2024 Stocking Stuffer Guide for Kids, Tweens & Teens
9 months ago
Smile changes already
Leiland woke up to eat this morning just before 6 but had no intention or going back to sleep. So I brought him in bed with me and he was in a great mood. Rory needed to go out so we got up. I placed Leiland on his pack n play and he watched his monkey mobile. Since he was happy I went to do some diaper laundry. When I came back he was smiling away at the monkeys. I love it. He was even talking to them a little. So freaking cute. When he had enough I brought him to the chair and put him in my lap with the boppy. We were playing with his favorite little rattle and talking. Out of nowhere he started smiling a bunch. He was really reacting to what I was saying. Its amazing how much his smiles have changed just over the few days this week. I love watching him change and grow.
It was so very hard for me but last night I put Leiland in his cradle for the first night. He has been sleeping in our bed since we came home from the hospital. At first it was because it was too hard for me to sit up and get him in and out of the cradle. I decided to try the cradle again because his night feedings are to the point that he doesn't always fully wake up. I am also having trouble getting Leiland to sleep away from me.
It was really hard for me. I woke up missing him and didn't enjoy not having him in my arms. I do know this is "better" for him though. Who knows if I will stick with it when Tim deploys though. We will see. He has been napping in his crib more as well. I try to put him up there but he doesn't always go with it. He still sleeps most of the day and its a little hard for me to be away from him all day long so he can sleep in the crib.
I let him sleep on his belly since that is how he naps and he doesn't scare himself awake as much on his belly. I was nervous but we made it through.
It was really hard for me. I woke up missing him and didn't enjoy not having him in my arms. I do know this is "better" for him though. Who knows if I will stick with it when Tim deploys though. We will see. He has been napping in his crib more as well. I try to put him up there but he doesn't always go with it. He still sleeps most of the day and its a little hard for me to be away from him all day long so he can sleep in the crib.
I let him sleep on his belly since that is how he naps and he doesn't scare himself awake as much on his belly. I was nervous but we made it through.
Confused
I think Leiland is confused as to what a smile is for. It seems like he smiles right before getting upset. I love to see him smile but he is confused smiles should be to show you are happy. Silly boy.
5 weeks
5 weeks exactly and I got my first real smile from Leiland. We had just woke up and I had him on my lap with the boppy. I was poking at him and talking all squeaky with a giant smile and he followed suit and smiled back. Although it took a lot of work it was a real smile from him.
Pediatrician Appt
Ok so yesterday we had Leiland's 1 month checkup with the pediatrician and it went well. After he was weighed and measured I fed him while waiting for the Dr to come in. So the dr had the chance to see how he reacts after eating and said its definitely reflux. He has upped his meds to be 1mL 2x a day instead of just once a day. Hopefully this makes a difference. He said to watch it for a week and if it isn't helping enough we will try a different prescription.
Leiland weighed in at 11 pound's 1 ounce and is 22 inches long.
His weight is the 84th percentile (down from the 89th at birth) and his length is the 68th percentile (up from the 59th at birth).
Leiland weighed in at 11 pound's 1 ounce and is 22 inches long.
His weight is the 84th percentile (down from the 89th at birth) and his length is the 68th percentile (up from the 59th at birth).
One Month Update
(Writing this two days early while I can)
Can you believe it??? I can. I have enjoyed EVERY day and just soaked it all in. I love spending the time with him and I am SO grateful I don't have to go back to work. It does suck that Tim is deploying at the end of June - but its apart of our life.
So - Leiland is still on Zantac for reflux and today (day 4) I feel like it might actually be helping. He HATES taking it and it seems like a lot (1mL) but we make it work. Yesterday he puked it up shortly after taking it - but today he cried while I gave it to him but calmed afterward. Today he has had minimal puke and much less fussiness - so that has been nice. But yesterday was rough so it may have just felt like a relief.
