9 weeks

Last weekend was a big weekend for the little guy.  We had a great time at the Founder's Day festival on Friday.  Jack got to meet sweet Miss Caroline; the daughter of our friends from our Bradley birthing class.  Caroline was born 2 weeks before Jack...after 60 hours of labor.  Yes, I said 60.  HOLY MOLY!  It was great to catch up and compare notes on birthing and this wonderful, crazy thing called parenthood.  Jack did really good during the festival.  Jon put him in the baby bjorn and he was happy as can be.

Saturday Jack made his first big road trip.  We drove to Huntsville for Opie's wedding.  He did great and only woke up just as we hit Huntsville city limits.  He did good at the wedding, but we ended up leaving the reception a bit early because the reception was inside and was just too loud for him.  He was very tired and couldn't stay asleep because of the music.  We decided to drive back that night and he slept most of the way home. He ate when we got home and went right back to sleep.

Jack's continued to sleep through the night this week.  Apparently we are pretty lucky he's sleeping that much already.  From everyone we've talked to and everything I've read, this doesn't usually happen until after month 3 or 4.  We will take it! :) 

Today we had to get the first round of vaccinations.  I was a COMPLETE mess.  I started reading about vaccinations and boy that was the wrong thing to do the night before.  It's such a hard decision and you never know if you're making the right one, but we shall see I guess.  In good news, Jack has gained almost 3lbs in the last month!  He's now sitting just over 22 inches tall and almost 11 lbs.  His eyes are still a dark blue and more hair is coming in.  The doctor was really happy with all of his progress.  They tested his reflexes and strength and again made mention of how strong he is.  He pretty much has complete control of his neck and kicks like a pro soccer player.  Jon is ready for him to start walking so he can teach him to play catch, golf, etc.  I'm not ready for him to be mobile just yet!  Another thing I'm not ready for is teething.  He's been trying to chew on everything and has started to be more slobbery.  The doctor said his teeth are likely breaking through the first membrane, so it feels good to chew.  I'm not looking forward to that stage at all.

This week we have the Dripping Springs Farmer's Market, a playdate with Miss Caroline and probably a date with townlake so mommy can get a run in.  I am nowhere near ready for my race on the 4th, but we will see how I do. I thought I would have so much time during the day to run, but it's harder than I thought with Jack's schedule.  I never want his big nap to be in the stroller, because he doesn't sleep as well, and then we all pay for it later.  

Well, that's about all that is going on with us.  Hope everyone has a great week!

Lots of love, 
The Waags

Jack's ready for his first date

Jack & Caroline"s first date

The big introduction

Mommies & babies

We needed some red, white & blue after this week

Father, son chat time

Couldn't take his eyes off the mirror.  "Man, am I good looking or what??"

8 Weeks

Wonder if he will always spit up on the monthly picture?? :)

We have no idea how it happened, but Jack in a little over an hour, Jack is 2 months old!  It feels like he was born just yesterday; yet it feels like he's always been with us as well.   Either way, we can't imagine life without him.

Last week, Jack & I went to my office to visit everyone.  I work with such a wonderful group of people; most I've kept in touch with during my leave. It was so great seeing everyone, yet I am def not looking forward to going back.  Jack was content the first part of our visit, but then I think he just had too much "newness" going on and couldn't handle it.  It probably didn't help that I woke him up that day to go to the office- he had been sleeping ALL morning and just kept going back to sleep.  Lesson learned :)  He had hands down, the worst meltdown he has ever had.  I ran to the bathroom so he wouldn't disturb calls, and he just couldn't calm down...soooooo we made a run for it and left.  Poor guy; so many new faces and people holding him.  

This past weekend Auntie CJ came to town and met Jack.  We had such a good visit with her!  We cooked out, went for a run and even took Jack out to eat...and survived!  Jack actually did great!  He slept up until the food came out; typical Jack!  Then we gave him his bottle while in the carseat, and he was fine.  All in all, it was good experience that went much better than I thought it would :)

In the past week, we've been getting lots of new sounds out of Jack, and he has been playing with his mouth (smacking lips, licking lips, etc) so much more than before and giving us those make-you-melt smiles.  He also seems to be getting better on his coordination.  He's realizing that he can touch things, it's just a matter of getting more coordinated.  His reflux seems to be doing much better too (thank goodness)!  He has definitely grown quite a bit.  We have noticed that his newborn onesies are now too short and a wee bit tight.  Not to mention, my arms are die holding him while he's nursing and carrying around that carseat!  I will have buff arms before you know it!

