Two Months of Smooth Sailing with My Dreamboat

So now I'm just supposed to accept the fact that in addition to having an almost TWO year old, I have a TWO month old as well? Time, you are a harsh harsh creature. I NEVER recall time going by this quickly when I was sitting through a lecture in school, or on the treadmill, or at god awful work for that matter.

As much as it sucks to know that you will never again be as tiny as you are in the given moment, the insane toddler running around this house serves as a constant reminder of all the good that's yet to come. Every new month of her became my new favourite, and I know that it will be the exact same way with you. 

Once you've already had a baby and have run through all of the milestones and "firsts", some people may think that there's not as much "thrill" behind experiencing them all over again with a second baby, but I certainly beg to differ.

I think it's such a privilege to be brought back to these early months and milestones again; only now as a more experienced and confident parent. The first time around, I know that I personally was way too paranoid and nervous to fully enjoy them. For example, when Rowan started trying solid foods, I was too preoccupied with the risks relating to allergies, choking, and so forth. I know that with you, my second born, the second time around will be more laid-back, and therefore I will be able to enjoy it more. I don't for a second find any of your firsts less exciting. You are a completely different baby, and now getting to watch a son of mine grow and carve your own path is something I very much look forward to. So with that said, let's see where this new month takes us!

TWO MONTH STATS FOR MR. RHETT FLETCHER 

WEIGHT AT BIRTH:

7 lbs, 4.5 oz, 20 inches long 

WEIGHT AT 1 MONTH:

Stay tuned, your 2 month doctor visit is on Tuesday, which also means needles... dun dun dun. 

EYE COLOUR:

dark blue (but sometimes I think I see some green happening)

DIAPER SIZE:

I had an entire tote of size 1 diapers leftover from when Rowan was really small, so you have comfortably been sporting those since you turned a month old. Not going to lie though, a piece of my heart broke when you finished with your last pack of newborn diapers and I knew it wasn't worth buying more. I saved the very last one for your memory box! 

CLOTHING SIZE: 

I packed away your newborn sleepers and some articles of clothing because you somehow outgrew them that quickly. Yeah yeah, I know that you're only considered a newborn up to 7 weeks old, but I couldn't deny it anymore once your sleepers began revealing your shoulders because they were too short. Again, it was devastating knowing that I was washing and folding the adorable newborn size sleepers for possibly the last time ever. You're now wearing size 0-3, and for the record, THOSE DO NOT HAVE THE SLEEVES THAT MORPH INTO MITTENS. To moms, that equates to "your newborn is now an infant, and tomorrow will probably be a full grown kid". SLOW DOWN, BOY! 

NICKNAMES:

I call you "Ham" all the time ("Ammmm" to Rowan). Sometimes this then turns into "Ham Sandwich", or "Hammy Sammy". Don't ask why. There's nothing particularly cute about a ham sandwich, but you on the other hand... You're also my "Chunky Hunky", or our little "Beefcake"! Basically none of which you will ever want to be called when you're older. 

WHAT MOMMA HAS OBSERVED ABOUT YOU AT TWO MONTHS YOUNG

Well for starters, little boy, those cheekies of yours have certainly done their job of filling out and being all the more kissable! If you look at a photo of you from the first couple of weeks, and juxtapose it with a recent one, you can see just how how much you have already changed. You're no longer a wrinkly little old man; rather, you're beefin' up in thee cutest way possible. 

Before you were born I ordered you this adorable earthy / slate coloured onesie with a matching little pilot cap. You wore it in both the hospital, and in your newborn photos. I went to put it on you just for fun, and it was suddenly so tight that it looked like a swim cap. Another piece for the memory box.

However, even with a swim cap upon that handsome head, you're still the cutest boy I have ever seen. You also smile ALL of the time! When I'm holding you and look at you, you smile. When someone talks to you, you smile. When Rowan is being her usual self and you catch a glimpse of her, you smile! The one day we were in Sobeys and she was sitting in the shopping cart, while you were in your car-seat in the actual buggy itself. You stared at her thee entire time, with a big ol' gummy smile from ear to ear. I can't wait for you guys to both be sitting in the shopping cart, side by side, laughing together. 

The baby cooing and grunting has tremendously increased, and you're now making all sorts of noises, as well as opening your mouth like you so badly have something to say! When you make sounds at me, I like to say that you're telling stories, as I sit back and marvel in how cute you are, often going cross-eyed.

