Colton - Weeks 7&8

Weeks 7 and 8 brought new things for us all. Colton had his first road trip to South Carolina and Charleston and this was our first family vacation as a family of four. As you can see, we didn't get a good 7 week photo of little man, but we did get his smile on camera for the first time, thanks to Aunt Jaimie. I was a little nervous about traveling 16 hours (total) in the car with a 7 week old and a 2.5 year old, but it went as well as it could have (Except for night one in the hotel. That was a complete disaster.). Colton did great in the car, slept most of the trip and were able to stretch him to a three hour schedule. Yep, we stopped every three hours so that I could nurse him and so that Dayton could get out and walk around, go to the bathroom, etc. We had a great trip and it'll always be one we remember. I love going to the beach with my babes.

Weeks 7 and 8:

Mommy Update - I'm doing great. I feel completely back to normal and am all healed up. My six week appointment went well and my midwife was happy with how my body has responded. I have about 12 pounds to lose, but I am in most of my pre-baby clothes at this point (not my smallest pre-baby clothes, thanks hips). Slowly, but surely. I know my body well enough to know that I am gaining back muscle (which helps the scale not move) and losing some baby fat, but I also know that because my milk supply is large my body is going to store some of that baby fat and it won't come off until I'm done nursing. Such is the life of a breastfeeding mama. (Most breast feeding mama's bodies hold on to an average of 8 pounds to maintain and support their supply.)

My six week appointment also brought the start of my pay-deduct at work. I am taking an extended maternity leave (4.5 months) and about half of that will be unpaid. Yikes! However, my district will count up all the days I am away, total the amount of pay deduct and then spread that out between my years paychecks. This way it doesn't "hurt" as bad, but it'll definitely tighten up our budget. It is, without a doubt, completely worth it. We wouldn't change a thing - other than to make it longer!

Nursing/Eating - Colton is still eating well. He is on a 2-2.5 hour schedule. He is eating from both sides most nursing sessions during the day (and one at night). We have given him a few bottles of breast milk so that he can start getting used to them and for the most part, he does great with them. He didn't take them as easily as Dayton did, though. Colton plays around with it in his mouth for a little bit before he figures out what it is. After that he has no problems. He is taking between 4-5 oz.

Schedule - I wanted to be a little better about writing schedules down this time around. I have gone back and looked at what I did for Dayton so many times. When we have the next babe, I'd like a little more to look at. ;)

4-5 am - nurse, go right back to sleep
7 am - nurse + awake 20-30 minutes
7:30 - nap
9 am - nurse + awake 20-30 minutes
9:30 - nap
11:30 - nurse + awake 20-30 minutes
12:00 pm - nap
2 pm - nurse + awake 20-30 minutes
2:30 - nap
4 pm - nurse + awake 20-30 minutes
4:30 - nap
6 pm - nurse + awake 20-30 minutes
6:30 - nap
8 pm - nurse + awake 20-30 minutes
8:30 - nap
10 pm - nurse + sleep for the night

Some of the awake times were longer, some of the awake times are shorter. Colton is very sleepy after the 9 am feeding and the noon feeding. Most days he will sleep 2-3 hours after his noon feeding.

Sleep - 7 weeks - Colton is sleeping great. He gets up one time at night to eat and at this point it is quick and then he is back to sleep. On Friday night of this week, he slept through the night! I woke him up at 5 am to feed him before we got on the road to drive home to Iowa. After I fed him at 5 am, he woke up when we stopped at 10 am. Hallelujah!

8 weeks sleep - Colton is sleeping through the night. It's amazing. You forget how much you need the sleep when your body gets in the routine of waking up at night and getting less sleep. Colton started sleeping through the night on Sunday night (the day before he turned 8 weeks old). I put him to bed at 10 am and he woke up at 5-6 am to eat. Yes, yes, and yes. After he eats I put him right back to bed and he sleeps until 8 am when his schedule starts.

Size - Colton is in 0-3 month clothes and size 1 diapers.

Activity - This little guy just melts me! He is starting to smile so much at us and the people around him. What a happy little guy. He is so content. We have really lucked out with both of our boys. We just have happy babes, I guess. Thank you Lord! Colton is doing great with tummy time and likes to lay on his mat and wiggle around. He is just so darn cute. Oh his smiles!

Small Moments - I can't explain his small moments with words, so here's a picture of my most favorite thing...