An update on the teething

I was telling my friend yesterday that I thought C was teething and she laughed and said that's what babies do FOR MONTHS until their teeth break through. Really? Because the interweb says different. I googled it and that means it's true. But if she's right...well, I'd rather have a 6 month old teething than a 3 month old.

In other news, Cohen celebrated his 3 month anniversary of being pulled out of my uterus yesterday. There wasn't much celebrating though as he was uber cranky and wouldn't eat. Just plain didn't want me, which really stunk because I had a plugged duct and all I wanted him to do was suck it out and relieve the pain. He must not have wanted to eat because of all the spices I put on the tilapia I had in my fish tacos at lunch. Note to self: only eat oatmeal for all 3 meals since you have a particularly picky baby. That'll be fun.

So he went to bed without eating and therefore didn't get his usual 8 hours of sleep. 3:37 a.m. rolled around and we were chillin' in his room chowing down, finally. He's had a couple more feedings since then and the duct is still plugged. Looks like it'll be another fun day. The good news is, he's in a great mood so far and is currently watching Baby Mozart, laughing, and filling his pants, in no particular order.

To teeth or not to teeth, that is the question.

Sleepy. Very sleepy. But wanted to let you know that we believe Cohen is teething at the ripe old age of 3 months. The signs all point to it. Sucking on hand ALL THE TIME, cranky, not sleeping today, FUSSY, and 2 little white bumps on his bottom gums. Nothing sticking through...yet. We could be wrong, and I hope we are, because I wasn't thinking he'd go through this for another 2 or 3 months. Just when things were going so well.

And does the word teeth have an "e" on the end? Teethe? That doesn't look right.

Does this bassinette make my butt look big?

I've been dreading this day for a few weeks. The day I am forced to move Cohen from his safe cocoon of a bassinette to his big, huge, monstrous crib. But as evidenced below, it's time. At almost 24" long, the same length of the bassinette, it's time I promote Cohen's growth instead of trying to stunt it by keeping him confined.

I'm going to make the transition slower than just plopping him in the crib and putting the bassinette into storage. He's in the crib right now for his morning nap and I'll continue to place him in the crib for his naps for a few days so he can get used to it. And then, hopefully by the end of the week, he (or is it me?) will feel comfortable enough in his new digs to sleep there overnight.

My baby is growing far too quickly for my liking.

Because enquiring minds want to know

So here are a couple photos of the hair because some of you have asked to see it. Remember, only crazy people do this to themselves!

And now a cute one of Cohen because your eyes needed to see something cuddly after see the abomination that is my hair.

The perfect storm

So a few things have been happening over the course of the last few days that have made life so completely different and enjoyable.

First, Cohen is sleeping 8 hours straight each night so I'm feeling more rested than I have in a long time. Now if only he could get up and fix himself his own breakfast.

Second, the weather has become nice and we are out walking every day which is good for both of us.

Third, Cohen is now taking half of a Prilosec every day (mixed with a little gripe water) for acid reflux and can I tell you he is a different baby because of it. He doesn't spit up half of his food anymore and he's not as fussy and impossible to feed as he was even a week ago. I hope this means he'll plump up even more now that his food is staying in him. I do love myself a fat baby.

Finally, I'm now viewing Cohen as the helpless baby that he is. For the last 11 weeks I've seen him as being out to get me, not a helpless baby who needs me. I consider myself to be pretty independent and I think I was expecting him to be independent too. Yes, I've mentioned in previous posts that I think I've gone crazy and this is one of the crazy thoughts I had. But now that I'm seeing him differently, it's made all the difference.

So while there is no Mark Whalberg or George Clooney in our perfect storm, it's still an enjoyable ride and one that's getting better each and every day, especially now that Cohen is laughing all the time (the little weirdo was in his swing this morning all by himself just laughing away...at what, we have no idea. He's got his own inside jokes with the table and lamp I suppose).

