Yesterday was Simon’s 2 month “birthday” — yes, time is flying by!
It’s been a pretty good month for us, especially after we got a prescription for some acid reflux medicine that has made a very noticeable difference in his happiness.
He’s not crying nearly as much, he’s more content being on his back, he no longer screams 100% of the time in his car seat, and he’s even been enjoying his bouncy seat for 10-15 minutes at a time (which means I don’t have to hold him ALL day!)
Simon is taking a bottle like a champ.
We feed him from a bottle EVERY time, except in the middle of the night when a bottle isn’t super convenient. He’s doing great and I’m loving the freedom I have to do whatever I need/want to do without stressing over being around to feed him every 2 hours (he’s still eating every 2 hours ALL day long but going longer at night).
And since he’s taking a bottle, it makes giving him the acid reflux medication so easy… just put a tiny bit in his bottle and he never even tastes it.
We’re doing mostly breast milk yet, but he doesn’t seem to mind at all if we mix in some formula!
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Simon sleeps pretty well (at least compared to Nora). He still wakes up a couple time a night, but he usually just eats and goes right back to sleep. Yes, there are definitely nights when he’s awake more than I’d like, but he’s usually sleeping by 8:00pm and we’ve already had 2 nights where he slept for 8 straight hours, so that’s definite progress! Of course, those hours are from 8pm – 4am so I’m awake for about half those hours, but I can’t tell you how amazing it is to have at least a couple hours of quiet at night to regroup, do some work, and get organized again.
Simon is a good napper in the sense that he naps ALL the time, but they are all really short 15-30 minute naps. It’s sort of frustrating for me because I just want to get something done during the day, but since I’m used to Nora not napping, I realize that 15-30 minutes is better than nothing at all.
Since Simon isn’t throwing a fit every single time we put him in his car seat, we can now go for walks — and we could ALL use a little more fresh air after a very long, very cold winter.
I’ve been waiting until Dave gets home from school so we can each push a stroller. However, last week, our double stroller arrived so now I can cruise around with both of them by myself.
I did try putting Simon in a wrap and pushing Nora in the stroller a few times — but that was never very comfortable for me (especially for long walks) and I don’t think Simon loved it either.
I’d always be super sweaty by the time I got home, my back would always be a bit sore from trying to walk more “gingerly” as to not shake him like crazy, and I never felt like I was getting any amount of exercise since I was walking at a slower pace.
I know friends who have gone without a double stroller, but I knew I wanted one. I spent a lot of time researching the different options and feel confident that the one I chose will fit our needs. I’m sure I’ll be doing a post about it some time in the next few weeks — and I’ll share more details then.
Nora still loves her brother and kisses him constantly… but I think the novelty of a new baby might be wearing off a bit. The other day she asked if she could “box him up and give him to the mail lady.”
It was all I could do to not bust out laughing!
As many of you know, the first 2 months (probably more like 4-6 months) are REALLY hard — especially for someone like me who thrives on order and schedules. There is no order or schedules when babies are 2 months old. BUT, I can tell we’re starting to find our new “normal”.
It’s getting easier, we’re finding our groove, I don’t feel as overwhelmed, and I think the whole family is learning to work as 4 rather than 3.
Sandra says
That’s great!
Tara says
Happy Birthday Simon! He is so cute! I love that you are already getting a rhythm! And finding the new “norm” I feel like it took me a year for Adeline (my first and only) I hope to get things down quite a bit quicker next time! 🙂
Andrea says
Thanks Tara — it took us more than a year to start finding our new normal after Nora was born. I’m glad Simon is falling into a little bit of a routine MUCH earlier than that!
Bridget says
So glad he’s easier than Nora. I know you’re not looking for advice, but in the idea of information… most babies could care less about bottles vs. the breast. No need to do more bottles than the occasional so he’s used to it if you need it. Always better for milk supply (and time!) to nurse rather than pump and give bottles. Most babies don’t have Nora’s sensory issues and would be fine with formula too. And breastmilk is definitely cheaper than formula!
Becky says
Bridget, I wonder if you missed the part about using the bottles because they can easily put his medicine in it.
Bridget says
Right, just thinking medicine probably wasn’t every feeding. Just so much work to pump and then feed. Plus I’ve seen so many moms have supply problems from exclusively pumping so add a little formula and before you know it, it’s all formula. Which is fine if that’s the decision they’re making, but when it happens almost by accident, it seems a shame. Although supply can be built back up, it’s definitely takes effort and time.
