I have to admit that thinking of returning to work has brought me to tears several times over the last week. Just a few weeks are left before I return to teaching after being off since the beginning May, when my son Ansel was born. Do I want to stay home? Absolutely. Is it feasible right now for my family? Nope. My husband is about to start clinicals in September for his physical therapy assistant program, and therefore cannot work. So I'm the breadwinner this year. But back it up, because maybe looking at the whole story will give some perspective.
We were married five years ago, after my husband finished college (I had already graduated and been teaching for two years). We didn't want kids right away, for a couple of reasons. First, we wanted to get to know each other really well and have that foundational relationship super strong before kids came and started vying for attention. Second, we looked at it financially. We still had loans to pay off. I was doing grad school. Third, we were far away from our immediate family. Fourth, well, we just didn't want kids yet! But as time moves on, that itch starts to get stronger. I saw my sister having my adorable niece and nephew, and those in my age group at church were multiplying their family members. When we moved back to Ohio and bought our house, our loans were more manageable, and I realized I wasn't getting younger any time soon. Sure, it would be great to have the loans completely paid off, the car completely paid off, etc. But time just keeps ticking. I didn't want to wait much longer to have kids, because every thing will never be totally in order. Although I would like to feel completely in control, even if we waited another five years to have things paid off, something else would come up. My point is that I don't think there is really a perfect time to have kids. There will always be something that I want to accomplish (like build a house) but for me, to keep putting off kids was to try to trust myself and my plans more than I trusted God.
So at 27, we got pregnant and I had my first baby. He is so precious! Meanwhile my husband is back in school for his physical therapy assistant program, which ends after this year. As I mentioned before, he will not be able to work, so I will be the one bringing home the money this year. Of course I have worked for the past seven years, but this year we will have my income as the sole income. Financially this do-able, though we will have to be more careful than we have been in the past. House projects are on hold, and extra shopping is reduced (noticed I did not say eliminated-ha!).
But I am now a working mom. Childcare is going to cost me about $500 a month, which is just about as much as our house payment! While the sitter is just a few houses down, I will still miss Ansel while I am away from him. I will have to balance work, my baby (and breastfeeding!), and the cooking, cleaning, etc. Of course my husband will help with house things as much as he can, but he has night classes in addition to clinicals during the day, plus study time. It is going to be busy! But life has always been busy, so it is a matter of prioritizing to me.
Many emotions have surfaced through this transition. Jealousy of the moms who stay at home. Worry about leaving my three month old. Pride that I can help take care of my family. Relief to be away from the constant care. Anxiety about if I will still be a good mom. So many emotions. So I must look to God. First, I know that the Bible says that I must care for my home and family and follow God's plan for me as a wife (Titus 2:4-5, Proverbs 31, Ephesians 5). That has to be the number one priority. This year, that care extends to me being the single income for our family while my husband is in school. Second, I also know that the Bible has clear examples of women working- Deborah was a military commander, and Lydia a seller of cloth. If I look at the Proverbs 31 woman, it seems pretty clear that she is involved in business activities outside of the home like real estate, selling textiles, etc. So a mom working outside the home has a Biblical precedent. Certainly I don't think that means that all moms should work outside the home. In fact, I look forward to the day that I can stay home!
I think this issue is divisive when it should not be. Working mom vs. stay at home mom: people try to debate who is making the bigger sacrifice, who is doing what is best for the family. It really seems that the Bible has examples of both. Maybe instead we need to look at it in the context of what is best for each family, with the marriage being the primary relationship. Is the wife working when the husband does not want her to? Is the wife working because the husband is lazy? These would be different issues. However, if the husband and wife have sat down together and are in agreement with the mom working, then it seems that is best for that family. In another scenario, what if the husband cannot work? I know of a father who is struggling with a disability, and therefore the wife must work. This husband worked for the majority of their 25+ year marriage, but now is physically unable to do the work that he did before. Of course it would make sense for the mother to work now. What about the spouse who works from home the majority of the time? In one family I know, a father works from home and takes care of the children, while the mother works as a nurse. That is a good solution for them.
