Cole Oliver. 1 month.

It's hard to believe it's been a month since Cole arrived in our arms.  It's a little sad because these newborn, squishy, sleep all day times are so fleeting.  But it's good too since those early newborn days are so hazy where I'm still recovering from birth, the baby has his nights and days mixed up, the big brothers are behaving terribly since they, too, are adjusting to a new life.  So it's nice to be a little more settled into a routine.

The big boys were all convinced we should name the new baby "Superman".  Hence the shirt :)

Anyway, we're ALL loving our little Cole boy.  For real, the big boys fight over who's going to hold/rock/pacify him.  Which would be great, except that they're boys.  And it's gets a little rough!  More than once I've said "We're not going to fight over the baby!" and "Don't hurt the baby!!"  Cole has come out ok so far - no major incidents - but I feel like it's only a matter of time.

For the first few weeks. Cole cluster nursed.  For a few hours, he'd eat every 20 minutes or so, which was a little exhausting knowing I couldn't go too far from him when he was awake.  Showers didn't happen much.  But then he'd sleep for a few hours.  Now at 1 month, he's spaced out his feedings a bit more and he's really not interested in nursing if he's not hungry.

Part of that may also have to do with his tongue tie.  That's been our biggest struggle so far.  The frenulum under his tongue is a bit too short, so he's not latching well.  Thankfully it hasn't caused any issues for ME but he's taking in a lot of air when he eats.  Which means there's a lot of gas in his poor little tummy :(  Plus, I've leaned that yet again, I will be going dairy free while nursing.  I've also cut out soy, beans, broccoli, peppers, onions and anything that might seems spicy/gassy.  (sigh)  Fare thee well cheese.  It was nice knowing ya.

But since I've cut out those things, he's been much happier.  And when we get his tongue tie fixed on Thursday, that will hopefully resolve any remaining gassy issues.  He really is a pleasant baby, but not when his tummy hurts.

Night time sleep is getting better now that he's figured out his nights and days.  Most nights he'll sleep for a few hours (any where from 2-4 hours), nurse and go back to sleep.  Sometimes though if he takes in too much air while nursing his tummy will hurt so we have to get up, burp and then rock back to sleep.  Sometimes that takes 20 minutes.  Sometimes that takes an hour or more.  Coffee is my very best friend.  He'll sleep part of the night in his rock n' play and part of the night in our bed.  Quite frankly, I don't care where he sleeps.  As long as he sleeps!  Daytime sleep is anything but consistent.  One day he'll cat nap all day long.  The next he'll rock a couple 3 hour naps!  If having 4 kids has taught me anything, it's to let go of expectations and just take each day as it comes.  If Cole is having a hard time sleeping, then we binge watch Netflix and I hold him for his whole nap.  If he's having a happier day, then I can put him down and wash a load of laundry or something.  The housework is so far behind it hurts my head to thing about it, but I know I won't get these days back either with my tiny boy.  So the dust sits.  The floors remain unswept.  And my arms and heart are full :)

Cole loves to be swaddled.  It's guaranteed to calm him down almost every time.  He takes the pacifier pretty well if he's tired.  He's a big fan of being held, but not always in my wrap or sling.  To put him to sleep, I'll usually swaddle him, give him the touchie (aka pacifier) and rock or bounce him to sleep.  He loves movement,  But he hates riding in the van and usually cries the whole time we're driving.

He's also a hot little baby.  He sweats more than anyone else in our house.  Most days he's just in a onesie, even to sleep at night.  I'll swaddle him in a thin, muslin blanket and he'll still wake up sweaty.  If he's sleeping with me, the bed will literally be wet where his head was.  And because I don't wash our sheets every day, my side of the bed is, well, kinda gross.

Cole loves learning our faces and is becoming more interested in watching his goofy brothers.  He also LOVES ceiling fans and staring at lights.  Oh, to enjoy the simple things in life.