Most days Leiland is eating every 3 1/2 hours or so - but he occasionally wants to nurse after an hour or two - just depends. He only nurses for about 8-12 minutes then he needs to burp. This is usually when he is most fussy with all the bubbles in his belly - but he burps pretty big and good. Sometimes after about 20 minutes he will want a little more and will nurse the other side for about 5 minutes. His awake periods are much harder to pinpoint. Usually he is awake the first half of his feeding but almost always falls asleep while eating then I wake him up by moving him to burp him. Then once he has calmed down from his bubbles he usually falls back to sleep in the burping position - this is his favorite place to be - on my shoulder. The past few days I have noticed a few longer awake periods and with the exception of yesterday he has had a couple "happy" awake periods. That just makes my day. At night he nurses between 1-3 times. I don't know why he wakes more some nights then others but he is nursing good. The good part is that he is getting better about barely waking to nurse at night - and I think this could also be because of the reflux meds. It makes going back to bed much easier when nursing only takes 30 minutes instead of a two hour production of a fussy butt.
Everyone I know says this time flies by - and I have read the BEST quote - "The days are long but the years are short". These are words to live by and SO true. The days really can be long and when you look back everything seems to have gone by so fast. But I am doing what I can to just enjoy it all. Every couple days or so I notice changes is Leilands features and expressions. I love noticing these things and seeing him lose that "newborn" look. He is getting chubbier, the double chin is coming in, and I think he is longer then when he was born (not just stretching out more). I have noticed his dark blue eyes are beginning to change as well. I can't tell what they will become but I believe they will have SOME brown in them. They have two different shades in them so he could have hazel eyes like me (my favorite feature). Although his cord stump fell off at a week - he still gets a little bleeding in there and has a crusty scab. I just let it be though. His circumcision has been healed since about 8 days or so and he doesn't hate diaper changes too too much anymore (but I use a warm washcloth instead of cold wipes). His baby acne is coming in strong and it surprisingly heals pretty quickly. The white pimple looking things in his mouth seem to be disappearing though.
This boy also sweats a TON. I can't believe how bad he sweats. Most days you can feel his head and he is all clammy from sweating too. It could just be the hormones he is still getting from my milk but I have no idea. He also has little boobies. I know this is normal but you can feel little "breast buds" and this I DO know is from all the hormones of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
I will update Leilands stats on Monday after his appt.
What Leiland Likes:
His bouncy - He has been WONDERFUL. He is a fussy guy but he has been great about sitting in his bouncy seat so I can shower. We have the Bright Starts Ingenuity and it actually bounces which he likes as well as the padding that hugs him. I only use it for showers because I don't want him to get sick of it and me lose my showering ability. When he is big enough we will put a jumper in the door.
Snuggling - Leiland is a GREAT snuggler and we spend most of our day just cuddled up together in the glider chair.
Boppy - We both love the boppy pillow. Its so much easier to nurse with the boppy on my lap because I still have to hold my boob for him. He is getting better but I just am not great feeding him and holding his body all at once.
Moby Wrap - AS soon in some previous posts/ pictures - Leiland likes his moby style wrap. We don't have a true moby wrap but a similar ones. The only problem I find is on a hot day (hello we are in Southern CA) he sweats SO bad in there. But it does allow me to get the dishes done and cook dinner when he is fussy.
His Monkey mobile - We change Leiland on the pack n play top and always turn on the music mobile for him and he just loves it. This is one of the FEW places he will lay down and not get mad. Its also the only way I have the ability to go potty - thank you monkey mobile.
Breastflow bottles - I started out giving him Nuby no spill bottles and the Medela bottles but he leaks so much out of his mouth when using these ones. Then I was starting to get really sore as we adjusted to breastfeeding. So I decided to go ahead and get a Breastflow Bottle and he seems to like this one best.
What Leiland Doesn't like:
The Pacifier - The only one he will even remotely take is the mam newborn pacifier and most times he refuses it. I still keep trying though. Yesterday he took it for a couple hours but he wasn't feeling well however MOST times he just gags on it. But I hold out hope for him and carry them on us when we go out.
The swing - though this could be changing. Anytime you put him in the swing its only a matter of seconds and he is screaming.
Carseat - I don't think its the comfort of the seat as much as it is the angle of the seat. I spits up almost every time he goes in there so I think it just doesn't keep him upright enough.
As for me - wow its been a month. I am stuck at my prepregnancy weight of 172 but hope to have the energy to start working out soon.I also need to clear it with the dr as well though. I do believe some of the weight is stored in my bowling ball boobs though. I feel good for the most part. Some days I wake up pretty tired however by mid day I feel much better. I was very worried about postpartum depression but I have been doing really well. I have only had 2-3 instances where my emotions got away from me but I recognized it and tried to just let it pass.
