I love mornings with my new little friend. I can generally count on a nap in the Boba wrap while I make and eat breakfast, get my post and computer work done for the day and clean up the house. I feel energized, well rested and excited for the day. Afternoons on the other hand…unwind.
Welcome back programmable coffee maker!! We haven’t been in a regular coffee habit since the bakery opened and Matt started drinking his 5 cups there. I didn’t see the need for me to make coffee everyday just for me and since I had switched to decaf anyways, I just cut it out or did the occasional french press or cold brew in the summer. But fall = coffee cravings, so the coffee making machine back! Still using decaf (Shenandoah Joe Mexican Organic Decaf).
Since Matt had to work all day today, I made breakfast the night before – overnight oats!
Filled with fresh berries and banana and topped with sunflower butter in the morning.
A short staffed day plus a ginormous baking load meant we had triple the bread to bag, so I volunteered to come in and help out – with as many hands as I could offer.
Baby fell asleep on the drive down, so I was able to work hands free for a while… He is pondering the meaning of life in his dreams.
We put some paper up in the office window to make a breastfeeding center : )
Late lunch break!
Pimento cheese and hummus sandwich!! And a huge apple.
And then I went a little crazy on the sweets board! SO GOOD! Especially the oatmeal raisin cookies…
Maze went down (up?) for another nap in the wrap while I finished up in the afternoon.
When we got home, we were both exhausted and had a few hours of crying and fussing. As the books predicted, his fussing has definitely increased now that we’re in week 3. I hear it peaks at week 6 and am kind of scared already… I had hoped to take a nap, but it just didn’t happen.
When dad came home we were both glad for his attention
Our friends Seamane and Rob came over for a Friday night treat. They asked me a few weeks ago what drink I was looking forward to tasting the most and I responded with a “Big juicy red wine.” That’s exactly what they brought over! The Earthquake Zin.
It was amazzzzzzzzzzzing.
I put out some appetizers and snacked away
Maze likes cocktail hour as much as we do!
For dinner, we had a pizza planned and asked S + R to join us. Despite having our hands full, we are also eager to enjoy the pleasures of life again, including entertaining friends!
Matt made his whole wheat pizza dough recipe earlier in the day, and we topped it with our canned tomato sauce, peppers and lots of cheese
Baby Kale + arugula salad on the side – smothered in Annie’s Woodstock and sunflower seeds. I’m all out of Woodstock already and must get more! I am also obsessed with this baby kale mix from Earthbound Farms. It’s tender but chewy and so much better than regular spring mix!
Bedtime was very challenging.
First we discovered that everything in our freezer was melting. I have SO MUCH FOOD in there right now it broke my heart. After taking a handful of temperatures, we concluded that the food was still safe to consume (everything was at or just above freezing and not in the temperature danger zone of 40-140*) but I’m sure we will have some serious quality issues
I had to dump out a whole carton of ice cream that was melted into soup (but not without eating a few spoonfuls first – I love melty ice cream). Heartbreaking when this happens, and it seems to happen to us 2-3 times a year no matter which kind of freezer/house we have! Just bad luck.
Then the little one decided to fuss fuss fuss. I had no idea getting a sleepy baby to actually go to sleep would be so hard!! He seems to fuss and fuss and then we do something JUUUST right and he is out like a light. The problem is figuring out what that one thing is! We will survive….
Allie@LiveLaughEat says
Teaching the babe to bag bread already? 🙂
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio says
You look amazing Kath!! Dinner looks awesome. Great that you’re able to take Maze into the bakery.
Kel says
The little positions he gets in when he is sleeping kill me!
I can definitely see a resemblance to Matt! He will looks like his dad and eat like his mom. 🙂
I remember the fuss, fuss, fuss stage. Calgon take me away! The only thing that worked for my oldest was the vacuum cleaner (the white noise) and for my youngest was sleeping in his car seat!
Jennifer says
Oh yes! I used to put my son in the carrier and vacuum. Between the movement and the white noise, it worked like a charm every time. Bonus was the extra clean carpets 🙂
Lindsey says
The overhead fan on the stove was our white noise trick. Also, baths or going outside sometimes beat the fussies. Good luck!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
I’m sure it was so nice to entertain and feel like you’re getting back to “normal.” But that’s a major bummer about the freezer – is it an issue with overstuffing maybe?
