Hands Free At Last, Hands Free At Last, Thank God Almighty, Hands Free At Last!

Dexter has been voraciously chewing on his hands and for the past week we have kept one hand out of the miracle blanket overnight. Last night, he was really struggling when we wrapped him up so we decided to try to shift to a "hands-free" sleep sack. Sure enough, he loved it. This, coupled with putting away most of his 0-3 month outfits yesterday, caused some serious sentimentality in Mommy. Parenting seems to have a lot of lessons about learning to let go.

Body Parts

A few weeks ago, Dexter discovered his hands and has been fascinated with them ever since - looking at them, playing with them, batting at and grasping things, and stuffing them as far into his mouth as he can manage. This week, the discovery was feet! It started during a diaper change and now he realizes that he can pull his little legs up and look at his feet whenever he wants. It's like he's doing baby-yoga!

Lesson # 3 - It Takes Longer Than You Think It Will

As I mentioned earlier, I am lucky to work where I do, for a number of reasons. Not only do I have my own private office but I also have access to a private lounge off the ladies' room for pumping. Sure enough, I couldn't access any of the outlets in my office (covered with bulky office furniture) and I forgot that it takes about 20 minutes for the hot water to reach the 4th floor in this old building. Also, I had to be more careful with my work clothes on than when I would pump in my jammies. What takes me 10 minutes at home (including cleaning the pumping supplies) took me almost a half hour here at work! I'm going to see if they can get me an extension cord so that I can pump in my office saving a little bit of time and effort. Also, I'm going to consider ease of access for pumping when dressing for work from now on. And I'll bring a little dishtowel with me to cover my clothes. It's one thing getting the job done, it's another thing altogether staying tidy while you do it.

Lesson #2 - Just When You Think Everyone's On Schedule

Dexter has usually been waking up around midnight and 4am for feedings so I thought this schedule would well for me for work. I'd wake at 4ish, feed him, get ready for work, and head out. Sure enough, this morning I woke up at 5am with Dexter still sleeping like, well, a baby. What was I to do? My pumping materials were all packed and ready to go to work with me and it would be good if Dexter started sleeping longer stretches. So I got dressed, grabbed my pump, and headed to work figuring I would pump first thing when I arrived. We're learning that plans change and adaptability is key to this baby-raising thing.

Lesson #1 - Dressing for Success

Or, at least, for averting disaster!

My friend, Madoka, had a mug made with a picture of Dexter on it for me to use when I went back to work. Today I discovered that my milk let down when I looked at the picture. While this will be good for pumping at work, the real lesson is to wear breastpads and layers, layers, layers!

Hi Ho Hi Ho, It's Back to Work I Go

Today was my first day back at work and it went very well. Ben and I spent the second half of last week trying to institute some sort of schedule that would facilitate my work schedule and ease Ben into the work of baby-care. Waking up early seems to be the most difficult part of the deal for Ben but he's getting used to it. Dexter and Ben have a wonderful time together and I'm completely comfortable with Ben's ability to take care of basic needs such as feedings and diaper changes. I'm lucky enough to have the flexibility to work early hours (from 6am until 1:30pm) so that I can get home in time for Ben to leave for work. I think I'll be able to handle it. We've managed to get Dexter to go to bed at 7pm but he gets up 2 times during the night for feedings so I try to eat dinner and then go right to bed after putting him down. Despite the sleep disruptions for feedings, I should still be able to get enough hours to be functional during the day. Fingers crossed!

Reaching Out

His arms may still be short, be he is using them to reach out and explore his world (note the hippopotamus feet in the boppy photo)!

ToppleHead

Waiting for Godot

Or, in this case, My Bologna...

Hand to Mouth

Tonight when I put the sphere on Dexter's chest it rolled up toward his head where he grabbed it with both hands and maneuvered it to his mouth all by himself!

Best Buddies

Dexter LOVES to watch and touch My Bologna. My Bologna doesn't seem to mind at all.

We Dared!

Dexter and Sophie thoroughly enjoyed the first three songs and then Dexter started hollering so we hightailed it home! It was nice while it lasted.

Do We Dare?

Ben has a gig tomorrow night - it's short (from 7pm - 9pm) but could be a loud one. We bought Dexter some noise-reducing ear-muffs and are thinking about taking him to the gig... Anyone interested in joining us for great, cheap eats and the James Curley Band, we'll be at Reggie's Music Joint, 2109 South State Street at 7pm.

http://www.reggieslive.com/musicjoint/

Dexter's Favorite Things

In addition to "talking" with Mommie and Daddy (and to his hand) Dexter now has an appreciation for some of his toys: the cube, the sphere, Sophie the Giraffe, the 5 in 1, the happy monkey, blue puppy, and the plastic puppy "book".

Mommie Milestone

No, I haven't lost the baby weight (not even close!) but I am thrilled that I can once again wear my wedding band without it cutting off the circulation to my finger!

Sophie the Giraffe

I think we've discovered Dexter's transference object!

New Perspective

Dexter LOVES looking at the world ("our living room") from an upright position. He fusses if we put him down on his back. While he can hold his head up pretty well, I worry about putting too much pressure on his little neck (that head is mighty hefty!) so we limit sitting up time for now.

Bittersweet

It was probably more difficult for Mommie...last night Dexter slept the whole night in his crib. We had been talking about moving him from his basket next to our bed to his crib in his own room for about a week (since noticing that he's as long as the basket and able to scratch his little head on the sides). I was finally able to let it happen last night. He slept in his crib from 8:30pm - 3:15am (he wasn't even fussing but I woke up with full boobs and had to feed him) and then from 4:30 - 7:30am. We didn't hear a peep - when I went into his room this morning, he was lying peacefully in his crib, looking around, perfectly content. What a big boy! We'll miss his little chuckles and farts waking us up in the middle of the night.

Giggles and Funny Faces

The Camera Loves Him

And he loves the camera right back!

My Bologna Is Not Impressed

Self explanatory.

Interpretive Dance

And now, for your viewing and listening pleasure, we present Dexter's baby-dance interpretation of Tom Waits' "I'll Take New York" from the February 6th, 2009 morning performance.

Nuks & Crannies

Dexter finds comfort in sucking but, because I have my own bodily functions that I need to take care of without him, he can't keep my boob in his mouth 24/7. He hasn't mastered the pacifier but he manages pretty well nowadays with the Nuk brand. Yippee!

Consistently Inconsistent

In preparation for my return to work later this month, Dexter and I have been trying to get on some sort of regular schedule that allows me a few consecutive hours of sleep each night and enough breastfeeding time to keep Dexter satisfied. So far we haven't had much luck.

Rock Before We Walk

I can't wait for these astrologically aligned friends to meet and start a band! Madoka has great taste in baby clothes - here's Sky in Led Zeppelin and Dexter in Hendrix.