Being a mom to Leiland is amazing - its everything I have wanted and I love watching his grow and learn. Smiles are on the horizon and I just can't want to see the changes ahead while relishing in every minute of his newborn-ness. I would NEVER wish this time to go by no matter how tired I get or how fussy he gets.
Can you believe it??? I can. I have enjoyed EVERY day and just soaked it all in. I love spending the time with him and I am SO grateful I don't have to go back to work. It does suck that Tim is deploying at the end of June - but its apart of our life.
So - Leiland is still on Zantac for reflux and today (day 4) I feel like it might actually be helping. He HATES taking it and it seems like a lot (1mL) but we make it work. Yesterday he puked it up shortly after taking it - but today he cried while I gave it to him but calmed afterward. Today he has had minimal puke and much less fussiness - so that has been nice. But yesterday was rough so it may have just felt like a relief.
Most days Leiland is eating every 3 1/2 hours or so - but he occasionally wants to nurse after an hour or two - just depends. He only nurses for about 8-12 minutes then he needs to burp. This is usually when he is most fussy with all the bubbles in his belly - but he burps pretty big and good. Sometimes after about 20 minutes he will want a little more and will nurse the other side for about 5 minutes. His awake periods are much harder to pinpoint. Usually he is awake the first half of his feeding but almost always falls asleep while eating then I wake him up by moving him to burp him. Then once he has calmed down from his bubbles he usually falls back to sleep in the burping position - this is his favorite place to be - on my shoulder. The past few days I have noticed a few longer awake periods and with the exception of yesterday he has had a couple "happy" awake periods. That just makes my day. At night he nurses between 1-3 times. I don't know why he wakes more some nights then others but he is nursing good. The good part is that he is getting better about barely waking to nurse at night - and I think this could also be because of the reflux meds. It makes going back to bed much easier when nursing only takes 30 minutes instead of a two hour production of a fussy butt.
Everyone I know says this time flies by - and I have read the BEST quote - "The days are long but the years are short". These are words to live by and SO true. The days really can be long and when you look back everything seems to have gone by so fast. But I am doing what I can to just enjoy it all. Every couple days or so I notice changes is Leilands features and expressions. I love noticing these things and seeing him lose that "newborn" look. He is getting chubbier, the double chin is coming in, and I think he is longer then when he was born (not just stretching out more). I have noticed his dark blue eyes are beginning to change as well. I can't tell what they will become but I believe they will have SOME brown in them. They have two different shades in them so he could have hazel eyes like me (my favorite feature). Although his cord stump fell off at a week - he still gets a little bleeding in there and has a crusty scab. I just let it be though. His circumcision has been healed since about 8 days or so and he doesn't hate diaper changes too too much anymore (but I use a warm washcloth instead of cold wipes). His baby acne is coming in strong and it surprisingly heals pretty quickly. The white pimple looking things in his mouth seem to be disappearing though.
This boy also sweats a TON. I can't believe how bad he sweats. Most days you can feel his head and he is all clammy from sweating too. It could just be the hormones he is still getting from my milk but I have no idea. He also has little boobies. I know this is normal but you can feel little "breast buds" and this I DO know is from all the hormones of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
I will update Leilands stats on Monday after his appt.
What Leiland Likes:
His bouncy - He has been WONDERFUL. He is a fussy guy but he has been great about sitting in his bouncy seat so I can shower. We have the Bright Starts Ingenuity and it actually bounces which he likes as well as the padding that hugs him. I only use it for showers because I don't want him to get sick of it and me lose my showering ability. When he is big enough we will put a jumper in the door.
Snuggling - Leiland is a GREAT snuggler and we spend most of our day just cuddled up together in the glider chair.
Boppy - We both love the boppy pillow. Its so much easier to nurse with the boppy on my lap because I still have to hold my boob for him. He is getting better but I just am not great feeding him and holding his body all at once.
Moby Wrap - AS soon in some previous posts/ pictures - Leiland likes his moby style wrap. We don't have a true moby wrap but a similar ones. The only problem I find is on a hot day (hello we are in Southern CA) he sweats SO bad in there. But it does allow me to get the dishes done and cook dinner when he is fussy.