Kelly says
Andrea nursed Nora for a LONG time (20+ months exclusively, with no food, I think, because of some sensory issues), so she has said before that she’s choosing to be pretty flexible with how she feeds this little guy! 🙂
Andrea says
yes Kelly — you’re exactly right!
Bridget says
No judgment. Breastfeeding isn’t usually the saga that it was with Nora. If you want to nurse for whatever reason for whatever length of time, I just didn’t want Nora’s issues to cause you to do things in a way that might not be necessary with Simon and that might lead to a faster end to nursing than you might wish. Best wishes!
Candy says
My concern isn’t about using bottles but using formula from everything I read it’s just not good for babies. Could the colic be due to the formula? I ask cause my oldest had it bad and he was a bottle baby where my youngest nursed and didn’t have it at all.
Jani says
Congratulations on the birth of your precious Simon, although it is two months late. The birth of a child is always challenging and I applaud your tenacity. Your energy level has always amazed me, although at this point, you may not feel up to your usual self. I say the following in hopes of not judging/offending you as we would do almost anything to preserve the health of our children. M.D.s aren’t trained to dispense anything but drugs, although there are some that also have knowledge and prescribe natural alternatives to drugs-thankfully. There is a natural alternative to the drug that Simon is taking that will not harm him or his digestive system and it is Aloe Vera along with probiotics. Aloe Vera is used for many things, but in your situation, it is used very successfully for acid reflux and colic. The probiotics will assist in getting his stomach flora back to it’s original healthy state after taking medications. If this balance isn’t achieved, we are open to digestive issues in life. I know as I am one of them. Babies digestive system are delicate and often immature, which is often the cause of the acid reflux/colic. I had a friend whose baby had a severe case of colic and after these two additions to his breast milk, he was relieved of the condition and pain. He had some life threatening issues at birth and was put on many medications and antibiotics which totally destroyed his digestive tract. Only because his mom knew of and practiced natural medicine, was he spared these symptoms both now and later in life. Some people aren’t open to this approach in health, so I’m not sure if this is something you would be interested in. I am available if you decide this is something you want to do for Simon. Best of luck to the 4 of you as you celebrate and adjust to life together! Blessings!
Amanda says
yay for good chunks of sleep at night!!
And don’t worry… I asked my mom when my brother was about 3ish months old “when is he going home?” she explained that he was home, and I wasn’t buying it. 27yrs later, he’s still around, lol.
Andrea says
haha — thanks Amanda 🙂
Tracey says
He’s SO precious! LOVE the shots of them together, too. Nora’s expressions are adorable.
When my son was nearing two and my daughter was an tiny infant, we got a double stroller. It was so worth it, and so wonderful to have. I used it for two years then passed it along.
He turns 13 this week, she’s 11, and I cannot believe how the years have flown by. Some days I wish I could put them both in the double stroller together again and go for a walk!
I know people are always saying to savor the moments when they’re little, and it’s so true. It’s also challenging, for sure. You’re doing a great job, mom, and documenting it inhere is a gift you’re giving to them (and yourself!) in the year to come.
Enjoy!
Tracey says
Oops! Make that yearS to come! 😉
Jane says
The versatility of that stroller is awesome! I also wish I had written down some of the cute things my kids had said. Love the updates, keep them coming.
Andrea says
yes Jane. So far, we’ve tried a few different combinations and we love them all. I really thing (hope) we continue to love this stroller and can take LOTS of walks!
JoAnn C. says
Lovely, simply lovely. Thanks for sharing, Andrea.
Kristen @ Joyfullythriving says
Yay for meds that equal a less screaming baby! I’m glad you are getting outside for walks now. Our weather is finally allowing us to do the same. And I’m glad Simon likes his bouncy seat. We’re working on that with Nathan! 🙂
Andrea says
It took about 6 weeks for him to like the bouncy seat… so the past couple of weeks have been much less “constantly holding him and doing things with one hand”. 🙂
Kristen @ Joyfullythriving says
Yay! There is hope for us that with time he’ll like it! I am learning that a lot of things come with time!
Ashton says
I admire your unapologetic tone of doing what works for you!! You go girl!!
Andrea says
haha thanks Ashton. That’s something I learned after baby #1 🙂
Lydia @ Five4FiveMeals says
So cute! I love when you do baby updates. Having two is tough! But in a few months when he can play it will get so much easier and they occupy each other in the car. It’s awesome.
Paulette Smith says
Andrea, your children are really adorable. Love the pictures of the two together! Simon really looks like you. Nora’s comments are priceless…she is something else.