YOU GIGGLED FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER ON SEPTEMBER 7TH! Exactly ONE day before turning into a 2 month old! It's funny because up until three seconds ago I had this paragraph written specifically about how you were so close to laughing on multiple occasions. With the biggest smile on your face, you would open your mouth as if it was going to let out a laugh, but then no sound would come out. This morning while I was changing you in your room, I tickled your sides (the EXACT same spot and way in which I got Rowan to giggle for the first time), and there is was, one of the greatest sounds my ears will ever hear. With one eye closed like Popeye, showing off your dimples, you giggled in the funniest, grunt-iest way, and instantly my day was made. Those moments in motherhood are just pure magic. They are like the paycheques of our "job". 

Your demeanor is so docile and sweet. Even when you cry because you want your bubba or a changing, you have this Precious Moments doll-eyed thing about you that makes even a crying episode bearable. I'd like to interject here and say that whenever you cry, Rowan chimes in with, "no no no kai, baby", and often aggressively presses your soother into your face, or then yells "bubba" at me, as in to feed your hungry little self, while she runs to grab your bib. Part of me thinks that she believes your name is "Hungie Happo" (Hungry Hippo) because she refers to you as such so often. Oh yes, when she isn't poking you in the eye, or smacking you in the face, she is on top of her big sister game. I just wish she would stay there...

As I was saying, you have a very calming aura to you. Even on the more chaotic days, or ones where I'm just not feeling all that marvelous, I look at you and am brought back to where I need to be. You make me just want to sit and stare at you for a while, soaking in the goodness that you naturally radiate. If this is any indication of the type of person you will be, then anyone who ever gets to know you is going to be exceptionally lucky. I know that I consider myself to be extremely fortunate as your mother, in a role that only I will ever fulfill. 

THINGS YOU ABSOLUTELY LOVE Babies are so unpredictable from one to the next in terms of what their likes and dislikes will be. You for instance LOVE the elephant pillow ("Elly") that Nana bought for Rowan before she was even born, whereas Rowan never really paid any mind to it until you came along. You take your best naps on this thing (like 1-4 hours at a time), you love being propped up on it to better see us, and I truly believe that it's now a security item to you, much like a blankie. I'm certain that you would sleep in your bassinet instead of on me if I let you remain on this thing during the night, but I only let you sleep on it while I am awake and close by. 

Since another thing you seem to love is being able to see me, when I'm cooking supper or washing dishes, I drag your bassinet on over to me, plop you up against your elephant and there you lay, smiling away, sometimes dozing off. USUALLY dozing off!

You also really enjoy being in the stroller! We just recently used the double stroller to go shopping, and you sat so well, fell asleep, and were insanely quiet the entire time. You were in other words, a dream. Your sister never really liked being in strollers, and by the time she adjusted to them she was basically walking. I am not surprised that you took so well to the stroller though. You seem to like being in things like the swing, swaddled into a burrito, or being worn in the sling. When you're strapped in or held tightly you probably feel comforted. 

You LOVE being talked to! When we get right up in your face and talk and do the whole thing most people do to little babies (use a WAY higher pitch voice and make all kinds of ridiculous sounds that would NEVER fly in conversation with literally anyone who isn't a baby), you smile SO BIG!

OTHER HONOURABLE MENTIONS: bubbas obviously, bath time, fresh diapies, big stretches after your naps, when we play with your hands, clasping your hands together like you're Mr. Burns or like you're plotting world destruction, staring at the stars that hang from your swing, naps whenever we are outside, watching your sister be a crazy person, staring at Momma and Daddy, being held, napping after your bath and jammies, being held across our arms on your tummy, being pulled up to the table next to us when we eat (I literally drag your bassinet over because you're always included), and you're now used to days we spend out and about on weekends. Can I add in one that I love? I LOVE being able to reuse Rowan's baby things on you, and though there haven't been many that were gender neutral enough, I DID keep this little oatmeal-coloured newborn knotted gown that I still remember receiving in the mail the day before I went into labour with her. I put you in it and it was like holding my very own little Glo-worm!

THINGS YOU AREN'T SO FOND OF

For now, you are the easy child. Nana hates when I say that, as if it's a shot at Rowan, which it most certainly is NOT! Toddlers are just crazy people SOME times. Also, note my use of "for now". Maybe you will always be a more laid-back, go with the flow kind of child, and maybe you will turn wild. The future remains unknown. However, FOR NOW, you're just a baby of simple needs. Maybe that sounds better.

If you're fed, changed and cuddled, you're the happiest. It doesn't take much to keep you that way. All I can say is that you hate waiting for a bubba, when I change you during the night and go to turn the light on after your eyes have adjusted to the dark (you cringe up and get all jumpy), and being put down when you just want to be held. Like I said, easy peasy. 

