Luther turns 9 weeks old tomorrow so this is a very combined post of the last 5 (how is that possible) weeks. I've started it so many times and it just needs to be done!
I went to upload the pictures and realized we had the wrong sign for his 6 week picture (I use both sides.) We've done this with both of the other kids, but never this early in the game. Naturally, I was super annoyed (my tracking would be all off...what a tragedy!) and immediately blamed Tom.
That is until I backtracked and realized that I was the one who put Luther and the sign down in the chair.
I could still be annoyed that Tom didn't catch it, but grace and mercy, ya know? ;)
Like my editing job? It took entirely too long.
But he's so worth it. And he'll be thankful someday, I'm just sure of it.
But he's so worth it. And he'll be thankful someday, I'm just sure of it.
Here's a few updates about our little Luther boy...
• With a tear in my eye and a frog in my throat, I had to pack up his newborn clothes when he was 5 weeks old. Including his coming home outfit that I swear just fit yesterday. Next up - most of his 0-3 month sleepers. In fact, that 8 week outfit he's wearing is 3-6 months. He's not even 2 months old.
When you're with these little people everyday, you don't always notice how much they're growing and changing. That is until you go to get them dressed in something they haven't worn in a week and a half and the legs and sleeves are too short. The entire first year is like this! It's a 365 day emotional roller coaster.
• Luther smiled at me for the first time at just under 5 weeks old! I didn't know for sure if it was for real, but then he did it again and I was just on cloud nine. (Tom was the one to see Conrad smile for the first time.) I couldn't wait to tell daddy about it thinking for sure I'd shock him with the news since it seemed a bit early for a legit smile.
Later that day I said, "Guess whaaaat?! Luther smiled at me this morning!"
His response?
"Oh yeah, he smiled at me two days ago."
Seriously!?
We love his social smiles so much, and he willingly gives them out to anyone who even remotely baby talks to him.
• He's so obvious when he has to go #2. He stops everything he's doing, flare's his nostrils, and purses his lips.
• Tom and I attended the MACHE (Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators) Conference in St. Paul April 16-18 when Luther was 5 weeks old. My parents graciously watched G & C and we took Luther with us for the sessions. He was a trooper and spent a lot of time sleeping on mommy's chest or in the carrier (no strollers allowed.) We learned a tremendous amount about time management, teaching preschoolers, curriculum options, balancing work and family life, and in general about raising kiddos in a solid, loving, Christ-centered home environment. It was tiring (conferences just are) but we also had so much fun with just the three of us and having my parents around for a couple of days. (Of course, dad fixed a bunch of stuff around the house and my stove now sparkles thanks to my mom!)
• He squeaks and makes so much noise when he's nursing, yet is such a quiet sleeper. Always has been too. We had to move Gwendolyn out of our room when she was a newborn because she was so loud. Or maybe we were just new parents who couldn't sleep through anything yet.
• I'm still obsessed with the softness of him. My favorite things are his cheeks and his hands. When he's asleep in the carrier, his arms will just be hanging there giving me perfect access to touch and hold them as I do things around the house. And those cheeks......I swear they're kissed 537 times a day between me, Gwendolyn, Conrad and Daddy. Not kidding. If he could talk, I'm guessing he'd ask for more space because we're allllll up in his business. All.the.time. We literally can't help it. Luther gets more love and attention than I ever thought he would being a third born.
• He's gained more movement in his hands and has started holding on to things like his blankie and my shirt. He now also squeezes my side when he is nursing. It's so sweet.
• One of Luther's favorite pass times is laying on his back and kicking his legs. If he's ever a bit cranky, this usually distracts him and makes him happy for at least a little while! We haven't used the play mat much yet, but I'm thinking we'll break that out soon. (Not looking forward to the space it takes up...)
• He is trying so hard to talk and says a-boo and a-gah and has the most adorable sneeze and cough and coos and squeals you've ever heard.
• I'm holding out hope that his eyes are on their way to turning brown like his daddy and big bro! They're definitely appearing dark?!
• I had a friend recently ask me via vox how Luther was doing and specifically how he smelled. (Everyone loves the smell of a newborn...) On that particular day, he really needed a bath and smelled a bit sweaty and milky. Yet, I honestly thought he smelled divine and had to smile wondering what she'd think if she was holding him. There is nothing stopping a mommy's love, right??
• I had mentioned that he was having fussy periods in the evening, but like a switch, he just stopped at right around 6 weeks (when it's supposed to peak.) He used to get fussy after dinner and before he'd go down for the night, but now he just takes a little evening snooze for 20-30 minutes around 7:00 and then is ready for bed about 9:00. No crying. Just a happy, content little sleepy baby. It's so nice! If he's fed and changed, he will also hang out in the Mamaroo or the rock n play upstairs for a good 20 minutes now, which makes my life so much easier during lunch and nap times.
• Sleep.
Let's talk about sleep.
Luther is incredible and has basically somehow put himself on a schedule without our even trying. A lot has changed since the last time I posted!!
He has been a pretty decent sleeper really his whole life and was consistently doing 4 or 5 hours pretty early on, but then on April 28th at 7 weeks old, he slept EIGHT HOURS. Now he's consistently doing anywhere between 5 and 8 hours. It's usually right around 6 hours.
Last night: 6 hours, 45 minutes
Night before: 6 hours, 30 minutes
Night before that: 7 hours
Night before that: 6 hours, 10 minutes
Pretty amazing! I can take no credit.
He's going down about 9:30 pm and then when he wakes up, I'll bring him into bed and he'll nurse, burp, and pass right back out. I've tried putting him back down in his rock n play after that but it's always failed me, so I just lie down with him on my chest for the rest of the morning. He usually nurses again laying down and then will sleep until about 8:00 or so when he wakes up with a big smile on his face. And a very full diaper. :)
• The boy looooves to be held. And I love holding him. He'll be crying and I'll take him from Tom and almost always, he'll stop right away. He loves his daddy and sibs, but he reeeally loves his mommy. Just blesses my heart so much.
So that's the update from the last couple of weeks!
