One Month
Finlay turns 1 month old today! He's developing and growing so fast it's almost impossible to keep track. He's filled out his skinny little frame, and has chubby cheeks and a cute little double chin. When he's full and asleep, he sticks his tongue out a little. His legs are getting podgier, and has almost grown out of the newborn size nappies - the tabs no longer meet in the middle.
He's a very easy baby. He cries when he is hungry, and little will placate him until he gets a boob or bottle in his mouth (little other than Granny D's Moog Synthesizer impression, anyway). He pouts when he has wind, and sticks his bottom lip out when he doesn't want any more. He gets grumpy when he has a full nappy, and when he wants to play with toys and we want him to sleep. But he doesn't cry for no reason, and is a good sleeper (especially when he's swaddled up). He is very alert and loves to see what is going on. He spat the dummy the first time we tried one, and prefers suck (very noisily) on his fingers instead - usually when he is hungry. He did try comfort feeding, but tends not to do it on the bottle - just the boob.
His head control was always very good, but now (apart from when he's very sleepy), he can hold his head up himself all the time. Once he's grabbed hold of your hand with his fingers, you can't let go, and if he doesn't want to move his arm or leg of his own accord, there's nothing short of a nuclear detonation will move it - his strength is amazing in such a small baby. He is still trying to climb up Daddy's chest given half a chance, and we have to watch him on the changing mat as he wriggles around like a caterpillar and is in danger of falling off.
Finlay's coordination is getting very good, his activity arch is a favourite, and his legs and arms at first go wild with excitement, then he slows down and studies each object (rattle ball, crinkly book and teddy) with intense concentration, reaching up and batting them with his hands. Even when he's asleep he is busy, with arms reaching out and his facial expressions changing every few seconds. He stares intently at people too, studying their hair, and especially interested in glasses and goatees - Uncle Emile is a very interesting face to look at!
He's also had his first taste of formula milk - not through choice I must add, but due to the stupidity of the NHS (they didn't give us any prior notice that breastmilk must be dumped for 48hrs after an MRI with contrast, which I had yesterday). He seems to have taken to it ok, but Daddy is feeding it so he doesn't associate it with me, and his nappies are pretty reeky. Fingers tightly crossed he goes back to the boob ok - I am expressing for England but hope I can keep up. It's heartbreaking having to pour the stuff down the sink.
He's now on about 150ml per feed, which is astounding for a little boy on 50ml per feed only 2 weeks ago. He can sleep for about 4 hours at a stretch sometimes, and goes to bed very well at night. During the day, life is just too exciting to fall asleep. He is sleeping 15-18 hours a day, depending on how excited he is and overtired.. sometimes it's a struggle to get him down in the day. He's very noisy, even when asleep - snoring nearly as loudly as Bailey!
He's been a busy bee - yesterday he visited two hospitals, and had about 7 new visitors to cuddle - but he's so good when he's handed round, and cuddles up to people with no problems. He also went to the hairdresser yesterday (but not for a haircut!), and visited our favourite Thai food shop in Shepherds Bush. We bought lots of ingredients, so I will take advantage of dumping my boob milk to eat strange food and drink New Zealand beer ;) Today he's off to a party at Daddy's work, so even more cuddles!
Hopefully we'll get ourselves together enough to take a photo of him later today :D I'd love to weigh him, but getting him onto the scales is a struggle now and I may have to wait til Wednesday's visit to the first postnatal class - a big outing as I will have to walk him there with the buggy. Lifting him is now noticably harder, so he must be piling on the ounces! Thank goodness for such a cool pushchair!
Happy One Month Birthday, Finlay! We love you so much, Pumpkin!
Posted by jen at 11:32 AM