Getting To Know Our Little Erik

posted by Mommy
Okay, I am sneaking in some peace and quiet while Grandma is cuddling with Erik. Here's a quick update on us being parents for the first 20 days! I can't believe time goes by so fast at this point! Erik is definitely teaching us a lot of things and this is what Chhimi and I have learned so far abut our little son.

ERIK DOES NOT LIKE:

• Diaper changes - We think its because of the sudden temperature change on his body


• Dirty diapers - It is Zero-Tolerance zone on this one


• Sleeping alone - Even though we borrowed a co-sleeper from our friends (Thanks Leda & Phil!), he wakes up within 20 minutes crying & demands to be picked up and held


• To Be Awakened - even though we wake up him for his feeding or diaper change, he HATES this part and starts crying every time :-(


• Getting weighed on the baby scale

ERIK LIKES:

• Looking at the mobile while getting diaper changed - sometimes (Thanks Connie & Ed for giving us Ashpie's changing table!)


• Getting fed FAST - or else Chhimi and I pay the price of having Erik cry


• White Noise - such as hair dryer, air purifier fan, SHHH sound (-Daddy: Erik Loves the air dryer when we blow it on his butt :D


• To Be Cuddled & Snuggled


• Sleep right in-between Mommy & Daddy - of course, we wake up every hour just to check on him. Sigh!


• Do long stretches while awakening from his deep sleep - it's really cute, we'll try to get a video of it next time around

WHAT ELSE WE'VE LEARNED

• Erik definitely fits his name very well, if referring to "Erik the Red", especially when he is crying :-(, because his face becomes bright red and sometimes he holds his breath. Freaks Chhimi and I out!


• Mommy and Daddy HATES seeing Erik cry, even if its for 5 seconds, it just breaks our hearts


• Breastfeeding is a learned process, even though we took classes prior, theory versus actual lab work is VERY different and put in a screaming baby, logic goes out the door


• Lactation Consultants are very important, no matter what the price, to show mom & dad (yep, Dad too) to how to place baby for a proper latch or else mom and baby will pay the price!


• A proper feeding should be between 15-20 minutes per breast, NOT per feeding - because of this small fact, we mistakenly underfed our son and caused weight lost of 1 oz :-( - so that is why there is a lack of post and update because Chhimi and I are still VERY concern about Erik's weight. So far he's doing good but we'll check this coming Wednesday at the Doctor's appointment to see if he really improved or not (keep your fingers cross for us!)


• Sleep while baby sleeps is VERY VERY important


• Dr. Harvey's "Happiest Baby on the Block" really works on calming and soothing Erik - THANK YOU DR. HARVEY


• Having help is really really crucial during the first few weeks and even months - BIG THANKS to Grandma Katy and Grandpa Tom!!

That's all for now, back to my relaxation and getting ready for another feeding.