first toy

12 weeks-toy from Serena Stamper on Vimeo.

day at the beach

I am a part of a mom and baby group and feel so lucky to have stumbled upon such an amazing group of women to share this experience with. Today some of us met at Matthews Beach to enjoy the beautiful sunshine. And somebody had the idea for this picture!

Clockwise starting from Jack (at the bottom)
Porter, Isaac, Ansel, Elise and Matteo

first dip

We spent a little time at Carkeek Park this afternoon with Tom, Tera and Nicolas. And took the opportunity to dip Jack's toes into the salt water for the first time. I think he liked it.

discovery

Today Jack made a big discovery...that he can make things move with his hands! It was so fun to watch him make the connection as he batted at his toys. Mike says 'watching myelination happen'. And this is only the beginning!

10 weeks-discovery from Serena Stamper on Vimeo.

cooing

10 weeks-cooing from Serena Stamper on Vimeo.

movin' on up

Today we started the move upstairs. No more basement living for us! We are excited about living once again in our 'real' house.

2 months

2 months

Nickname:
Bug

Weight:
11 lbs 14.5oz ~ 40th%
{birth weight 7 lbs 10.9oz}

Length:
23 1/2 inches ~ 75th%
{birth length 20 1/2 inches}

Head Circumference:
39.8 cm ~ 75th%

Eating:
Anywhere from 30 to 36 ounces per day. You are a very good eater but where does it all go! I keep waiting for my chubby baby to appear but you are still pretty lean. A couple of weeks ago you started to be a 'spitter' which has increased our loads of laundry!

Sleep:
You are a fantastic sleeper and I don't have any complaints. Some nights you might go 6 or even 8 hours but most of the time you will sleep around 4 hours, wake up, eat and then go back to sleep for another 3 or 4. And you have been taking a 4 hour nap during the afternoon! We might just be getting into a routine but will wait to write about that when you are a little older so I don't jinx it!

Personality:
You are one happy baby. You have your fussy moments when you get tired but overall you are calm and mellow. And ALERT! From day one so many people comment on how alert you are. You follow people and their voices with your big eyes and by turning your head to see where they go. And you love our PEPS group and being with the other mommies and babies. Especially when I put you on the floor. You will be content on your tummy for a long time with all of those other babies to check out.

Development:
Your head and neck keep getting stronger and stronger. You are holding your head up while on your tummy for a few minutes or longer. You love to smile and coo and talk to us.

Head to Toe:
You were born with very light blonde hair and it is still just the same. You have the sweetest little eyebrows. Your eyes are a beautiful dark, deep cornflower blue and people comment on how dark and big your eyes are. And how long your eyelashes are. You have the cutest little button nose and perfect ears. Papa says you have the 'Stamper' chin. Your tiny fingernails somehow manage to get dirt under them, how I don't know. And you always have lent between your toes. I guess you are a little boy and the dirt will only increase! You have a couple of little fat rolls on your thighs but I want more:)

Favorite Things:
Reading the 'ABC' book
Singing 'The Wheels on the Bus'
Laying on your changing pad and smiling and cooing
Riding the 'Jack Train' with Papa

I miss:
How you would fall asleep curled up on my chest after eating

What I look forward to:
Seeing you discover toys and reaching for them
Hearing you laugh

breastfeeding update

The struggle continues but I think I have found more of a balance. And maybe a little more peace. A few weeks ago I decided to try and reduce pumping to every 3 hours during the day instead of every 2 hours. But this was slippery slope and it has ended up being even less than that. My goal is to try and get at least 6-7 times in during the day and I find that this allows me a little more freedom. And since the ER, the actual breastfeeding hasn't really happened. I tried a week later (to make sure things were good and healed) and the first feeding was probably the best we have ever had. I was so optimistic but the second feeding that day started off with immediate pain which led to pain while pumping. And any barrier to pumping is a dangerous thing so sadly there hasn't been any more time on the boob for little Jack. I am still taking the Domperidone (3 weeks now) and I have seen a little increase in my milk supply but not what I was hoping for. I also tried acupuncture and Chinese herbs but again did not get the results that I was promised. Last Friday we saw Dr. O'Hara for another evaluation of Jack's mouth and my pain. Before the visit both Mike and I were on the same page and did not want her to clip his tongue again even if it was still 'tight'. And guess what? Her assessment was that his tongue is STILL TIGHT but since I didn't see a big improvement since the last clipping she didn't feel that it was necessary. As for my pain, she took a culture but couldn't come up with another reason besides some cracking that was still healing. She basically told us that we are at the end of the line for things to do. Also that after month+ of pumping I have hit my maximum milk supply. So the issues are: my milk supply and protecting what I have, Jack not being able to fully empty my breasts during feedings (which can lead to a low supply or losing my supply) and still causing trauma when breastfeeding. She has referred us to a Osteopathic DO to assess and treat Jack for any possible restrictions (compression on a cranial nerve that may be affecting how he moves his tongue, tightness in his spine that may be have a negative impact) which may have occurred while in utero or during labor/delivery. And a referral to an Occupational Therapist at Seattle Children's Hospital for further help with helping Jack be a more efficient breastfeeder. I will seek out these last two options since we are so close to exhausting all avenues. But I am also afraid of getting my hopes up again. The thought of not being able to breastfeed Jack has been really hard. One of the things I was most looking forward to was breastfeeding and the special relationship that that brings. I have been in tears many times about realizing that potential loss. And I don't know if I have it in me to try again and be heartbroken... again. Because that is almost how it feels. Many people assure me that he will grow big and strong just on formula. My mind knows that but my heart desires so much more.