Last week, my sweet little boy turned one month old. The month went by so incredibly fast. And it’s remarkable to see how much he has changed since August 24.
At one week, he was such a tiny little peanut. His first week picture didn’t go extremely well. I don’t think he liked being propped up in a chair. But I went with it and photographed his little temper tantrum. Even when he’s screaming, I can’t help but kiss his sweet little cheeks.
At one week, he weighed only six pounds eight ounces after losing a pound only three days after his birth. I spent that first week feeding him every two hours and worrying that he wasn’t gaining weight fast enough.
At one week, he already showed an appreciation for his mama’s music. When he was upset, Brad would often play him Tori Amos and he would quiet right down. Eventually I figured out that he likes a lot of female singers, the ones I usually listen to (I prefer female singers). Could it be that he remembered this music from the womb?
Elliott had a little bit of jaundice his first few days. It was nothing the doctors were concerned about. But to help get rid of his golden glow, we spent a lot of time outside taking walks. When Elliott was fussy, we would often take him outside and he would almost instantly stop crying. It was like he knew he needed the sun. Even now, being outside is his second favorite place to besides his mama’s lap.
At two weeks, Elliott had gained a little weight, but still had little chicken legs. He also still had what we called “googly eyes”, but was able to focus them better than when he was first born. Elliott showed better control over his hands and feet than his first week when he would flail about.
During Elliott’s second week, he found my hair and would stroke it while he nursed. Sometimes he would grab handfuls of it and hold it. I also noticed that he looked for me when he heard my voice, which never failed to melt my heart.
At two weeks, Elliott smiled, but of course he wasn’t responding to anything I did. He also cooed for the first time. My mom said that cooing in the first week is very early for a baby. Of course, we think he’s such a smart baby. Can you tell by his ‘Boy Genius’ onesie?
By three weeks, Elliott was back to his birth weight and I could tell a markable difference in his face, belly, and legs. He started to look more like a baby and less like a newborn. It’s obvious in this photo that during week three, Elliott became much more animated and responsive to the people and things around him. Also, his umbilical cord finally fell off that week.
Brad went back to work his third week, so Elliott and I spent a lot of time together just nursing and snuggling. I figured out how to work while nursing him so I could still be productive while giving him what he needs — lots and lots of physical touch. He slept on my lap, ate on my lap, and pretty much enjoyed being there all day long.
At one month, Elliott looks so incredibly different than his first week. He has grown an inch in length and is now 21.5 inches. He has very long feet, legs, and fingers. A lot of people are wondering if he is going to be tall, including myself. Brad and I are both on the shorter side but have tall brothers so it’s not too far outside the realm of possibilities.
At his one month check up Elliott weighed 8 lbs. 6.5 ounces. His facial expressions either make me giggle or melt my heart. He sticks his tongue out a lot and also makes a face where he pierces his lips together and looks like he’s trying to whistle.
If there’s one thing Elliott doesn’t like, it’s having a wet diaper. It really makes him angry and he cries and cries until someone figures it out and changes him. Some friends say this might mean he’ll be potty trained early. Both Brad and I were potty trained the week we turned two years old so I have high hopes for my E.
Elliott is already starting to show his personality. He’s inquisitive and extremely curious about the world around him. He loves being outside, a sign I’m sure that he’s going to be outdoorsy like his parents. He loves eating and isn’t picky whether his milk comes from me or a bottle. In fact, he’ll eat from any bottle. We inherited quite a few different types from friends, and he happily drinks from any of them as long as milk comes out the other end. He finds music soothing and also likes to hear his mother’s voice, singing or otherwise. He also loves hanging out with Brad. I have a feeling he will take after Brad in more ways than his looks.
In one short month, I’ve gone from being smitten with him to absolutely in love with my little Elliott. He definitely has my heart.