His second month involved lots of cuddle time, lots of kisses, doctor's visits, crying, and stomach pain. It has been a tough month for Talmage. He struggles with his eating although since we have changed formulas, he doesn't always scream while he eats. He is rarely content though and always seems to be in pain which means he doesn't like to eat. Because he hasn't gained enough weight (at two months he weighed 7 lbs 4 oz), his formula is being concentrated. Because his formula is concentrated, Talmage had diarrhea until we switched formulas again. Talmage does not like the taste of this new formula (Nutramigen) so eating is still tough. My poor little boy has had a really rough go (he has been on four different formulas since he was born). We are hoping with the latest change in formula, things will get better in terms of the pain. We can't do anything about the taste! Meanwhile, we still have weekly weigh ins and I just prepare myself that Talmage wants to be held all morning and between the hours of 5 to 8 he will be extremely fussy.
Tummy time with Lili
Everyone asks how Lili is adjusting. She is doing great. The first night with Talmage, she was jealous but since then she has been fine. Luckily, both Lili and Talmage are light so they can both be carried at the same time. They both also fit on my lap just fine together. When we brought Talmage home, Lili grew up before our eyes. She says baby now and is very aware when Talmage is crying in his bed. She tries to climb in his bed and likes to say, "shhh." Lili will also touch Talmage's head and say gentle. She doesn't care about holding him though. There are times when both Lili and Talmage are crying and need me. Dallin is a big help during the day with this and will hold one or try to make the other happy until I can get there.
Dallin loves holding babies. Talmage's fussiness has been really hard for Dallin. He wants to hold Talmage whenever he wants and doesn't like it that I have off limit times. I get pretty angry if one of the boys tries to pick Talmage up after I have worked so hard to get him to sleep. Dallin is a really big helper though and will even hold Talmage while he is screaming until I can get there with a bottle or whatever he needs.
My favorite part in bringing a new baby home is watching all the siblings bond together. There is something so sweet in seeing wild boys being so gentle and kind to their baby brother. With every baby I felt this and it is the same with Talmage, but I believe my kids all knew each other up in heaven and they were meant for our family. Their little spirits recognize each other.
Gavin is also a big helper. He loves to put paci in Talmage's mouth when he is crying and really loves to hold him. It lasts about 2 minutes in which Gavin will proclaim, "Talmage loves me!"
Talmage may not always like to be held. Do you see his worry lines between his eyes?
Hanging out together in the morning.
A rare happy/content look on Talmage's face. Love it!
Talmage loves his orange paci. Paci and swaddling help keep this boy calm!
Talmage has met a lot of family this month. This is cousin Carter holding him.
Talmage with Grandma
My mom was in Europe when we got back in town. Pretty much as soon as she was home she started spending all her days at my house helping me out. I really appreciated all she did to help in those first couple of weeks home until we could get a routine down!
As soon as we got home, swim season started for Dallin. Luckily a friend and I carpool to swim practice so I don't have to take all four kids every day. This helps tremendously and probably saves Lili's life from drowning since as soon as she sees water she tries to jump in and Gavin from getting lost since he is known to wonder.
This is how Zane and I watch Dallin swim at swim meets. Sometimes Gavin is on top of Zane's shoulders cheering Dallin on. Talmage does really well in the Moby wrap.
Two Month Pictures
This is Talmage's typical face. He really hates having his hands free. He is swaddled in the car too.
Ahh, paci.
This is Talmage at more like 10 weeks but I like these pictures better for 2 month pictures! He is happy some of the times and I have been rewarded with a smile or two!
Zane and I spent the first 6 years of our marriage trying to have kids. We have now spent the last 6 years raising kids and adding to our family faster than we ever thought possible. Six years ago we were begging God for one baby. We feel so incredibly blessed to be parents to these four kids. They turned our quiet, peaceful life upside down and we wouldn't change a thing. Talmage has had a rough go with eating and reflux, but looking back to where he was when we first met him, he is doing amazing. He is a miracle baby and we really do feel so blessed!
