Allen Is AMAZING!

My baby boy did the most AMAZING thing today!!!! He rolled over for the first time! He was laying on the sofa next to me and his little arms and legs were kicking and all of a sudden instead of being on his back, he was on his tummy. He was quite indignant to find himself on his tummy and let me know all about.

So now I have to be extra diligant about where he is laying. No more leaving him on the sofa when I have to go potty or get a drink. But is all worth it, to know that he is growing and developing and becoming his very own unique person. We are on the journey of him having so many FIRSTS! I am excited about all the things he is going to learning to do!

Little one is sick

I feel so helpless right now. My little guy has a bug. He is stuffy and miserable. I know that he either has a sore throat or an ear infection because he will be laying in my arms calm and sleeping and wake up with a wail that just cuts through my heart.

I am giving him tylenol. He doesn't have a fever and he is eating so I know it isn't something horrifying~ it is just uncomfortable for the poor little fellow.

I know what he is feeling because I seem to have the same thing. Uggg... miserable rainy day outside and miserable sick day inside...

7-Week-Old Baby

Smiles and sounds abound as your baby soaks up stimuli and lets you know he loves the world around him.

When it comes to learning, no one does it faster than a baby. You can help by providing plenty of sensory-stimulating opportunities, but don't go overboard. An infant's circuits get overloaded pretty easily, so if your baby starts fussing or squirming he's letting you know he's had enough. Your little smarty-pants is also putting together consonants and vowels (ah-goo!) and rolling over (well, at least in one direction). He's likely smiling up a storm and maybe even laughing (the world's most delicious sound) or squealing in delight over Mommy's antics. Talk may be cheap but for a baby, conversation is invaluable, so chat him up. Tell him what you're doing ("I'm wiping your bottom!"); ask questions ("Whose toes are these?"); imitate the sounds he makes; and read aloud (his books or even yours!). For some parents, it's become clear by now that they have a challenging baby. What defines challenging? It could be an infant that's extremely active, unpredictable, high-intensity, or just seemingly unhappy. Take heart (most symptoms lessen considerably as babies grow) and there are many baby behavior strategies you can try to help your child (and yourself and your spouse in the process). Speaking of your spouse, chances are he's more than ready to resume lovemaking with you, so start slowly and don't be afraid to try strategies that'll help your body (and your mind) get back in the swing.

This time last year... You weren't even pregnant yet! Can you believe it? Time flies too fast! Be sure you start chronicling these infant memories now by creating your free baby journal today!

Your 7-Week-Old Baby:
Super Senses
At seven weeks, your baby is delighting in new sights, sounds and touches. Here's what else your newborn is up to.Do you learn something new every day? Your 7-week-old baby does — and then some! Around the seven-week mark, she's awake and alert more often during the day, so pencil her in for more playtime. Best ways to stimulate those senses? Provide plenty of opportunities for her to experience her surroundings through sound, sight, and touch. Small doses are best (if she's fussing or squirming, she's had enough), and simple toys are all you need. For example, now that she can track moving objects with her eyes, try slowly shifting a ball, rattle, or cloth from one side to the other as she faces you. Watch as she plays along by moving her eyes back and forth (tennis, anyone?).

Her baby blues (or browns) are becoming more discriminating these days, too. While she could once make out only bright colors and basic, two-toned patterns, she's now beginning to discern — and delight in! — more complex designs and a whole rainbow of colors. Now's the time to break out some vibrantly hued board books or give her a narrated tour of your fascinating backyard. Not only does she love the sound of your words (after all, she's been hearing them since well before she was born!), she's starting to be able to put your face to your voice, and those of other familiar folks like Daddy or Grandma. While it may not seem like it, she's listening carefully and may soon try to respond with some sounds of her own. Encourage her by chatting and cooing along in a conversational pattern. (No, you won't sound silly — you'll sound like a mom!)

Allen had his weewee whacked today~ poor little guy. He cried and cried... it was sad. But it is done now and I have to keep an eye on it for bleeding or infection. Otherwise all is well and Allen is resting peacefully now.

He is 34 days old today and weighed 8 pounds 11 ounces so he has gained 2 pounds 3 ounces since he was born. He also was 22 1/2 inches long~ so he has grown 3 1/2 inches in length since he was born. The little guy is doing well with the breast milk.

I was worried with all the stress I have been through that it might negatively impact him but so far so good and I am feeling pretty confident now that this will be successful~

So next week our little man goes back to get the circumcision checked and we are good to go for 2 weeks after that, when he will have to have his first shots...

I'll update after next weeks appointment...

Allen's grandma passed away on his one month birthday... life for us will be so much different now. Where my other kids had Grandma all their lives, she lived with us for the last 13 years, Allen will have no memories of her except what we tell him about her. He isn't going to know Grandma's snuggles and love and the special times together that the other kids had with their Grandma.

Tomorrow Allen goes and gets his circumcision... poor little guy. Then I think next week he gets his first shots. I'll be updating as each of these things happen.

Right now I am off to snuggle with my little guy...