Liz says
Welcome to motherhood…
Kellie says
Sorry about your freezer! That happened to us and our freezer was full of frozen breastmilk. I was literally in tears! That stuff is liquid (frozen) gold! Good luck with the sleeping, it does get better!
Erin says
At three-ish weeks I figured out my girls were super fussy when I ate cheese or drank milk, I had to cut out dairy (goat cheese was OK) for the first 6 months while I was excl. breastfeeding..it was hard and I missed cereal so much but worth it for our sanity! I read something online about the cows milk colic connection and it was enough to make me try cutting out dairy, it was a game changer for sure! I also spent a lot of time on the big exercise ball, shushing and bouncing was the magic combo to stop crying. Good luck! Long time reader, first time commenter, really enjoy your blog!
Lindsey says
I had to cut out dairy and soy at 6 weeks. It changed my colicky baby into a happy guy. I had debated doing it for a couple weeks, thinking our issue was oversupply and not dairy. I never should have waited. And you are right about the exercise ball.
Lindsey says
Of course, we had other symtoms, not just fussiness. Plus, I found citrus was a no-no too.
Penny says
I also had to cut out dairy while breast feeding to get my son to feel better and not be fussy. He was fussing and fussing and his pediatrician finally wanted to do an upper GI on him. He was just 6 months old! I ran straight to a natural doctor. He told me to not eat/drink dairy. Sure enough within 3 days he was sleeping thru the night and not fussing. He is 21 now …man how time flies!
Jess says
You are so sensible to keep friendships going and still get people over, even when as you so rightly say, you have your hands full.
You sum it up so well, that feeling of how incredibly and ridiculously hard it can be to get an exhausted baby off to sleep. I guess at least the lack of logic, rhyme or reason in that situation, prepares you for the logic-free whirlwind that is having a toddler 😉 “yes I know you are desperated to go to playgroup, it’s just that we put clothes on first….just put this top on then we can get to playgroup…..oh, ok, you would rather roll around the floor screaming for half an hour so that we MISS playgroup? yep – that makes sense!”
KathEats says
Hahaha
Celeste says
🙁 It’ll get better. Eventually they figure it out – for us it was around 4 weeks when he started to sleep more regularly (NOT THROUGH THE NIGHT HAHAHAHAHAHAHA), and then you feel more human. Make sure to take care of you too – baby is most important but mama might need a break too.
Also, that pizza looks pretty good!
Christine says
The first few weeks are so hard! Does Mazen spit up much? Our baby had reflux and I had no idea for weeks. Once we figured that out, his fussiness really diminished.
KathEats says
Not too much, thankfully
Andrea says
My daughter had silent reflux….rarely spit up but was swallowing it. It was about 5 wks when I realized. A few months of Zantac and all was good as once they are starting to sit up etc, it often gets better.
Erin says
Mine did, too! He spit up so bad that it came out of his nose, poor little thing. The doctor put him on meds for it, which helped with his pain, but he had to simply outgrow he spitting up. It was pitiful.
Anna @ On Anna's Plate says
Man do I remember those nights (and afternoons…and mornings…). I think week three was actually the worst for us. The hair dryer was a godsend, as was bouncing her in our laps on the big exercise ball (bonus: core work!). In fact, we only recently deflated the ball– it felt like a big moment!
Hang in there…
KathEats says
That gives me hope since we’re in week 3 : )
Juliana says
Hi Kath
Congrats on your new baby! I also am a new mother as of August 23rd, so we’re pretty close together. I wanted to ask you if you notice that your boy’s more fussy went you eat something in particular, like veggies or dairy. I’ve tried to keep my diet pretty consistent every day and slowly introduce new things so I can pick up if it’s bothering my little one. I’ve noticed since doing this and eliminating anything that bothered him he is hardly ever fussy. You seem to eat all sorts of good stuff but I’m afraid to do that. Let me know.
KathEats says
I haven’t noticed any connections. I think the fussiness is just the developmental stage they’re in. I have been careful not to introduce a lot of caffeine because I’m super sensitive to it and worry he might not sleep well just as I do when I have it. Other than that, unless he’s showing signs of real discomfort, I’m not worried about my diet.
Katie says
I’m so impressed by how successfully you balance blogging, cooking, exercising, and being a mom to a newborn! You lead such a busy life, and I think that’s awesome. Sorry to hear about your freezer, though 🙁 What a bummer.