For me, it will be hard for me to leave my baby and go to work, but I know it is just for a time. It will be stressful to be on one income, but I am grateful that God has provided a good job for me. It will be hard to find a balance, but I know God will grant grace.
God teaches me through every season of life, and I have no doubt I will learn from this one.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Thursday, July 24, 2014
American Airlines Seating Issues
I probably shouldn't write a post right now, as I am severely irritated. That said, here is the issue.
We have had our American Airlines flight booked for several weeks now, and leave in one week. When I booked, I couldn't pick seats. I called about a week ago, and the American Airlines agent directed me to the website, where I could choose seats. The agent was plenty friendly and tried to help. But here is the issue: I am traveling with my 3 month old son as a lap infant, and would like to be seated in the back of the plane with my husband. Apparently, this is a very difficult request to fill. You see, the only seats listed online are "paid" seats (wait, I didn't I already PAY for my ticket?). Those "paid" seats are of course aisles, windows, and exit rows with leg room, and range from an extra $34 to $71 dollars. AND if I have an infant, I am not supposed to be in an exit row. The aisles and windows only have one seat available so my husband and I couldn't sit together. Only one flight of the four was I able to choose seats, on the very last flight back home.
So while I am trying to be a considerate traveler by sitting in the back with my infant, instead I have to wait until I check in at the airport to get my seat. This honestly adds considerable stress to my travel, because I am going to be juggling my baby, the car seat, and luggage while worrying if I will even be able to have my husband by my side during the flight, how I can discreetly breastfeed in whatever seat I am assigned at the last minute, and what I will do if the baby is screaming because his poor little ears hurt on takeoff and landing. I really am just trying to be considerate of others and to help our travel go smoothly.
I know that someone, somewhere has power to assign us seats. It really just seems ridiculous to me. Maybe I am overreacting, but this whole situation really irritates me. I have never had this kind of scenario with other airlines and flights, so American Airlines will definitely not be on the top of my list when selecting my next flight.
We have had our American Airlines flight booked for several weeks now, and leave in one week. When I booked, I couldn't pick seats. I called about a week ago, and the American Airlines agent directed me to the website, where I could choose seats. The agent was plenty friendly and tried to help. But here is the issue: I am traveling with my 3 month old son as a lap infant, and would like to be seated in the back of the plane with my husband. Apparently, this is a very difficult request to fill. You see, the only seats listed online are "paid" seats (wait, I didn't I already PAY for my ticket?). Those "paid" seats are of course aisles, windows, and exit rows with leg room, and range from an extra $34 to $71 dollars. AND if I have an infant, I am not supposed to be in an exit row. The aisles and windows only have one seat available so my husband and I couldn't sit together. Only one flight of the four was I able to choose seats, on the very last flight back home.
So while I am trying to be a considerate traveler by sitting in the back with my infant, instead I have to wait until I check in at the airport to get my seat. This honestly adds considerable stress to my travel, because I am going to be juggling my baby, the car seat, and luggage while worrying if I will even be able to have my husband by my side during the flight, how I can discreetly breastfeed in whatever seat I am assigned at the last minute, and what I will do if the baby is screaming because his poor little ears hurt on takeoff and landing. I really am just trying to be considerate of others and to help our travel go smoothly.
I know that someone, somewhere has power to assign us seats. It really just seems ridiculous to me. Maybe I am overreacting, but this whole situation really irritates me. I have never had this kind of scenario with other airlines and flights, so American Airlines will definitely not be on the top of my list when selecting my next flight.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Babywise Bashing
It really makes me sad when people bash Babywise. Usually, said people haven't even read the book! I'm fine if you have read the book and disagree with the philosophy, but read the book first. It's like saying you are a Republican (or Democrat or Green) just because your family is. You have to do the research yourself to make informed opinions. With that being said, I would like to post on some of the common misconceptions about Babywise.