We are happy to report Jack has started sleeping through the night.  He's always been a pretty good sleeper.  Starting at about 3 weeks, he would only wake 1 or 2x in the night for a feeding and then go right back to sleep without a fight.  Now he cluster feeds in the evenings, goes to bed around 8PM and then is back up around 9-10PM for "dessert" and then is out until 6AM, sometimes 7AM.  It's funny though, because he usually wakes up around 4AM or 5AM with gas.  We will hear him grunting and pushing with all he has, and then a small (sometimes surprisingly huge) toot and he's back asleep instantly.  

Tonight we are going to go to the "Founders Day Festival" in our little town.  They are also having a parade before the festival kicks off.  We are going to meet a few friends down there, check out the local vendors and eat some yummy fair food- dairy free of course. then, Jack will attend his first wedding on Saturday.  My old roommate Opie is getting married- I think I'm still in disbelief, but I am so happy for him!   I'm looking forward to seeing everyone as well as introducing Jack to the gang.  Should be a great weekend!

Well hope life is going great for everyone!  Have a wonderful week.

Talking with Daddy before bed.

Playing with his tongue

We are so in love with this little smile

Lots of love,
The Waags

7 weeks

Hi everyone!  Hope you had a great weekend.  We had a wonderful time with Mimi & Pops.  Jack loved all the cuddle time and attention.  He cuddled with Mimi, and napped on Pops.  It was so amazing to see my parents in a different light like that.  It is clear they LOVE being grandparents, which makes my heart happy.  I've always hope my children will have their own version of my Mama & Papa Mac.  I have always adored my Mama & Papa Mac and I'm sure little Jack will feel the same.

I think we hit a growth spurt this week.  Around Wed Jack started to be hungry every 1-1.5 hours and was terribly fussy.  He wasn't sleeping very well at all, but after about 2 days, he pretty much slept the entire day and night.  That's one thing with Jack, when has a "bad" night, he always rewards us with a good one :) 

Jon missed out on all the fun this weekend because he was turkey hunting. He had a great time though and even got a kill!  We ate Mr. Turkey on Monday, and I have to say, it def wasn't as tender and juicy as the turkey breasts we normally get, but I'm happy he at least got a kill.

On Sunday, we had our friends,  Abby & Drew over.  Abby and I used to live together, and Drew is actually now my new boss.  They are expecting their own little bundle of joy in May.  We are so excited they are back in TX and that they are having a little boy as well!  I'm sure Jack and Baby G will have a great time getting into trouble together.  Playdates are in our future.  Jack was sweet as can be with Abby, and then decided to show Drew just how well his lungs worked.

We figured out Jack likes Guns N Roses.  I was in the shower last night and heard him screaming bloody murder.  Luckily, Jon was home.  I got out and didn't hear him crying anymore.  I found Jon by the Bose system with Guns N Roses playing and Jack was fast asleep :)  Maybe all the music playing while Jack was in my belly payed off after all??  

Today was a big day for Jack and I both.  It was our first running date at my beloved Town Lake.  I got clearance to run last week, but the weather wasn't really working in my favor, and today was the first chance we had to get down there.  Jack did great!  I thought he would sleep the entire time, but instead, he was awake the entire run!  He was taking in all the sights and smells I guess.  We met 2 sweet women at the end that just went crazy over the little guy. They couldn't believe how well he was holding his head up all on his own. They took several pictures for us.  Unfortunately, they don't have any grandkids of their own, they seem like they would be fabulous grandmothers!

This week we are going to my office to visit everyone, and then Auntie CJ will be here!!!  We can't wait to see her!

Well hope you have a great week!

Lots of love,
The Waags

Daddy saying goodbye before the big hunt

Showing Pops how strong his little legs are

Napping with Pops

Kisses for Mimi

Our first run at Town Lake

"Mom, this does nothing for the ladies!"

Jack insisting he isn't tired...2 minutes later he was asleep.

The first run in his activity sauce

6 Weeks...

We hope everyone had a wonderful Easter & not too painful of an April Fool's :)

Yesterday marked 6 weeks for the little guy.  We went to the doctor and he gained 1.4 lbs since the last visit (2w ago).  Our doctor was very pleased with this since usually they only gain 1/2 an ounce to an ounce a day.  He actually tried rolling over while on the table!  She thinks it won't be long before he does it.  She noticed that he is so much more alert and not to mention happy!  He was getting fussy in the waiting room.  He let out a huge burp and had a blowout in his pants, and then all was right in his little world...mommy was about 10 shades of purple and trying not to crack up.  Thank goodness we packed an extra set of clothes! 

