3 months: baby and postpartum update

Today James Michael officially turns 3 months old. I haven't posted in 2.5 week (figures!) so this post will be a catch-up similar to the last one, including a ton of pictures from the past few weeks.

Earlier this month, James Michael experienced his first road trip visiting Aunt Ellen in Bluffton, S.C.

Meme bought him his first coastal outfit!

 He learned how to ride goats :) ...

...and drive a tractor.

And he surprised us all by being on his best behavior while we spent half a day shopping for wedding stuff and venturing around downtown Bluffton. As long as you keep this fellow moving, whether in a stroller, car or in your arms, he's always happy.

I'm happy to report that at the 11-week mark, JM's sleeping pattern suddenly began to improve. For the past week, he's had a couple six-hour stretches and on other nights four- to five-hour stretches. But the real kicker was last night on the eve of his 12-week birthday. I put him to bed at 8:15 and he slept until 4am--nearly 8 hours! Of course, this mama awoke at 2:30am--any of you nursing mamas will understand how an 8-hour stretch feels, especially the first time.

James Michael's personality has really started to shine. Sure, he's been "talking" for several weeks, but lately, he's realized just how loud he can be. Sometimes, he even startles himself with his vocal strength.

He's also continuing to kick and squirm for hours a day. I have no idea how he has so much energy. 

He's starting to enjoy his activity mat more and more, and recently has started to respond to toys. Of course, I love to put them right in his face so he has no choice.

He still LOVES his bouncy seat, and I call him my little sous chef since that's where he sits while I'm cooking in the kitchen. We just talk to each other while I cook, and he's usually content in the seat for at least 30 minutes.

Sometimes, I have to remind myself that he's still a baby. After all, in his mind I can tell he thinks he's 3 years old.

I put him in front of mirrors a good bit, and usually he just stares. But it was so funny to see him talking to himself the other day that I just had to capture it.

No, he's definitely not perfect all the time. He's fussy when he's hungry or tired, and sometimes when he's not entertained enough. Then, Senior Poopy Pants makes his appearance. And still, it's hard not to smile at him because that puffed up bottom lip is just so cute.

I recently read him a 20-minute story from his Dr. Seuss book, and he was attentive the entire time and constantly talking to the book.

3 Months Postpartum
So what's been going on with me? For the past month, I've headed up to the gym early a few times a week so I can squeeze in a decent workout before the classes start. James either brings JM up to the gym with him later, or they come up early and do chores together. Yesterday, James strapped JM on his chest and a backpack blower on his back. And last week they vacuumed together. We're teaching him the value of hard work early :)

Did I ever share what James gave me for Christmas this past year? A Dick's Sporting Goods gift card along with this little ensemble.

Has anyone forgotten that I was 39 weeks pregnant at the time?!?! James knows I love workout clothes, but I couldn't help but think this gift might be a challenge.

I'm usually a fairly modest person, but rarely do I back down from a challenge. I've waited until 3 months postpartum (to the day) to debut this new outfit.

Sure, my body isn't perfect, but it wasn't before I was pregnant either. I'm happy with where I am now, and know that I have couple months to continue to firm up before swimsuit season. I don't hink he realized it at the time he purchased this outfit, but this compression sports bra has been a lifesaver for all those CrossFit workouts that involve running!

I think the fact that I have the guts to post these pictures means that I win the challenge, hands down!

recent musings

I'm too tired to string together sentences into coherent paragraphs to recount the past couple of weeks. So I give you my stream-of-consciousness musings, Walt Whitman style, though not nearly as literary. My topics seem to only focus on James Michael, food and CrossFit, in that order. Don't say I didn't warn you :)

Today James Michael and I went on a 3-mile walk by the river using the Moby wrap. Light exercise + vitamin D for me + nap time for him = an amazing afternoon. There's just something about being near water that is calming to the soul.

We also met Pop and Uncle Pac for lunch. For me, there's also something about being around family that also calms the soul. James Michael, always the hungry fellow, was eying Pop's seafood trio.

This past weekend was my beautiful sister's bachelorette weekend. She and a dozen of her closest friends spent the weekend at an awesome cabin in Asheville. As much as I hate I couldn't have attended, from the looks of the pictures, she had quite an "Ellen" weekend. Who else goes fly fishing and plays limbo on their bachelorette?!?

James Michael is 9.5 weeks old. If you do the math, that means I go back to work in 2.5 weeks. My how time has flown. I can't even think that far ahead at this point. First off, I can't imagine leaving my baby in someone else's hands for the bulk of the day. I'm his mama. I know how to interpret his cries, how to soothe him, how to make him laugh. Secondly, hungry little JM isn't letting mama get a whole lot of sleep. By his 2 month appointment, the pediatrician wanted him down to one nighttime feeding. But obviously she doesn't realize he's inherited his daddy's appetite and metabolism. Baby boy is waking up to eat three times a night on a good night--four on a rough night. On a good night, he'll have a four to five hour stretch of sleep right when I put him down. So he'll wake up between midnight and 1 p.m.  Then he's up every 2.5 to 3 hours to eat after that. This morning I woke up and told James I felt like I'd been hit by a Mac truck. Not that I awoke any more last night than normal. (Hopefully I'm not getting sick!) But I can't imagine working a full day after being up half the night. But alas, women have done it for decades. My mom went back to work six weeks after delivering me. She's my hero. Here I am complaining about 12 weeks :)

At his two month appointment, he weighed 11 lbs 7 oz.--more than 4 pounds up from his birth weight. It shows too, because his little belly is expanding and he's quickly outgrowing his 3-month clothes, more in length than width. Just look at that cute belly!

At every turn, and in every picture, JM seems to look a little different. His eyes have deepened into a dark gray, which probably means they'll go brown or hazel eventually. The light hair on the top of his head has started to come in a bit, but the darker ring around the bottom has yet to fall out.

He loooooves bath time, especially kicking around and splashing. But he haaaates putting clothes back on once it's over. I think the Hobson men tradition of going shirtless is already influencing him.

It's crazy to think that I was stronger at 39 weeks pregnant than I am now. Back then, I barely broke a sweat doing 95lb deadlifts in a CrossFit workout. Now, they're way tougher than they should be. It's the same way with all my lifts. I'm not beating myself up about it too much. I've just got to take the time to build my strength up again. And of course it will help when JM starts sleeping more at night and I get more rest.

I could live off homemade salads and soups indefinitely. I'm still on my salad kick and eat them for lunch about five days a week. No bottled dressing will ever do an amazing salad justice. Since my mom whipped up homemade balsamic dressing the week after I delivered, I've been hooked on making my own ever since. I've purchased a couple infused balsamic vinegars, which have been great additions. Who wouldn't want to try pear, orange blossom honey or white raspberry infused vinegar?

Now that I'm no longer pregnant, I really have no excuse to buy gluten-free processed foods. Sure, rice flour is better than wheat flour, but truly, almond or coconut flour is best. So this week I'm using up most of my processed gluten-free foods. The grilled ham and cheese sandwich, homemade cinnamon raisin french toast and double chocolate chip muffins have been amazing. Now it's sayonara to them and hello to whole unprocessed foods.

This $10 bottle of wine is very good for its price point, not that my palate is super refined. A half glass here and there is definitely a treat. Thanks for turning us onto it, Cam.

And if you're looking for an amazing poultry spice, try out this one, found in aisle beside the mexican food. We had it on chicken at a cookout a couple weeks ago, and I couldn't get enough. Thanks Josh C.