Sleepless in Springfield

This picture shows one of the first times that I felt like he was truly looking at me right in the eyes. I just love it!

Well, this has been a fairly sleepless week. I have simply GOT to get Tanner on a schedule where he understands that we sleep at NIGHT and not all day long! I understand that babies sleep a lot, but he really is the most active at night, WIDE AWAKE from 10-midnight and 2-4am! It has come to my realization that I go back to work in three weeks and this simply will NOT work. I cannot deal with over 150 middle school kids on 3 hours of sleep! I won't enjoy it and they sure as heck won't enjoy me! haha This year is going to be a real challenge for other reasons too. Instead of arriving at school around 7:45 am, I am going to have to get both of us ready and drop him off by 7am!!! I will have to be at my door by 7:15 for supervision and hall duty because school will begin at 7:35 this year. They are changing our bus schedules for a variety of reasons, but I think my building starts the earliest! It will be a really be a challenge to make sure that I have all of Tanner's daycare things, and my school stuff, and get ready and out the door by 7am! There is quite the checklist of things to take when I leave the house with Tanner! I am always afraid that I have left something vitally important in the house. Also, I am not a morning person and not especially known for my punctuality.

Last night was kind of a date night for Tobin and me! Tanner spent 5 hours at Grammie and Gumpa's house and Tobin and I went shopping and to Hemingway's for an all-you-can-eat crab leg food bar! I was quite surprised at how tired I got just walking around the mall. I just don't have the stamina that I used to. Could be my lack of sleep combined with my now out-of-shape body! We did have to cut the night short so I could get back home before my boobs exploded. By the way, for those of you "in the know," I am now making purple milk again. Vicious cycle, but Tanner has no symptoms. I'll leave it at that.

Tanner and I have been busy going to lunches with friends and family all week. He has had quality time with both sets of grandparents this week as well. This coming week is getting packed with Dr. visits (cardiologist appt and 8 week checkup)and more luncheons with friends, co-workers, and family that want some more Tanner-Time before we head back to work/daycare.

Tanner has had a few "firsts" here lately:

• He has easily been able to turn his head from left to right, and not get it stuck facing down during tummy-time.
• Since he can now sit in upright positions for extended periods of time, he has been getting used to the swing, vibrating seat, and the car seat.
• He is now big enough to wear bibs while he drinks his milk and has built up to about 110 mL, which is almost 4 oz per feeding! My favorite lactation consultant weighed him this week and he was 9 lbs 14 oz, so that is HUGE!!! He does feel very heavy to me these days since he has more than doubled his NICU weight! He literally has creases in his arms and legs because he now has some fat rolls!
• He is making eye contact and following the movements of people/things and seeming more interested in the world around him. He has enjoyed the carrier, as seen in the pics, a few times with both mommy and daddy. Sidenote: Daddy will have to learn to put a shirt on or keep complaining that lil' Tanner pulls his chest hair out. :( lol
• He is sleeping from anywhere to 1.5 hours - 4 hours at a time. The 4-hour time periods are almost always during the day though. I finally learned to heat up my rice/corn bag in the microwave and move it around in his bassinet to warm up his blankets. The transfer from my arms to his bed goes much more smoothly - most of the time.
• He has to have his hair washed everyday because he has oily hair, but the nurse said that is way better than a dry head and cradle cap.

He makes some funny faces, like the one in his vibrating seat above. He's getting some poochy cheeks!!! Well, he is finally asleep here next to me, so I had better get some things done. Hope everyone has had an enjoyable weekend!