1. Babywise babies are malnourished.
The premise of Babywise from birth on is that the baby should get a full feeding. If a baby is getting a full feeding each time he or she eats, then the baby will be getting plenty of nutrition, especially from breastfeeding mothers (many people do not realize that formula-fed babies can be on Babywise too). When a baby has a full belly, of course it will be able to go longer between feedings. The authors are very clear that in the first 1-2 weeks, the mother should feed the baby whenever the baby is hungry. Furthermore, while establishing a routine, the authors continually refer to growth charts for baby weight gain to tell mothers not to rush to space out feedings, because growth is the most important part in feeding.
2. Babywise babies are hyper-scheduled.
The term that Babywise uses to describe their style of feeding is parent-directed feeding (PDF). That means that the parent makes and informed decision about when to feed the baby. The baby is part of the larger family, which includes mom and dad and perhaps older siblings as well. Therefore, creating a routine that fits both baby and family means that everyone is getting the attention that they need. Dad and mom can still have their relationship, and older children still have time to spend with mom and dad too. In the early weeks, the mother will establish a first feeding that stays within a half-hour start time each morning, and the rest of the day falls into a routine after that first feeding. For example, the parent may set a start time of 6:30 am. If the baby wakes up hungry at 6:00 am, go ahead and feed him. Or if he is sleeping, wake him by 7:00 am to stay on a flexible schedule. Younger babies will be eating every 2 to 2 1/2 hours, and as they grow they will lengthen the time between feedings to 3 or 3 1/2 hours. Flexibility is emphasized. Let's say the baby usually eats at 9:30 am but another sibling has an appointment at 10:00 am. Mother can make the decision to feed the baby early at 9:00 am in order to have the feeding done and make it to the appointment. Or, if the family is traveling on a plane and the baby is crying, the book encourages mom to consider others and not wait to feed him.
3. Babywise babies are left to cry without comfort for hours.
While the authors state that crying is part of a baby's day and that the baby may cry when put down to nap, they do not say that the baby should cry for hours. It is important to realize that babies do not cry just because of hunger. Maybe their diaper needs changed, or they have a burp that needs to come out, or they want some snuggle time. If the baby had a full feeding an hour ago, it may not be hunger. PDF encourages parents to go through all the scenarios to find the source of the baby's cry. The authors also state explicitly that hunger is always a reason to feed the baby before his or her next routine feeding. The authors also warn mothers to keep an eye out for growth spurts, because baby will need to eat more frequently during those times and motherwill need to adjust the routine to meet the baby's needs.
4. Babywise babies are unhappy and have unmet emotional needs.
This myth goes back to the idea that the baby is crying for hours without comfort, which is not happening. In reality, a predictable routine brings peace in knowing what to expect. Babies who fall into the routine wake up cooing from naps, not crying. (And I can attest that this is personally true with my baby). Furthermore, the routine developed in Babywise starts with feeding, then moves to wake time and finally nap time. The authors encourage much interaction, cuddling, and playing together during wake time, and has a whole chapter with activities to do with your baby during these times. If the mother and father are interacting with the baby in these alert times after feeding, this is where many emotional needs can be met. The physical need to eat is different than the emotional need for interaction. Certainly one can interact while eating, but it is not the only time emotional needs can be met.
5. Babywise mothers will have milk supply issues.
Again, a hyper-schedule is not what Babywise is about. In early weeks the authors warn not to let the baby sleep more than five hours between feedings at night, and to keep to 2 to 2 1/2 hours during the day, gradually moving up as the baby gets older and the stomach expands to hold more food. If the baby is nursing long enough to get full feedings each time, the mother's breast will be emptied and then fill again for the next feeding. Emptying the breast keeps milk supply up, but snack feedings may hurt milk supply. The book clearly talks about how when baby starts to sleep through the night, mom may need to feed more during the day to have enough stimulation (all mothers are different) so mom should keep an eye out. It also discourages moving too fast to eliminate night feedings or day feedings because of the same reason.