Marya says
When my twin nephews were born I’d rush to my sister’s house the minute work was over to offer a second set of hands. I’d spend an hour and a half trying to soothe one baby to sleep. I feel for ya. I got to go home and enjoy some rest, but my sister had the whole night left to get through.
I’m loving the mini kale too and the power greens mix. They feel heartier. If I don’t have any minis on hand, I’ll cut up kale at night, rub a little EVOO into it before bed, and then eat it the next day as a salad. By then it’s as tender as romaine and keeps me full longer.
KathEats says
I can’t imagine having two!! Or three or four!! Superheroes, those women are.
Pam says
That’s great you had friends over! We like to entertain esp. during football season and when we have kids I’d like that to continue. Great to hear it is possible 🙂
You are absolutely glowing, by the way!!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
yay for a new coffee maker! I have a keurig and absolutely love it. So easy and simple. I also use the re-usable K-cup and fill it with my own grounds so I don’t have to buy the regular kcups. Saves a lot of money
KathEats says
Can you share which model you have? If I consider buying one, I have no idea if I should just get a mini one or something more expensive?
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
I have the Keruig Elite Brewing System, which is best for making a single cup, although it only takes another minute to make a second. It usually takes about 1-2 minutes to heat the water, and then about 15-30 seconds once you push the button to brew. I’ve had it for over 2 years and it still works perfectly, I love it because you can also make tea but just running hot water through.
My parents have the Keurig Platinum Brewing System, which is meant for several cups. You can leave it on all morning and it will instantly make a new cup, and you can program various sizes rather than just 2 like the Elite. It’s nicer but honestly I don’t think worth the extra $60 or so unless you have a few coffee drinkers in your house.
Again, I recommend getting the re-usable cup to put your own ground coffee in rather than buying K-cups because those can get so expensive. You just have to rinse out the reusable after each use.
Hope this helps!
KathEats says
Thanks!! I would never have considered it except you can use your own grounds – love that!
natasha says
I have one too and love it because I drink decaf and my partner drinks caff. Only thing that needs to be rinsed is the container that holds the coffee grounds…previously we had to rinse out the pot etc and with 3 small kids I would just go without coffee sometimes rather than fool with all that. Highly recommend the Keurig! I have the one that just brews one cup and you have to add the water each time (no reservoir on mine) and it is perfect for our needs.
Elisabeth says
We couldn’t live without our Keurig (we’re actually on our 2nd one in 8 years)! We do have the My K cup that you can fill yourself, but mostly use the pre-filled because we only make about 2 cups per day. You should definitely consider getting one 🙂
Heather says
I have the special edition … LOVE it !! I don’t think you can use the “my K Cup” (to use your own grounds) with the Mini. I even use mine just for hot water and use a tea bag 🙂
Amanda M says
This is also another option – I love this because there are times when you need to brew a whole pot. It’s not much bigger than a Keurig, and I love the fact I don’t have one of those PLUS a 12-cup maker to store.
Amanda M says
Ooops! Forgot the link
http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-Brewer-Single-Coffee/dp/B004O0AOMQ/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
Ella says
Uh, lovely coffeemaker! Christmas is on its way, I’ll ask Santa for one 🙂
I cannot even spell out my name without my morning coffee!
Jennifer G says
I bought the Keurig right before I had my baby in June. Being the only one who drinks coffee, it was so great to have!! It’s well worth the money ( i actually got a Kohl’s – it was on sale and i had a coupon). I have the one that only makes 2 sizes and its just enough on the big setting. I did buy the K-cup to put own grinds in but didn’t have luck because grinds kept sneaking into my coffee. I need to try it again!
Diane says
I use the Keurig too (and have the same regular coffeemaker as you!). I have the special edition one. LOVE IT! I set it to be already hot when I wake up so I don’t have to wait for it to warm the water, and basically have a cup of coffee within 20 seconds of stumbling into the kitchen.
You can use your own grounds if you buy My K cup and have a box of kcups around for the super lazy days or when you have a crying baby and just have one free hand to make coffee. I like the donut shop brand k cups.
Cathy says
Purchase the Platinum model. (QVC had it on sale during Thanksgiving last year) The one I have has a rinse cycle and a hot water button as well. Love it.
