The Kalal Family: Carson's One Month Update

My little hippo is already one month old! I've said it before, but I'll say it again... I am constantly amazed at how fast the time goes.

Check out that little smirk!!

Stats:
Weighed 10 lbs at his 2-week checkup, and I'm guessing he weighs at least a pound more by now, if not more.
Size 1 diapers, but they are getting snug
Size 3 mo. clothing, but that, too, is getting snug

The two biggies:
Since eating, sleeping, and diapering pretty much rule his life, I have to write about at least a couple of them...
~Carson is a get-to-business nurser, and eats every three hours, around the clock :) Jeremy has given him a few bottles now, and he takes them pretty well. My little guy loves hanging out with me in the middle of the night... we get our best snuggles in then! His average feeding day or night is down to about 15 minutes already!!
~He sleeps well at night, once we get him down. He is pretty fussy from about 6-9 pm, and then it seems like he just gives up and gives in. During those three hours, though, we think he has a belly ache, as he pulls up his legs and clenches his arms up tight and has a much different cry than during the day. So we've been taking him to the chiropractor as well as using all the other tricks we've learned along the way of parenting two other newborns... so far, we definitely don't have it all figured out! He does sleep very well during the day, and I typically lay him in his crib to sleep (but don't tell his daddy, sometimes I just snuggle him for part of his nap!! Why wouldn't I!?!?!? He's only this little once...). I often have to wake him up to feed him, in hopes that feeding every three hours during the day will lead to longer stretches of sleep at night. So far, no consistent luck. Just once I've been graced with a six-hour nighttime feeding stretch, about a week ago.

Carson's Quirks:
-he's just starting to make some coos and squeals, and he loves being talked and sang to.
-gives us smiles now!! We have to work pretty hard for them, but he does 'reaction' smiles now, and not just 'I've got gas' or sleeping smiles.
-sometimes, when he's just giving in to sleep, he giggles. It is by far the cutest thing he does, and I can't NOT laugh out loud when he does it. I can't wait to hear some 'real' giggles from him!
-is starting to track things more easily with his eyes.
-does not like getting strapped in his carseat, but once we're moving in the car, he's just fine--and almost always falls asleep.
-likes his Nuk, but doesn't need it to sleep at this point.
-loves to be held up on a shoulder, and his favorite spot is on mo, of course.
-enjoys the Moby wrap... thank goodness!
-fought off his first set of sniffles like a champ! We only needed to suck boogers and use the saline drops a few times.
-likes to lay on his back, doesn't love tummy time so much just yet.
-stays very calm for a bath in the sink... but does not like the plastic baby tub. I think he likes being IN the water. He even took a quick little dip with Coop and Izzy the other night in the big tub :)
-is very patient, for the most part. He doesn't freak out when he's hungry, he takes a little while to get 'revved' up. He lets his brother and sister hold him (usually pretty awkwardly) without a fuss. He will sleep anywhere for now--the crib, the floor, our bed, his cradle, the stroller, the carseat, in anyone's arms :)
-not crazy about the swing, but does spend a little time in the bouncy seat.

I LOVE his little hands!! They are starting to hold on to more things, and it seems like he is starting to bat at things every now and then.

And I love how he's beginning to get chubbier with each passing day. He really is my little hippo. His double chin gives him away. He's lost the newborn wrinkles, and they've given over to the start of chubby rolls. And the cheeks! I love smooching them every chance I get.

We've been spending our days as just Mommy and Carson for now. Starting next week, Cooper and Izzy are going to spend some more time with us at home. For this first month, though, they've still been going to play at daycare each day. I am looking forward to hanging out with all three of my kids while I'm on maternity leave ;)