Two Months Old

Five Weeks

Six Weeks

Seven Weeks

Eight Weeks

Weight: 14 lbs. (83rd percentile)

Height: 24.5 inches (96th percentile) (height and weight done July 10th at two month well-baby)

Diapers: We are exclusively cloth diapering. We took the plunge and started using cloth at nighttime. It is going really well! He is normally in his diaper for about 12 hours with no leaks! We use a pocket diaper with one mircofiber insert and one hemp insert. 

Eating: I just went back and reread this section from his one month post. It made me laugh - at least now that I am past that part of our story can I laugh. So when I last wrote his pediatrician told me that he did not have a tongue tie and that we both had yeast. Well, do I have a story for you... Shortly after writing Charlie's one month post, I had my six week check up. My appointment was suppose to be on Thursday June 19th. I woke up on Tuesday June 17th and felt like I should move it up to that day - I am not sure why other then the fact that the Lord was gently leading me. I called. They had a 3:00pm appointment. I took it. When we got to the appointment I mentioned what was going on with me. I did not even mention a tongue tie. When the midwife looked at me, she told me that I "had the worst nipples she had ever seen in her 22 years in the practice." That statement made me feel a little validated in my pain and frustration, especially since she hadn't even seen my nipples in the worse state. The midwife went to get the lactation consultant (the only one that Birth Care has). She confirmed that I did have a yeast infection. The LC and the midwife also asked to look in Charlie's mouth to make sure that nothing else was going on. Nearly as soon as the midwife looked in his mouth she confirmed that 1) he had yeast as well and 2) he was definitely tongue tied.  The LC agreed. 

I started to cry as soon as they confirmed it. I was overwhelmed to have an answer, but I did not want my baby boy going through the pain of being clipped. They both assured me he would be fine, and that it was better to get it done now then down the road when he could more than likely have speech issues from it. Let's just say it was a terrible experience, but mostly for me. Charlie cried when they were trying to lift his tongue, screamed when they clipped him, and then was completely fine as soon as I nursed him immediately after. Me on the other hand? Well let's just say that that they made me sit down and eat crackers as we were leaving because I was still shaking so badly.

After the clipping, I could immediately feel the difference. When we went home my only responsibility was to stretch his tongue before every feeding for a week - he didn't like that so much. It took him almost two weeks to learn how to use his "new" tongue, but now he is a pro at it. In fact he is such an effective nurser that he nursers for about 5 minutes a side, at the most. This quick nursing worried me at first, but he is more than fine in the weight department and it is really nice to be able to nurse him so quickly while out and about or in the middle of the night. 

The Lord answered my tear-full prayers that day. There are only two midwifes that know how to clip tongue ties as Birth Care, because I moved my appointment I had one of them. There is only one LC as Birth Care, because I moved my appointment she was there. I was the last appointment of the day, so they were able to clip Charlie right then and there, (because I moved my appointment). Then as we were checking out I overheard a conversation between our midwife and the secretary. Our midwife quoted us $25 for Charlie to be clipped. Apparently, the other midwife that clips tongues charges over $100. Let's just say I left Birth Care feeling like a HUGE rock had been lifted off of my shoulders.

And June, because I know that you are probably the only person reading this... I can almost completely say that Charlie would not be EBF if it weren't for you. Thank you for encouraging me and validating me during those first six weeks. I could not be more thankful for the role you play in my life. Like you kept telling me over and over, I am so thankful that I stuck with it. I'm sorry if I took up all your texts. I love you! 

Three weeks later, I am completely healed. The clip also helped Charlie not gulp as much air, which has caused much less projectile vomiting. (Another PTL for Charlie and my washing machine!) 

Sleeping: I feel silly about last month's post about Charlie's sleeping habits. I was a new mom who was unsure what she was doing and listening to others. Last month I wrote about how I was worried about spoiling Charlie by holding him too much. That is silly. I recently read an article that bullet points what life in the womb is like compared to life outside of the womb. No wonder our babies love to be close to us and held. Let's just say I threw the "am I spoiling him" thought out the window and have been doing what I feel is best. 

Charlie has been sleeping better throughout the day. He still loves to be held for naps and I'm okay with that. I will either wear him for a nap or hold him until he falls asleep and then lay him down. He also has started to fall asleep by himself lately. When I noticed he is getting tired, I will lay him down with his nuk and see what happens. I try and make sure that he gets at least one long (2 hour) nap a day. If I am home, I swaddle him and lay him down. He takes great naps in his swaddle. 

He is doing fantastic at nighttime. I normally feed him at 8:00pm and he is asleep by 9. He then sleeps until around 3am, eats quick, and then sleeps until 7:30am. However, he has slept through the night 4 different times. Just last night he slept from 9-7. That was nice, but I still woke up to check on him multiple times :) 

He is still sleeping in our room in a bassinet. We plan on keeping him in there until he is more constantly sleeping through the night. Which I (am afraid) will be soon. 

New Skills: This month Charlie has started using his vocal chords. He goos and gaas all the time and it is the most entertaining and adorable thing ever. I could, and do, spend pretty much all day talking back and forth with him. He is also much more aware of his surroundings. He responds with smiles (almost giggles) and pouty lips. 

He Loves: Bath time, reading, being held, talking, sucking on his fingers and nuk, being kissed by his mommy ;) 

He Doesn't Like: Charlie is such an easy going baby; There isn't much he doesn't like. However, if he gets too tired before bed he will let you know it! That is really the only time he will scream. Oh and he hates having bogeys taken out of his nose with the suction ball. Theo hates when I do it to him too. Lately, I have just been using a tissue.

Misc.: Charlie had his first big time boo-boo this month. Without going into too much detail, he was sleeping on a couch up at the cabin and got stepped on the face by one of my nephews. Everyone is okay, but it was really scary. It was really hard for me because not only did my little babe get hurt, but it was also the first time in my life that I realized that for the rest of his life Charlie is going to get hurt, physically and emotionally, and there is nothing I can do about it except pray. I know it sounds silly, but that was an overwhelming feeling/realization. 

Exciting Things We Did:

Celebrated Daddy's first Fathers Day

First Fourth of July

Started working at the family business

First cabin trip (Charlie with one of his name sakes.)

Nap time with cousin Anja!

I know everyone says it, but I can't believe how fast time is going. I dread that my baby is growing up so fast, but I am in love with watching him learn and grow. I can't believe how quickly he changes!