One Month

We've come out of the dark ages today, and now have internet access in our new home. It's the first time in a year we've had reliable internet access to our own computer, so blogging should be much easier now.

Our little guy turned one month old last week, and what a month it's been. My postpartum recovery wasn't too bad, but I'd forgotten all that one has to deal with during the first few weeks. What was worse than that was that darned flu that I caught before Benson was born that would not let go and kept me up most of the night coughing. I finally went to the doctor and found that it had morphed into bacterial bronchitis and sinusitis, with perhaps a tad of asthma (an interesting diagnosis to receive at age 29). Even with antibiotics, it's only this week I can actually say I'm all better. I blame Benson. I think he's been taking all of my vitamins and immunities. We also moved into our new home during his first month. No big changes or anything :)

Benson's first month has been a lot different than Madeline's first month. With Madeline, I took three months off of work, with Benson I was lucky to get four days. Really. But a lot has been better, too. He's generally a more laid back baby (until you put him in his carseat), and I've become a more laid back mom, mostly out of necessity. I just don't have the time to watch and analyze his every movement during the day. I haven't cracked open any parenting/sleeping books, and have relied more on his cues as to what he needs. He sleeps better than Madeline did now that he's stopped having hours long middle of the night parties. He actually prefers this week to be placed in his bed instead of rocked to sleep. It's great.

Madeline's adjustment to him was better in the beginning than it is now. That mostly has to do with the fact that grandma and grandpa aren't around to shower her with lots of extra attention. Some days are ok; some are extremely challenging with her.

Benson has grown a ton in the last month and looks more and more like his dad everyday. Due to some health insurance troubles, we haven't taken him to the doctor yet. So, we don't have an official weight, but he sure has some rolls. We weighed him on my in-laws' bathroom scale on Saturday, and he was 12 1/2 pounds! He was clothed and his diaper may or may not have weighed a half pound itself, but he's somewhere around 12 pounds. Scott and I seem to make big babies, and that's how we like 'em.

This baby has brought a special spirit to our home this last month. We just love him to pieces!