I wouldn’t say my case of Type-A-ness is super serious but I like having a plan. I LOVE making lists. Seriously, is there a better feeling in the world than making a big fat check next to an item on your to-do list? Confession: sometimes I write something on my list that I’ve already done just so I can check it off. Yep, nerd alert.
I feel better and more calm if I have an organized work surface. A clean kitchen counter and a freshly vacuumed carpet are my love language. Seeing those little mower lines on the rug makes my hear go pitter-patter. I can’t think about enjoying my evening on the couch until I have the dinner dishes done. Please tell me I’m not alone?
These things are still important to me, but I’m not running on Merfett time anymore. I’m on baby time. Merfbaby time.
I still desire to keep our home looking less like a war-zone and more like it can be safely inhabited by humans, but it happens at a slower pace than it used to.
Baby time is all the time. All the time is baby time.
Naps become sacred. Evening’s when Merfman is home for dinner are celebrated, and for many reasons. I’ve learned to become even more efficient with my time. Didn’t think it was possible, but it is!
I’m sure many new Mama’s will say that a clean floor is low on the list of priorities when you’re holding a grinning baby. They speak truth.
I’ll never get THIS day with my baby again. It’ll be over all too soon.
In a few short months he’ll want less of me and more of the world. So, why should I be consumed with the world now? The floor will keep, the dishes aren’t going anywhere, the laundry will get done…if not we can always pull my favorite move from college and wear bathing suit bottoms, right?
Set your clocks for baby time, it’ll be short but sweet.
It starts when you see those little pink lines on the stick…ohmygoodness, we MADE a human. Now what?!
It’s light, but it’s there!
So, you start reading, and you keep reading. And you read some more. And you talk to people. And you hear stories. Good. Bad. Wonderful. Scary. Joyful. Ugly. And you pray. You pray every second you can for this little person you’ve never met.
Then the day comes when this perfect little baby burrito is placed into your arms and you want to do everything right, you want to be so great at this mama thing. But it’s hard. And it’s a lot of on-the-job training. You make mistakes. There’s tears. But, then there’s moments of total triumph. Every time you calm your baby, or get them to sleep it’s a little victory. And you fist-bump your spouse and silently cheer, because you’re doing it, and it’s working.
But just when you feel like you’re hitting your stride, and you can do this, like really own this mama role — your confidence takes a hit. Your eyes are opened to the world of babies and parents around you. Why is their baby doing “X” and my baby is doing “Y?” Am I doing something wrong? Why can’t I be that mom?
Stop. Take a deeeep breath.
What works for your baby, and family might not work for mine. And that’s cool. Rock it.
We need to hold on to our self-confidence when it comes to raising our little people. We’re all doing a very hard job, and we might all do it differently, but we’re doing it!
Celebrate the little victories. You’re doing a GREAT job. And so am I.
Weight: On Monday Riley had his 2 month check up. He’s 13lb 6oz and 24.5″ long. 98%!!! He’s wearing 6 month clothing. Looking back a photos of him from the early weeks he’s so much more filled out. His little legs are getting thicker, but overall he’s really long and lean still. He got his shots at the check up. He was so perfect and happy until they stuck him with the first shot. He cried. Like real tears cried. Which I don’t like at all, but he calmed down just fine.
Health: Still stuffy and congested in the morning sometimes. We run the humidifier which seems to help, and we’ve developed a very love/hate relationship with the saline drops + nasal aspirator. I asked the doctor what we should do to prepare for the winter and cold/flu season…so we’ll be doing lots of hand washing and trying to avoid large crowded indoor places. Like choosing the open air mall over the enclosed one.
He’s in LOVE with the Snoopy wallpaper at the Pediatrician’s office. So much that he wouldn’t look away to get his eyes checked, ha!
