Jude's Fourth Month
Our Mr. Jude is four, yes, four months old! He is the light of our lives and easily the cutest baby on the block.
The biggest accomplishment we've had this month is we finally got to bring our boy home. We sure miss our NICU family, but love having our little man near. He came home three days before his due date which is pretty amazing for a 24 weeker. Since being home, we have all had a bit of adjusting to do. Jude has taught us we can survive on three or four hours of sleep and we've taught him we're always up for a snuggle.
Jude is doing very well developmentally. He smiles, hold his head up, and makes the sweetest noises when he eats. With premature babies, their age is adjusted for the first two years of life based on their due date, rather than when they were born. So, while Jude is four months old, developmentally, he's only about two weeks old. Hence him wanting to eat every two hours and his day/night schedule being a little off. Kids on the Move came out to the house for an assessment and we didn't qualify for services because Jude doesn't show any delays. We will probably need them at some point in the future, but for now, he's gone above and beyond his milestones. Hoorah!
As for the dogs adjusting, they are completely smitten by him. When they come inside, they make the rounds between the swing and the couches to find him. Jude has been very tolerant of their slobbery kisses and incessant need to be near him. I look forward to the day when they can play together.
All in all, it's been a good month. Being a mom is the hardest, but most important job I've ever had. I'm no expert, but I've definitely learned a thing or two. Here are a few things for new moms out there that I wish someone would have told me:
- Despite your best efforts, careful planning, and most ardent desires, breastfeeding doesn't always work out. Jude would rather starve than breastfeed since we've been home and while it kind of breaks my heart, it isn't the end of the world. So I shall continue to chain myself to my breast pump.
- Speaking of which, a good breast pump is worth its weight in, well, breast milk. Pay the big bucks for a good one that actually works. Not to name names, but one night with an Ameda Purely Yours will make you want to shove forks under your fingernails.
- You and your spouse will adopt speaking in whispers as to not awaken the little monster.
- Purple crying is real. It's not your fault. So do as the video says: put the baby down in a safe spot and take five minutes. Or ten.
- Your baby will most likely be clean as a whistle while you can't remember the last time you showered.
- Laundry will never be done what with your little one destroying three outfits a day with wretched vomit and or smelly blow outs.
- The shameless things you do to make your baby smile you wouldn't be caught doing at any other time.
- You will never feel so tired and so happy as you do right now. The bags under your eyes are your mommy badge. Wear them proudly.
- You're doing a good job. If your baby is alive, fed, and changed, consider yourself a hero.
The biggest accomplishment we've had this month is we finally got to bring our boy home. We sure miss our NICU family, but love having our little man near. He came home three days before his due date which is pretty amazing for a 24 weeker. Since being home, we have all had a bit of adjusting to do. Jude has taught us we can survive on three or four hours of sleep and we've taught him we're always up for a snuggle.
Jude is doing very well developmentally. He smiles, hold his head up, and makes the sweetest noises when he eats. With premature babies, their age is adjusted for the first two years of life based on their due date, rather than when they were born. So, while Jude is four months old, developmentally, he's only about two weeks old. Hence him wanting to eat every two hours and his day/night schedule being a little off. Kids on the Move came out to the house for an assessment and we didn't qualify for services because Jude doesn't show any delays. We will probably need them at some point in the future, but for now, he's gone above and beyond his milestones. Hoorah!
As for the dogs adjusting, they are completely smitten by him. When they come inside, they make the rounds between the swing and the couches to find him. Jude has been very tolerant of their slobbery kisses and incessant need to be near him. I look forward to the day when they can play together.
All in all, it's been a good month. Being a mom is the hardest, but most important job I've ever had. I'm no expert, but I've definitely learned a thing or two. Here are a few things for new moms out there that I wish someone would have told me:
- Despite your best efforts, careful planning, and most ardent desires, breastfeeding doesn't always work out. Jude would rather starve than breastfeed since we've been home and while it kind of breaks my heart, it isn't the end of the world. So I shall continue to chain myself to my breast pump.
- Speaking of which, a good breast pump is worth its weight in, well, breast milk. Pay the big bucks for a good one that actually works. Not to name names, but one night with an Ameda Purely Yours will make you want to shove forks under your fingernails.
- You and your spouse will adopt speaking in whispers as to not awaken the little monster.
- Purple crying is real. It's not your fault. So do as the video says: put the baby down in a safe spot and take five minutes. Or ten.
- Your baby will most likely be clean as a whistle while you can't remember the last time you showered.
- Laundry will never be done what with your little one destroying three outfits a day with wretched vomit and or smelly blow outs.
- The shameless things you do to make your baby smile you wouldn't be caught doing at any other time.
- You will never feel so tired and so happy as you do right now. The bags under your eyes are your mommy badge. Wear them proudly.
- You're doing a good job. If your baby is alive, fed, and changed, consider yourself a hero.
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