Events in recent weeks have led me to ponder thoughts that have never crossed my mind. For instance: How much spitup needs to be on my shirt before I decide I have to change it? How long will it take before the carpet in the second-floor hallway is completely worn down from my pacing back and forth, trying to get E calm enough so that he can fall asleep? Most importantly: When I am ready to stop pumping, can I throw my breast pump into a bonfire and watch it burn, baby, burn?
Deep thoughts for a Friday morning.
News in the world of Little Man...
Playing
He's sort of grabbing toys now. Significance of this milestone: He is now sort of interactive. Emphasis on the "sort of."
Muscular development
We are seeking treatment for his crooked neck (medical term: torticollis). Torticollis occurs more frequently in boys and is more common now that babies sleep on their backs rather than their stomachs. Before he entered the world, E was in the same position for the majority of my pregnancy, so it's not surprising that his head tilts one way.
The issue been present since birth but seemed to be getting worse, so now we have a nurse/personal trainer coming to the house to stretch him out and help him strengthen the weaker side of his neck. We also have stretches and exercises that we do with him every day. We've already seen an improvement in his neck strength and range of motion.
Schedule
We're off the old schedule. I didn't like waking E up from naps. He didn't like it either. Now he sleeps more and almost never cries. (Except when he gets overtired or is not ready to be put in his crib for sleeping.)
Bonus: Since we no longer wake him at 6 AM, we get the chance to sleep in a little bit. And he's sleeping much better in his crib now that he's sleeping when he wants to sleep.
Downside: Everything's a bit more loosey goosey these days, until he becomes more consistent with his sleeping. (Allegedly, he should do that by 12-16 weeks. At 14 weeks, he is not yet there.) However, he still goes to sleep between 5:30 and 6 each night, so our evenings still belong to us.
School
E has been attending daycare three days per week for the last two weeks. He picked up a cold in his first week. He might have another cold now, after his second week (or maybe he's just not over the first one?) Our pediatrician assures us that this is just the beginning of his immune system becoming stronger. The sad truth is that even though I like to pretend that I am Wonder Woman, his eating my breastmilk has not turned my son into Superman, and he is still susceptible to colds just like all other kids.
His first day of school was difficult for me, but dropping him off is getting easier. My wanting to be back at work has certainly helped that situation.