6. Babywise mothers are selfish and do not love their children.
It is not selfish to want a good night's sleep in order to have energy to take care of your family. The family includes the husband, which is the primary relationship, and other siblings as well as baby. Functioning on limited sleep for months at a time takes a toll on your health and emotions. Sleeping through the night is good for both mother and baby. Mothers knows she needs to be healthy to take care her baby, so helping set a routine that leads to longer nighttime sleep is loving and advantageous to everyone in the family.
**************************************
I would like to write a little about how Babywise has personally worked for me. I write this after my 9 week old son just slept 8 (yes, 8!) hours last night. During his first week, I fed him basically whenever he cried, 12 or so times a day. I realized early on that crying did not always equal hunger, so I changed a diaper or held him before I offered the breast if he had just eaten. I did feed him very frequently though and really, really worked to get a full feeding- tickling his feed, talking to him, blowing lightly on his face. He was nursing up to 20 minutes on each side and got used to feeling full. Even but the end of that week though, I was so worn out, so starting about week two I began to space feedings out, but really this happened pretty naturally since he was having a full stomach. From week three through about six, he was eating every three hours in the morning (6, 9, 12, 3) and then evening feedings would be 2 1/2 hours apart. Even at three to four weeks, he was going four hours between feedings at night, which allowed me three hours for sleep. Then I stopped waking him up after the last evening feeding (10 or 11 pm) around a month and he would go five hours between feedings, gradually working up to six hours some nights. Whatever time he got up in the night, I would try to feed him around 6:30 in the morning (sometimes 6, or 7) to establish that first morning feeding because I will be going back to work in the fall, and he will have to be on a schedule then anyway. Since he was about six weeks old, he has only got up for that early morning (3 or 4 am) feeding a handful of times. It has been great!! I feel so much better having slept. I can spend time with my hubby during Ansel's naps, get the house clean, prepare meals, even can produce from our garden. I should probably note that Ansel's eating and wake time is about 60 to 90 minutes, and then his nap is 90 to 120 minutes, filling in the rest of the three hours until his next meal. So he eats at 9:30 am, I change his diaper and get him dressed at 10 am, and then we play together, do tummy time, etc until 10:30, when he goes back to sleep for his nap. I think being on this routine will really help when I go back to work in the fall.
I realize that I have a very type-A personality and love to have a routine. I am sure that being into a routine like this might make some people crazy who are more spontaneous. But it works for me. And actually, I hated breastfeeding at first but now I feel like I could maybe go even more than my goal of six months. Ansel is getting faster at eating (I know this comes with age) and really loves his schedule, waking up cooing from his naps. Yes, there were times of crying when we first started, but I think that would happen if we were on a routine or not. For example, he is almost always a little fussy in the evening, even if he just ate and I'm playing with him. Evening is just his fussy time. And for growth: he's 14 pounds at nine weeks, gaining over five pounds since birth. He's smiling all the time. I would say he is physically and emotionally nourished! Still, I respect people who follow a different philosophy of feeding, because each mother needs to do what she feels is best for her baby. Babywise works for me.
1. Babywise babies are malnourished.
The premise of Babywise from birth on is that the baby should get a full feeding. If a baby is getting a full feeding each time he or she eats, then the baby will be getting plenty of nutrition, especially from breastfeeding mothers (many people do not realize that formula-fed babies can be on Babywise too). When a baby has a full belly, of course it will be able to go longer between feedings. The authors are very clear that in the first 1-2 weeks, the mother should feed the baby whenever the baby is hungry. Furthermore, while establishing a routine, the authors continually refer to growth charts for baby weight gain to tell mothers not to rush to space out feedings, because growth is the most important part in feeding.