His Monkey mobile - We change Leiland on the pack n play top and always turn on the music mobile for him and he just loves it. This is one of the FEW places he will lay down and not get mad. Its also the only way I have the ability to go potty - thank you monkey mobile.
Breastflow bottles - I started out giving him Nuby no spill bottles and the Medela bottles but he leaks so much out of his mouth when using these ones. Then I was starting to get really sore as we adjusted to breastfeeding. So I decided to go ahead and get a Breastflow Bottle and he seems to like this one best.
What Leiland Doesn't like:
The Pacifier - The only one he will even remotely take is the mam newborn pacifier and most times he refuses it. I still keep trying though. Yesterday he took it for a couple hours but he wasn't feeling well however MOST times he just gags on it. But I hold out hope for him and carry them on us when we go out.
The swing - though this could be changing. Anytime you put him in the swing its only a matter of seconds and he is screaming.
Carseat - I don't think its the comfort of the seat as much as it is the angle of the seat. I spits up almost every time he goes in there so I think it just doesn't keep him upright enough.
As for me - wow its been a month. I am stuck at my prepregnancy weight of 172 but hope to have the energy to start working out soon.I also need to clear it with the dr as well though. I do believe some of the weight is stored in my bowling ball boobs though. I feel good for the most part. Some days I wake up pretty tired however by mid day I feel much better. I was very worried about postpartum depression but I have been doing really well. I have only had 2-3 instances where my emotions got away from me but I recognized it and tried to just let it pass.
Being a mom to Leiland is amazing - its everything I have wanted and I love watching his grow and learn. Smiles are on the horizon and I just can't want to see the changes ahead while relishing in every minute of his newborn-ness. I would NEVER wish this time to go by no matter how tired I get or how fussy he gets.
my poor boy
I think he is feeling the cold that hit Tim and me yesterday. We both got a sore throat first followed by a running nose and headache. Leiland has been super fussy today and more clingy then ever. He has also been breaking out in a cold sweat all day. I tried taking his temp but my eat thermometer is reading 96 degrees - doesn't seem right. He has been wanting to eat often but he puked most his good feedings up. Otherwise he is just snacking. Because of this my boobs are super full because he isn't eating much today. My poor boy just seems miserable.
I decided to give him some tylonol and I will pray makes him feel a little bit better.
I decided to give him some tylonol and I will pray makes him feel a little bit better.
Zantac - Day 1
Today I call the pediatrician to see if I could move up Leilands 1 month appointment, but they need the baby to be 1 month before they can have the appointment. He is one month on Saturday and his appt is on Monday - so we can't make it any sooner. After I hung up I pondered some and decided to call back.
Leiland has been pretty fussy and is still puking a good amount. After doing some research I suspected the possibility of reflux and decided to just call and ask about it. I described his symptoms and the dr called in a prescription for Zantac. He is going to be 4 weeks this Wednesday and we will see how he does on this.
Leiland has been pretty fussy and is still puking a good amount. After doing some research I suspected the possibility of reflux and decided to just call and ask about it. I described his symptoms and the dr called in a prescription for Zantac. He is going to be 4 weeks this Wednesday and we will see how he does on this.
Pre Pregnancy Weight
Today is the day, just 16 days after having Leiland I am my pre pregnancy weight - 172 pounds. I have a long way to go, but I am happy to at least be back where I started at. On Sunday (11 days pp) I was wearing my pre pregnancy pants, and on Monday I wore my skinny jeans from before I got pregnant. My stomach is still jubbly and loose, but I am pretty happy.
2 weeks postpartum
I am finally feeling better for the most part. No more pain meds but still bleeding. I am able to get up and down now and don't hurt getting out of my chair anymore. I also went to Target to grocery shop with Leiland yesterday. Go me.
2 week postpartum belly
2 week postpartum belly
2 weeks old
Can you believe it?? 2 weeks of being a mom and finally having my angel in my arms.
He is still cute as could be and is definitely changing already. I love that little boy more than anything. I also love seeing Tim be a dad. It is so natural to him and just make my heart melt.
Leiland is still sleeping most the day away and when he is awake he seems to always be fighting to go back to sleep. He cries more now which doesn't make me happy and he isn't as easy to calm these days.
