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Thriving

We took Wolfie to another checkup today and he is thriving and doing amazing! The doctor once again complimented me on my substantial breast milk - he's already weighing in at 12.1 pounds. For a five week old this is incredible that he's gained three pounds since birth - and more if you count the pound he lost in the hospital.

Also, here's a smile that grandpa John was lucky enough to capture while on babysitting duty! :)

Dont cry over spilled milk...

Whoever came up with that saying never pumped 4 ounces of liquid gold, aka breast milk, and had it tumble onto the floor. I then leaned over to try and save a few drops in the container and spilled the other container still attached to my pump. Right then, I did cry over spilled milk!!! :)

Golden Afternoon

Today Eric, me and Wolfie had a "Golden Afternoon (Also one of Wolfie's favorite songs right now from the Disney Archive Collection featured in Alice and Wonderland). Our golden afternoon was a lovely Sunday with just the three of us.  Ahhh! No offense to our recent visitors but we've been so incredibly busy lately. Actually it still feels like we've been "on the go" since Wolfie was born.  So it was one of those days where it just felt. . . normal.  After Wolfie spent lots of quality time playing in his crib and cuddling in bed with me, we packed up to do our first beach run! Well, Eric ran.  . . I mostly briskly pushed the crib while he broke a sweat ahead of me.  I did however, make a few small steps toward regaining my stamina. I ran in a couple chunks of 5-7 minutes of very gentle jogging.  Have you ever tried running while in a pool? Yeah, that's what it felt like.  It was very odd.  Didn't hurt. . . but felt like I was hollow inside.  With practically zero muscle tone in my core, gumby legs, and a sore back, I did the best I could--and it felt amazing.  Eric and I cannot wait to get our official "running stroller" to really get back into shape.

After the beach we went to an A-MAZING Korean/Thai place for lunch, Destini Cafe.  It was completely  made to order, incredibly fresh, and family run.  On our way out we even saw the cook (the father) grinding fresh herbs in a mortar on the floor on our way out, and greeted by the mother who was carrying vegetables in buckets coming out of the kitchen. The daughter was our server and hand poured custom blended loose leaf teas for us at the table. Some may be turned off to see the old man grinding the curry on the floor but I found it heartwarming and a good sign that there is heart and soul in the food they serve. I have a feeling we'll be there every Saturday afternoon!

GoGo and Grandpa and Tarla Visit

We had a wonderful (yet always too short) visit with Gogo and Grandpa Wensman this weekend! They had not seen Wolfie since birth so it was fun for them to see all if his new developments (and new fat rolls!). They even got some good cuddles in during an afternoon siesta ;)

And in case anyone needed any help, Sabrina was right there to show us the ropes on how to take care if a baby. Auntie Christines "baby fever" was provoked by Wolfies deliciousness.

Sunday afternoon uncle Bryan and lauren hosted a BBQ so if course we had to show off Wolfie. He was greeted by many old friends, including Greg and Jeff Schumann, who have known me. Since I was a baby! :)
Tarla visited for the weekend and Eric and I had a wonderful date night with Paul, Tim, and her boyfriend. Granda and Grandpa Dickson were there to babysit of course and had a great time.

Wolfie is still sleeping great in the night. We put him down last night at eleven and he didn't fuss until 5:00. He Probably could have kept sleeping but I wanted to give him a nibble to eat since he was stirring a bit.

Babbling by the Brook

On our morning walk we ran into uncle Bryan and his little pup Sam, and we both agreed that since having out "babies" we have a new found appreciation for the whimsically lush foliage, benches, ponds, streams, and landscaping that softens up the concrete slabs in our condo complex. As we speak, in quietly getting sun at our very well maintained pool, relaxing to the sound if a waterfall. This style of apartment living is truly vintage and you won't find it many places while living in LA. There is a special spot where the water spills over glossy rocks and mossy wood planks under a chunky little bridge-wolfie LOVEs this spot. He just calmly stares off into the distance and perks up at every little bird chirp, or rustling of leaves in the tree. He even started mumbling and babbling along with the brook.

I am reading a delightful book called "bringing up bebe"-well not reading, but listening to via "audio book" on my iPod. I'm totally hooked to this woman's tale of observing French child and baby rearing techniques. it's very witty but most importantly it all makes sense.

Along my walk I ran into a nice gal about my age holding another baby (about 8 months) and a black lab. We started talking an hit it off right away. We chit chatted about the aches and pains and patience required or breast feeding, how quick time flys by, and sleeping through the night. Right now I know her as "Amanda from apartment number 7 with the little girl names Sophie". I am easily romanced by the idea of new friends, so like usual I'm already day dreaming about walks to the beach with her and Wolfie and Sophie becoming best buddies, lol. I am thinking about leaving a little note on her door inviting her for a play date walk next week. Is that creepy? lol.

And speaking of sleeping through the night I'm thrilled (ecstatic!!!!) to report a wolfie has slept from 11-7 now-straight through-two nights in a row now! wow what a milestone.

The Aviator

If becoming the President doesn't work out for Wolfie, he already has a back up plan to become a pilot. He's got his grandpa to help him get his wings. If the pilot thing doesnt pan out, perhaps he's better off being a passenger as a millionaire business man.

Photos taken at the LAX Museum.

Bumper Tales

I know there is a debate right now on crib bumpers and the jury is still out on whether it's a safety hazard or not. I'm conflicted. Especially when Wolfies new discovery is the whimsical rodeo scene in the inside of the bumper! He's been staring at it for almost an hour now! hopefully filling up his imagination with adventure and creativity! Soooo much more fun to look at than vertical bars don't you think? Soon they'll have our babies shipped to the moon because just existing in this planet poses a health risk, sheesh.