EATING

You haven't earned the name Chunky Hunky for nothing. You love your bubbas! Honestly, Rowan wasn't even a baby that long ago, but I still can't recall her guzzling bottles down the way you do. I feel like I am making formula all of the time. I use the Dr. Brown's pitcher and make 600 mL at once, sometimes twice a day for a 24 hour period, so it can carry overnight or whatever the case may be. 

Your bottles are usually 120-150 mL each, and sometimes you suck them dry, whereas other times I'm pouring a little bit away that you don't finish. Regardless, you're still reacting well to the Probiotic Good Start, so we're sticking with that. 

You burp like a champ, you're notorious for spitting up even if you're burped, and after a good bubba, you love nothing more than a nice nappy. 

I think the whole 'you having to eat every 2 hours all day long' phase has finally slowed down, thank the lord. Not that it was ever a burden, but I did feel like once I fed you, I was on a time limit if we had to run to the store or go somewhere. Now, you seem a bit more lenient and may go 3-4 hours tops if you are napping or something. If you aren't screaming to be fed I usually take that as a sign that your little tummy is still full. It also helps that we're dealing with bigger bottles, so you're staying fuller for longer. 

I switched the nipples on your bubbas from 0 to 1, aka yet another thing you have outgrown already. The 0 size is for newborns and is a really slow flow. I actually didn't mean to wait this long. I seriously wasn't even thinking about it up until you started fussing during feeds, then it clicked. As soon as I moved you up to a medium flow you were as content as ever. Less work + more food = bonus! 

SLEEP

At exactly 7 weeks old you slept through the night for the first time! You ate around 11:30 pm, then didn't wake up until 6 something the next morning. It's around the same time Rowan began sleeping through the nights, so I am hopeful! 

Even if it isn't ALL night long, you have been sleeping for longer periods at a time. You slept for a 5 hour stretch another night, which is still so great. Naps aren't an issue at all. You tend to take a morning nap, doze off in and out during the day, and then again in the evening. 

I find now that once you're bathed and fed after dinner, if I lay you in your bassinet you will sleep for a couple solid hours, guaranteed. For this reason alone, I refuse to bathe you in the mornings. I love watching you calm right down after your bath and go into a completely relaxed state. I usually cuddle you for a bit before laying you down, and I look so forward to that time together every evening.

We are still camping on the couch, all three of us. Rowan is in it for the long haul apparently. I've tried getting her to sleep more comfortably in bed, but she refuses to leave us. I often wake up in the morning to her on the other side of me, having wedged her little self right in my armpit. Though, is there any better way to wake up than to the faces of my ridiculously cute children? Maybe if I didn't also wake up feeling like I no longer have feeling in certain parts of my neck, shoulders, back and arms. 

PLAYTIME & DEVELOPMENT 

Little mister, you are constantly kicking those legs and moving those arms! Just today when I had you sitting in your swing, you were trying so hard to raise your arms higher up to catch the stars that dangle from it. 

When you're laying on your fishy play-mat, you love sprawling out and looking around all bright-eyed. This is the part where Rowan usually dumps her basket of stuffed animals out beside you (or on you...) and lines them up around you. She often tries to get you to hold things, but we haven't reached that stage yet! One day you will be playing right there with her (no doubt getting revenge for all of the bops to the head and overly aggressive hand squeezes). Oh, and I have to admit how much I laughed the one day after we went shopping. Rowan picked out a new book, and when we got home I took the price tag off of it. She of course wanted to play with it because all she saw was a sticker. Sure enough, I then see you laying on your play mat, with your forehead priced at $7... Oh big sisters, what would our younger brothers do without us? 

You can actually keep your head lifted pretty well for just a little guy. Every week leaves you a little less noodle-like, which is actually a part of the newborn stage that I can do without. Everything becomes so much easier when you are a little sturdier. 

I love how you can now see a little further away because this means I get way more smiles from across the room as I approach you. You're also able to focus more on something, like bright colours, or if you catch a glimpse of Rowan's cartoons on TV. The other day she wanted you to watch Pinkalicious with her. The girl on the cartoon (Pinkalicious) has a little brother named Peter ("Peterific"), so we always say that it's you. The two of you laid on your fishy mat in front of the TV and it was thee cutest thing I have ever seen. I can't wait for more of that. 