We started using our cloth diapers and he doesn't seem to scream as much anymore when we change diapers. I think the warm wash cloths seem to help. So far I really like the diapers and having had an explosion or leak since starting these. The best bottoms are great until he has a poop diaper that overflows onto the shell. I haven't tried wiping them out though. The FuzziBunz diapers are nice but I think I have them too small because they leave marks on his legs. I have used a few of the lil joeys we bought, but they won't last very long. They are just too small for my chunky monkey.
We decided to go to the Aquarium of the Pacific with my mom and Anna
Auntie Laura came to visit from Michigan
Went to Red Lobster for Auntie Lauras birthday - Mama's in my pre pregnancy SKINNY jeans!!!!!
In his best bottoms diaper
Grumpy-pus
He is still cute as could be and is definitely changing already. I love that little boy more than anything. I also love seeing Tim be a dad. It is so natural to him and just make my heart melt.
Leiland is still sleeping most the day away and when he is awake he seems to always be fighting to go back to sleep. He cries more now which doesn't make me happy and he isn't as easy to calm these days.
We started using our cloth diapers and he doesn't seem to scream as much anymore when we change diapers. I think the warm wash cloths seem to help. So far I really like the diapers and having had an explosion or leak since starting these. The best bottoms are great until he has a poop diaper that overflows onto the shell. I haven't tried wiping them out though. The FuzziBunz diapers are nice but I think I have them too small because they leave marks on his legs. I have used a few of the lil joeys we bought, but they won't last very long. They are just too small for my chunky monkey.
We decided to go to the Aquarium of the Pacific with my mom and Anna
Auntie Laura came to visit from Michigan
Went to Red Lobster for Auntie Lauras birthday - Mama's in my pre pregnancy SKINNY jeans!!!!!
In his best bottoms diaper
Grumpy-pus
1 Week Old
I think it is crazy that Leiland is a week old. One week ago life changed for us in the best way possible.
Leiland was weighed on Friday the 13th and was 8 pounds 8 ounces and on Monday he was 8 pounds 9.5 ounces. His billiruben went up just a hair however they said that was the peak (5 days old). Its heading out so no worries there.
At 1 week old Leiland is just starting to be awake more. His "schedule" changes every couple days but we just roll with the flow and watch where he takes us. He has started to cluster feed more but is really getting the hang of nursing. Before he would freak out for a minute or two before latching on but now he just goes right on. As long as I am not too full he can go to town. If I am full I just have to hold my boob just right so he can get on. No biggie though. Today he has nursed just about every hour on the hour for about 5 feedings in a row. Now he is sleeping with his daddy.
I also pumped today to have some milk for bottles while we are out tomorrow. I did pretty good and got 9 ounces in just about 15 minutes. Leiland takes the bottle so great which is exactly what I wanted for him. Tim can feed him and have that extra cuddle/ care time. Its also nice to know he can have a bottle in public until I am comfortable nursing in public. I don't think it will be too long before I get the hang of that though.
Last night his umbilical cord stump came off, his tar poop is long gone, and he sleeps great. At night he will feed, sleep a few hours, feed again, then usually sleeps a good 5 hours before waking up again. He is so great to his mama letting me sleep at night.
Leiland at 1 weeks old is just adorable. He makes the cutest faces and always keeps his hands up close to his face. His big cheeks just BEG to be kissed 100 times a day and he will hold onto my finger the whole time we nurse. When he falls asleep after burping he just sleeps on my chest but always has a hand on my chest. I love holding my boy. I hate to put him down and don't care if I am spoiling him. At night he sleeps in our bed and its everything I have wanted. I love feeling him breath and just watching him. He is so great and I love him so much.