Melody says
Hi Kath! I have been reading for awhile but have never commented. Loving all your baby posts! These early days are so precious. 🙂
Just an idea for your bed time routine that helped me with my girls… I read that your milk is somewhat fattier in the morning, then gets less so as the day goes on, which is less filling for the baby right when they need some good fat to settle in for a good sleep. 🙂 So I would make time to pump immediately after the first feeding of the day, after baby is full but you still have some milk left. Then we would save that milk in the fridge until evening for the before bed feeding. Dad would feed that bottle, then I would finish off with nursing until baby was full. (I was never really able to pump a full meal in one sitting.)
It really worked like magic for our first daughter in fighting that nigh time fussiness. I know you might not be ready to let Mazen use a bottle, but it’s worth a shot, or file the idea away for a couple weeks down the road if you are still having this issue. 🙂
KathEats says
Great tip, thanks! We’re not doing bottles quite yet, but when we do I’ll keep this in mind : )
Megan says
I notice my baby is awake a lot, sometimes fussy, going through growth spurts. Particularly when she was 0-3 months old, she cluster fed like crazy in the afternoon/ early evening and cried until I latched her back on. We’re talking 14 plus feedings a day, I remember counting, back when I was tracking that stuff.
It takes time to get to know what “works” with your baby, sure did for me! She still throws me curveballs and is fussy for no apparent reason but is mostly a happy, bubbly girl at 6 months.
Ella says
Same here, Megan, countless feedings night&day with both my kids, more with my girl than with my boy (the Little Princess has always been more demanding). My girl would not take anything but my milk ’til 14-month old… Add to that a travelling husband and no helping hands around (our relatives leave abroad). Hard&happy times that made me stronger.
Kath, little by little you’ll work out all the tricks 🙂
Lindsey says
Actually, pumping in the morning and feeding in the night can backfire. Babies do not make much or any melatonin of their own. The melatonin in your breastmilk is highest in the evening/night and not during the day. http://scienceblogs.com/clock/2006/06/19/melatonin-in-human-milk/ Breast milk is amazing.
Lisa says
Hi kath. First – I think you are doing a great job!!!
Second – we found the only thing that helped with the early fussies was time. I too agree that a lot of it has to do with development – for they are growing so much mentally and physically in such a short time.
Stay strong mumma!
Sarah says
I recently started working at our local GH here in MN. And I totally understand the call of the sweets board. It doesn’t help matters that the owners want us to try everything so we can better help the customers. And getting to bring bread home every night, yay! I just learned how much I like Dakota.
KathEats says
Fun! 🙂
Abby A says
You’re doing a great job momma! Keep up the good work!
I’m 23, and recently married, and all of a sudden I WANT A BABY! I know now is not the right time, and we aren’t finacially or emotionally ready for one, but how do you know when it’s time? You guys seemed to plan it so perfectly! How did you resist having one earlier?
KathEats says
I think we just knew… Seems you do too 🙂 but they are so fun and cute!
kim@hungryhealthygirl says
Sorry you had a rough night. Our freezer went out a couple of months ago and although we were able to savage all of the food, but using my in-laws freezer…..it was a MAJOR pain. Hope your Sunday is relaxing and Maze is a happy boy!
Tami@nutmegnotebook says
What a wonderful full day you had. My children loved the baby swing, rocking and anything with movement would calm them down. You are doing great!
Cait says
Kath, your family is just beautiful. I wish you many blessings. Thanks for continuing to share with us (your readers). 🙂
Christine (The Raw Project) says
Cute post with adorable pics. You look great and so wonderful that you can take Maze to the bakery.
Mollie says
Can’t give you any baby advice, but something to think about with the freezer because we’ve had that happen several times. Our apartment tech guy said that if you pack things too close to the vent- looking thing in the back that “breathes” it can clog the circulation and bring the temp down significantly. That ended up being our problem and since giving it some room, things have been good. 🙂
Tabatha says
I thought about you and your blog yesterday morning while I was visiting the Great Harvest booth at the local farmer’s market!
KathEats says
: )
Brittany says
Hi Kath,
Just wanted to say congratulations on a beautiful baby boy! My husband and I are expecting twins in January so it’s been fun to follow your journey, and now that Maze is here, seeing what kinds of things work for you – and what don’t! I’m sure we’re going to need all the help we can get 🙂
On a side note: I am a health inspector for a local county health department in Oregon and I just wanted to let you know that (here in Oregon at least) babies are absolutely not allowed to be in any food preparation areas. I don’t know what the rules are like in Virginia, but I wanted to give you a heads up just in case!
