The Breuers: Thomas

Thomas was two months old on February 27. I'm a little behind on this post, as is my habit. I've learned very quickly how busy you get with two kids!

He had his two-month well visit on February 29. Here are his stats:

Weight: 12 lbs 8 oz (59%)
Height: 24 inches (91%)
Head: 15.5 inches (67%)

He still appears to be growing very well! His growth has slowed down slightly (he gained one pound a week his first month), but the doctor said it's normal for growth to slow down. Thomas got his first shots, and he took them like a champ - cried when he got them but calmed down after a quick nursing. Unfortunately he got really fussy at home afterward. We gave him some Tylenol and he slept pretty much from 4:30pm until 7:30am, except for waking to eat twice. He was back to normal the next day.

I have changed my nursing habits, which also may have affected his growth. He had been getting really fussy after feedings and spitting up. I had been feeding him on both sides each feeding, which is what I did with Lola. When he seemed finished on one side, I moved him to the other side. My friend Jessica told me she had the same problems with her baby Harper (3 weeks older than Thomas), and that he was probably getting a lot of fore milk and not much hind milk, which can lead to gas. She suggested trying to decrease my supply a little so that he wouldn't overeat and could get to the hind milk. So I started just feeding him on one side each time, for as long as he'd like, hoping he'd get to the hind milk and still get enough food. It has definitely seemed to ease his fussiness, and he still seems to be happily fed. I thought maybe my milk supply would have regulated by now, since it's been three weeks since the change, so I started offering both sides again. But he either doesn't want it, or he eats more and then spits up. So I think I'll stick with one side. It's just so weird that his nursing habits are completely different from Lola's, but I guess every baby is unique!

Thomas' sleep habits have gotten better, and he's developed somewhat of a schedule. He seems to get tired pretty early, so we have been putting him to bed between 7 and 7:30. Lola goes to bed around 8, so we had been keeping him up until then too, but he just couldn't do it. He has been on a streak for a few weeks now where he'll sleep 6-9 hours straight in the first stretch of night sleep, wake to eat for about 10 minutes, and then go back to sleep for another 3-4 hours, until 7 or 8. It has been great! I'm trying to enjoy it now because I know there will likely be a regression period in the future.

His naps are still completely random. A few times he has given me three-hour naps in the crib, but the past week or two he will only sleep in the crib for 30 minutes or so. He still prefers to sleep with me on the bed and will sleep for 2-3 hours there. He usually hates the car and doesn't fall asleep in the car seat, or will fall asleep but wake up as soon as the car stops moving. But as an example of his inconsistency, he is currently sleeping in the car seat and has been for 3 hours while I ran errands (minus a 20-minute Ikea run, during which he slept in the carrier).

His right tear duct looks to have cleared up, but his left eye is now infected. The doctor gave us a prescription for eye drops at his appointment, but unfortunately it doesn't appear to be working. When Lola had eye infections, it would clear up after a day or two of drops. I called today to follow up and sent them a photo of Thomas' eye, so we'll see what they say. Poor guy - it seems to really bother him, mainly because we have to keep wiping it.

In addition to the eye infection, I think Thomas might have a cold. I've been sick this week, and of course he's with me all the time, so he caught it from me. He's coughing and sounds congested, which has led to a few rough nights with lots of waking. But I'm giving him extra milk and cuddles, and he seems better today. I used the NoseFrida for the first time on him today, and he didn't scream, so that's good!

As for his personality, Thomas has distinct good moods and bad moods. He can be super smiley and happy, usually in the morning, but he can also start wailing out of the blue for no apparent reason. He has the saddest little crying face; it makes me want to cry. He's learning to like the swing, rock-n-play, and bouncy seat more. He especially likes when the bouncy seat is vibrating. He recognizes our voices and faces and smiles when he hears and sees us. He's definitely smiling now, although not laughing yet. He's started making some cooing sounds and will respond back when we talk to him.

Thomas loves his sister. The other morning I was showering and Lola was in and out of the bathroom playing. She saw Thomas wake up on the monitor and went in to console him while I dried off. I went into his room and she was reaching through the crib slats patting him, saying, "Good morning, Thomas!" in the sweetest little voice, and he was smiling back at her. Lola is still a little overeager at times, but she is usually great with him and is learning how to be gentle. I already enjoy seeing them together, and I can't wait for Thomas to get a little bigger so they can play together!