Trippers: Two Months Old

Our little guy is two months old today.

Tripp's Stats:  No official stats for this month yet.  He goes in for his 2mon check up in a few days.  I'm guessing the "little" guy is about 12lbs and 23in long...  He is wearing 3-6mon size clothes and size 1 diapers.

Eating: This guy is an eating machine.  We are currently exclusively breastfeeding and it is going SO well. (So thankful).  He put himself on an eating rotation of every 2 1/2-3 hours around the clock, with an occasional 4-5 hour gap somewhere from 7/8pm til 12/1am.  It's a bit draining, and I am pretty much tied to him, but it's worth it.
I will confess however, that last weekend, I stole away for an entire FOUR hours.  Jarod called me about 2 hours in, and asked if I was headed back home.  So I, *gasp* had him make up a bottle of formula. Tripp took it like it was ain't no thang, and I got to finish my "me-time"... and it was totally worth it :)

Sleeping: At 8weeks old, we made the transition from sleeping in our room, to sleeping in his room. It is going very well (for the most part).  Of course he loves our pillow top mattress as compared to his one inch thin bassinet.. so I nap him occasionally on our bed or let him sleep there early in the morning.  I have tried, unsuccessfully, to introduce the bedtime routine of eat, bath, salve (the kid has the driest skin), soothe, swaddle and sleep around 6/7pm.  But for the past two weeks or so, the witching hour is from about 5-9pm.  So I usually always end up taking him back downstairs after an hour of unsuccessful bedtime-ing and rocking him to sleep and watching MadMen on Netflix.  As far as day time sleep (naps) we are all over the board.  It could be at any time, for any amount of time.  But I have learned, the MORE he sleeps during the day, the SHORTER the witching hour.

Tid Bits: He is SMILING!  His first smile actually came Christmas Day.  But then remained outta sight until just this past week.  His smile is goofy in a uncontrollable, chubby sort of way.

He just started coo-ing/baby talking two days ago as well.  It's only a sound or two, and you have to have a nice long, one-sided conversation before he responds.  It is very sweet and darling.

Tripp has an entirely different wardrobe than he did last month.  Last month I was still stuffing him in newborn size clothes and diapers (well, at least the first two weeks of the month).. and was hesitant to move him up a size.  NOW, he is busting the seams of his 3mon clothes.  What?!  So, yesterday I packed away and passed on the 3mon clothes, and refilled with 3-6mon and 6mon stuff.  Unbelievable. I hope he slows down!

Somebody got a play mat! He loves to be propped up on the Boppy and stare at his little jungle animals.

Tripp had his fair share of baby acne.  Poor little guy, he had it bad.  It's over, but lasted almost the entire past month.

He is getting better and better at holding his head up.  This is bittersweet.  It means less and less snuggles and vertical sleeping on my chest and shoulders.  And more and more curiosity in the world around him (and more and more head bobs and divebombs into my shoulder).

Likes: "Jumping" up and down on my lap, being talked to, laying on his changing table and staring at his stuffed toys, laying flat on his back, toddler songs, bathtime and his sister.

Dislikes: Messy and/or wet diapers (30 sec tolerance, actually), laying in an elevated position (i.e., the swing, the rocker, the boppy), getting his clothes changed and too tight jammies (he likes to stretch out).

What Happened This Month? We were blessed to have my mother and father-in-law here for the first few weeks of Tripp's second month.  We celebrated Tripp's first Christmas.  Took him on his first mini vacation to Lake Placid, NY.  And he went on his first hike {inside Jarod's jacket} :)

I just love our little man.  It is a blessing to have him.  In these early months, I have to tell myself to enjoy the moments of snuggles and coos, because although the days (ahem, nights*) are long, the years are short.  I am cherishing this time, even if I'm bleary eyed and wearing pajama pants at 2pm.

Tripp's First Two Weeks

Tripp David Sickler

November 23, 2013

10:29pm

8lb 9oz, 20.5in

I just can't get over this little guy.  From the moment he was born, he was Mr. Mellow.  Barely a cry, and more like a whimper in his first few moments.  He snuggles and snuggles and cuddles and cuddles.  He eats, and sleeps, and sleeps some more.  All done so effortlessly, so beautifully.  He is a peaceful, content baby.  And I love it.  I am so thankful!