2. Babywise babies are hyper-scheduled.
The term that Babywise uses to describe their style of feeding is parent-directed feeding (PDF). That means that the parent makes and informed decision about when to feed the baby. The baby is part of the larger family, which includes mom and dad and perhaps older siblings as well. Therefore, creating a routine that fits both baby and family means that everyone is getting the attention that they need. Dad and mom can still have their relationship, and older children still have time to spend with mom and dad too. In the early weeks, the mother will establish a first feeding that stays within a half-hour start time each morning, and the rest of the day falls into a routine after that first feeding. For example, the parent may set a start time of 6:30 am. If the baby wakes up hungry at 6:00 am, go ahead and feed him. Or if he is sleeping, wake him by 7:00 am to stay on a flexible schedule. Younger babies will be eating every 2 to 2 1/2 hours, and as they grow they will lengthen the time between feedings to 3 or 3 1/2 hours. Flexibility is emphasized. Let's say the baby usually eats at 9:30 am but another sibling has an appointment at 10:00 am. Mother can make the decision to feed the baby early at 9:00 am in order to have the feeding done and make it to the appointment. Or, if the family is traveling on a plane and the baby is crying, the book encourages mom to consider others and not wait to feed him.
3. Babywise babies are left to cry without comfort for hours.
While the authors state that crying is part of a baby's day and that the baby may cry when put down to nap, they do not say that the baby should cry for hours. It is important to realize that babies do not cry just because of hunger. Maybe their diaper needs changed, or they have a burp that needs to come out, or they want some snuggle time. If the baby had a full feeding an hour ago, it may not be hunger. PDF encourages parents to go through all the scenarios to find the source of the baby's cry. The authors also state explicitly that hunger is always a reason to feed the baby before his or her next routine feeding. The authors also warn mothers to keep an eye out for growth spurts, because baby will need to eat more frequently during those times and motherwill need to adjust the routine to meet the baby's needs.
4. Babywise babies are unhappy and have unmet emotional needs.
This myth goes back to the idea that the baby is crying for hours without comfort, which is not happening. In reality, a predictable routine brings peace in knowing what to expect. Babies who fall into the routine wake up cooing from naps, not crying. (And I can attest that this is personally true with my baby). Furthermore, the routine developed in Babywise starts with feeding, then moves to wake time and finally nap time. The authors encourage much interaction, cuddling, and playing together during wake time, and has a whole chapter with activities to do with your baby during these times. If the mother and father are interacting with the baby in these alert times after feeding, this is where many emotional needs can be met. The physical need to eat is different than the emotional need for interaction. Certainly one can interact while eating, but it is not the only time emotional needs can be met.
5. Babywise mothers will have milk supply issues.
Again, a hyper-schedule is not what Babywise is about. In early weeks the authors warn not to let the baby sleep more than five hours between feedings at night, and to keep to 2 to 2 1/2 hours during the day, gradually moving up as the baby gets older and the stomach expands to hold more food. If the baby is nursing long enough to get full feedings each time, the mother's breast will be emptied and then fill again for the next feeding. Emptying the breast keeps milk supply up, but snack feedings may hurt milk supply. The book clearly talks about how when baby starts to sleep through the night, mom may need to feed more during the day to have enough stimulation (all mothers are different) so mom should keep an eye out. It also discourages moving too fast to eliminate night feedings or day feedings because of the same reason.
6. Babywise mothers are selfish and do not love their children.
It is not selfish to want a good night's sleep in order to have energy to take care of your family. The family includes the husband, which is the primary relationship, and other siblings as well as baby. Functioning on limited sleep for months at a time takes a toll on your health and emotions. Sleeping through the night is good for both mother and baby. Mothers knows she needs to be healthy to take care her baby, so helping set a routine that leads to longer nighttime sleep is loving and advantageous to everyone in the family.
