Three Months Old!

Look at my 3-month self!

Crew turned 3 months yesterday! It is just getting so much fun--way more smiles, coos, and way LESS crying! Mom and Dad say "WAHOO"!!!! He has just gotten so much more relaxed--not completely, but waaayyy better! He still gets so intense when he's tired and won't calm down unless he is swaddled. Speaking of sleep...he is a GREAT sleeper! He sleeps about 7 hours straight and has finally skipped out on the 3am feeding :-) I cross my fingers that has won't revert back. He squeals like his life is over when I burp him in between feedings. He still LOVES to be bounced on his ball, and he will tolerate his rocking chair when he's really tired. As far as milestones go: he has discovered his hands! He slurps and chomps on them all day...he might be a thumb sucker like his dad. I also have caught him a few times reaching and grabbing his toys. He still loves his baby sounds that he sleeps to, and also loves standing up and observing everything around. Oh ya, he DROOLS like crazy so we finally get to take advantage of all the bibs that were folded in his drawers.

I found him like this when he woke up from his nap...he's SUCH a wiggle worm...and his pj's were a little big!

Ok, so we bought this completely AWESOME swing that we thought Crew would just love. It was soft, had toys, made soothing sounds, swung sideways instead of back and forth, but he HATED it! It literally was "Baby Funland" but he just prefers the ol' fashioned "hold me all day mommy" style...I guess it's cheaper.

This is a close-up-action shot of Crew being bounced. Once he's calmed down he stretches his neck waaaayyy out to look around...yes, I am still in my pajamas...yes, it is probably 2pm.

I think this is a funny pic..he looks like a little animal.

This toy is his new favorite. Thanks Andersons!

He loves vacuuming with his daddy!

This is him on the verge of a frown...I couldn't get the full-blown frown.

Lovin his Bumbo! He's not quite ready for it yet, but I was dying to try it out.

Check out those eyes.

Going on his first walk outside.

Slurpin on his hand.

Oh ya, he also has a snake tongue (his tongue points at the end). It's hilarious! I haven't caught it on camera yet though. LOVE this boy!

Two Months

LOOK AT THAT GOOD-LOOKIN BOY!

Crew is now 2 months, 1 week, and 5 days old! I can't believe how much he's grown and changed! He is just the most adorable little boy with a bombshell personality to match. At this point in time, unfortunately for his mom and dad, that bombshell personality comes in the form of crying, crying, crying, and more crying.....did I mention that he cries??? Now, don't get the wrong idea, I love my son and he does have his sweet moments, but boy is he one colicky babe. Oh ya, did I also mention that he has acid reflux and is one Prevacid everyday (which doesn't seem to be working that well). We've tried SO many things including switching formulas, gas drops, getting a swing, special "colic" bottles, tummy massages, baths, rocking chairs, toys, driving in the car....and so far we have found 2 things that work: bouncing on the exercise ball ALL day and playing water sounds in his room while he sleeps. Game plan as of now: 1) try out soy formula because he is still really fussy on even sensitive brands 2) have the doc increase his dose of prevacid 3)having him "adjusted" which I'm usually vehemently opposed to, but I'm desperate 4) wait it out. I did read "The Happiest Baby on the Block" by Dr. Harvey Karp (thanks Crystal), and got great help with swaddling and the benefits of soothing noises. I think I've tried everything...or am about to try everything I can think of. Anyone out there have any new ideas??

On a happier note...my cute little buggy has his happy time right when he finishes eating and he is full of coos for his mommy. He is starting to really smile now! I started seeing glimpses of those when he was 6 weeks old. He is still eating pretty well...he's getting back into the groove after the whole acid refulx setback. He sleeps pretty decent: he's asleep for 5 hrs, awake for one, and then back to bed for about 3! He still loves the sound of running water, and he still LOVES to be held and bounced....all day :-) He chicken-pecks and rubs his face on my shoulder when I try and burp him. He LOATHES his car seat and screams when he lays on his back, but loves looking around and standing up on his wee little legs. This little munchkin sure is a challenge, but I guess the most rewarding things in life are the most challenging, right?

His two month stats are:

Head Circumference: 14.75 in (6.44%)
Length: 22.25 in (22.96%)
Weight: 11 lb (31.49%)

Lovin on his mommy

Lovin on his burp rag

We have to put an ACE bandage around his blanket so he stays in his bundle. We discovered this little gem after countless nights of his arms getting free and waking himself up.

Jess helps out sooo much which I am so very grateful for.

My smiley boy :-)

See you in one month for my 3 month stats/updates!

A Month in Reflection

I cannot believe that is has been over a month (6 weeks on Thursday) that Crew was born! I feel like we've had him forever! I won't lie, it has been really tough getting used to a newborn when you've been quite independent and extremely busy the last couple of months. With school, work, and newborn care there is hardly even a moment to squeeze in a nap (especially Jess...he is so sleep deprived). It has, however, been really rewarding and oh so special to see him grow! I really cannot believe how much he has changed in just a month. When I go to school on Mondays I am kind of relieved to get a break, but I miss him so much when I'm at school. Being a mom is the bomb!

I think this is the 2nd day after we brought him home.

This is Jess enjoying his son...before he got fussy.

In his chair for some social time with mommy

Ok, this is the FUNNIEST picture EVER. This little bear suit was way too big on him and way too small for the car seat!

Jess was SO excited to have Celtics time with Crew! Thanks again Erica for the blanket!

