2 Months

Paul is 2 months old today. TWO MONTHS!!!! He also had his last visit with the Guelph Midwives, which went well.

Paul weighs 12 pounds and is above average in all other measurements. His reflexes are excellent and the midwife was especially impressed with his walking reflex. I'm so proud of him and happy that he is healthy.

On the other hand, I'm sad that a midwife couldn't be the permanent medical professional for our family but, I understand. They really added to my great pregnancy & labour experience and I couldn't have imagined doing it without their support. They were kind and always gave us options and time to think it through. I will miss them.
Because Paul and I really trust them, we are going to see a pediatrician that they recommended. Hopefully we'll be able to trust her as much as the midwives.

As for life... it goes on. And I'm loving every minute of it.

Not So Little Anymore

Today I had a little bit of a shock. I knew it was coming but I didn't think I would be so sensitive about it. Paul has grown out of his first pair of jammies!

Last week I had noticed that there were a few pairs of pyjamas and onesies that were starting to get a little snug on Paul. I was proud that he was growing and when we got home from the cottage, I took a look in his closet to see if he would fit into any of the larger clothes he had. Everything was still a little too big. As I was getting him ready for bed tonight, I randomly pulled out a pair of pyjamas for him. It was the kind that has a zipper on one leg only. To my surprise, I couldn't easily get his leg into the one side without the zipper. I couldn't believe it at first, and tried zipping up the sleeper. It did zip up easily but Paul couldn't stretch out his legs, and his toes were all curled up in the feet.

I stared at him for a few seconds and then went and got another sleeper. As I dressed him again all I could think of was "My boy is growing up so fast". Now I know it's only been 7 weeks but I can't help but wonder where the time went. I like to think about the day he was born and sometimes I wonder if I'll remember every detail 5 years from now. There are two moments I know I will never forget though.
The first is what it felt like the moment he was born, when the midwife caught him. I'm thankful I wasn't numbed by the epidural because missing out on that moment would have been horrible. It's hard to explain but there was a sense of relief followed by a rush of emotion and lots of crying. The oxytocin was definitely working.
The second moment was when Paul was given to me. I know it's normal for mom's not to feel that immediate bond but that wasn't me. I saw him coming towards me and I started crying all over again. All I wanted to do was hold him and not let go. I finally had my family. And every time I think of that moment my eyes start to tear up.

There are lots of people who say that you forget how painful labour is once you are holding your child. I have to disagree a little. You'll never forget the pain but holding that little angel in your arms makes it all worth while.

First Vacation

Last week was Paul's first vacation. At 6 weeks old, we spent a week with my in-laws at a cottage in Blue Mountain. And I must admit, it was tones of fun. We went hiking and shopping and we visited family that lives in the area. The weather was mostly good except for one scorching hot day and one rainy day. Fortunately we were able to beat the heat poolside and the rain was only around on the day we had to leave.

All in all, it went really well considering how Paul has been acting in the last few weeks. For the first 3 weeks of his life, Paul was a great baby. He only cried when he was hungry, when we changed his diaper, and the first few times he had a bath. Once he was in his fourth week, things changed. He started crying more often and for what appeared to be no reason. It wasn't colic but either way a crying infant is no fun to deal with. It took me a while but I finally found a routine that kept him settled, if not completely quiet. Taking him out of this routine made me a little uneasy because I didn't know how he would take it. I decided to go and, I knew my in-laws would be there to help out if Paul was being too fussy. It all went so well that I would do it again in a heartbeat.




Now that I'm back, the old routine has kicked in. The difference...I can't play hot potato with Paul anymore! I also took some pictures with my mother-in-laws camera that I'd like to share. I just have to wait until she sends them to me.