growing like a weed

Zachary and I went to a new mom's group yesterday where he weighed in (clothed) at 13 pounds, 2 ounces. The other moms were most impressed by his ability to burp simply by removing the bottle from his mouth which he demonstrated quite admirably (and loudly) as we were going through introductions.

I learned rather coincidentally last week that despite not being a fan of his bath, Zachary loves having running water over his head. My attempt at getting rid of his nasty cradle cap has resulted in a bedtime ritual that gives him much satisfaction. He looks like he is receiving the best massage ever.

Today I was much surprised when I left him on the floor while I ran to the bathroom and returned to find he had rolled onto his side. Of course, I couldn't get him to repeat this feat while I was watching despite repeated attempts throughout the day.

Tomorrow is my birthday, so Zachary and I are headed to Mall of America because (1) it is the only place I know that has covered parking so I don't have to push the stroller through the snow and (2) I have gift cards. This will be our first stroller outing and the farthest we've ever gone with just the two of us.

Here's a few photos from last week:

Jinxed

Of course, as soon as I posted about Zachary's lovely sleep habits, he threw a wrench into the plans. On Tuesday night, he went back to only a five-hour stretch and then the last two nights he has only done four hours at a time. I hope to get him back on schedule tonight.

Three-peat

Zachary has slept six hours at night for three nights in a row. The first time he did it was on Saturday and I figured it was a fluke because we had taken him out for the evening and he was exhausted. But wonderfully enough he has repeated it Sunday and Monday nights.

Currently, he is sleeping on his activity mat where he fell asleep during tummy time. I have left him sleeping on his tummy and I am sitting right next to him listening to him breathe. He looks so comfortable plus I was so relieved that he fell asleep on his own for a change and not on me.

I am getting the hang of

holding up my head, but I get tired.

Back on track

As he near his five-week milestone, the darling one seems to be on a schedule this week, with the exception of Wednesday night (and as a result Thursday). He wakes around 8 am, then eats every three hours (an astonishing amount, if you ask me for such a little baby, but at the top range that the pediatrician said was normal). After his last feeding around 11 p.m., he will sleep for a good five hours until 4:30. Zachary is all about the food. In addition to eating great quantities, he obviously enjoys his meals. He flaps his arms enthusiastically, windmilling and flailing about. And when he is done (and he always finishes, never pushes a bottle out of his mouth), following that pout of regret and having the bottle removed from his mouth, he usually smacks his lips and has the most contented look of fat happiness I have ever seen.

His big difficulty is in getting to sleep. He will fall asleep just fine but as soon as he is put down, he is bright-eyed. I love rocking him to sleep, just not three times. The last few nights I have been successful with patting his tummy until he finally goes back to sleep.

I think today he intentionally smiled, as opposed to his usual smiles in his sleep only. He is also pursing his lips to mimic an "ooo."

I can't believe he'll be five weeks old tomorrow.

Hopes Dashed

I guess I ought to give up my presidential ambitions since I am now a boy mama.

All Tuckered Out

Like father, like son