How in the world do I already have a one month old little boy?
Yesterday, Lucas turned one month and I think I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. I know I’ve said it before, but how in the world does time fly by so fast?!
This first month at home with a newborn has been a whirlwind…
Week 1 – Lucas was easy peasy. He slept a majority of the time and even slept great at night. He would give me 4, and the occasional 5, hour stretches at night, and for the first few nights I even had to wake him up to feed. Me? Well, I was an emotional, hormonal wreck. I’d even go as far as saying that I probably had a mild case of the baby blues. I cried quite a bit that first week – sometimes they were happy tears and overwhelming feelings of joy – but other times they weren’t. Adjusting to life with a newborn isn’t easy, especially for someone who has always taken a little extra time to adjust to changes.
Week 2 – For the first week, I’d often stare down at Lucas and think, “Hey, wake up! I want to seeeee you!” By about halfway through the second week, I’d often stare down at Lucas and think, “Hey, why don’t you go to sleep already?!” While his evening sleep patterns still remained fine, he began to develop his “witching hour” from about 5-10pm. Nothing seemed to keep him happy, he was constantly squirmy, and just did not seem happy. Me? I started feeling a tiny bit less emotional, but I was still a ball of hormones. Jay went back to work that week so it was my first times alone at home with him, but we did good.
Week 3 – Things remained pretty much the same in terms of Lucas, his witching hour, and his nightly sleep, but I started seeing a little bit more of a personality emerge! Smiles (although I know they aren’t always the “real thing”) began happening, I could see him respond to my voice, and could watch him really fixate on certain objects (black and white stripes, for one!). I also started implementing a bit more of an eat-play-sleep routine, and although the times would vary, it was nice to have somewhat of an outline of a schedule to go by.
Week 4 – I finally started feeling a little bit more like myself, and I think there was even a stretch of a few days without any tears! Lucas continues to show his personality and even started “cooing” and “ahh-ing” quite often which is just adorable. We also kept at our eat-play-sleep routine, but we’re still a little more lax when it comes to nailing down certain times.
(You can see where I got his monthly onesie stickers HERE)
So now, here we are at one month! I don’t want to sugarcoat it and say it’s been easy, but it has still been amazing. Sure, there have been tough days/nights/moments, but there are always plenty of good moments to make up for those tough ones. One of the biggest challenges I have with Lucas right now is that he is quite the “spit upper(?)” He winds up spitting up during almost every feed and well after them too. He seems to be a “happy spitter” though, which helps; while it’s certainly a mess, it helps to not have him crying and uncomfortable while he’s doing it. So for now, I just always make sure to have extra bibs, burp cloths, and towels around!
Yesterday’s one month checkup also went very well. He’s up to 9lbs 5oz (up 1.1lbs from his two week checkup) and he also took his shot like a champ. Me, however? I started crying before they even gave him the shot. Lord, help me. But after his initial scream, I scooped him right up and he just quietly melted into my arms…thus melting my heart.
It’s so crazy to see just how much he has changed in this short month. Although the majority of folks say how much he looks like Jay (so true!), I feel like lately I may be seeing some pieces of me in him…
What do ya think, maybe? Or just wishful thinking?
So even though this month has been a challenge, the love that I have for this little guy is just indescribable. Seriously. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to express just how much I love and adore this little human being. And while there are days I wish I could just stop time, I also look forward to watching him grow and continue to develop into an adorable little boy.
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Thanks for the open honest update! I’m sure you’ll start to get in to your groove over the next few months…seriously can’t believe a month has gone by already!!!
Leigha @ Minougirl says
Where has the time gone?! I can’t believe he’s already a month! So glad that everything is going smooth (for the most part) :)
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
I can’t believe it’s been a month either, congrats to your little family! He is too cute in that onesie!
BabyToothsUncle says
He’s always squirmy!
Courtney says
LOL…BabyToothsUncle? I love it. :-D
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says
Awww…one month old!?! How time flies!!! It was great reading your recap, and I’m glad to hear that you’re starting to feel more like yourself!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
What a little cutie!!!
Elizabeth @ myneonrunningshoes says
Happy one month Lucas!!! I definitely see some resemblance!
Sarah @ Blonde Bostonian says
Wow – time is flying!! He’s so adorable!
