Wednesday update

In the last week and half we've had no major fussy evenings.  It seems like Max might have outgrown that stage pretty quickly, for which we're very thankful.  We really only had about four bad nights and I hear horror stories about months of nightly screaming that make me realize how lucky we are to have a rather easy going baby.  This doesn't mean Max is easy all the time, but relatively speaking he's a dream.  My oldest nephew apparently cried for several hours every evening for about 3 months so I guess we're getting off lightly.  In general Max is a good nighttime sleeper.  When he shows signs of being tired in the evening we swaddle him up and lay him in his co-sleeper where he usually puts himself to sleep.  Sometimes he needs to fall asleep in his swing or have Mommy lay next to him while he falls asleep but I'll take all of that over the screaming. 

Daytime sleep is another story.  Max will only nap in his swing.  This wouldn't concern me except that when he goes to day care in three weeks he'll have to start napping in a crib.  Oregon state law dictates this, which I understand is for the health and safety of the baby but it might be a challenge for Max.  I'm trying not to overthink this, understanding that his development causes him to grow and change almost every week.  It's entirely possible that in three weeks he won't mind sleeping in a crib at day care.  Of course, it may take him longer to get used to that, in which case we might be in for some rough evenings. 

I'm lucky that I'll be starting back to work on a Wednesday so the first week will be short.  Additionally, that first half week and the following full week my boss has graciously agreed to allow me to work 6 hour days so I can pick Max up shortly after 2pm.  If he misses his morning nap, or it goes poorly, due to him not liking the crib then I can hopefully at least get him an afternoon nap at home in the swing.  I'll be sure to update the blog on how his transition goes.

We found a nice day care center that is technically an in-home day care but which is run along the lines of a formal day care center, with a "Sweet Pea" room for infants and another room for toddlers and preschoolers.  It's very professional but homey and is about a mile from my work so I can visit to nurse on my lunch break daily and see my sweet boy, lessening my own separation anxiety.  A friend of a friend sends her little boy there and is very happy, making me feel even better about leaving Max to go back to work.

Speaking of developmental milestones, in the last week or so Max has discovered that he can suck on his hand.  He can now get his hand in his mouth when he's fussy or hungry about 70% of the time and this allows him to calm himself, put himself back to sleep or allow me to get situated to nurse.  Max smiles all the time and is becoming very chatty.  He still doesn't like being on his tummy, although he has about 5 minutes of enforced tummy time each day.  His neck has always been really strong and he can support it pretty well now.  I think he'll be ready for his Bumbo in a few weeks.  We've actually set him in it a few times briefly and he can handle it for about a minute before he starts to slump over at the torso.  He does like being upright so he can see what's happening around him.

Last week we tested out the jogging stroller for the first time and it went well.  I'm starting back slowly, with a run/walk combo routine and Max likes getting out of the house for some fresh air.  As a bonus, the motion usually puts him to sleep! I'm not sure how we'll schedule work outs once I'm back to work but we'll think of something.