It's now 2011. One year ago I was just starting my morning sickness...that would last a solid 15 weeks. Wow. One year...and my life has changed...my family's life has changed...so very much.
Rowan is 4 months old. At his check up he weighed 15 lb. 8 oz and was 26 1/2 inches long. That's 1.5 lbs. less than Micah was at his age, but 1/4 of an inch longer! We are through the colic stage...and thank God. It literally went away Thanksgiving Day. The constant, countable times of screaming and crying for 3 straight hours is over. There's so much I could say about those first 12 weeks and the hours of 5 - 8 p.m., but I don't have the energy to mentally put myself back there. Colic not for the faint at heart, I can tell you that.
The first three months, outside of colic, were challenging enough. Micah started kindergarten, and I am the one who takes him and picks him up daily, with baby in tow. Little did I realize that meant initiating any kind of schedule with the baby would be impossible - until recently. I also took Micah to soccer 3 x a week and karate 1 x a week...all while on maternity. I wanted Micah to have things to do, not just sit at home and watch me feed the baby...but I think I would change how MUCH he did if I could go back. It really was so hard.
During my last month on leave, finances were pretty scary. Everything that could go wrong, did...but once again, just as I was about to fall to my knees in distress, the Lord provided.
I've been back at work about 6 weeks and am finding balance. I am so very thankful that my sweet Rowan is not in daycare. That's not because it's a horrible sentence for a baby, but he's a "winter" baby...and has caught two colds already just being home w/ me and our wonderful nanny, Barbara who comes about 10 hours a week and has proven to be a wonderful - and much needed help. I'm guessing all the to and from kindergarten and Micah's other activities have contributed to Rowan getting sick already. Ugh...It makes me crazy. I'm starting to see everyone as a germ.
I have 3 accounts that I manage in that time frame that Barbara helps and in the evenings after everyone is asleep. I have had more calls for work than I could handle and have actually turned business down. I can't believe that...2.5 years into my business and I am turning AWAY work? I just take on what I need to financially - though it's hard not to be "me" and take on EVERYTHING. I love to work...especially now that I am working for myself...it's so freeing...making my own hours...making a diff. in people's business lives...it's all so wonderful. Someday maybe I'll make a GOOD living at it:) - but then I'd have to stop saying no.
Nothing is worth giving up time with my kids. Absolutely nothing. Having a second child has proven to be the most wonderful thing in the world. I am taking in every minute, every late night feeding, every new development and I can almost cry right now thinking of how much Rowan has grown in 4 months. He is BEAUTIFUL. He has this smile...that just breaks my heart in every great way possible. He laughs with such joy...he knows he is loved.
I feel like I'm all over the place, but if I don't get it out I'm afraid I"ll forget and then will be so sorry I didn't write stuff down. More about Rowan...
His hair continues to fall out..his thick blackish hair...falling out and growing in a little lighter..still waiting to see if it will curly like mine...as mine did the very same thing.
He never took a pacifier. Hated it always.
He took a bottle right away, only to turn it away one day with DETERMINATION that lasted about 7 weeks. I attribute that to my grasping at ANYTHING to help his colic. I tried soy formula mixed with breast milk, rice in the breast milk to help what was possible reflux...and I think he just stuck with what he knew was good...:) I made it through surgery w/ him not taking a bottle (3 hernias were repaired)...timed everything just right...and it wasn't until I was back at work and meeting w/ ppl that I truly knew I had to get him on a bottle b/c someone else HAD to feed him. We've had standoffs before...and they totally sucked and broke my heart. For whatever reason, all I had to do was wait an extra hour one day...and he took it. He fought it HARD the next day...but I held out a little ...and he took it. He still prefers me...and I allow that when possible during the day and during the night.
Rowan can roll over both ways...he's better rolling back to front than belly to back. While he doesn't love being on his belly for very long, it's as if he can't help but to flip his body as soon as I put him down. He is ALWAYS moving (like his mama). He can inch his way over to a toy on his belly, get up on his knees for a split second and then "splat!" he's back down like a frog:) I think he's going to crawl early. He shoves everything in his mouth and has been shoving his fist in his mouth steadily since 3 months. I suspect teeth are coming soon. Rowan wants to be weight bearing as much as possible...loves to jump up and down and bounce...and tries to hold his bottle on his own. He has a very short attention span and doesn't love his bouncer yet...maybe 5-8 minutes tops and then he cries to get out. He likes to be held - A LOT. He is very inquisitive..leaning over to see what I'm cooking...reaching for it, etc. When I read him stories, he tries to eat the pages:)
Rowan LOVES bath time. I think I could shoot water up his nose and he'd still smile:) He scares me with how comfortable he is in the water...would put his face right down in it if I let him.
He sleeps better than Micah did at this age. He loves his crib. He didn't always...but it took just a little crying...in fact I don't know how we got where we are with that...and now I put him down awake and he coos and moves around and pulls his blanket over his face and goes to sleep. It's hilarious. He also learned to turn his mobile on by himself...that in itself is HILARIOUS:))). I can count on at least one good nap - 1.5 hours, MAYBE 2...and two shorter naps during the day. By 6 p.m. he's pretty fussy and by 7 p.m. he's out cold in his crib. There are times when the crying lasts too long or he is NOT ready to be alone and he lets me know:)
We started solids this week. Rice cereal three days...one meal a day. He doesn't love it. Who would? My bff from childhood, Elizabeth, is helping me by starting him out on totally homemade food. I wished I would have done this with Micah. We started pears and next up is sweet potato:) Rowan is only taking a little in, as he's still learning to push food backward and swallow thicker substances...but I feel so good giving him the very best.
Having Rowan in our family is PERFECT in every way. I'm totally exhausted...but loving every minute of this borrowed time I have with my beautiful son.
