could he be any more perfect?

 I just want to say how WONDERFUL our little boy is!!  Those difficult newborn days are almost behind us now.  As sweet and tiny as he was, I am very happy that he is turning 12 weeks old.  Such a huge shift in is personality.  Of course, he still fusses- but he can now be (most of the time) easily consoled.  Both he, mama, and dada are finally getting the hang of it.  I am looking forward to this summer.  Taking him to the river, the Rose Festival, Florida, solid foods... What a great thing we have!  

mother's day

Luka & Mae

First Mother's Day...

brunch and mimosas @ our place

Today on our Street

break throughs

Finding joy on days where I'm being stretched to my limit is what makes this whole Mama thing work.  In other words, the exhaustion is well worth it.  Yesterday Luka had what I like to call 2 break throughs!!  A break through is anything that gives me positive affirmation that YES, things do get easier.  First off, he took his longest stroll yet and was happy with it the entire time.  And by stroll I mean in his stroller and not attached to his mommy.  Usually, when I set him down in it he protests- but this time... No problems!  Second break through, I TOOK A SHOWER YESTERDAY! woo-hoo.  I get to take about 2-3/ week and they usually require a lot of planning and timing.  But yesterday I just plopped him in his car seat and brought it into the bathroom with me- and he was completely fine for the entire 3 minutes of my speed wash.  These milestones count, too.

"get to know your babies personality..."

"HIGH-NEED BABIES: Babies who ask more of their parents can be just as much fun as easy babies, but they need more input from you to stay that way. Some will term these babies "fussy babies."  We find that they are more outgoing, energetic, and anxious than easy babies.  A high need baby likes to be held much of the day.  In fact, high need babies need to be held much of the day.  They just aren't content to be put down for more than a few minutes.  Tiringly, the high need label holds true for nighttime as well.  These babies need more attention from mom and dad when they fall asleep, and they wake up more often because they need a 'dose' of mom or dad (okay, usually mom) to stay asleep."

Most of that applies to, Luka, although I can set him down to play on his activity mat for about 15 minutes at a time.  After 15 minutes he then begins to whimper for attention.

"High need babies thrive on touch.  They've been inside mom for the past 9 months, and they aren't ready to give up that feeling of being enclosed and held.  They've grown used to the mom's movement and heart sounds.  Now that they are out in the world, they can experience this closeness just as intensely, but in different ways.  They hear you, smell you, see you, feel you, and even taste you (during nursing).  When mom isn't near, high-need babies feel unsettled and incomplete.  They sense that something is missing even if they are sound asleep.  They may sleep for hours on end when sleeping next to someone, but they wake up every half hour when sleeping solo."

I think that hits it right on the nail.

"High need babies usually have a great need to suck for comfort.  Whether it's with your breast or finger or a bottle or pacifier, comfort sucking is almost as important as food for these babies.  They won't easily fall asleep without it, and when they stir during the night, their "suck alarm" goes off and they start looking for whatever they can get their mouth on.  If you're not there, your baby will let you know loud and clear that he needs you."

"You probably know by know whether your baby is one of those 'always needs to be rocker or bounced' babies.  High need babies are not content to simply be put down to fall asleep in a crib or bed that doesn't move. There is something soothing about the gentle rocking of a parent's arms, a baby swing, or a cradle, and your baby knows it. It's almost as if your baby needs to be 'coached' into falling asleep- as long as you keep moving, baby won't notice that sleep is sneaking up on him."

As I sit and type.... by they way, I wouldn't want him any other way

just wanted to let you guys know...

IT'S HOT IN PORTLAND, finally

Science of Sleep

Now, that LUKA is 10 weeks I am trying to establish somewhat of a sleep routine.  The past 2-3 days his schedule has been a bit erratic because of what I believed to be was a growth spurt... nursing every 1 1/2- 2 hours all day and ALL NIGHT. Last night, thankfully, he fell asleep around 8:30 and did not wake up until 2am to eat... and then again at 7am.  Only one night time feeding!  That's amazing.  And I needed that sleep so bad.  They say by 3 mo.'s they should only need to take three 1.5-2 hour naps a day. Well, our Luka is a cat napper.  Unless I lay physically down next to him he will only sleep 30-45 minutes.  Which may be all he needs... but then he can't stay up for more than an hour at a time, otherwise he gets severely cranky (the only time he cries).  He needs assistance in falling asleep.  Essentially, I have to teach him how.  We'll get into his temperament on another blog... but let's just say he is not an "easy baby".

Playdate

Luka & Mae; buddies since birth

mornings

MMmmm Vita Cafe

Luka's first dinner out was a success... after sleeping through several breakfasts spots we felt it may be safe to go to the next step.  Din-din.  Aunt Fern came in town from Florida and took us all out in (pre) celebration of Drew's birthday.  The boy woke up as the food arrived to the table and sat on our laps for the entire duration of dinner without hardly a whimper.  In fact he gave a few giant smiles and a loud GOOOOooo.  What a little social thing he is already.  We can't wait to start airplane-ing the tempeh and mashed potatoes right into his mouth.

Undress me Mama!

Hi, my name is Luka

The little man is here.  Currently as I write this he is already 8 weeks old!  And has accomplished so many milestones since his birth.  He is Goooo-ing and Ahh-gooing quite a bit.  Likes to return a smile... blow spit bubbles...looks intently at things... likes sunny walks and being bounced.  He is also a screamer.  Possibly the loudest cry EVER!  Taking up after his dad?  He does not like sitting still, or being awake in the car.  He gives the carseat a good few minutes of quiet curiosity and then gets bored and irritated.  I managed to calm him down as I drove yesterday by singing 'MY BONNY IS OVER THE OCEAN..."which is a song my Deutsch Oma loves to sing (or used to)... in fact I can't really sing it without sounding like I have a German accent.  Luka is also starting to show more interest in finding his thumb rather than using his paci[fier].   I'm pretty sure he will become a thumbsucker.  He has a cute little chubby body, and enjoys time spent naked.  I think his diapers must be uncomfortable.  He poops and pees on me everyyyyday.  Today had to have been the worst, yet.  He spits up a lot too.  We have lots of laundry happening.  Too much laundry and not enough cooking.  I'm hoping this will eventually change.