14 June 2012

Learning Curve

I am sure that everyone who has a new baby has dealt with the crazy schedules, the lack of sleep and the steep learning curve. Being a mom is definitely a new challenge for me. I have been in school since I was 5 and working jobs since I was 17. Suddenly I am home with an infant all day. It is the most rewarding thing I have ever done and also the most difficult.

Last week I was feeling frustrated at my messy house, disheveled hair and late utilities bill. I am usually much more organized than this. This weekend put things into perspective.

On Sunday morning I took Brent to the ER, he was having a lot of pain. Turns out it was a complication from a surgery he had as an infant. He was in the hospital for 2 days/1night. I ran back and forth between home and the hospital so I could feed Brooks and get updates on Brent. We were worried he would need surgery, but thankfully he was able to come home Monday night.

Brent tweeting from his hospital bed. I made sure not to give him his phone until after he was done taking morphine. 
I am grateful for all of the friends and family who helped us out for those two days. I do not know how single moms do it. It was a crazy couple of days. Brent seems to have made a full recovery. He feels great. 

Today we spent a perfect afternoon laying on the lawn. Brent studied for his MCAT, I did some work on my computer and Brooks napped. My house was still a mess, my hair was still disheveled, and the utilities bill was overdue... but we are loving life.
Thanks to my boss for this awesome umbrella, perfect for outside time.

Brent making faces at me
T-minus 1 week to the actual MCAT
 This whole parenting thing is really great. We are loving it. And when I get frustrated I have found a new treat to help out :) love love love the chocolate.
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3.5 weeks

Brooks is almost one month old. I cannot believe how fast time has gone. I am planning on printing our blog off as a baby book for Brooks eventually, so I am going to be including lots of pictures and details about our little boy. 

Brooks is a chill little guy. He really only fusses when he is hungry or gassy. 
He loves to have his hands under his chin. Whenever he falls asleep he puts his arms up there (unless he is being swaddled). I think it is pretty adorable. 
When Brooks cries he squeaks a lot. This is one of our middle of the night cry sessions. Once he eats he goes right back to sleep. Such a good baby.
Brooks hates when we start to swaddle him, but as soon as we pull it tight, he relaxes. He loves it. He usually dozes off right after we swaddle him. When he is swaddled we call him our little burrito.

As new parents one thing we are learning is that going places takes a whole lot longer. We have to feed him, change him and get him dressed. Usually part way through he gets his outfit messy and we start over. He does not like being put in the car seat, but once we give him the binky and monkey he doesn't mind.
Brooks is very strong. He holds his head up and looks around. He kicks incredibly hard (I think he cracked one of my ribs before he was born). He can already roll himself on to his side when we lay him down. 
Brooks' favorite thing to do is snuggle with daddy. This is my favorite picture of him so far because it is easy to see how much he and Brent look alike. 

Brooks takes a lot of naps everyday. We are using Babywise to get him on a good sleep/eating schedule. So far it is working well. 
I can already tell Brooks has a fun personality. I cannot wait for him to learn to smile and talk and walk so we can see more of it.