Well, I admit that I am a bad blogger but I blame it on motherhood! The last 9 weeks have been fantastic watching Jude grow and blossom into a little person. Where do I even begin... how about the beginning?!So after we came home from the hospital, we had three days uninterrupted as a family. As I mentioned in my last blog, Nathan left on day 5 and I had a really rough time with it. Its such a strange feeling not being in control of your emotions. Your hormones completely take over and you can do little to change how you feel. Although he was only gone for 4 days, it was so different from the other times we were apart. To remedy the sadness I was having, I traveled to Illinois with Nathan since the band had a rehearsal day before the tour started. It was amazing to get out of the house, go for a walk around the U of I campus, stay in a hotel, and introduce Jude to Nathan's peers and the Band.
The next few weeks were great and consisted of many sleepy nights and diaper changes. We were feeding every 2-2.5 hours so the longest stretch at night was no more than 3.5 hours, and when he was in between feedings, he would be "talking" or grunting trying to poo! Poor little thing had such a new little digestive track. He continued nursing SO well and started "tracking" just before his one month checkup. We could shake a rattle near his head and he would slowly turn his head to find it. Then, when we moved it, he would follow its movement. It was choppy, but he still tracked it!
He would also lay on his belly, lift his head and turn it to the other side to find the rattle. It was incredible to see him do these things after only a month of life! Then, his hair started to fall out and he developed baby acne pretty badly! At his 1 month check up, he weighed 9 pounds 10 ounces - having gained exactly 2 lbs since birth. He also had grown a whole inch to 22"! These new measurements put him on the 75% for length/height and the 50% for weight.
Jude's first social smile was on Wednesday, March 25. We had just dropped Nathan off at the airport and headed to my mom's house for dinner. When we go there, mom and I started cooing and being silly and low and behold - a huge grin spread across his face! We nearly fainted. Its been non stop ever since. He smiles and giggles and "ooohs" at himself constantly throughout the day especially when you talk to him in a high-pitched voice. His obsession (even now at 9 weeks) are lights and ceiling fans. He will just sit for hours watching them!!
During week 6, Jude and I packed up and drove to Florida with Nathan's parents and brother. Nathan had a week off (Third Day observes Spring Break every year with their kids) and flew down to meet us. We stayed in a gorgeous condo just off the beach in Ft. Myers. The sun was hot and weather gorgeous. Although Jude couldn't wear sunscreen or get in salt/chlorinated water, he still sat out by the pool with us most days - just under the umbrella with Papaw. Nathan and I enjoyed a date night and we even got to sleep till 10 most days because Nathan's parents would take Jude after his morning feeding - SO NICE!
We also made a very big family decision - We are moving to Atlanta, GA! Third Day is based out of there and Nathan would be able to spend more time at home when off the road. Currently, he has to drive to and from Nashville for each bus call which takes away a lot of time he could be spending at home with Jude and me. Although it means leaving family and friends, we have been wanting to relocate for a while to spread our wings as a family. We've never been completely "on our own" and we feel like its time!
As soon as we retuned from Spring Break, we started cleaning out the house and put it on the market. Despite the terrible condition of the market, we feel like the Lord is telling us that its time. I spent every waking moment
last week cleaning the house, trying to make it look like two bulldogs don't live here. Honestly, don't ever try to list your house with an 8 week old and your husband traveling full time!! We don't have a scheduled move date - it will be once we sell the house. Once that happens, we will house hunt in ATL.
Jude is growing so quickly, he began wearing 3-6 month onsies this week. We had his 2 month doctor appointment this week too and he got all his vaccinations. It was not as bad as the HepB vac he got at his one month appointment. He cried a little bit after the first shot and then wailed after the second... and then he quieted down and started smiling again! He has grown 1 1/4 inches (now 23 1/2") and 10 pounds 9 ounces. He only gained one pound. Doc said we need to try to get one more feeding in each day, so I've been trying to do that without interrupting the progress he is making with sleep at night. On the eve of his 8 week birthday, Jude went 7 hours and 20 minutes between feedings!! I couldn't even believe it... Since then, he is consistently going 6 hours each night, of which, I sleep about 5.
In the mean time, I have been slowly easing back into work. I am very excited getting back into work and exercising my brain, but I don't want to be away from Jude (of course!). Since he is nursing and sleeping so well, I pray that we do not have to supplement his food. I trust that the Lord will provide me with the milk he needs!!
I can tell you, Jude is the happiest baby on the planet. I am posting a video and pictures for you all to see. The photos are in a gallery titled by week. Enjoy!!