This weekend Jon and I started to get smiles- not just because he was looking at his mobile, or passing gas, but because he was smiling at US!  SO exciting!  That little smile is already saving his little tooshie too.  Last night was a rough night for Jack and I, he was very gassy and was up every couple of hours.  I was less than amused of course and while nursing him, he pulled away and just let out the biggest smile at me.  I just melted haha.  All of sudden I wasn't bothered that I was exhausted.

Jon and I had our first date night this past Sat.  Finally after about 11 months of no sushi, we made it happen.  SO yummy! Auntie Audrey came to babysit for us.  It was really weird sitting down for dinner without Jack there with us (he seems to know exactly when we eat and decides he's hungry too).  He must have had a very exciting date with Audrey, because he slept 8 hours straight that night.  

This was our second week at the Chiropractor, and he seems to be doing great.  He doesn't mind getting adjusted (they use a little tool rather than their hands).  Not sure if it's the chiro, the meds, the herbs or just me off dairy, but he seems happier and is gaining weight, so we are happy!

He's been doing more tummy time this...he hates it, and Daddy loves to torture him with it.  We are getting out in public more now that we are past the 1 month mark.  We survived the grocery store on Monday.  I was absolutely terrified to take him LOL.  Not sure why, I mean if he cries, he's 6 weeks old!  I put him in the carrier and he slept most of the time though.  We haven't ventured out to eat yet, but that is probably next weekend.

Mimi & Pops are coming to visit this weekend. We haven't seen them since Jack was born, so we are really looking forward to their visit!

Well, I think that's it for now.  Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Lots of love!
The Waags

Jack's first rain experience

Tummy time...first couple of minutes aren't so bad...

...and then he gets ticked.

 

Napping on Mom during the storms

 

5 weeks

Well, each day Jack seems to be more and more like his mommy...or at least picking up the not-so-wonderful qualities when it comes to the good ol stomach.

We were still concerned about the reflux because once Jack started the meds, he started to get diarrhea and green mucusy poop (TMI I know), but almost everyone reading our blog has children or is about to.  For those of you about to have your little bundles of joy, get ready :)  Jon and I laugh because our convos now consist of "did you do a diaper change?  What color was it??  Was it seedy"...oh boy how times have changed LOL!  So, back on track- the doctor did a stool collection (so much fun for mommy & daddy) and they called today to let us know that Jack has an allergy to cow's milk protein.  They said I can still continue to breast feed, I just need to get on a strict dairy (all animals) free diet and cut out coffee as well, which we had already done.

Dairy free.  Sounds simple.  Don't drink milk, eat yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese and ice cream.  That list is pretty much all things I hold dear to my heart.  Not to mention cookies, cakes, most processed foods are out the window.  The ONLY 2 upsides?  Obviously most importantly, Jack's tummy will feel better. Also, this will clearly get my booty back in shape haha.  We aren't doing gluten free yet, but that seems to be the next step other than soy.  Apparently, most children that have allergy to dairy, also have an allergy to soy...which is pretty much in all processed foods.

Everything else has been going well.  We had our first outing last week (aside from the doctors appointments).  Jack did pretty good.  I strapped him in the baby carrier and he pretty much just slept on my chest the whole time.  

I'm becoming a pro at doing everything one handed :)  I'm even eating left handed sometimes.  Jack always seems to wake up right when we sit down to eat.  Even if we change the time...so he eats while we eat.  We promise to not do this when we have company over.  

Jack had his first bottle this week (with breast milk).  I am most excited about this I think, because this means Daddy can help with a feeding!  We are going to keep it at one for now, so he doesn't disown me and just want the bottle. He's still loving his mobile. He's started making sounds as though he's talking and even squeals because he gets so excited.  He also likes to stare at the blinds.  We have the white wooden blinds and he will stare at them quite often.  