**************************************
I would like to write a little about how Babywise has personally worked for me. I write this after my 9 week old son just slept 8 (yes, 8!) hours last night. During his first week, I fed him basically whenever he cried, 12 or so times a day. I realized early on that crying did not always equal hunger, so I changed a diaper or held him before I offered the breast if he had just eaten. I did feed him very frequently though and really, really worked to get a full feeding- tickling his feed, talking to him, blowing lightly on his face. He was nursing up to 20 minutes on each side and got used to feeling full. Even but the end of that week though, I was so worn out, so starting about week two I began to space feedings out, but really this happened pretty naturally since he was having a full stomach. From week three through about six, he was eating every three hours in the morning (6, 9, 12, 3) and then evening feedings would be 2 1/2 hours apart. Even at three to four weeks, he was going four hours between feedings at night, which allowed me three hours for sleep. Then I stopped waking him up after the last evening feeding (10 or 11 pm) around a month and he would go five hours between feedings, gradually working up to six hours some nights. Whatever time he got up in the night, I would try to feed him around 6:30 in the morning (sometimes 6, or 7) to establish that first morning feeding because I will be going back to work in the fall, and he will have to be on a schedule then anyway. Since he was about six weeks old, he has only got up for that early morning (3 or 4 am) feeding a handful of times. It has been great!! I feel so much better having slept. I can spend time with my hubby during Ansel's naps, get the house clean, prepare meals, even can produce from our garden. I should probably note that Ansel's eating and wake time is about 60 to 90 minutes, and then his nap is 90 to 120 minutes, filling in the rest of the three hours until his next meal. So he eats at 9:30 am, I change his diaper and get him dressed at 10 am, and then we play together, do tummy time, etc until 10:30, when he goes back to sleep for his nap. I think being on this routine will really help when I go back to work in the fall.
I realize that I have a very type-A personality and love to have a routine. I am sure that being into a routine like this might make some people crazy who are more spontaneous. But it works for me. And actually, I hated breastfeeding at first but now I feel like I could maybe go even more than my goal of six months. Ansel is getting faster at eating (I know this comes with age) and really loves his schedule, waking up cooing from his naps. Yes, there were times of crying when we first started, but I think that would happen if we were on a routine or not. For example, he is almost always a little fussy in the evening, even if he just ate and I'm playing with him. Evening is just his fussy time. And for growth: he's 14 pounds at nine weeks, gaining over five pounds since birth. He's smiling all the time. I would say he is physically and emotionally nourished! Still, I respect people who follow a different philosophy of feeding, because each mother needs to do what she feels is best for her baby. Babywise works for me.
Friday, July 11, 2014
Happy Two Months Ansel!
Time flies when.... you have a baby. I look back at the last two months, and where did they go? They went to cuddling and family time. They went to kisses and giggles and spontaneous smiles. They went to watching Ansel gain over four pounds and few inches in length. Last week he was almost 13 pounds, and he's growing out of his 0-3 onsies and wearing some 3-6 month onsies! I just can't believe it.
At the same time, some days were slow too. I'll just be honest: those days when Ansel couldn't settle down to nap, or woke up right when I was trying to finish dinner (because yes, my husband and I still need to eat too!) Sometimes I run through all the possibilities in my head: is he hungry? does he still have a burp that's bothering him? does he need changed? is he in comfortable? does he need swaddled? does he need more cuddle time? why does he continue to favor turning his head to the left? Sometimes it is hard to know what he wants and needs, but I am doing my best. I tell myself that he is growing and he is smiling, so I must be doing something right.
