Twelve Weeks of PDG

The time has finally arrived.  Much like with pregnancy, twelve weeks signals a certain change.  This time, rather than hoping for an end to nausea (which, unfortunately, didn't actually end at 12 weeks last time), it is time to start measuring PDG in months.  The weekly count is done.  No more will I watch as others convert weeks to months in their heads to figure out just how old this kid is.  Next week he will be three months, and I'll just call him that for a whole month!

Before making this silly mental milestone though, let's look back at how much my little chunker has grown and grown and grown.

That first week was long, and rough, and painful.  But every second was a miracle and the sleep deprivation was still "cute." Oh, and he was already up from 7lb 9oz to 8lb 2oz - way to return and surpass birthweight!

 Two weeks meant Mama H headed home (though she continues to return as a weekly visitor) and it was time to start figuring out this mom thing on my own a little. And growing like a weed he measured 22in and 8lb 15oz.

By three weeks I'd discovered that the best time to take his picture was right after a feeding (which still hurt.  A lot.).  I remember googling the phrase "three weeks and only cries when awake." That sums up how I felt that week....

 Four weeks meant he was chilling out a little on the crying, but not as much as I would've hoped.  By now we had purchased the Snuggabunny swing and naps could last longer and keep our arms free.

 Five weeks and finally the H genes started to take over.  Bathtime was becoming a welcome and anticipated experience for both mama and kiddo and we were settling into a reliable 4-5 hour stretch of sleep each night (after seemingly endless nursing first.  Worth it.)

Six weeks and our favorite outfit, courtesy of someone at church.  We were so glad for chilly weather (and not knowing our heat had been turned back on) so that we could put him in this fuzzy suit twice and pinch those cheeks!

 By seven weeks we started seeing a glimpse of emotion and a smile.  Nothing we could count on, but man did it lift my spirits.

 Eight weeks and he had survived Apple Blossom, complete with overstimulation, fireworks, parades, and so many different people's arms to rock him.  What a champ!  He now weighed a whopping 13lb 4oz and measured 24 inches.  Way to hit above the 90th percentile for height.  Time to pull out the 6 month sleepers for night time.

Nine weeks and maybe it was a little warm for this, but oh well.  By now all that wiggling and nursing had started the funny balding pattern on the sides of his head.  Smiles started popping up more and more and more and I decided if I am home from work for a while with him, it might not be the worst thing.

Ten weeks and neck muscles were starting to really take off.  Occasional times in his bumbo and overall curiosity started him looking all around, all the time.  Sometimes sleeping as much as eight hours made mornings the best time of the day.

 Eleven weeks was celebrated in Vegas, as noted before, and he survived it in style.  Best way to get him to smile? Lay him on his activity mat with the mobile and music turned on. Or just touch his nose and say "boop"!

Twelve weeks and PDG was blessed by his (Grand)Papa H in church.  He screamed all the way through, but seems to be in another growth spurt.  At least that's what we'll call this return to no predictable sleep pattern.

Now it's time to see what happens at three months and beyond.  Thanks for joining us on our journey