As for me, I am still in pain, but starting to feel better. I am still taking the prescribed vicodin and motrin. I am also still taking a stool softener to help me go potty. I saw the CNM at the OB office on Monday because the pain was still so bad. I started bleeding more and the meds weren't helping my pain at all. She said I still have a lot of bruising there but my stitches from the episotomy are disolving and that it is healing. My boobs get full but don't really hurt too bad. My nipples just started hurting when Leiland nurses but I think its because when he gets sleepy he slides down and loses his good latch. So I have started taking him off when this happens but they are still a little sore when he first gets on. I still have some good bruises on my arms from the IV and blood draws but I mostly feel great. It was wasn't still hurting in my crotch I would be one very happy girl. However, because I am still having pain it just means I sit in my nursing chair a lot and snuggle with my boy. I am soaking up these early days with Leiland knowing they will pass so quickly and also be slightly foggy down the road. My belly seems to be going down as well. Every couple days I notice it looks smaller and today I weighed myself and was 184 pounds. Thats only 12 pounds over my starting weight. I know my belly is jiggly but I actually love it. I love playing with the skin and seeing my stretch marks. I thought I would miss being pregnant but I really don't. I loved it but I love having Leiland in my arms SO much more. Emotionally I am doing fine as well. I had a couple days I was sensitive but nothing too crazy. I haven't had any signs of depression which is great since it was a worry for me. My bleeding seems to have slowed down. Its nothing crazy but it hasn't stopped or anything yet either. Because I am nursing I am hoping it will be awhile before I get another period after the bleeding does subside.
Leiland was weighed on Friday the 13th and was 8 pounds 8 ounces and on Monday he was 8 pounds 9.5 ounces. His billiruben went up just a hair however they said that was the peak (5 days old). Its heading out so no worries there.
At 1 week old Leiland is just starting to be awake more. His "schedule" changes every couple days but we just roll with the flow and watch where he takes us. He has started to cluster feed more but is really getting the hang of nursing. Before he would freak out for a minute or two before latching on but now he just goes right on. As long as I am not too full he can go to town. If I am full I just have to hold my boob just right so he can get on. No biggie though. Today he has nursed just about every hour on the hour for about 5 feedings in a row. Now he is sleeping with his daddy.
I also pumped today to have some milk for bottles while we are out tomorrow. I did pretty good and got 9 ounces in just about 15 minutes. Leiland takes the bottle so great which is exactly what I wanted for him. Tim can feed him and have that extra cuddle/ care time. Its also nice to know he can have a bottle in public until I am comfortable nursing in public. I don't think it will be too long before I get the hang of that though.
Last night his umbilical cord stump came off, his tar poop is long gone, and he sleeps great. At night he will feed, sleep a few hours, feed again, then usually sleeps a good 5 hours before waking up again. He is so great to his mama letting me sleep at night.
Leiland at 1 weeks old is just adorable. He makes the cutest faces and always keeps his hands up close to his face. His big cheeks just BEG to be kissed 100 times a day and he will hold onto my finger the whole time we nurse. When he falls asleep after burping he just sleeps on my chest but always has a hand on my chest. I love holding my boy. I hate to put him down and don't care if I am spoiling him. At night he sleeps in our bed and its everything I have wanted. I love feeling him breath and just watching him. He is so great and I love him so much.
As for me, I am still in pain, but starting to feel better. I am still taking the prescribed vicodin and motrin. I am also still taking a stool softener to help me go potty. I saw the CNM at the OB office on Monday because the pain was still so bad. I started bleeding more and the meds weren't helping my pain at all. She said I still have a lot of bruising there but my stitches from the episotomy are disolving and that it is healing. My boobs get full but don't really hurt too bad. My nipples just started hurting when Leiland nurses but I think its because when he gets sleepy he slides down and loses his good latch. So I have started taking him off when this happens but they are still a little sore when he first gets on. I still have some good bruises on my arms from the IV and blood draws but I mostly feel great. It was wasn't still hurting in my crotch I would be one very happy girl. However, because I am still having pain it just means I sit in my nursing chair a lot and snuggle with my boy. I am soaking up these early days with Leiland knowing they will pass so quickly and also be slightly foggy down the road. My belly seems to be going down as well. Every couple days I notice it looks smaller and today I weighed myself and was 184 pounds. Thats only 12 pounds over my starting weight. I know my belly is jiggly but I actually love it. I love playing with the skin and seeing my stretch marks. I thought I would miss being pregnant but I really don't. I loved it but I love having Leiland in my arms SO much more. Emotionally I am doing fine as well. I had a couple days I was sensitive but nothing too crazy. I haven't had any signs of depression which is great since it was a worry for me. My bleeding seems to have slowed down. Its nothing crazy but it hasn't stopped or anything yet either. Because I am nursing I am hoping it will be awhile before I get another period after the bleeding does subside.
