Where Did June Go?

Yesterday my baby turned a month old...how is this possible? He is growing and developing more and more every day and it is such a joy to watch him as he learns new things. Carter's awake times have changed from either crying or feeding to crying, feeding, or looking around :) He is becoming much more alert and is following both people and objects with his eyes. It is so fun just to lay with him on the floor or his playmat and watch him observe everything around him. On the same note, he has remained awake and alert on our last two walks (the stroller used to instantly put him to sleep). It's just so great to watch him happily look around as we stroll around the neighborhood.

Nighttimes are getting better. I'm definitely still pooped during the day but we really are starting to develop a routine. Before, Carter just was not able to go back to sleep after his nighttime feedings. (We had three days in a row of eating at 10pm and crying nonstop until 5am, pausing only to eat). But now he is going right back to sleep (or at least not being fussy) and waking up every three hours to eat. His daytime routine is pretty set as well, eating every three hours. Breastfeeding is getting better...He is gaining weight (he finally passed his birthweight, woohoo) and he is getting on a schedule, but it is still a painful and difficult process. I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever be able to leave the house for more than an hour again! He seems to eat for an hour, fuss for 1/2 hour, be happy and awake for 1/2 hour, and sleep for an hour before starting the process all over again. Who knew being a mom could be defined as being a full-time feeding machine!

We decided to introduce the pacifier to him this past week. We were trying to make it a month before doing so, but were three days short of our goal...We just wanted to make sure he had breastfeeding down and not get thrown off by the paci. But he's done great with it! He doesn't want it/need it all the time but does seem to enjoy it when he does take it. We're still trying to wait a few weeks to give him a bottle of my milk, but I am definitely counting down the days to that! It will be nice to go to both Sunday School and the Worship service instead of choosing just one because I have to get home to feed Carter. (Or so Nick can give him a bottle in the middle of the night...

We've been very blessed by members of our church who have been providing meals for us three nights of the week. Not having to worry about cooking or heading out to the grocery store as often has been so wonderful and we are truly spoiled.

Alright, going to try to do some dishes before little bit wakes up from his nap...