On the bum

So we're switched over to pretty much only cloth diapers now, with a very few exceptions, like if we're going to be out for a while in the car. Otherwise, though, we're washing 'em up, and it's a lot easier than I expected. We really could have switched over sooner, but I did NOT want to deal with cloth right out of the gate, while I was still freaking out over simply having a baby. I know that's when a lot of new parents lose their cloth resolve, so I just skipped it and waited until things were less insane.

Funnily enough, though I've bought several Bum Genius diapers, as well as a few other pricier types (one Cricket's diaper, a couple of Fuzzi Buns, which I LOVE), we really use the prefolds and covers more than anything. The Bummis Super Whisper Wraps NEVER seem to leak -- even if the prefold is soaked to the point of ohmygodding -- and even Christopher doesn't think it's difficult, and he was not particularly gung ho on cloth. In fact, he's the one who uses those the most!

The best thing I bought, however, was the PUL diaper pail liners. I have a decent pail, plus those, and I wash every couple of days (including bag). No smell, but if I notice anything, there's a little spot for a few drops of essential oil inside the bag. Awesome.

Though I will say that pee diapers are way, way smellier than poopy diapers once they've been in the pail for a day or so. Maybe it's because we clean the poopers off a little in the toilet, but I think it's more the ferocious ammonia smell... and tiny Jack is a freakin' pee machine.

Sleepytime

Now that little Jack is six weeks old (today!), we're beginning to approach the possibility of developing something that might be considered a schedule. That's nice, because we've had some real sleep issues. First, he doesn't sleep nearly as much as he should. Second, there are a lot of places he won't sleep. Let's look at it in list form:

Places Jack won't sleep:
His crib
His bassinet
In his snuggle nest/the co-sleeper (he has been the last two nights, though, which is good)

Places Jack WILL sleep:
Laps
On the sofa
Mommy's pillow
Wrapped around Mommy's arm
In bed with Mommy
His swing

You can see why this is a problem. But there's hope! I'm certain he just needs a little more security. He's little and he's held a lot. But man, sometimes we need to be able to put him down, and that's not coming easy.

Five weeks

Where does the time go? Everything is changing so quickly. Friday, Jack was five weeks old and suddenly, it was like he was a completely different baby. A crankier baby, to be sure, but when he's not crying, he's more alert, he's aware, he really sees things. He can hold his head up almost all the time (which makes it more frightening when it flops down), and he's taken a sudden interest in his toys. He can't really do anything yet, but he wants to, and sometimes, his inability to do anything seems to frustrate him.

He's also, I think, just starting to really smile. Sometimes it's still reflexive, but other times, I'm sure, absolutely sure, that it's a real smile. Either way, it's adorable. He gets bigger all the time -- he's up to eleven pounds now (or was on Thursday) and has begun to outgrow some of his earliest clothes.

One thing hasn't changed, though. He still behaves much more sweetly when there's a grandmother in the house. The moment a grandmother pulls into the driveway, he stops crying or falls into an instant sleep. It's like magic.

It's all over now

My parents bought a camcorder, which is now living at my house for this week... and that means that people are going to be subjected to baby videos. That's good for the people who can't get out to see him. It's bad for me, because this is pretty much just another way for me to make a complete fool of myself, which is absolutely what I did in the video.

I can't help it. He's cute. And I live in the South. It's just the way things are!

At least I'm not IN the video. My mom has that honor!

Baby's first cold (maybe)

So the husband is sick... and now the baby's congested. But I got the humidifier set up, whipped up some saline drops and administered a few doses (such a good boy; he did not cry, but rather, seemed curious), and now he's sitting up in his swing and mommy's going to sleep on the sofa near him. Of course, that might also be because his sick father is snoring away, nose strip be damned, in the bedroom....

Poor little Jack. I hope he feels better. He's already breathing better. Yay for me in not panicking because he was gagging a little. It may have helped that I didn't actually witness the gagging.

And, of course, here's the most recent picture, with his grandma Kathy:

My camera phone sucks!

But the subjects are wonderful.

Bathtime adventures

So last Wednesday we had our first bath, and it went really well. Little man only cried when I took him out of the bath, which I guess means he liked it. I was careful about not pouring water down into his eyes, but he let me clean his eyes and the surrounding area with cotton balls without protest. I tried to be really cheerful about the whole thing and sang to him while I lowered him into the bath, and I think that helped.

I did learn, however, that my kitchen sinks aren't standard sized, so we had our bath on the bathroom floor with towels and extra crib sheets spread everywhere. Mom, if you're reading this, I'm getting creative with the 42,000 crib sheets. They're very useful!

Tonight we had to have an extra emergency bath. Why? Because in the middle of an epic session of multi-poop, Jack also managed to pee everywhere. By everywhere, I mean all over his froggie pajamas, on his back, his hands, and in his hair. Also, all over the changing table. So off we went to the bath again.