Best wishes to you and your family!
KathEats says
Hmmm I hadn’t thought of that? I will check.
Chrissy says
You look great for just having a baby! If you’re tired, it doesn’t show! He looks a little slumped over in the wrap. I’d check Boba’s website to be sure, but I think at this age babies are supposed to be completely vertical in the carrier. A good rule of thumb that helped me check proper position is that you should be able to kiss the top of his head (I think I heard that on the pregtastic podcast about babywearing, but I can’t remember for sure). I love babywearing! I’ve found it much more convenient than using a stroller!
Heather Eats Almond Butter says
Kath, Maze is just soooo sweet and cute. Exercise ball when afternoon fussies hit. I swaddle, hold tight, and by bounce 200, all is usually quiet. Good leg workout too 😉
KathEats says
Bounce 200 – love it!
Michelle (Peachy Palate) says
Oh no what a nightmare! nothing worse! Hopefully today is working out better for you and the little man is sleeping sounder 🙂
KathEats says
It seems a good night always (ok, sometimes!) follows a bad – last night was great!
Michelle (Peachy Palate) says
random but downtown abbey is so big here in the UK and Ireland!!! I haven’t watched any of it! Maybe I should start! 🙂
KathEats says
You should!! I absolutely love everything about the show!
Lauren says
LOVE that bowl (mug?) that your oats are in!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
So much to say but first, sorry about your freezer. Eek, that is just awful. The summer of 2011 we had a 28 hour power outage in San Diego, just long enough for me to lose everything in my freezer and I was pretty heartbroken. Throwing food away, wasting food, and wasting all those things that I meticulously stored in it, ahhh, I feel your pain, Kath.
Sunflower butter on oats, mmm
The pizza and the Cheese!! yes!
Earthquake Zin, just the name alone I love
Oatmeal raisin cookies are the BEST
and love that you’re entertaining
And sleepy babies never want to sleep LOL
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says
On the bright side…… I’m assuming you don’t have a stockpile of breast milk in the freezer built up yet. That would be a TRUE BUMMER if all of that would spoil!
….That’s about the only positive thing I can say about the whole freezer thing, it happened to us about a year ago and over $250 of food went bad. Soooooooo frustrating!
Susan says
There may be a connection between what you eat and Maze’s fussiness. I discovered that if I ate tomatoes my oldest would be extra fussy after she nursed. The trick is figuring out which foods are the culprits, of course, and that’s not easy. Good luck!
Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) says
True! Thankfully I have not had to give up a certain food group like so many other moms but I cannot eat a lot of hummus or it sends Clara into a fussy tailspin. Sad but I can happily push the hummus aside if it means a happier baby! 🙂
Susan H. @ The Food Allergy Chronicles says
I noticed the baby kale the other day…glad to hear it is good…will have to try it out! I am loving baby spinach salads. The pizza, as always, looks delish! Cheese is my favourite topping…looks like you did not skimp…yummy! Usually when our freezer starts melting, it is because we did not close the freezer door properly…something was in the way of it sealing closed tight. Shame about the icecream…good thing nothing else perished!
Karen A. says
Such yummy looking pictures! I was trying my hardest to abstain from coffee as well but when fall is upon us, I just can’t help myself 🙂
Kristin says
Hi Kath! Maze is so cute!! Our little one is 4months old and we def went through some tough fussy times in the first few months. You may already be doing all of these things but here is what helped us: utilizing the 4s’s (the shhhh-ing, swaddling, and side hold we’re life savers), and I would cluster feed like crazy starting around 5pm to try and get him to fill that belly up for nighttime. After I would feed him we found that putting him over our left shoulder, swaddled, worked best. We would pat his back and usually it would eventually quiet him down. I know every baby is different but that is what worked for us. It gets better, I promise! Our baby is now going down about 7:30 and only wakes up once a night to eat. You are doing a great job momma!
Justeen says
Mazen is getting cuter by the day!
Cait says
That pizza never fails to make me drool!
Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) says
The 6 week peak of fussiness was somewhat true for us and somewhat not. See. . . Clara’s colic STARTED at the 6 week mark and lasted until right at the 3 month mark. Crazy. Every baby is so different. Here’s to praying that Maze gets ALL of his fusses out by week 6! 🙂
Andrea says
I’m sorry about your freezer! Did you get it fixed or do you have to get a new one?
Too cute that you are bagging bread with a baby in tow.. is that ok though that he is in the kitchen with you like that at the bakery? Hopefully it is! 🙂
And!! Have you got the October issue of Country Living? They have CHEVRON PUMPKINS on the cover!! That decorating idea would be perfect for you guys!
KathEats says
Oh fun!! I think I have the issue but haven’t opened it yet!
Diane says
I just made a chevron pumpkin yesterday. I am not a very crafty person but it was easy. Just painters tape and white spray paint.
Janet says
When that issue arrived in the mail, I thought of Kath too.
Hilary (Four Little Forks) says
Kath, I’ve read your blog for years but I never comment. But I just had to tell you – you look AMAZING. I cannot believe you just gave birth! Must be the combination of all that clean living and blissful new motherhood. You just glow!
Very much enjoying the pics of beautiful Maze. My son was born just over a year ago and it brings back so many sweet memories of those delicious first few days.
KathEats says
Thank you : )
Ray says
Hi Kath! Longtime reader. I’m so proud to watch you and Matt transition to parenthood. Enjoy these magical early months. You will remember this time forever! As a fellow business owner I just wante to remind you, no babies in the prep area. 🙂
Leslie H says
The “witching hour(s)” every baby/child goes through in the late afternoon/evening. You’re right about the developmental stage at this age…the neurological system is going through alot of growth and they start finding it harder to “shut down”. I would hold my baby on my shoulder and put a cloth diaper/burp cloth over his head lightly to block out the light and that helped them shut down. A great book that talks about the developmental sleep stages your baby goes through is Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. I know some people don’t like that one b/c he promotes crying it out later, but it’s full of wonderful info and tips besides that. You guys are doing great! Hang in there b/c it gets so much easier in just a few weeks.
KathEats says
I’m reading that book now 🙂
Diane says
The Ferber book has a really good explanation of sleep rhythms of babies through adolescents. I thought the explanation was more clear in Ferber’s book than Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child, and it goes all the way through to teenage years and how much sleep they need and typical sleep patterns. You can ignore the cry it out section if that is not your thing, it is a small part of the book. It also gives info about sleep problems in preschoolers, like night terrors, that other books don’t talk about.
Nancy says
Week 3 is when gas pains kicked in for our twins…. one in particular is still a pretty gassy kid and she had a tough time in the evenings. We gave them a little dropper of mylicon drops in the evenings and it really helped. That and bicycling their legs and doing gentle little corkscrews with their legs together, knees up to their belly, to help move things along. The pedi said they don’t absorb the drops and to use them liberally – always worked for us. Those early weeks are survival mode… try anything and everything and sometimes you get lucky! 😉
Aja says
I’m sorry about your freezer. That is so frustrating. I hope you get one that doesn’t break on you soon!
Emily @LivingLongfellow says
Hi Kath, I’m sure you’re still trying to get adjusted to your exhausted life now, so this question is for the future. As most women get at least 6 weeks for maternity, I’m speaking for that time period. Do you think you’ll go back to posting 3 times a day, or now that you have the other blogging job now do you plan on cutting back on this blog? Anyways, I’m enjoying and appreciating your honesty of parenting a newborn. As I’d like a baby at some point probably, it’s these infant times that scare me the most. Thanks for keeping it honest and real.
KathEats says
I’m really not sure because I don’t know what life will be like with a 3 month old, 6 month, 9 month etc. I imagine it will be a mix. Some full days, some meals eventually, but right now I can’t see it ever getting back to 3 xa day everyday again.
Blythe says
You are not alone surviving the night time fussiness! Eleanor is 7 1/2 weeks old, her’s peaked at 5 weeks or so and has become tolerable now! It kills me when people not trudging through the newborn stage tell you to “enjoy this special time”. Yes, I have gotten to enjoying nighttime feedings, because my nipples have healed (THEY WILL HEAL!) and she’s a better eater. But, it might just be me, I don’t know if I’ll look back and remember the evening screaming sessions as a special time 😛
I also read the Happiest Baby, and to my dismay, realized post-postpartum while frantically re-reading during the peak week because I was sure my baby had colic, that the techniques just CALMED babies and didn’t MAKE THEM SLEEP.
