1st Christmas and other news

Mason's first Christmas was a busy day, but so will all his others, I'm sure. We did have a break in the afternoon that allowed for a good nap (for me, too). Christmas was also the day that Mason became a one month old, and with that milestone, I think we've also welcomed either his first cold or he officialy has colic. (We actually went to the doctor today after a long, screaming weekend. I hate to be "that" mother, but I would also hate to be missing something. Official word...not anything major, like illness/injury, could be a cold, could be colic...helpful, right?) In more exciting milestone news, Mason has started to smile real smiles. They are so cute, and can almost make me forget how awful all the screaming has been...almost!

Here's a couple pics from Christmas. Landon is showing more interest in his cousin every time he sees him, but this was the first time he actually got close enough to touch him. He was so fun to watch! Landon was really gentle, and seemed so amazed that this little creature (Mason) had a "button" (belly button) and hair and fingers....just like he has! They both also had shirts on that said "What Santa doesn't bring me...Grandma will!" Isn't that the truth!!!
















In other news, my parents did manage to bribe Todd and I with a gift card on Saturday to get us out of the house for dinner. I think they were mostly just dying to babysit. It was hard to leave Mason, especially since he had been fussy all day and I was worried he was sick, but it was so nice to get out. I even had my first glass of wine! Mom had her surgery today to fix her Achille's tendon. Everything went well and she's home resting. I had my MRI today, without any Valium or Ativan I might add! My unofficial opinion is that it looks worse than my previous, but I'll have to wait and see what the radiologist says. More on that later.

All-night buffet

That's basically what I have been feeling like. Mason decided to have his 3 week growth spurt a little early. I knew it was coming, but in no way was I prepared for the hourly feedings and crankiness that it would bring. He just wanted to nurse ALL THE TIME!!! I can't imagine what he weighs after all that. And he wasn't the only one who was hungry, his constant feeding made me feel completely famished, not to mention the incredible thirst! I'm crossing my fingers that it's over now, last night he was back to sleeping for about 3 hours between feedings. Now I'll just wait to do it all over again at 6 weeks.

Play it again, Mom

Mason seems to be on an every-other-night fussiness pattern (I refuse to use the word "schedule" as that obviously does not apply to a baby by any stretch of the imagination). Last night was a great night....which makes me somewhat fearful of what tonight has in store. It seems like he's been gassy lately, but I don't really know what it is. We have some Mylicon (sp) drops, but I'm not convinced they really work. Someone told us to try Gripe Water.......any other suggestions out there?

Oh, and please don't ask me what I ate. I did have some ice cream the other night, which I later found out can upset a breastfed baby, but really, I swear, I haven't had any broccoli, spicy foods, chocolate.....nothing weird. It is on my list of questions for the pediatrician tomorrow.

Anyway, back to the up all night business. Mason loves being sung/hummed to. So far his favorites have been "Over the Rainbow" and "Moon River". I know, I need to stop singing the poor kid show tunes but he seems to like them. At least I'm not singing him songs from Grease or Cats!