Sleep: 5 – 6 hours from when we put him down, then he wakes for a feeding and then back to sleep until morning. Lots of napping during the day normally 45min – 1.5hrs. Getting such a long stretch at night has been really nice for me. Depending on when we put him down (we try to aim for 9pm) he’ll sleep until it’s time for me to get up in the morning. Since I’ve gone back to work 6:30am has become my wake up time. It gives us enough time for breakfast (both of us) shower, dressing and morning chores before I need to be out the door.
Nursing: Going really well. I’m much more confident and comfortable. He really doesn’t like me putting a towel or anything over him when he’s nursing…I can’t blame him, with the summer heat I wouldn’t want to eat in a hood-tent either. I saw something online that was kind of cool and it gave me an idea. I took a long scarf and knotted the ends together. I throw the loop over my shoulder of the side I’m nursing (like a sash) and pull it down to “adjust” and then just let it sit right next to his cheek so it’s covering me but not him. He’s much happier and it’s keeping everything “contained” so I don’t feel awkward about nursing out and about.
What Riley is up to: Lots of smiles and “chatting!” It’s the best/craziest feeling in the world when he looks are me and smiles a real smile. In the afternoon’s he’s very chatty so we sit face to face and talk. I love hearing all the sounds he comes up with. Sometimes I make the sounds back at him, or make a new one that stumps him. He’ll give me the funniest look when I make a growl or blow raspberries. In the morning when I’m getting ready for work I sit him in his bouncy chair in the bathroom. I play music and he loves to “sing” along :)
His favorite thing at home. He loves the black and white.Currently my favorite photo. That smile. <3Let’s be real for a second…I was fully prepared to have an unfortunate looking baby. Babies can be awkward looking, they take some time to fill out and grow into their features, that’s what I was expecting. Now, I may be bias, but sometimes I look at Riley and think he’s a really good looking little human.That outfit he’s wearing doesn’t even come close to fitting anymore…and that car seat had to be adjusted 2 sizes so he would be more comfortable. Little dude is T.A.L.L.
PostPartum: I signed up for a sprint triathlon so I’m working on getting my fitness back. I started eating cleaner, not that my diet was awful before…but I do feel much better when I eat complete balanced meals. I had my 6 week postpartum check up and everything is healed and I’m back to life as normal. I saw my weight on the scale, but it didn’t freak me out. It’s more about the way I feel and my clothes fit. Since I’m focused on eating better I have to plan ahead. Sunday’s are grocery shopping and meal prep. I cooked chicken breasts, chopped fruit, baked sweet potatoes, roasted veggies and made some quinoa. When I get home from work I just reheat dinner, which is great since I’m often home alone with Merfman at work so I can’t cook a complete meal and baby juggle. I’ve done two jogs this week, and the one last night was easier than the one Sunday. Just have to work to make the time to get out there and do it.
Baby Gear: Cloth diapers! We started using our cloth diapers a few weeks ago and I really love them. My favorite brand is Charlie Banana. We have the Bum Genius all in one, and the inserts but the Charlie Banana ones are SO soft and plush. I do an extra load of laundry which I don’t mind. But I did order a few more Charlie Banana’s to carry us through a few more changes. California Baby Lotion, it smells amazing. Riley loves when I put it on his dry forehead. We’ve just started hanging toys for him to see, he seems to love his Lamaze giraffe that I hang over his pack n play. He looks at it, coos and kicks his feet.
The stare down…also, babies in hoodies…the BEST.
Thoughts: I started back to work last week, and Riley is coming with me! I set him up in the pack n play to nap, and he has a bouncy chair next to my desk. So far he’s doing awesome, napping and eating great. He’s very popular and everyone loves to stop by and visit him. He doesn’t fuss much or cry hardly at all, which is a huge blessing. I started thinking about the holidays this week since fall has officially started…even if it doesn’t feel like it…cough90degreescough. I’m so excited for this to be Riley’s first holiday season. I know he won’t remember it, but I can’t wait :)
Riley got to sit at a very important table on his first set visit
The Merfett 