Post Partum check in: 2 months

So between busting my laptop’s keyboard (note to self: don’t leave the Nalgene bottle unscrewed near the laptop, it won’t ever turn out well), getting all my files transferred to my new laptop and internet issues this past week, I haven’t been able to get this post up. Zachary turned 2 months old on February 1st and this is our two month post partum check in!

Baby:

Zachary’s stats:

• Weight – 12 pounds, 6 ounces: 50th percentile (according to our nurse practitioner his weight is in the 75th percentile but after checking both the WHO and CDC growth charts I think she was mistaken)
• Length – 23 inches: 50th percentile (again, the NP who took his measurements wasn’t the greatest, I was holding Z’s head in place and she definitely did not stretch him out entirely when measuring him. He has grown out of 0-3 month footed pajamas and onesies because of how long his torso is so I seriously doubt this is his true length)
• Head circumference – 16.14 inches: 90th percentile (his head is growing at a ridiculous rate, when he was born his head was 14.13 inches and in the 60th percentile)

Z got a clean bill of health at his 2 month appointment. The only we talked about at length were his bad eating habits. Z is overactive and won’t stay put when eating and only seems to want to eat an ounce or so at a time plus he sleeps too much when we’re out and about and literally forgets to eat.  So we are working on putting him on an actual feeding schedule now that he’s older in hopes we can improve his input numbers.

Z’s schedule:

One of the reasons I think we are having issues with the amount Z eats is because he is such a champion sleeper. I know a lot of parents will kill me for saying this out loud but Z is consistently sleeping through the night, and has been since he was 6 weeks old. Our last feeding is usually between 11 and 11:30 and he sleeps until about 5:30 or 6 am. He then wakes up eats 2 to 3 ounces and passes back out for a couple of hours. Then he is up all.day.long. He takes 20-45 minute naps here and there and cluster feeds all day long, never taking in more than an ounce or two at a time.

As thankful as I am that my baby sleeps so well through the night, this means I get absolutely nothing done during the days. Between pumping every 2 to 3 hours and feeding ever hour or so we don’t get off the couch much these days. Also, I’ve not been able to sleep through the night with him thanks to engorgement. I’ve only recently stopped setting an alarm to wake up and pump and I’m hoping my body will adjust to longer stretches of sleep without impacting my supply too much.

Z’s demeanor and milestones:

Zachary is such a happy and relaxed baby. He smiles all the time now, not just when we smile at him. He’s also begun to coo a lot and makes a very large range of noises and sounds. We have lengthy conversations throughout the day and I recently caught him chatting with one of his toys. He is also very active; he has been kicking and fist pumping up a storm since the day he was born. I have a feeling once he’s mobile he won’t ever stop.

Z is also incredibly strong; he has been holding his own head up pretty steadily since 4 weeks old. He still bobbles a bit and whacks us from time to time but he prefers to be propped up in our laps or hanging over a shoulder so he can just look around at everything. We even tested out the Bumbo seat and he handled it like a champ.

Z isn’t a fan of tummy time and literally just lays there sucking his fist until he falls asleep or gets frustrated enough to cry. I think his huge head is to blame.

Other things:

Because Z is so active and so curious he’s not much into cuddling with us. I’m a little sad that my baby boy doesn’t want to be held and snuggled like most babies his age but I’m also so incredibly happy with how independent and determined he is to be a big boy. He is happiest to be sitting in his newborn lounger or bouncy seat so he can kick and flail freely while having a conversation with you. He does still take a nap on me occasionally and when he does I cherish our cuddle time.

I’ve had to work with him in the Moby wrap because I’m a proponent of baby wearing and he only tolerates it in short spurts. He only lasted in the newborn hug hold for four weeks and we had to graduate to the kangaroo hold so his legs could be free. His head control is good enough that we are now doing the normal hug hold without a problem. He’s also not a huge fan of being cooped up in his car seat for lengthy periods of time, thankfully he usually passes out in the car seat once it’s on the move.

Body:

I gained 37 pounds during my pregnancy and I lost 35 pounds by 2.5 weeks post partum. Since then, my weight fluctuates but averages around 2 pounds above my pre pregnancy weight (100% of this credit goes to breastfeeding since I’m eating like a teenage boy and haven’t done anything physically active in two months). As great as this may sound, my body is nowhere near where it was pre-baby and I’m struggling to fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans. My hips expanded a lot during my pregnancy and they finally seem to be returning to their normal width. I hope I’m 100% comfortable in my pre pregnancy pants by the time I return to work, though thankfully it’ll be nice enough to wear dresses by then. Also, for the sake of keeping it real, I was trying to lose weight before I found out I was pregnant, so returning to my pre-pregnancy weight wasn’t some huge deal to me. Since I’m currently working on regulating my milk supply as I prepare to go back to work next month, I’m not focusing at all on losing weight right now, just eating healthy and being active. I do plan on focusing on weight loss again in a few months when my supply is regulated or when we have to start supplementing with formula, whichever comes first.

9 days post partum:

2 months post partum:

I have a lot of work to do in regards to my core strength. Not only did I carry a 9 lb baby to term, but I also had a c-section. My core strength is completely shot and I’m currently doing daily core strengthening exercises. I still haven’t started running thank to a heel spur I developed during pregnancy (pretty sure this is due to poor shoe wearing habits during pregnancy). My goal is to start running this month, hopefully in the next week or so. I’ve started doing some intro yoga at home but hope to make it to the studio in the next week or so.

I’ve been so-so on the whole healthy eating thing. My appetite is insane thanks to breastfeeding and the sugar cravings that I developed during pregnancy are still very strong. I’m trying to eat less processed food (frozen meals are a go to when I’m home with Z and need to eat lunch). I’m also trying to cut  the majority of dairy out of my diet because I suspect Z has a slight issue with it AND I eat an unhealthy amount of cheese, ice cream and milk.

So with that we enter into the third month and the final month of maternity leave! Z officially starts daycare on March 1st. We have our first out of town trip planned for my best friend’s baby shower in Jacksonville (edit: attended and he was amazing, also stole the show….sorry Mindy!) and tons of visitors in February. Here’s to hoping Zachary continues to give us good sleep and remains the happy baby we love so much!