I also second the yoga ball, not only did it calm, but my butt is looking better 🙂
Just know you’re a great mom even when you’re baby cries, and it’s ok for YOU to cry even weeks after the baby is born. I’ve never been a crier, but I’ve cried more since her birth than the previous years of my adult life.
Hang in there!
KathEats says
🙂
Nicole says
Have you checked out Dr Karps newest book about sleep? If not, here it is: http://www.amazon.com/Happiest-Baby-Guide-Great-Sleep/dp/0062113313/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348493318&sr=8-1&keywords=happiest+baby+on+the+block+sleep
KathEats says
Yes I’m reading it !! His books are so well written and easy to understand.
Carli says
Baby is adorable! I agree with above comments about how great you look. You’ll figure out the fussing soon enough, try not to stress about it. You all look like you’re doung wonderful and adjusting well.
Love the overnight oats. Mmmm!
Jenifer says
I am not sure if anyone else has said this… but this is about the 3rd pic Ive seen of Mazen where I thought he looked just like……. Karen! Lol.
As a mom of a 16 year old, I promise you, the fussy stage will pass. You are doing great!
Jess says
It looks like it’s already been suggested, but bouncing on the yoga ball was our savior those first few months. I highly suggest it! Rhythmic bouncing in a dim room + white noise = sleep!
Alicia @ Wanna Be Ina says
Gripe water was our saving grace during those afternoon cranky times. I also started to notice that when I would eat certain things (spicy foods, and onions particularly) after that next feeding he would be fussier. I assume this is something that you already know, but are you pushing his knees to his chest to help with any potential problems he may be having with gas?
Lauren says
Love your blog! 🙂 just wanted to encourage you that the grumpy old man mad at the world screaming baby phase will pass! Our little one (18mths now) screamed almost the whole time she was awake until around 4mths ( we had major nursing problems that made it worse). I thought I was going to go crazy. The three things that saved me was yoga ball bouncing, Mamaroo chair and a mp3 of a vacuum. The vacuum has to be at least as loud as they are crying.
Just remember YOU AND HUBBY CAN DO IT!!
Grandma says
Now that my children are grown and flown (as it were).. it’s hard to remember back that far to the fussy first few weeks. A couple of things that helped were car rides.. sometimes just the drive around the block was enough and sitting my baby in the car seat on top of the clothes dryer while it was running. That’s on top.. not in. A warm lavender bath just before bed with a song and a cuddle might work. No extra distractions.
Just thoughts from a grandma.. good luck.. and just a small note.. believe it or not, you will miss these days, drink them in even though they are hard. You and hubby can manage this.
Cheers
Fran@ Broken Cookies Don't Count says
That sandwich looks delicious! Cheese and hummus…what a combo! Pizza looks good too!
Molly @ RDexposed says
So glad you had your head on straight for the few scoops of melty ice cream!
Nicole says
Hi Kath–wanted to share this article with you–I just LOVE it and give it to all my couples now! They also have a new book out called BabyCalm.
The Fourth Trimester: Why Your Newborn is Only Happy in Your Arms
http://babycalm.wordpress.com/2012/07/06/the-fourth-trimester-aka-why-your-newborn-is-only-happy-in-your-arms-30/
Valerie says
maze is just too dang adorable! have you guys started using the cloth diapers yet? i’m excited to hear your reviews on them!
i have a baby due in February so i’m trying to absorb the as much info as possible!
KathEats says
not yet!
Katie@Real Food Katie's Way says
I cannot say enough good things about Matt’s pizza dough…It truly is incredible!!!
Sorry to hear about the freezer…I would have been so sad to lose the ice cream, I won’t lie to you 🙂
el says
Happiest Baby on the Block DVD. Don’t even bother with the book. It’s completely insane how well it works. DO IT!
KathEats says
Watched it!
Jenn says
You’re right, the “fussiness” is just a developmental stage. Changing your diet rarely helps. It takes time for their systems to mature.
Jenna Newberry says
We call the afternoon for our 5 week old son, the witching hour. Just when we think we have it figured out, whether it is something I ate or drank ( i am having a a one shot latte), nothing matches up and he just wants to howl. I consider it short term chaos for long term coolness…hang in there! Your little man is super awesome, just like ours, and thinking that gets me through the rough patches.