Hugo, Two Months Old!

 

Hugo is two months old!  I am falling in love with this little person in ways that feel so primal and real to me, it's almost as if life before him lacked true intensity of the heart.  I knew I loved my husband, I knew I loved my family, but I didn't expect the intense feelings of both love and worry I have felt each day since his birth.

Hugo is full of wonder, and each day it feels as if his personality is developing more and more.  Cliche, but true- his smiles melt me. Someone so pure, so full of curiosity, is someone I want to have around.

Some things I want to remember this month:  His stronger neck strength.  His gurgling, "ooh" and "ahh" sounds, baby squeals, and chuckles in his sleep.  I love the smile he makes when he is cat napping as he goes into sleep so easily.  His furrowed brow.  The way dad and I try so hard to get one little smile out of him.  His newfound awareness of patterns and people around him.  The way he kicks his feet out when he's excited.  The way he submits to sleep on our shoulders. 

I could go on and on with the things I love about this boy.  I am so full of love and excited to watch him grow.  

 

Stream of thoughts and updates

 

Between caring for Hugo who is six weeks old (!!) and growth spurting, cleaning the house, beginning a home renovation process, and resting when I can, things have been so busy lately.  

I want the future to come and I want him to never leave this stage, all at the same time.  He finally showed us his gummy smile and it made my heart sing.  Things I want to remember-- how much he loves his changing table and making noises on it, the smell of his head, the way he flails his arms and legs when he's excited, seeing new fat rolls emerge every day, watching Ben rock him to sleep. All of these ordinary instances make up this pretty little life we have- we are so blessed.  

On the hormones front, every day brings more emotions than I thought possible to have.  Most days I'm really happy, loving this guy and the joy he brings to our family.  Many days, however, I am stricken with the worst anxiety ever.  I think it's pretty much a hybrid between my usual anxiety stuff but also feeling protective and on high alert as a new mom.  My wise sister reminds me to stay in the present moment, which is the most difficult and most necessary thing to do.  

For the most part, I've taken to motherhood in the way I thought I would, and I'm happy to report it's as fulfilling of a role as ever.  I'm learning to embrace change and transitions and accept that I have very little control.  The beauty of this lack of control, though, is that it brings complete spontaneity, hilarity, and joy.  And that's exactly how life should be.  

Hugo and Porter, coexisting.

 

 

One Month Old

I can't believe Hugo turned one month old on January 31!  Time races by yet I mark the days by two to three hour chunks of time in between feedings.  I suspected it during pregnancy (the little guy barely kicked), but Hugo is one mellow fellow.  (He's definitely Ben's child).  :) From two weeks old he spoiled us with 4-6 hour stretches of sleep at night and is an amazing eater.  He has been looking us in the eye during the last week and I keep suspecting a hint of a smile.  His personality is starting to reveal itself and I cannot wait to continue this adventure of getting to know him.  

Some of Hugo's favorite things:

The changing table.  A good poop (seriously, the relief on his face after he does it is pleasure in its purest form).  Making grunting noises in his sleep.  The first few minutes of a feeding.  A picture frame on the wall that he gazes at while being changed.  Being worn in the Ergo.  Peeing on the wall and on us. 

I feel like the luckiest lady in the world to spend my days with him.  Even on my worst days when I walk around the house like a zombie, I sit on the couch anxiously waiting for him to wake up so I can see him again.  

Milk Drunk.  

 

 

 

 

Dear Hugo

 

Dear Hugo,

You are 16 days old today.  I'm amazed we both survived the last two weeks---me, with adjusting to sleeping in short chunks and being a mother, and you, to adjusting to life outside the womb.  You are getting chubbier by the day and you love eating.  (You don't love latching on without a nipple shield, but we're getting there).  You are a champion sleeper and your dad and I feel lucky to set our phone alarms to wake you up for most feedings.  There are moments when I think you are looking me in the eye but I can't be sure.  

You look like a little old man trapped inside of an infant body and your faces and gestures are hilarious.  (See below).

Ben and I gut-laugh when you poop, fart, and burp, because we are amazed that someone so tiny could produce the most disgusting sounds.  It's pretty darn funny.

The day you entered this world, I didn't feel that instant connection some women feel to their children.  It's been a much less intense, more gradual process.  I love getting to know you and am loving you a little more each day.  I'm also falling more in love with your dad who is rocking the whole parenting thing.  

I'm excited for you to continue to reveal your personality to us, but right now I'm just trying to take in each moment with you and enjoy it.

Keep eating and pooping, 

Mom (Anna)

Welcome to the world, Hugo James!

Hugo James made his one-week early entrance on December 30th, 2013.  He weighed 7 pounds 6 ounces and was 19 inches long.  Both baby and I are getting to know one another and sleeping as much as we can.  Birth story to come...

27 Weeks!

I cannot believe the third trimester started this week!  As cliche as it may sound, it seems like just yesterday we saw the positive sign on the pregnancy test.  In some ways I'm glad time is flying- I cannot wait to meet this little baby!  In other ways I'm scared that it's all becoming so real, so fast.  24 hour diaper duty and no sleep?  Can I handle it?!?

I saw this survey floating around and thought I'd use it to update my pregnancy progress.  

How far along? 27 Weeks
Baby is the size of: A cauliflower
Total weight gain: 3 pounds?  I was overweight to begin with!
Gender: It’s a boy!
Name: We have a few contenders, but really want to meet him before we pick a name.  
Maternity Clothes: I'm living in maternity jeans and comfy tops (when I decide to get out of pajamas, that is!)
Stretch marks? None yet.
Sleep: I'm starting to get a little restless with leg and back pain, but I'm making up for it with lots of naps.
Movement: If his out of utero behavior is anything like what I'm feeling throughout this pregnancy, then this is going to be one very mellow baby (like his daddy).  He moves infrequently but enough for me to not worry.  He loves to stretch the second I lie down- it's been fun to watch him move!
Best moment this week: A nice Italian dinner in Berkeley and great conversation with my husband.
Miss Anything: I cannot wait to sleep on my back and to have my non-giant boobs back.
Belly button in or out? In.
Food cravings: Chocolate.  
Anything making you queasy or sick: So far so good.  Although the sight of chicken still puts me over the edge.
Symptoms: I'm an emotional roller coaster. My highs are high and my lows are low.  Ben is being amazing through it all!  
Wedding ring on or off? Off, to be safe.  
Happy or Moody most of the time: All of the above.  :)
Looking forward to: Getting started on the nursery, drinking wine!