Jack is smiling much more now and we are getting more awake time.  He has also found his tongue, which is hilarious to see.  We are getting into somewhat of a routine.  It seems to be working??  He has been sleeping for about 6 hours at a time at night.  He wakes up, feeds and goes back to bed fairly easily.  He usually gets up around 7 or 8 and then feeds and is back down until about 9:30. (KNOCK ON WOOD).  I'm sure he'll change it up on us soon  :)

I went to my post pardom appointment today and I passed :)  Starting next Tuesday, I am cleared to start running again.  I absolutely cannot wait, though I'm sure it's going to be an interesting start.  I signed up for a 5K the first week of May, so no time waste. 

Well, that's all for now.  Below are pictures from the last week and a few from last week where he is just having too much fun watching the mobile.

Lots of love!
The Waags

The life of having a baby with reflux :)  At least we got a few while he was clean!

Hanging out, just looking out the window :)  These bibs are perfect for his reflux!!

 
 

Milk coma!  Mommy was multi-tasking :)

 
 

Jack's first month

It is hard to believe our little Jack is already 1 month old.  There have been some amazing nights/days...and there of course have been some not so amazing nights/days :)  I read this and think it's dead on! "I never understood until we went through it, that it was possible to feel frustrated, delighted, overwhelmed, exhausted and crazy in love with one tiny person all at the same time- it's a this constant state of butterflies-in-your-stomach joy that I could never have grasped before."

Jack was a fairly good sleeper from the start.  He slept for about 4 hours at a time in the hospital.  We were released on Thursday and got to finally take him home.  Jon's parents drove down from Pittsburgh and got here Sunday.  That first week we had his first doctors appointment (which went well) and his first big photo shoot.  I of course think the pictures are wonderful :)  The drive to the photo shoot was hell for me.  We had to keep him awake and couldn't feed him 2 hours before getting there.  That wouldn't have been so bad if we were only traveling 15 min or so but it was an hour drive.  We rolled the windows down, tickled, talked, turned up the music- we tried just about everything to keep him awake and he wasn't having it.  Luckily he was very hungry when we got there, so we put him in a milk coma and started snapping pictures.

We also hit a growth spurt around day 10 and boy was that NOT fun.  He was cluster feeding (about every hour) and was fussy the entire time.  We also learned that with full term babies, there is an hour or so in the evening that they say the babies are "bewitched" and they can't be consoled.  We noticed this kept happening around 8PM.  We tried a drive, feeding, changing, cuddling- nothing worked.  Then, after about an hour he was completely fine.  I think we have finally grown out of this.

Somewhere between week 2 & 3, we noticed he was getting really, REALLY fussy after eating.  He would turn bright red, scream bloody murder, spit up and stiffen out straight as a board.  After googling many hours during his feedings, I started to think he might have reflux and it's not just gas.  Then he started to grunt during the night which sealed the deal for me.  We took him back to the doctor and sure enough, she said he has "GERD"...basically acid reflux.  The doctor prescribed him some meds and said he will likely grow out of it.  He seems to be doing much better and is finally gaining some weight.  He gained 12 ounces in one week, and the doctor only expected him to gain 6 at most.

Now that he's feeling better, he's also sleep much better.  Lately he's been doing about 6 hour blocks and then gets up for a feeding and diaper change and then back for about 3 more hours of sleep.  

Each day we get more time with him where he is awake and alert.  You can seem him taking inventory of the house and trying to figure things out.  He's enjoyed his story time and absolutely LOVES the mobile.  We put him in his pack n play and he just starts smiling and cracking himself up staring at the little owls on the mobile.  

We tried bath time and that was an epic FAIL.  He is like his mommy and hates to be cold.  Our nurse suggested that we put him in the shower with Daddy.  I remember when I was pregnant, he would curl his back/butt up towards the water when I would shower.  Sure enough, he loved his shower with Jon.  No crying at all...until we took him out.  :)

We have a million pictures already but here are a few that haven't made Facebook.

Jack has been trying to hold his head up since he was placed on my chest.  The staff at our doctor can't believe how strong he is.  He almost has it down!

He started pushing off like he wanted to stand, so Jon helped guide him.  We might have our hands full sooner than we planned!

hand in mouth...no surprise

Our first walk

After our shower

Our pants are a little too big :)

The face we get after we give him his meds.  What a face!

Chatting with dad while watching golf :)

Everytime he wakes up, he stretches his arms over his head.  So dramatic :)

Thanks for all the visits, home cooked meals, gifts and love you've been sending!  We are truly blessed with so many amazing & thoughtful people in our life.  Can't wait for Jack to meet everyone.  Now that we have a semi schedule around here, I'll try to update this weekly.  Have a great rest of the week!

Much love, 
The Waags