His first sponge bath

He was NOT happy

His first tub bath. He liked this one much better--especially getting his hair washed.

He HATES being strapped into his car seat, but falls right asleep once we start driving.

He is not a fan of his swing, but will at least tolerate his bouncy chair (thanks brent and leesa).

He's getting so big!

And this is where we are now...poor baby is super fussy! If I didn't have the comfort of knowing that babies cry a lot and that it should end (I cross my fingers everyday), I would go crazy! I feel so bad for him--he swallows a ton of air when he eats and even when he doesn't, it can't feel good for his tummy. So, I just try my best, and hopefully he will be a happy boy soon :-) He is a champion eater though! He drinks probably about 3 oz average, but sometimes tops off at 4 every 3 hours. In the beginning, of course, I was up a lot with him in the night, but now I am only up once around 1am and then again around 6, so I am pretty lucky! I have been trying to follow the "Baby Wise" sleeping plan, but I am not sure if it's working. He has such a strong neck and loves to look around with his huge eyes (I think they are going to be brown). He loves being held--in fact, I can't ever put him down! He loves the sound of running water and Pandora Radio. He has his 2 month appt in 2 weeks, so I will give an update then!

His Photo Debut!

These are some pictures that were taken of Crew when he was 6 days old. Mary Clark
a WONDERFUL photographer out in Murray, UT took them. Look her up if you're interested in getting any pictures done, she is great!

Little boy did so well with his photo shoot. He pretty much slept the whole time and only peed once! I love my precious little squishy boy. Enjoy :-)

Since he was born on New Year's Eve, this picture seems to be fitting.

Of course we had to get a picture of the double cousins. So cute!

My New Year's Present

Jess Crew Baldwin
Born December 31, 2009 10:01 am
8 lbs 0 oz, 19.5 inches
American Fork, UT

Our sweet baby was born December 31, 2009 at 10:01 am! We were so lucky to have him before the new year! I was really wanting to have him New Year's Eve because seriously what a cool birthday plus it's an extra child tax credit we weren't counting on...lol. Thanks to all those who put in their input on how to get him here...some worked, some didn't ;-) At 2am that morning I started feeling some light contractions [about 5 minutes apart] then they got stronger and moved to 3 minutes apart. I really couldn't believe how fast it was all going! I woke Jess and my mom up ASAP to leave for the hospital. On the way out my water broke...ok then I knew it was REALLY happening that day--I was going to have my baby!

When we got to Labor and Delivery I was in pain, but pain I could tolerate. No joke, in like 3 minutes the pain got 10x worse and I was dying! The nurse anesthetist was not in the hospital to give me my epidural so we had to wait for him to drive here! Talk about the LONGEST 20 minutes of my life. Boy did I completely underestimate the pain associated with a baby trying to get out! When we got to the hospital I was 4cm and 90% effaced. From a 4 I went to a 6 in one hour, and then to a 9 in 17 min. I didn't get the epidural until I was 9cm....holy crap...OUCH. BUT the silver lining is...the nurse finally got there, I got the epidural, and I was all good :-)

When it cam time to push I pushed for about 1.5 hours and 8 lbs later he was here! I really could not believe I had an 8 lb baby, especially since my sister and Jess's brother had a 6 lb baby--I guess genes are were not equally distributed in this situation. He was so big for me I big time tore [4th degree] and boy am I feeling it today.

For all those who haven't had babies and are going to be having babies soon: I hope this post didn't freak you out...it is wonderful to be a mother and to have such a sweet gift be apart of your life...definitely worth the pain and stress :-)

Jess did so well--I was so proud of him! Although he didn't cut the umbilical cord, he still was there right by me cheering me on! He is such a sweet dad. My mom was also there and is here with me for the rest of the week--thank goodness she knows what she's doing!

Now the task at hand is to 1. get used to the idea of having a baby 2. actually be able to sit down after the episiotomy 3. get these rocks for breasts off of my body!! (I am bottle feeding...OUCH).

Trying to get his first suckle...I was so paranoid the whole time that he wasn't eating enough but now he sucks down his formula!

Daddy and Crew. Jess is such a sweet Dad...got to change his first diaper in the hospital which I will put in writing that he SWORE he would never do. I was in the shower and I heard the baby screaming, so I yelled through the door and asked what was going on. Low and behold, he voluntarily changed his son's poopy diaper! What a sweet daddy!

Crew and Grammy Sparks.

He's Hungry!

When he came out he had to have a little bit of extra help to breathe and to get the amniotic fluid out of his belly.

Crew and his double Aunt Whitney.

One of my very favorite pictures. I love this little boy :-) I am so lucky!

Merry Christmas!

The crew (except Dad...aren't we so beautiful in the morning?

We had such a wonderful Christmas this year!! I was so afraid that I would receive an unexpected gift (aka baby) on Christmas so I tried to take it easy all day. I REALLY did not want him to be born on Christmas (what an awful b-day...sorry to those of you who are born on Christmas). Jess and I got to host Christmas this year because my family came down from Idaho! It was a lot of fun, but I quickly realized that my apartment, which I thought was pretty spacious, in fact is not! I felt bad :-( Oh well, I guess it's a fun memory. My dad, brother, and sister left to go home yesterday, but my mom stayed behind to wait for the baby to get here. We had a lot of fun being together, watching movies, and of course watching my sweet niece Payton open up her first Christmas gifts...I love that lil munchkin.