In his first 24 hours, Tripp had a hard time maintaining his body temperature, so the nurses suggested we try a skin to skin technique.  It worked.  And those ten hours of uninterrupted snuggles, watching the snow fall outside, will forever be etched in my memory.  

Because he was born 16 days early, and was a big baby, the nurses wanted to make sure he could maintain his blood sugar levels, so every few hours, before nursing, poor little Tripp would get a needle prick in the heel.  Our pediatrician also wanted a blood sample because he was an early, big baby; another needle. And then of course, there was the big snipping, which was quite traumatic as well.  Call it crazy justification.. but I could not let that baby boy lie in his plastic bed after such an invasive first twenty four hours.  So he stayed in my arms and I snuggled and snuggled my sweet baby boy.

I can honestly say I was so relaxed and so at ease those first two days.  Jarod and I both agreed we were enjoying this baby and the whole experience so much more.  There is such a difference between first and second babies! 

Big sister comes to visit at the hospital.

  

My little sleeping bundle.

Dressed and ready to go home!

I think my kids look a little alike... CA left, Tripp right.

Home! And so disgruntled with your Sister... probably won't be the first time, Little Buddy.

How Tripp spent Thanksgiving.

So he sleeps really good sprawled out in Mom and Dad's bed.

Asleep.

Awake.

This was Big Sister's onesie :) Sharing already, how sweet.

Back asleep- a pretty common pose for this one.

Almost back asleep.

The lap swaddle.

We love our Little Man and I am just so thankful at his ability and willingness to sleep and rest.  I am also so so thankful that he's nursing and eating well and is a healthy boy.  What a gift!

Tripp's Story of Arrival

Jarod returned from Baltimore Friday night on November 22nd.  It had been a long week for both of us.  He had been at a Philosophy Conference the past four days.  I was running solo with a moody toddler and caring for two extra babies.  Needless to say, we were more than ready for a restful weekend.  With a quick hug and a "welcome back," Jarod and I dropped into bed exhausted.

At 7:30am, the next morning, I rolled over in bed and felt a gush of warm water.  I leapt off the mattress (as leaping as one can be at 37 weeks pregnant), convinced I had just peed the bed.  But then there was more gushing.  My water had broke.  My brain immediately went to blender mode.. Who would take care of Charlie Ann while we were at the hospital? My house is not clean! The baby's room is not finished!  My mom isn't here!  But Jarod's birthday is today!  I'm only 37 weeks?!! I am not mentally ready to birth a baby today!  My hospital bag isn't even packed!

The next two hours were a blur.  Neighbors and friends from church were called to care for Charlie Ann, the kitchen and downstairs were frantically cleaned, the dog was fed, pajamas and a toothbrush were thrown into an overnight bag, and a newborn set of baby boy clothes were picked out.  Our sweet neighbor showed up at 9:30am; we kissed Charlie Ann good bye and headed to the hospital.

We called our families on the way there.  My mom started crying at the news.  Clearly her brain was in blender mode as well.

At the hospital, I was feeling great.  As in, no-contractions-great.  Also, as in barely-effaced-and-barely-dilated-great.  So we waited for my body to kick into gear.  Jarod and I ate breakfast, had coffee and visited about our week.  But nothing else was happening.

By lunch, they offered to let me go home until evening or I could take a few doses of misoprostol to try to induce labor.  I chose to take the miso and stay at the hospital.  However, Jarod went home and relieved our babysitters for the afternoon.  Meanwhile, I immediately accepted my aunt's offer to drive up from Pennsylvania and stay with Charlie Ann all weekend.  I definitely rested easier.

At 12:45pm, I took the miso, moved out of triage and into a labor and delivery room.  While I waited for contractions to start, I switched between watching the snow fall outside and the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  It was rather strange and quiet to sit at the hospital alone.

