My little Lucy is one month old today. I would like to say, "this month has flown by" but, I think it's a fairer assessment to say, "it's been an exhausting blur". An exhausting blur with a precious baby that is. {thank goodness}
Before we get started on Lucy's one month update, one piece of advice for everyone...
never have a baby the same month one of your older children starts Kindergarten. Okay, now on to the real reason for this post.
So far so good! Still knocking on wood, but I'm hoping we are close to being in the clear. I'm trying to enjoy Lu's absolute preciousness right now without getting my hopes up that I have another
easy {well, is any baby really easy?}... let's try this again...another cooperative baby.
Okay, so I decided with baby number 3 I should be a pro at this "Eat Activity Sleep" thing. With that being said, I started with a routine the day we got home from the hospital. And though this might sound like a good idea, if I were to have a number 4 {which there is NO WAY I will}, I would wait until 2 weeks old. I'm sharing this advice for those of you who aren't finished...because I am.
My rationale to wait is just for the simple fact that I don't think they are ready. We spent at least 3 days sorting out her days and nights {exhausting}. However, Lucy was definitely ready for the 3 hour feeding schedule, but she clearly didn't want "activity"/stay awake time. And she hadn't developed any sleepy signs yet. By week two, we were starting to figure one another out and she was ready to try this routine thing.
So, this is how it's been going...
Eat
Like I mentioned previously, Lucy has been on a three hour eating routine since we got home. This has continued nicely through the day, however we have made some night progress.
Just recently she has stretched her nights to 5-6 hours the first half of the night and then about 4 hours for the second half. Up until just recently, I was feeding her twice a night. Ugh!, that was tiring. In the past couple of days we are down to only one. So with a 10:30 dreamfeed she is able to make it to 3:30/4:30 in the morning and then wakes again at 7:30 am. So ideal. Praying we only move forward, but knowing babies we probably will revert back temporarily on one or more occasions.
As for feeding, I have learned one very valuable lesson with this girl. If I try to feed her anywhere before the three hour mark {i.e. cluster feed} she doesn't eat well. {hence the reason we have traded in our cluster feed for a dreamfeed} We need a solid three or more hours to get a good feed from her.
And her good feeds are good! They usually last about 20-25 minutes. Then are followed by a fabulous burp{s} and some spit up. {Thanks to everyone for the bibs and burp cloths.} And in case you are wondering, I am still holding out that hope that she doesn't have awful reflux like poor Jack did. If she is in pain, she surely doesn't show it. But it's bad enough that we both change our clothes at least once a day.
At our most recent appointment the doctor called her a "happy spitter". Which means she has reflux, but not the pain...yet...and hopefully never. But, the doc did write me a prescription in case things get to that point. Fingers crossed that Lucy keeps up her content little personality and stays free from pain.
Activity
I love this part of the post {with a 1 month old that is}. And I'm being very sarcastic. But, if you are a Babywise Mom you know what this is.
Basically, Lucy's "activity" is very limited right now. Imagine that. We have a diaper change, stare out the window, or do a little tummy time. And poof...it's over. Baby girl can only stay awake for about 40 minutes including her feeding before giving me her signature sleepy sign yawn.
And that leads me to...
Sleep
So far, another great sleeper! Oh, did I just say that out loud? {knock on wood again}
Lucy's 3 hour routine consists of about 2 hours of sleep. The other hour is 40 minutes of feed and wake time and then about 5 minutes of sleep prep and 10 minutes to put herself to sleep. She is doing very well with the sleep training especially if I prep her right and don't get her too overstimulated before hand.
Her prep routine is super easy...we close the curtains {saying goodnight to the world and it's creatures}, swaddle her up tight, turn on the sound machine, and then sit silently together for about 5 minutes with her upright in my arms. I learned this great little trick from the Baby Whisperer. It's amazing how it helps their little minds to unwind. Then I lay sweet Lucy in her crib, kiss her goodnight, and I'm off. And if all goes well {and it usually does}, she dozes off in about 10 minutes.
And when she wakes we start the whole 3 hour routine over again.
Stats
Weight 10 lbs 4oz 90th percentile
Height 22" 90th percentile
Head 15" 75th percentile
Wow! Watch my little one grow. Needless to say, we are very happy with her progress. I hardly feel like I am holding a one month old...so bittersweet!
Obviously, she never fit into any newborn clothes and she is slowly finding her way out of 0-3 month clothing. As for diapers, we lasted about 2 weeks in the newborn size and that was pushing it. {I had to finish that box though} She is comfortably in a size one diaper now.
I love my big babies...I enjoy it while it lasts because I know genetics will catch up with my girls.
In Other News
Lucy is so snuggly, soft, and sweet, sweet, sweet. And if you are wondering...yes!, I am infatuated with this baby. I adore the way her little peach fuzz hair feels up against my cheeks when we snuggle. Oh, and she has the sweetest eyes that get huge when I start talking to her. She stares right up at me like I am the most important person in the world {which I guess I am in her world}. And it's so sweet the way she squirms in the tub when I wash her belly...she's a ticklish little thing. But, the best part about Lu...she is perfectly content the majority of her day. Yes, infatuation.
Believe or not, I'm not the only one infatuated with her. Big brother and sister soak up every minute they get with her {which is very limited right now}. I have reserved the wake time right after her 4:30 feeding for sibling time. Jack and Maggie spend that short 20 minutes vying for Lucy's attention. We have learned to take turns to avoid Lucy having two giant faces and voices on top of her.
It goes something like this...Jack counts to 100 for "baby Lucy", then Maggie sings Lucy the ABC's song, then Jack shows Lucy his Buzz Lightyear toy and gives her a demonstration, and then Maggie sings her the ABC's song, then Jack reads her a book, and then Maggie sings her the ABC's song. {as you may have guessed I'm working on giving Maggie some other ideas}. But, can I tell you it's pretty hilarious to watch their interaction.
Other than that, we are all pretty much just in survival mode around here. I have a little bit more energy after getting "better" sleep the past couple of nights.
Jack continues to do great with his lack of nap after school. However, he starts to either fall apart by bed time or over compensate with an energy burst. On the weekends he is still taking pretty hard naps though.
And Maggie, well, we have good days and we have days of adjustment still. For the first time, I'm having a few sleep issues with her. She just doesn't want to be apart from us whether it be nap or bed time. So...Maggie now has a "special" lock on her door...which she despises. It seems to have done the trick though. Other than that, as long as she gets quality Mommy time, all is well. I have say, honestly, I knew this was coming. More than it being the arrival of Lucy, I think she is just turning into a 3 year old, with a strong opinion. And that's okay. We have dealt with worse things around here.
But, through all of the changes, adjustments, and sleep issues that are happening at the Cibula household, we can honestly say that we all
Love Lucy! She is absolutely lovely and a beautiful addition to our family.
Welcome home sweet girl! Looking forward to many more monthly updates about LOVELY you!
