Little Underwood, Big Harte

Gavin is 11 weeks old - almost out of his "fourth trimester" a lot of people say. He is so much more interactive each week. We'll have to post next week on everything that is going on with our 12 week-almost 3 month old! Last Thursday at the last Mom's group I can attend during the week, he weighed 13 lbs with his clothes on - so we think he is just under 13 lbs. He'll have doubled his birth weight pretty much (they want that to happen by 6 months, we are a little early!). Other new things over here - he had a clogged tear duct on his left side early last week. Of course I called the pediatrician because I wasn't sure what was going on with it constantly watering and with all the gunk/puss that built up when he slept. She said to massage it throughout the next two days and she knew the trick because by then it was gone. He has started moving some in his crib! He is still swaddled but he some how manages to get himself so he isn't facing the same direct...

A few pictures from bath time last night in the link below! Also in the album is a picture of Stefan reading to Gavin from his cousin Iain's second published book that just came out. The book is about Iain's grandmother (Stefan's Great Auntie Bette) and has stories about his Grandpa Nicolson, too. What great family history captured in this book - congrats to Iain! As I write this he is so "chatty" this morning on his play mat interacting with his toys and making lots of fun noises - very entertaining little man! Check out his new album>>

We didn't have a repeat performance of sleep Tuesday night but he did go for just over six hours (then got up two more times though). We kept him awake after his 7 p.m. feeding, which was kind of hard, and that helped him fall into a deep sleep after his 9 p.m. feeding. Then Wednesday night, no good, only three and a half hours max at a time. Hmmm - maybe some regularity will come soon. At his appointment Dr. Klein said he looked like a perfectly healthy little man! He did great and was calm and playful - up until his shots of course. It is sad to see him turn bright red, hold his breath then let our a billowing shriek followed by real tears (they just started coming in!) but we know it is for his own good. With the modifications we made to his vaccination schedule, he will get these shots again at 4 and 6 months then these will be done before we start the next set. We were grateful he wasn't really affected this time around (except maybe the short bouts of sleep that night)....

After a rough night on Sunday (three hours at a time was the most he slept) then a fussy afternoon and evening on Monday, we got this AMAZING surprise! Gavin slept through the night for the first time at exactly 9 weeks old! The top line is the last time he had a diaper change, next line is how long since he ate, third line is how long he slept at once, then at the bottom you'll see it is almost 6 a.m. BTW I love this Itzbeen timer, so keep it in mind if you need a great shower or baby gift!  It also keeps track of which side you are on for nursing and it is a nightlight.  We aren't sure if we can get a repeat performance, but we can't wait for this to become more normal (we are realistic and know it likely won't be that soon but you never know!). I think he was tired from the bad sleep the night before and not much sleep the next day. He was pretty fussy from 1-5 p.m., then slept for a few hours only because I held him and then had some fussy and some awake cal...

It is April 12 and Gavin is officially two months old!  He is smiling and reacting to us more, and it is the best part of either of our days!  He can keep his head up in tummy time for quite awhile, and once he even seemed to prop up on his elbows although developmentally we weren't expecting this for about another month (see his album link below for a photo).  He enjoys his play mat and spends time there after many of his daytime feedings (after we keep him upright for about 20-30 minutes since we found this tends to help his digestion).  His indigestion now seems to just be when he needs to pass gas or have a bowel movement - unfortunately this kid does that after more feedings than he doesn't. He isn't one of those once a day or once every other day kids - at least he isn't right now, but I know those things can change.  Sleeping is hit or miss. He usually has one chunk of 4-6 hours, so that is good! But, he goes to bed early so his long sleep on...

Gavin's seven weeks old and celebrated his first Easter. Although Mom went to Mass on her own while Dad and Gavin hung out at home to avoid the crowds and the germs, we all got to have brunch out together on a restaurant patio. G got to sport his "My First Easter" bib compliments from his Great Aunt Sue (Mal's Godmother).  He also wore all three of his onesies that have chicks on them - yep, we went through three outfits - sometimes the cloth diapers don't agree with us and leak and yes it is very annoying! We got Gavin his first Easter basket, which, instead of being filled with chocolate bunnies and Cadbury eggs, was stuffed with baby sunscreen so he is set for the spring and summer in Florida :) Between this week and last we experienced the infamous six week growth spurt Mal had heard about at the Mom's group. Let's just say it was kind of a rough three days. He ate basically every hour to hour and 15 minutes and then only slept for about two or thr...

Between weeks 5 and 6 Gavin's been busy ... Teased us with five hours of sleep, a feeding and being up for an hour and a half followed by five more hours of sleep! Since then ... we have had a few rough nights and a few nights where the first block of sleep is five hours, but we've yet to have a repeat performance. If we do get to that Gavin will have some happy (and rested parents!). He smiled at us for real! When we get him out of his crib in the morning we have been getting some real smiles if he isn't too hungry. It is the BEST! He holds his head up and moves it around when on our chest, and he can hold it up for awhile. He seems pretty pleased with himself about it, too! He has put himself to sleep for a few naps on his own in his Rock N Play and in his swing. Normally we have to hold him until he zonks out.  Saturday morning hanging out in Mom and Dad's bed and showing us that gummy smile! Gavin's sports memorabilia and gear collection started at o...