has mostly outgrown his newborn clothes and is now wearing mostly 0-3 months size.  He wanted to eat every 2 hours yesterday.  No wonder those cheeks are getting chubby!

I can't say enough good things about Johnston-Willis Hospital.  Not only was my labor/delivery such a good experience, they have excellent postpartum resources and they're free.  Cooper and I have benefitted so much from the breastfeeding support group and their lactation consultants.  And yesterday, we started an infant massage class.  Both are great ways to get some help, bond with the baby, and meet other moms.

Looking forward to what surprises the next week will bring!

3 weeks old

Cooper was 3 weeks old on Sunday.  In some ways, it has gone by so fast and in other ways it feels like he was born ages ago!  In good news, Cooper has fattened up quite a bit and now weighs 8 lbs. 3 oz.  This is a great relief and means that he is eating very well.  Also, the doctor says that he is developing well and looking healthy.  He commented on his ability to control his head/neck muscles at such a young age.  He's a strong little guy!

Unfortunately, he seems to be dealing with some reflux and gas issues.  Not only is he uncomfortable, which is hard to watch, but it also caused 3 sleepless nights for us all this weekend.  Thankfully, the doctor's suggestion of Maalox seems to be helping some.  My mother-in-law spent the night last night so that we could get some rest.  It is amazing how getting some sleep can help - we feel human again!!  Fingers crossed, it has been a good day so far.

In other news, Cooper got his first "real" bath on Saturday.  He loved the warm water and we loved that he finally seemed clean!

In the past 3 weeks, we have experienced the joys and challenges of having a baby.  It is like nothing else we've ever experienced, and as hard as it is, we wouldn't trade it for anything.