California Dreamin

...on such a winters day.

Cuddle Cam

Saturday mornings are just better when you have a baby in your bed.

One small step cat...one giant leap for Colonel Mustard

I was nursing Wolfie and Colonel Mustard jumped up and quickly laid his head on Wolfies leg. Too cute to not snap a pic before shooshing him off. :) It was almost as if he was saying "okay...I get it, you're here to stay...I suppose you're cool..."

He didn't even flinch when his hand thwapped him in the face, lol.

Baby Massage

Tried giving Wolfie a baby massage today and he loved it!!!!

Wonderful Day

I decided today that while taking care of the physical demands of a newborn is certainly challenging, keeping up with the emotional and physochological drama of being a new mom is even harder!

Wolfie had another pediatrician appointment today and as always, I walked away feeling better, validated that I'm doing everything okay, and relieved that he is thriving and healthy.  It was a simple weigh-in, but I came loaded with a list of questions. . . "Is it okay to have a fan running at night in our room", "he coughs every once in awhile", and "yesterday his poop was green. . .?" . . . and lastly, my question about his fussiness and what I was translating as a lack of interest in "cuddling".  I've done tons and tons of research now on what I can summarize the category as being "how can I be the most perfect mom on the planet and raise a genius?".  The books, articles, and blogs, often have whimsical feel-good anticdotes about soothing a fussy baby.  They discuss in length about the babies' need for feeling like they're in the womb, or needing physical cuddles with mom, or baby massage (yes, baby massage).  They painted a picture that I learned today was a bit unrealistic. . . for now anyways.  I pictured in my mind watercolor images of perfectly coiffed ladies in flowing night gowns rocking their smiling infant as he "coos" and wraps tendrils of her hair around his tiny little fingers while lovingly gazing into her eyes. My reality was that I was starting to feel like an udder.  While I feel a tremendous amount of affection and bonding when I nurse, I started to question if I was just a milk dispenser for the little guy?  I told the doctor, "Seems like my baby only is happy when he eats or sleeps, and in between he's throwing a fit while he poops".  It was the "in between" cuddle stage that I was feeling like I wasn't succeeding at.  She kinda chuckled and looked me straight in the eye and said, "you have an infant in the eating, sleeping, and pooping phase".  And there it was. Simple as that.  Like in a Looney Toons cartoon, the lightbulb went on.  I was already putting unesscesary pressure on my little guy to exceed his developmental stage he was in.  When I mentioned the books that talked about cuddling and all the rubbish that I'm supposed to engage in, she said "throw them away".  She said, "breastfeeding is his way of cuddling".  My heart literally melted.  Here I was with an image of what a "cuddle" was supposed to be, and it was right in front of me all along.  In that moment I reminded myself that while at times I may FEEL like a dairy farm, I'm much, much, much more to him.  

Happy to report that Wolfie is now 11.4 ounces!  He's gained two pounds since birth in less than a month.  I'm so proud of my little porker. 

We had an amazing day today together. After a calming and loving nursing session, we napped in our room. . . NAPPED!  I put him in the bassinet and I crawled into bed.  It was heaven. 

We did several sessions of "Tummy Time", he played with his "friends" in his crib (this is where he is on his back and stares at his stuffed animals, it's heart warming), and even went on a long 40 minute walk outside! I started my book on tape, "Bringing Up Bebe", a book on how well behaved French babies and children are, and their philosophies on raising children.  He took a cuddly warm nap on my chest after his afternoon feeding as well, it was heaven!

Pam came over too and helped me put dinner on the table and give Wolfie his dinner. Wolfie LOOOOVED his Auntie Pam. He was literally mush in her arms he was so relaxed, lol. 


He had a warm and soothing bath and just loves being in the water. The night was calm and like clockwork, which mommy loves.  I was in bed by 11:30!

An Outside Perspective

Loves his "floor time" looking outside at the birds, trees, and shadows! He kicks and jumps and gets so excited!

Happy Valentines Day!

Had a beautiful valentines day with my darlings. Managed to get a steak dinner (complete with mashed potatoes) hot and on the table during Wolfies nap so Eric and I could enjoy a good 30 minutes together. We reflected on our 9 year relationship, and what a beautiful gift we've given each other this year-our little Wolf man. Eric started the day by bringing me a boquet of flowers in the morning with a beautiful card.  Eric also bought me a pair of beautiful pair of heels as a gift and I decided right then and there it would be a Valentines day tradition for him!  Eric loved the idea, I think he said "sweet, makes all future Valentines days easy!"  I thought it was so romantic and bold of my hubby to get me heels,  I just loved the thought that went into it! Also reminded me how excited I am to dress like a woman again and not a college student. The Uggs, USC sweatshirt, and leggings were good to me in my final weeks of pregnancy and post-recovery but I can't wait to get a belt around my waist and a pair of sexy heels on my feet.  I got Eric a bottle of Frangelico Liquor. :)

Afternoon Stroll

It's a crisp, chilly day and were bundled up enjoying our afternoon walk. There's so much for him to look at and hear, his facial expressions are heart warming. I admit I was hoping this stroll around the complex would lull him to sleep, but happy to see him "absorbing" this beautiful world around him. We're taking a little break now here at the pool. Warm weather is going to be so much fun! It's funny, he wants nothing to do with his pacifier right now, but is very happy licking the edge of his blankie.

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