1 Month

I can't believe our little boy is 1 month old already!  This first month has been a huge learning process.  I've learned more about myself, my husband, and what's truly important in life.  My days/nights revolve around Matthew and I wouldn't have it any other way!  I will be returning to work in just over a month, and I am not a happy camper about it.  I cry just thinking about having to leave him and miss out on all of his cuteness during the day.  I don't want to miss anything because he is growing and learning so fast.  Here is what Matthew has been up to during his first month:

~ We had our 1 month checkup today, and you now weigh 10 lbs 14 oz (up from 8lbs 10oz at our last visit) and are 22 1/4 (up from 20 1/4 from birth) inches long.  Your head circumference is 15 inches (up from 14 inches at birth).  The doctor said you are just perfect and healthy - we couldn't ask for more!

~ You can still wear newborn clothes - except for Gerber because they run so small.  You are also still able to wear newborn diapers.

~ You have such good head/neck control.  It's been pretty good since you was born, but you're getting stronger with each "tummy time".  Speaking of "tummy time", you are not a fan.  You do okay when you're on your back looking at the lights and listening to the music, but when you are put on your tummy you cry the whole time.  It's worth it because the more mad you get, the more you lift your head and try to roll over.

~ You LOVE your paci!  It's the best way to calm you down.  You are trying to hard to hold on to it while it's in your mouth, but you haven't mastered that yet.

~ Your grip has gotten much stronger.  You are holding onto more and more things now - fingers, hair, shirts, blankets, burp cloths.

~ You are smiling more and more - such a precious sight!  You even have a cute little laugh already :-)

~ You are able to focus on multiple objects, but your favorite are your mommy and daddy.  You love it when we are face-to-face having a conversation, singing, or reading.  You are very curious about the world around you.

~ You love music.  You become very alert when we sing to you, you hear the music from your swing and bouncer, and the Baby Einstein CD in your nursery.

~ You haven't figured out your feelings about bath time yet.  You definitely did not like sponge baths - you would scream until you had clothes on and were wrapped in a blanket.  Once we started your big boy baths, you did much better.  You've only cried 2 out of the 4 times you've been in the tub!  We may get you a space heater to help keep you warm.

~ You are a great sleeper/napper.  You tend to stay awake and alert during the morning and early evening hours, but sleep between feedings in the late afternoon.  Typically, you sleep for 1.5-2 hours then stay awake for play time.

~ We've been able to get you on somewhat of a feeding schedule.  You're taking anywhere from 4 to 5 ounces of formula every 3.5-4 hours and are feeding 6 times a day.  Your last feeding at night is around 10 and you have been going until 3 until your next feeding!  We're hoping that you are able to sleep through the night within the next few weeks.

~ You love having visitors!  You do so good when people pass you around or take turns feeding you.  I can tell you will always be surrounded by people who love you because they can't go for long without seeing you :-)

I am one proud momma of my Matthew!  While this month has had it's ups and downs, I would not change a single thing.  Matthew has been such a blessing and I can't thank the Lord enough for giving him to us.  I love snuggling with him, watching Mike as he settles into fatherhood perfectly, seeing him with my family makes me smile, and just watching the many things that Matthew does during the day.  I love you sweet boy!

Newborn Pics

When Matthew was 2 weeks old, Mike and I attempted newborn pictures at our house.  Mike is a pretty dang-good photographer, so we opted to save money and have him capture our little boy.  We used items from around the house and a bucket from my mom (Matthew's Emie).  We were so proud with how well Matthew did with us moving him around and putting him into uncomfortable positions.  Enjoy!

**Matthew is 1 month old today (Oh my!), but will wait to post until after our appointment on Wednesday**

Matthew David Fleisher

He's Here!!!  Matthew made his entrance on Friday, August 24th at 2:22 pm (9 days late).  He weighed 9 lbs and 5 oz and was 20 1/4 inches long.  He is perfect!  We are so blessed to have such a precious baby!  Now I will focus my blog on updates about our new little addition :-)

5:30 am on August 24th - we're headed to the hospital!  I woke up around 3:30 am and realized I was having contractions around 4:00 am.  Since they were already 2 minutes apart, we quickly finished packing and took showers before leaving.

When we got to the hospital, I was 7 cm dilated and 100% effaced, so you would think my labor/delivery would've been quick.  Oh no!  Before I started pushing, my nurse and doctor had already mentioned they were concerned about the size and position of the baby.  They were worried his head was too big and found that he was in the transverse position (basically diagonal).  Because of these 2 things, his head was stuck against my pelvis.  They had me push for an hour, but he made no progress.  After resting on my left side for about 45 minutes, I tried pushing again.  Two and a half hours of pushing later, baby Matthew's head just was not able to move in order to come out.  Because of this, I had to have a c-section.  While I had prepared myself for this possibility, it was still a scary thought.  Thankfully I had already had my epidural so we didn't have to wait long to go back to the OR.

By the time they were wheeling me back, I was exhausted.  While they were prepping me, I kept my eyes closed to pray and help calm myself down.  I felt much better once Mike was able to sit by my side.  He held my hand throughout the entire procedure.  And then, at 2:22 pm, we heard the best sound - Matthew's little cry!  It was very surreal to know that I was hearing my child's cry, but I couldn't see him.  I had to wait until Mike got the go ahead to take a few pictures and bring him over to me.

 Mommy and Matthew's first meeting

 Daddy and Matthew

 First family pic!

Back in our LD room - I'm so pail because my iron was so low after the c-section

 

I'm a BIG boy - 9 lbs 5 oz

He loves having his hands/fingers in his mouth

Pop and Matthew

Emie and Matthew

Aunt Lauren with Matthew

Grandma Fleisher and Matthew

Aunt Christin with Matthew

Cousin Allie meeting Matthew

Matthew with his Great Grandmother 

Matthew with his Great Grandfather 

Great Aunt Carol with Matthew

 

 The nurses loved him!

With Misty - the BEST NURSE EVER!!!  She is now known as Aunt Misty :-)

Nap time with daddy

Mike has a picture like this with his dad when he was born - so sweet!

After staying 4 nights in the hospital I was ready to go home.  This was the first day I wore normal clothes and actually fixed my hair.

Headed Home!!!

These first 2.5 weeks at home have been both amazing and exhausting at the same time.  I still can't believe that I have a son.  I pray daily that Matthew grows to be a godly man who follows the path that has been laid out for him.  I also pray that Mike and I can be the best parents that we can be.  I'm so looking forward to learning more about his personality and what he will bring to our family.  We love you Matthew David!