So at this two month mark, let me describe Ansel to you: He is becoming quite the little chunker, with rolls popping up on his arms and legs. (Poor kid has no chance of avoiding thunder thighs with his mom and dad's gene pool). He loves to kick his legs around and wave his arms too. He often wiggles out of his swaddle by morning, and he also wiggles a foot down from where I placed him at the beginning of the night. Justin surmises that he does the worm to wiggle himself down. Speaking of the night, Ansel is sleeping about 7 hours through the night! Usually he sleeps from about 10:30- 5:30, give or take a half hour on each side. I attribute this to his hearty appetite during the day. He is down to just six nursing sessions a day, so his little tummy must have expanded to take more milk at each session. He likes to be on routine too, eating about every three hours, and he lets me know when it's time if I don't get there first. During playtime, he likes to hang out under his gym and watch the lights and hanging toys above him. He enjoys music too. He is also doing well at looking towards a voice and tracking for a short time with his eyes. His neck is getting strong too, and instead of crying through tummy time, he likes to look back and forth. During bath time, he has no reservations, sometimes cooing while I wash him. While Ansel still doesn't always smile when we are interacting, he definitely lets us know he is happy after he eats and when his cheek is tickled. His little coos and grunts keep us entertained too.
I think that I need to make sure I just enjoy each day. Sometimes I get caught up in thinking about when I should start having him listen to classical music, or if I should already be reading more to him, but I need to just enjoy where he is now. Yes, Justin and I are huge influences on who he will become. But let's not overrate ourselves. God is the one who gave us this precious life, and He already knows each tiny development that happens as Ansel grows. I need to be more focused on just praying for my baby each day, that he would become a godly child, teen, and young man. That is by far more important than what sports he will play, what instruments he will enjoy, or how well he does in school.
Happy two months Ansel! Your father and I are excited to watch you grow!
At the same time, some days were slow too. I'll just be honest: those days when Ansel couldn't settle down to nap, or woke up right when I was trying to finish dinner (because yes, my husband and I still need to eat too!) Sometimes I run through all the possibilities in my head: is he hungry? does he still have a burp that's bothering him? does he need changed? is he in comfortable? does he need swaddled? does he need more cuddle time? why does he continue to favor turning his head to the left? Sometimes it is hard to know what he wants and needs, but I am doing my best. I tell myself that he is growing and he is smiling, so I must be doing something right.
So at this two month mark, let me describe Ansel to you: He is becoming quite the little chunker, with rolls popping up on his arms and legs. (Poor kid has no chance of avoiding thunder thighs with his mom and dad's gene pool). He loves to kick his legs around and wave his arms too. He often wiggles out of his swaddle by morning, and he also wiggles a foot down from where I placed him at the beginning of the night. Justin surmises that he does the worm to wiggle himself down. Speaking of the night, Ansel is sleeping about 7 hours through the night! Usually he sleeps from about 10:30- 5:30, give or take a half hour on each side. I attribute this to his hearty appetite during the day. He is down to just six nursing sessions a day, so his little tummy must have expanded to take more milk at each session. He likes to be on routine too, eating about every three hours, and he lets me know when it's time if I don't get there first. During playtime, he likes to hang out under his gym and watch the lights and hanging toys above him. He enjoys music too. He is also doing well at looking towards a voice and tracking for a short time with his eyes. His neck is getting strong too, and instead of crying through tummy time, he likes to look back and forth. During bath time, he has no reservations, sometimes cooing while I wash him. While Ansel still doesn't always smile when we are interacting, he definitely lets us know he is happy after he eats and when his cheek is tickled. His little coos and grunts keep us entertained too.
I think that I need to make sure I just enjoy each day. Sometimes I get caught up in thinking about when I should start having him listen to classical music, or if I should already be reading more to him, but I need to just enjoy where he is now. Yes, Justin and I are huge influences on who he will become. But let's not overrate ourselves. God is the one who gave us this precious life, and He already knows each tiny development that happens as Ansel grows. I need to be more focused on just praying for my baby each day, that he would become a godly child, teen, and young man. That is by far more important than what sports he will play, what instruments he will enjoy, or how well he does in school.
Happy two months Ansel! Your father and I are excited to watch you grow!
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