DATES & HOLIDAYS

This past month you have been to a couple family gatherings on each side of the family (having slept through most of them), celebrated your Daddy's 29th birthday, accompanied me to my 6 week postpartum appointment where you met the great Dr. S, were dragged along on a full-blown shopping day with myself, Rowan, Nana, my aunts, cousins and their babies (6 kids, 5 of whom are 2 and under), went on your first family walk, watched your crazy mother decorate for Fall because as soon as September 1st hits I am full speed ahead to Autumn, and was twinning with your sister in matching blue rompers that are SO CUTE! I had to get those things worn before summer ended!

As much of a fall person as I am, this past summer was my favourite one because I had you! I called you my summer baby from the moment I realized you would be born in either June or July, so it was exciting as it approached. Then you were born and my entire summer was made. You were the highlight of it all for sure. Now that you're here, I can and will forever regard the summer of 2019 as the best one yet, and we can continue on to our first fall as a family of four, hitting up all of the pumpkin patches and celebrating Thanksgiving and Halloween together! I can't wait!

LASTLY, FROM YOUR MOMMA'S PERSPECTIVE

There is this song that's currently played on the radio called, "Love Someone" by Brett Eldredge. I had heard it a few times before I thought about how so many of the lyrics relate to you and I, and our nights spent camped out on the couch together, or our bond in general. 

oh baby, would you look right there the way the sun is hitting your hair the way the world just stopped right here in mid-air, I don't ever wanna move

you put the cool in the breeze you put the weak here in my knees you put me right where I'm supposed to be in your blue-eyed sea and I wanna sail away

'cause when I wake up in the middle of the night you're holding me so tight take whole of me, my oh my sure feels good to love someone

when you laugh at the way I dance when you smile when you hold my hand I look at you and I understand sure feels good to love someone

everywhere I want to go and everywhere I want to be at everywhere I've ever been everything I'll ever need is sitting right here next to me

Of course I love the time in which I get to spend with both of my babies, which is pretty much always. I just feel that it's important to have quality one-on-one time as well, and I got so much of it with Rowan, and still make time for it, even if it's while you're napping. Just the other night as you were sleeping, her and I went to my room and painted our toe nails while singing, "The Wheels on the Bus" because that's her current jam. Likewise, I love the time that I get to spend with just you. 

Sometimes Daddy takes Rowan to Grandma and Grandpa's house to play, and that means that you and I get to be here together. You're still far too little to do much, which is why we usually end up cuddling, or taking a nap together, but I completely love those moments with my sweet boy curled up next to me. 

I remember when you were born I reminded myself that once I hit the two month mark with Rowan, life just seemed a million times easier. She was sleeping through the nights, which meant that I was too, I had finally established a routine, and I felt much more confident all around. For those reasons, the two month mark stood out in my mind as a highly anticipated point of arrival. (How dumb, right? After I just finished saying how different every baby is).

Well, my point is that with you, I feel like I blinked and suddenly we were here, at the two month mark. The transition from then to now has been so smooth that I completely lost sight of that weird timeline in my head. Rather than count the weeks down, praying for a point of relief after weeks of long nights, and days of handling two children, we arrived here, perfectly fine. There may not have been any counting down, but there certainly has been a whole lot of soaking-it-all-in.

Tonight, for instance, I wanted to run to the store to get formula while it was still on sale, so we all walked there. I gave you two a bath, we loaded you up in the double stroller and off we went. On the way over, I realized that it was actually the first time we embarked on a family walk. It was the first time you ever accompanied us to the nearby plaza, which seemed so bizarre to me because it's a path that Rowan and I, or us and your Daddy have taken so many times before. It dawned on me that the last time we had done so you were still just a little baby in my belly. 

It just felt so much more complete having you here, staring down at this precious little boy in the now double stroller that we have. I used to pass by families like that; with the husband and wife, the cute little kids, all going on a walk together, and now we are that family. It feels so "at home" to be at this point in my life with you guys. In the million thoughts that pass through my mind each day, the ones like this mean the world to me, and that's what I mean by the whole "soaking-it-all-in" thing. 

The best example that I can give you however, happens in the middle of the night whenever you wake up. There is this moment once the crying (because your bottle warmer is taking too long) subsides, and after you've eaten, where you just lay there in my arms, staring at me. I am quite literally doing nothing at this point, but you always smile up at me, and it's just such a feeling of validation, like you're letting me know that I am doing things right in terms of being your mom. You can bet that I soak up every last bit of the happiness that I feel in those moments. I soak up every last bit of you. 

Happy 2 months earth-side, my sweet baby boy. I love you so very very much.

Love, Momma