One Month Old

I can't believe it, but Jacob is one month old today! While the days have been LOOOOONG, the month has really flown by.

Jacob is doing well. At his checkup yesterday, he was 9lbs, 10oz, and 22 inches long. The doctor says his progress is great. Everyone tells us that Jake looks just like Bekah, only with dark hair. He is mellow most of the time, only crying when he needs something specific, like a nap, a diaper change, or food. Lately he's been eating and sleeping a lot, so I'm guessing he's hitting another growth spurt. He sleeps well when he finally falls asleep--he HAS to have the pacifier in his mouth to sleep, but if it falls out, he'll wake up crying. I don't love the process of replacing it every time, but the doctor assures me Jacob will get stronger soon and it won't fall out as much anymore. He's smiling for us now too--just a few here and there, nothing I can get on film yet. His smiles are the best!

Rebekah seems to be adjusting well to her little brother. She asks to hold him several times a day and wants to "help" with everything. She often smothers him with kisses and attention and he'll get fussy because she's in his face so much! I think the harder part of the adjustment for her is sharing me with him. She still wants my undivided attention and that's just not a reality anymore. She seems sad sometimes when I can't jump up and help her with whatever she's doing. Poor thing! But that's an important part of learning to have siblings and I know she'll get used to it soon.

I'm having a harder time getting used to Jacob than I thought I would; not getting used to HIM, really, but to the work of managing his needs. Two kids is really hard! I think I forgot about how much work and time goes into a small baby, and that the craziness lasts for several weeks. In my memory, Bekah was hard for a while, but I don't remember how long. It seems like the part with the crying, unpredictability and lack of sleep didn't last THIS long, but Malcom assures me it did. In fact, Bekah was colicky so it was probably worse, and Jacob is generally so much more calm. In any case, the sleep deprivation and dealing with a three-year-old in addition to a very needy newborn is too much for me sometimes and I need extra reassurance from Malcom and my girlfriends. I'm glad that the doctor told me yesterday "The first two months are the hardest." This means I'm half way through the craziness and I might see my sanity again soon!

Malcom is doing great. He is an incredible dad and his calm personality helps me cope. He spends a lot of time with Bekah and takes her out a few times a week to run errands or get slurpees; I love the time it gives me to just focus on Jacob, take a nap, or get a shower. He likes calling Jacob "son" and tries really hard to coax smiles out of him. He'll willingly take over to burp the boy or change his diapers whenever I ask, and has really stepped up in helping with chores and errands. I feel so blessed to have such a supportive and loving husband, especially right now!

So there's the family update. If you haven't seen Jacob in person yet, consider this your invitation to call and stop by some time to meet him.