4 weeks, 6 days old

Part I: Baby gap sucks and other wardrobe malfunctions

I was talking to Kate yesterday on the phone in advance of her trip to DC this weekend. At one stage she laughed and gasped at my admission that I cannot put clothes on my son that require me to have to put something over his head. I’m sorry, but it’s really hard. Why do they make clothes more difficult than others to put on newborns? It should be snaps and zippers only! I am sure in a few weeks’ time I will look back at this and laugh. However, like bathing, getting a wriggly worm newborn into certain positions ain’t easy.

Also, he’s between sizes and only has a few items that are 0-3 months – as in not newborn and not 3 months, but specifically 0-3 months. One of those outfits was a hand-me-down from baby gap which looks adorable, but is, in fact, evil. I’ve made a few attempts to get it on him and today I was determined. Take that Auntie Kate! I shall get this over his head and not kill him or give myself a heart attack.

So after an epic diaper change. (An aside: Sometimes these are events consisting of initial diaper change, race to clean and cover before…damn it! Pee geyser! Clean that up, change clothes, change changing pad cover in some cases, get a new diaper, get it on him and then…ferrrf. Giant poo. Today it was three ferrfs before I could get the final diaper on.)

Once this keystone cops of a diaper change subsides, I get out the outfit. I fling it over his head (ok, no, it was a gentle tug, but I just decided I wasn’t going to wimp out.) Head through. Arms through. Lots of squirming and a couple of angry yelps. And then it’s on and I’m button up (similar to a surgeon’s close I am sure.) Then I get to snapping the buttons by the feet. This should be no problem, only this dumb outfit (dumb dumb outfit) has weird little feet units that try as I might I cannot shove Austin’s feet into. So he’s snapped into this dumb outfit except for his feet. I’m not going to take it off of him, due to the stress AND the fact that the other 3 outfits that fit him right now are in the washing machine. So I put socks on him and voila he is dressed in this dumb outfit.

Sigh.

Part II: the gift that keeps on giving

I have already written about how generous people have been to us since Austin was born. I did not expect that nearly 5 weeks in this would show no sign of letting up. Today alone, we received the following:

A visit from Stacy and Avery, where Stacy brought coffee, muffins and two toys for Austin. Geoff and Stacy literally give us a baby gift or two a week!

A home cooked meal delivered by Kitchkat thanks to Cora, Inti and Kate. A delicious lasagna, black bean soup, cous cous and chocolate brownies from scratch.

A giggle outfit from Alex Tanaka and Hope, which is clearly some super hipster company that makes hipster baby outfits. This one is adorable and the best part: it’s 0-3 months. I will put it on him the second it is out of the washer!

So why on this Thursday before Austin’s 5^th week are we still being showered with gifts? I don’t know, except to say that we have surrounded ourselves with amazing people and I feel blessed.

Part III: Development update

The Aus-man follows you with his eyes when you talk and sing to him! It is very rewarding. He does have a slight dent in his head from favoring his right side. Sigh. We are working to rectify this, which requires tummy time and neck stretches. Also he  is fussy these days and kept me up for a better part of the night. I am told this peaks at 6 weeks. 

Back to the better news...at his 1 month appointment he weighed in at 10 lbs, 11 oz!! He is in the 75% for height, weight and head circumference. Hayden takes this as a sign he will clear 6 feet tall someday (eyeroll).  Also this week he took his first bottle from Hayden. He didn't even hesitate, which made mommy a little sad.