Beckett James | One Month

Note:  This was written on time…I just didn't upload the pictures on time.  The holidays got the best of us!

Stats:  21 inches long (27th percentile), head 14 3/4 inches (49th percentile), 8 lb 14 oz (16th percentile).  You are a little peanut compared to your sister!

Likes:  Eating.  White noise just like your big sister.  Standing and being bounced.  Baths seem to be going better as well.  You also LOVE the Baby Bjorn.  I put you in it when you start to get fussy and you are out within 15 minutes.  I usually leave you in it for a little while then I swaddle you and put you down for your naps.  I know that eventually we need to just nap and not use this as a crutch, but I'm ok for now since it works and you're only 4 weeks old.

Dislikes:  Getting dressed/diaper changes.  Being overtired.  Being set down awake for longer than 5-10 minutes (little guy loves to be held).  Tummy time.  Evening hours…fussy time is anywhere from 6-11pm.  Sometimes you are ok until 8 and then fussy from 8-11pm.  I know that it's just a phase and you'll grow out of it.  I'd say we should be good by the end of January based on how long it took Zoe to grow out of it.  That seems so far from now!

Biggest Achievement This Month:  Making it until 4am!  It was only once, but I'll take it.  It makes me realize there is an end in site :)

Biggest Challenge of the Month:  Figuring out your reflux issue.  It wasn't nearly as bad as some I've heard, but we went through two days of just extreme discontent.  Those inconsolable sobs really did a number on my confidence.  Thankfully, things seem to be a little better.  Still not great, but better.

Secret Tricks:  Standing and bouncing just like your big sister.  Usually, if you are fussy, I can put you in your carrier and stand and bounce and you'll fall asleep.  Usually, if you are freaking out, it's because you are tired so it's just a matter of getting you to sleep.

Sleep:  Sleep is going great for only being a month old.  It takes a while to get you down for your morning nap.  You definitely don't fall asleep on your own and need to be rocked for about 15 minutes to get calmed down or put in the carrier.  The morning is one of your most awake times so I'm guess you just have had a lot of stimulation and need help relaxing.  You do pretty well going down for your early afternoon/early evening naps.  I pop you in the carrier while I'm making lunch/dinner and bounce around while I'm doing it and you are usually out pretty quickly.  I can transfer you to your bouncy during the early afternoon and get a good hour or two out of you.  The early evening nap is iffy.  Sometimes I can transfer you, other times you'll only sleep in the carrier.  I know things will get better here.  

Temperament/Personality:  I'd say you are just like your big sister here too.  I wouldn't say you are as fussy as she was, but part of me wonders if I have less anxiety this time around and was able to calmly figure out what helps you relax faster than what I did with your sister.  You aren't really awake for very long at this point, so it's hard to say how you'll be.  Your fussiest period is after your early evening nap (8-10).  You are usually asleep then after I feed you at 10.  But occasionally, daddy really has to work to get you to sleep.  I know though, that this phase will pass and those smiles and giggles will come soon enough.  This "fourth trimester" period just seems to be hard on my babies.  Your sister was a new baby around 2-3 months, so we'll get there.

Eating:  Things are going SO much better here compared to Zoe.  At least we have this going for us :)  I've made sure to be mindful of everything that went wrong the first time around and am doing everything I can to prevent those things.  Sometimes I feel like I'm being anal, but it's worth it for these first few weeks/months to start out right and not go through the excruciating pain like before.

So far, you are still eating 8 times a day.  We are on a 2.5-3 hour schedule for the most part.  You go through longer stretches at night, and shorter stretches in the evening.  You could probably go longer in the evening, but I'm trying to load you up on calories in hopes that you'll sleep longer :)  Since you are going from 10pm-3am right now, I don't want to mess up what we have going for us.

Your schedule usually is (give or take) 3am, 6:15am, 9am, 11:30am, 2:30 or 3pm (depending on your nap), 5:30pm, 8pm, 10pm.  Not bad at all for how little you are!

Randoms:  You are in size 1 diapers.  They are roomy so I'm guessing you'll be in them for a while, but newborns were getting a little small and I didn't want to buy another box.  Size 3 clothes are very roomy, but newborn outfits are getting small in the legs.  You might end up being long and lean!  Although, in looking at pictures of Zoe, she didn't really start chunking up until 2-3 months.  I love those baby rolls so I'm hoping you have a few :)

Milestones:  Sleeping for longer stretches at night.

Favorite Baby Gear:  The baby carrier has been a lifesaver this time around.  It's allowed me to play with Zoe, get her dinner ready, eat lunch, etc. 

It's crazy to think it's been a month already little man!  It's so different this time around knowing what's around the corner with having your big sister to compare to, but I'm trying to be mindful and stay in the moment.  I don't want to wish your baby days away just to get to the next milestone.  Love you buddy!  I can't wait to see what month two brings!