Sincerely, Crazy in Salt Lake City

Dear Brain,

It's been awhile since I've seen or heard from you. One morning a few weeks ago, I woke up, put on my oversized Walmart man-made moccasins that smell terrible and shuffled out of the bedroom and you were gone.

No note.

Nothing to let me know you'd left.

Where have you gone and when are you coming back?

I miss you something fierce.

In your absence, I've gone and coloured my, what I consider lovely, blonde hair red. I've also chopped it off into the most hideous cut you've ever seen. You should come back just to see what I've done on top of my head. I think that if you hadn't left, I wouldn't have done something so...crazy.

Please come home. We ALL miss you.

xoxo

Would my real Mommy please step forward

I did something really, really stupid today. Blame it on the hormones and sleep deprivation, but I coloured my hair red.

Flaming red.

I hate it.

Oh well, only 2 more months before I can go back to blonde (2 months because Christian would kill me if I spent the money to change it back any sooner).

The good news is Cohen still recognizes me...or else he was just using me for my milk.

Stats

Cohen had his 2 month check-up on Tuesday. He's doing great, according to our pediatrician.  He had all of his 2 month shots (go on and judge me if you're the anti-immunization kind...yes, Cohen is probably autistic now) and did really well and thoroughly enjoyed the Tweety Bird bandaids the nurse put on his thighs.

I thought I'd record his stats so I can compare him to other 2 month olds or just have record of it down the road.

Weight: 11 lbs 5 oz 41st percentile

Length: 23.25" 63rd percentile

Head Circumference: 16.1" 75th percentile

Yes, Cohen has an average sized body with an above average head. I'd like to say it's because he has big brains but sadly it's just a big head (he gets it from his father).

One other interesting thing we learned at the appointment is this: Cohen has an outie. We just thought it would eventually go in but it won't according to his doctor. We'll just have to start teasing him about it at an early age so he develops the thick skin he'll need.

A father's promise

Our friend Shelley came by to hang out with us the other day and brought this adorable journal that is covered in images of funky retro owls. It's so funny having an owl-themed nursery because our friends give Cohen all kinds of fun owl things (from clothes to books to banks). Who knew that owls would be so popular when we picked the nursery theme!?

Anyhoo (get it?), I thought we could use the journal to write letters to Cohen and record the funny things he'll do and say when he's older. On Sunday Christian asked if he could write in it and of course I said yes (I'm not sure why he asks my permission...am I really that much of a control-freak Type A? Wait. Don't answer that). Yesterday morning Cohen and I were playing and I decided to read what Christian had written. I couldn't get past the first sentence without bawling.

So without further ado...

02/28/10  A father's promise

My new little friend,

You're finally here my little blue-eyed owl. Your smiles make me smile. Your cries let me know you are real and not just a dream. I look at you while you sleep, all peaceful and safe.

You have your whole life ahead of you Cohen. Right now there is nothing that you cannot do as you grow. All doors are open to you. I just know that this world is going to love you as I love you.

My job as a father is this: to pick you up when you fall; to teach you to love God and man; to show you how to make your dreams come true; and most of all, to love you unconditionally.

My whole life has been about you Cohen and now that you're here with us, my whole life is still about you. I will always be the best father that I can be.

Love,
Daddy

The cost of having a baby

For the last 2 months we've been receiving bills from the hospital, the anesthesiology practice and the clinic that did Cohen's bilirubin blood work. I've been waiting for final bills to make sure our insurance provider had paid all that they were going to pay. Over breakfast this morning I decided to total up how much everything cost (not including the $500.00 I had to pay to my mid-wife's office leading up to the birth) before I contacted them to make arrangements for payment. The grand total is $3,480.75 and that is WITH health insurance through Christian's employer. So $4,000.00 to have a baby here in Utah and no paid maternity leave. Good times.

Oh well, Cohen is definitely worth it, even though we'll be paying him off in 10 easy installments!

Our little Jacques Cousteau.