Week 3

Sunday - a lazy day of just me & you. Daddy had to work so he was sleeping all day. We camped out on the couch and loved every minute of it. Sunday night (around 7), I put you down for bed and started doing dishes and laundry. I heard you crying but then you stopped within a few minutes - like you do every time. When I went to check on you, you had thrown up all over your bed and were sound asleep. It really freaked me out. I mean really really really freaked me out. I happened to be on the phone with Dede at the time. She and Pawpaw were here before I could even strip the sheets off your bed. I was very upset and couldn't calm down. I felt like a failure... like I had let you cry till you threw up... even though I had no idea why you really threw up. I felt so defeated - for 2 weeks, I've been able to anticipate your needs or at least figure it out in the moment, but after, I knew nothing. I couldn't even make simple decisions about what you needed next. It took awhile (2 days) to convince myself that I didn't make you throw up.

Monday - On a more positive note :) We spent the day Monday with Daddy and Dede in Birmingham. Dede had to meet Lisa to do some business for my grandfather's estate. We took that opportunity to eat a great lunch at PF Changs, and shop at Target and Sam's Club. We had such a great time. Aunt Lisa fell in love with you - how could you not? You were awake all the way through Target, looking around and grunting. Sometimes you sound like a pig :). When we got home, Mrs. Carmela brought dinner - Cheesy Mac, salad, and cookies - yummy :). She got to feed you and watch you make your silly faces after you eat.

Tuesday - Another lazy day of just me and you. I think we can only stand to be gone all day every other day. Mrs. Tracie came by to meet you. You tried tummy time again. Today, I have done a lot of research about pacifiers - do's & don'ts, risks, benefits... blah blah blah. I'm sure lots of mom's are reading this going - oh just give it to him, everybody does it. My three major concerns: 1. I don't want you to become dependent on it... especially to sleep. 2. New research shows that pacifier usage increases the incidence of middle ear infections in infants 0-6 months. I had horrible ear infections, 3 sets of tubes, and needed speech therapy. 3. I really don't want to have to ween you off of it one day. Also, I've seen so many people just pop it in their kid's mouth when they are perfectly content and really don't seem to need it... why is that? Is it just habit? Are they just used to seeing it in their mouth so they think it should be there?

Wednesday - Your daddy took care of you and let me sleep all night last night. It was wonderful! You are not difficult to take care of at night... Mommy just likes her sleep... a lot. You are such a great baby... so calm and happy. Dede took us to the doctor this morning and then to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. Later, you took your first trip to The Rehab Center. Everyone was so excited to see you and hold you. Dede and Pawpaw's neighbor Danna Dean has been dying to meet you as well and we were finally able to work our schedules together for that to happen. Mrs. Patty brought us dinner and loved on you too. Hudson, I really hope you know how loved you are.

Thursday - Of course I bragged on how well you sleep yesterday so last night you decided that you wanted to stay wide awake for a few hours. We are using the concepts from Along The Infant Way to establish a routine and teach you to self-soothe. I've heard every opinion in the book about allowing/teaching infants as young as you to self-soothe. From what I've seen, you are highly capable of putting yourself to sleep without a pacifier or any other prop. Basically, the book encourages proactive parenting rather than reactive - which I totally agree with. Having a schedule has helped me to figure out what you want/need depending on the time of day. 99% of the time it works - for us. It does stress to keep this schedule flexible and not to rely solely on what time it is but to use common sense and parental evaluation in conjunction with the schedule.

Today we got to meet Hannah. Her mommy, Heather, and I work together and were pregnant at the same time. She was due July 30th (Hannah was born July 22nd). Later, Dede took us to run a couple of errands. We try to get out of the house at least an hour a day for my sanity and to keep us from sitting on the couch all day. We went to the Alabama Gift Company to weigh you on the mail scale... 8 pounds.

Friday - My friend Marilyn Hart came over at lunch to meet you and bring you an awesome gift of several books and 2 large packs of diapers, packed in 2 large canvas bins. She fell in love with you... of course. Most people that meet you for the first time say, "He's so tiny." "Look at all that hair!". Marilyn said, "Look how perfect he is... what an amazing blessing from God." She's right. You are perfect and you are a blessing from God. Watching you grow and develop is so amazing. Our friend Jennifer Sutton brought us dinner - Pruett's chicken fingers and veggies - yum. Her son, Giles, is 3 months older than you. She was one of the 10 friends having babies at the same time as me. I really look forward to seeing who your friends will be. I've been so blessed with wonderful friends who have showered us with love. I pray that you will know the blessings of true friends and the love of a Godly woman one day :).

Saturday - Another lazy day at home. Both grandmothers were able to come over and snuggle with you for awhile. Daddy's been asleep so that he can work tomorrow night. He says he's taking the night shift again tonight :) I gave you your first boo boo this morning trying to trim your nails. You cried for just a second... me... a little longer. It broke my heart to see your pitiful little finger for the rest of the day.