Heather @fitncookies says
He looks like a stud in those pictures! Such a handsome guy :) I think that you are rocking being a mom if that’s all that happened in the first month! I’m sure crying will get less and less and his joyful moments will become even more!! :)
Olivia @healthylivy says
He’s tooooo cute! Time really does fly by
FitBritt@MyOwnBalance says
One month already! Oh man! Time does fly. He is such a little cutie though!
Emily @ The Good Era says
Wow, that month went fast! So happy to hear all is going well :)
Colleen says
oh wow, you’re doing great! lucas is adorable! i have a 3 month old and i remember being a wreck for the 1st two months. i’m still a wreck some days but it gets better.
Kim says
Thank you for an honest update Courtney…seriously it’s so refreshing to hear. I have a newborn and I get discouraged at times when I hear people only talk about the positives and not the struggles because I am struggling. I love it but its a huge adjustment. Do you plan on doing a post about breastfeeding? I would love to hear about your experience…again I’m struggling in that area as well! Lucas is such a cutie!
Courtney says
I haven’t really decided on whether I’ll do a post about it, but I’m not really sure I’d have much to post about. I’ve been very lucky with the fact that everything has gone very smoothly for us from the beginning, so I don’t have too much to tell. I’m sorry to hear that you’re struggling…I’ve spoken with SO many people who are in the same boat! Best of luck to you :)
Jamie @ Sometimes Healthy Living Blo says
Awww, I definitely see a bit of you in that handsome little guy!
I love your honesty in these updates, and while I don’t know what it will feel like to be a mother, I imagine I too would have some trouble adjusting. I can see myself crying tears and not even knowing if they are happy or sad!
But it’s obvious that you love it so much and are clearly a natural :-)
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves says
What a cutie pie! Happy one month, Lucas! Best wishes to both the baby and parents for many many more to come :)
Brittany @ Proteinandpumps says
Oh he’s so adorable!!! I can definitely see you in him : )
Alaina says
Thanks for posting a one month update! It is so helpful for women going through the post-partum phase to have someone to contend with on their feelings. I for one, think a smile is a smile is a SMILE! :D I can’t wait to learn how both you and Lucas are doing at the 2month mark! Until then, please know you are doing a fantastic job as a Mom! <3
Andrea @ The Fit Scoop says
Great post – super helpful and timely considering I’m due in 11 weeks! I must say I am scared of the emotional roller coaster that occurs after birth (and so is my husband – ha). Any tips on how to prepare/deal with it or does it just pass with time?
Courtney says
Unfortunately, I have no tips lol. Just let the emotions come as they do, and warn your husband ahead of time!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
Gahhh this post made me cry! Only because I can totally relate. :) They grow up just so darn fast, don’t they? It really does just get better and better too. People kept telling me that during those first several weeks, and I doubted them, but I promise you, it’s true. And yes, he definitely does resemble you in that baby photo!! I think we could really tell who Hunter looked like (Cody for sure) when he got to be around 10 weeks old.
Lexi says
I love your approach to being a new mom! Sounds like you’re doing an awesome job! I can’t wait to have a little one of my own!
Jocelyn says
He is so cute! What do you do for play time with him? My little guy is almost the same age and he is just not interested in anything.
Courtney says
I’ll either put him on his play yard, or I’ll “read” (show) him a couple of black and white books that we have, or I’ll just lay him in my lap and talk with him. :)
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says
I can’t believe he’s a month old already! He’s seriously such a cutie…and I do see a resemblance in the photo! You’re doing an amazing job mama!
Lauren says
You’re doing great! For someone who hates change (like me), this is going to be a hard time but you seem to be adjusting pretty well! I know my mom told me once before one of us got sick while we were feeding (from a bottle – I’m not sure if you’re doing the bottle) but she found out she need to tilt the bottle higher so there was no air bubbles coming through the nipple. I don’t know if this will help but I figured I’d add it! :D
Michelle Kim says
Whether he looks like you or Jay, he will be a good lookin’ boy :)
And definitely will be immensely blessed by all the love and support around him!
Angie @ Pint of Goals says
I also follow the eat-play-sleep routine with my daughter, and it’s been a good schedule. One thing that helped me immensely was reading The 90 Minute Sleep Plan; basically after approximately 90 minutes (or less) of awake time during the day, your baby should go down for a nap. This has helped my husband and me avoid the fussiness at night. Going into this, I had no idea babies slept so much and also needed to be helped to sleep – I am surprised this was never covered in the baby classes I took while pregnant!