By 3pm, the contractions were fairly steady.  I wasn't going to need any further doses of miso.  By 4pm, I mentioned the word "epidural", and my observant nurse started the fluids.  At 4:30pm, I called Jarod and said he should get back to the hospital.  By 5pm, I was more than ready for the epidural.  I was having "camelback contractions"(basically no rest between contractions -they come right on top of each other).  Time dragged on while I waited for the epidural.  A little before 6pm, the injection was made and the cold sensation ran down my spine.  The anesthesiologist worked a long time to make sure I was fully numb..  I was not wanting to have a repeat of Charlie Ann's half failed epidural.  By 6:30pm, I was melted into heavenly jelly.  I napped until 9:30pm, when my nurse woke me up to inform me I was fully effaced, fully dilated and ready to push.  What?!  Who wakes up to push out a baby?! I pushed through two contractions, and his head crowned.  They paged the doctor, and kept paging the doctor.  I tried to hold in his head and wait, but he was slowly sliding out (passive descent, they said-- code for "awesome").  They paged the doctor again.  He was coming, ready or not. Some lady came in, and they gave me the green light to finish.  At 10:29pm, on Jarod's birthday, we met our son, Tripp David.

They laid him on my belly and toweled him off.  He didn't cry much.  He just looked around, so peaceful and calm.

Happy Birthday, Jarod.   Happy Birthday, Tripp.

Little Man

Dear Little Man,

I hope you don't feel neglected being the second born.  Your daddy and I are just as excited and anxious about you as we were with your sister.  Just because I haven't been blogging about all the ups and downs of carrying you, doesn't mean you are loved any less.

You were a great surprise, like was sister was too.  I always wanted more than one kiddo, and I am so happy it's you!

Here is a picture of me and your sis just a few days after we found out you were on the way.

I started feeling pretty sick, pretty early on, around week 6, but as unpleasant as it was, it meant that things were going well and you were healthy!  I drank A LOT of gatorade that first trimester with you.  And I ate a lot Wendy's frosties.   And ate my fair share of Apple Cinnamon Cheerios with extra milk.  And I slept a lot.  Great friends from church brought us meals (lots of pasta, cause that is what you liked!) and helped to take care of your sister, so I could rest.  It was a rough few months, but we made it and I don't regret a second.

At 15 weeks along, I finally went to the doctor, silly insurance delays... and at that very FIRST appointment, we found out...

And that your due date is December 9th, although the ultrasound tech said your unofficial due date is December 5th because you are measuring further along than what they expected.  I guess you are a big boy! And Mommy is measuring bigger too.  I do hope you arrive on the earlier side.  We just cant wait to meet you.

We also got to see your sweet face :)

We mailed the grandmas and grandpas in Missouri a fun package to surprise them with the news of you being a boy... thanks to a great idea from Daddy, we sent them a big box of nesting boxes alternating in blue and pink wrapping... this is the last box..  

I think they were pretty happy!

I finally started feeling better about week 17.  I could tell things were starting to get back to normal when coffee smelled (and tasted) good.  And things other than ice cream and milk and crackers and bread and cheesy pasta sounded appealing :)

Here is your sister and me about week 20 (5 months along).  She loves you already and so do we.

Kinda blurry, but you are definitely a big bump in this picture!  I am about 23 weeks preggo and your Daddy and I are at a Cardinals Baseball game in St. Louis, Missouri.

  

I am 6 months pregnant (24 weeks) in this pic.  You are much, much lower than your sister was.  And I am so thankful that you aren't sticking your feet in my ribs :)  But speaking of moving... wow!  I think you might be a professional kick boxer.  You are a regular Mike Tyson about 23 hours a day.  Phew.  Does this mean you are going to be a busy, busy little boy?  I hope so!  Your daddy and I like to watch you bounce around in my tummy at night, you are pretty funny and are making us laugh already.

Here's a picture of me and your daddy on our fifth wedding anniversary, ready for a date night out.  I am 26 weeks pregnant with you!  Who would have ever thought we would have two kiddos at five years married!!  Such a blessing!

Right now, I am working on your baby blanket during nap time.  It is very special because I have never sewed before and you are definitely getting a "first" from Mommy.  I am hoping to have it finished by this weekend.  I cant wait to snuggle you in it this winter.

And speaking of getting ready for you... we are transforming the office/guest room to your very own space!  I hope you like the colors aqua, lime, gray and a little orange... because those are the colors of your new pad.  And I hope you like bicycles.  We are going with a vintage bicycle theme.  We are busy busy busy here.. only 84 days until you are supposed to be here!  

Also, a couple of weeks ago, your Dad and I settled on your name!  We are keeping it a secret until you're born, but it's so nice to call you by name instead of just Baby Boy.

Can't wait to kiss your little hands,

Mommy