Cradle Club

Owen and I attended our first music class this morning. I was really worried that he would start fussing and embarrass me, but he loved it! He was mesmerized by the other babies and kept looking around the room with his big blue eyes. He cooed and laughed and smiled, even when I put him on his back...and he hates being on his back.

I think he was one of the younger babies in the class. Most of the babies were sitting up or crawling. I sat him up and supported him and got a little teary, looking at my little baby boy sitting up instead of in my arms or laying down was a real eye opener - he's growing so fast! He's up to 16.5 pounds now and full of chubby goodness.


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Over the last few weeks, I've changed my thinking. Instead of getting stressed out by what he wants, I am focussing on what I can give him. This simple shift in thinking has really made being a mum much easier.

Almost 3x3 weeks old!

Owen and mama have been busy this week. We attended two Xmas parties - my office Xmas lunch and daddy's office for a special welcome.

Owen behaved himself at both events, no crying, no fussing, just allowing himself to be passed around to all his admirers and checking it all out silently. I think he even smiled a bit.

He continues to smile for daddy and mama. He thinks it's hilarious when mama yawns. He mimics facial expressions and is vocalizing more and more everyday, which is completely melt-your-heart-worthy. He loves his bathtime with daddy, enjoying the music daddy picks with care to accompany his spa time and the warm massage.

Owen is Six (weeks old)!

• Still waiting on his first non-gassy smile.
• He will follow daddy or I with his eyes if we leave him.
• He loves his Tigger rattle and keeps trying to grab it with his chubby little fists.

Jumping over a hurdle

I did it!

Even though we had a rough start, I was determined to get out and about relatively quickly. Because I had a caesarean, the only thing I have been allowed to lift is Owen, barring me from using the stroller. In order to leave the apartment and go for daily walks, we had been using one of three slings: a Moby-type wrap a friend made me, a fancy brocade sling, and a cozy corduroy D-ring sling. I'm almost 6-weeks post-op and decided I wanted to try taking my little man out in his stroller. I didn't have to lift anything, just tilt it.

I had been so fearful of pushing Owen in his stroller into a Starbucks. Silly, I know. I used to curse those women and their strollers, walking down the street with a coffee in their hand. Now I know why so many mums end up at the coffee shops - it's really one of the only places to go when the baby is asleep and you can finally have a hot coffee and read/do a crossword puzzle/catch up on whatever. I was worried about some dirty looks, but the place was teeming with other mothers. I even managed to open the door by myself and get the stroller in without banging into anything - a real accomplishment for a clumsy oaf like myself!

Since I was in the neighbourhood, and feeling quite proud of myself, I decided to wheel him up to VGH so he could be quickly introduced to my coworkers, who thought he was adorable. He even managed a smile while we were there.

Really?

But I wanted a girl!!! Yeeshers.

I was hoping for a girl because of matching mummy/daughter outfits, but I'm definitely not heartbroken about it or cry myself to sleep. It was a surprise to hear, "It's a boy!" Truth be told, I can't imagine myself the mother of a daughter, and it's only been 29 days!

I wouldn't be able to read this book to a girl either. (For a good laugh, read the 1-star reader comments regarding the "creepiness" of the story.)

First Family Photo

Mummy & Me

It really does get easier with time. Those quiet moments with my little Mr. Man, when he's content and silent, looking up at me with those big ol' eyes...it just about melts my heart and makes me totally forget all those times I want to pull my hair out I'm so frustrated. Yeeshers, Owen - you're quite the charmer.