Lucas is such a cutie – love the tie stickers :)
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
Aww he’s precious, Courtney! :) :)
Addie is a major spitter-upper, too. She’s also a happy spitter, but the laundry can drive me crazy!! We did reflux meds for a little while. They helped initially but then things seemed to go back to “normal,” with her spitting up all of the time. I’m hoping that it improves soon!
Courtney says
I hope so, too…for both of our sakes! ;)
Lynn says
Thank you for sharing this update! It was sounding like things were all super honky-dory for you with the baby, which would’ve been the total opposite from my experience for the past few months. I ADORE my little man but this mommy business is friggin hard! I’ve had countless instances of crying and it helps to know that I’m not the only one. I think as mothers, we need to share our experiences, even the ugly ones, to get through this wonderful, yet challenging, time in our lives. I feel like all too often women feel the need to put on a happy face and act like everything is always dandy, when really we don’t need to do that. It’s a learning process, it’s an adjustment, and sharing is the best way to get by!
And for the record, I do think there’s a resemblance between you and your cutie!!
Courtney says
You’re right…it IS so nice to hear that we aren’t alone! :)
Cassie @RedLetterDaye says
Awwww! Thanks for your honesty in this. It’s interesting to see what to expect if I choose to have a little one someday.
Lauri says
Sounds like my first month with my son (who just headed off to Kindergarten this week, sniff sniff!) – I cried a LOT and no one had wanred me for that!!! Glad you are settling in and getting into a routine – and he is so adorable!!!
Jess@themessyjessy says
I’m sorry you had a bit of the blues :( Seems like you are doing better now, though, and that’s all that matters. Your little boy is adorable, I love that onesie!
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says
So adorable!!!!! :)
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says
Jackson looked JUST like his dad right from the start….. but the older he gets, the more he starts to resemble me! Makes this mama proud!
I once heard a joke that all babies come out looking like their dad’s just to ease their minds. HA! Which is AWFUL because WEEEEE, the moms, are the ones that carry them for 9 months AND ENDURE LABOR! They should look like US as a reward!!!!!!! :)
Courtney says
Hahaha, I totally agree!! ;)
Melanie @ Just Some Salt and Pepper says
He’s absolutely adorable! So glad his check up went OK!
Kristi says
Such a cutie. I love the pics. He looks so tiny compared to that stuffed animal.
Karen says
He is just so stinkin’ cute!!
Kelly says
Can’t believe the little guy is a month old!! He is too cute!
Lauren says
Those first few weeks are so tough as everyone tries to adjust, but I can tell you 10 months down the road you won’t even remember sleepless nights or tears you shed. My little guy just turned 10 months old today and although he was a horrible sleeper for the first 7 months (haha lucky us!), I really can’t remember the feeling of exhaustion. Those memories fade and only the good ones are left. Also we had a happy spitter and I used to freak out because he would spit up SO many times a day and it always looked like so much. Our pediatrician told me it always looks like much more than it really is and they will eventually grow out of it.
She was right! It took a while, but now I don’t even have a burp cloth nearby when I’m nursing because I know we’re in the clear. You are doing great mama!
Courtney says
Thank you so much! And thank you for giving me hope that I won’t have to be covered in burp cloths and blankets forever ;)
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says
Can’t handle the cuteness! Can’t believe it has already been a month!
Sarah @ A Refining Adventure says
I can’t believe it’s already been a month. He is so adorable and you are a precious mommy. I’ve no doubt things will keep getting better…with a few rough spots along the way, I’m sure. :-) Thanks for sharing your precious boy with us!
Lauren says
He is so sweet. Congrats on your baby boy!
Em @ Love A Latte says
I know this post is from a while ago but I really like reading them. My baby boy is just a week old and it’s helpful to read others experiences. I noticed that you said that your baby spit up a lot with feedings and I am having the same issue. What did you end up doing? Did it just get better with time? Thanks so much!
Courtney says
Awww, congrats Em!! Oh gosh, the spitting up. Unfortunately, there was nothing we could really do and it just eventually got better with time. Around the time he started eating some solids is when we noticed a difference. Hang in there, mama. And just have lots of extra clothes and bibs around!