Embracing the Journey: A 12-Week Update on Our Little Mr. Elliott
Hello, wonderful readers! It feels like just yesterday we were sharing the joy of Mr. Elliott’s arrival, and now, as of yesterday, he’s officially 12 weeks old. Time truly does fly when you’re caught up in the whirlwind of joy, discovery, and endless cuddles that come with a newborn. This saying has never rung truer for us, and we wanted to take a moment to share an update on how our little one is thriving.
I must start by confessing something that any new parent will understand: I am completely, head-over-heels in love with this baby. It’s a love that deepens with each passing day, each new smile, and every tiny milestone he achieves. Even more so than during our last check-in at his 6-week update, my affection for him has grown immeasurably. Perhaps it’s because my recent return to work two weeks ago has meant I see him less during the day, making every moment we share even more precious. Or perhaps it’s simply because his burgeoning personality is now shining through, making it utterly impossible not to adore him.
Finding Our Rhythm: Elliott’s Daily Schedule and Sweet Mornings
Let’s rewind a bit and delve into Elliott’s progress since he crossed the two-month mark. We’re cautiously optimistic that we’ve finally settled into something resembling a schedule for his days and nights, although I’m not quite ready to declare it permanent! For now, he typically eats every 2-3 hours during the day, maintaining a consistent rhythm that helps us plan our activities. At night, he manages longer stretches, waking up every 3-4 hours for a feeding, which is a welcome improvement for our sleep-deprived selves.
Sleep-wise, Elliott is a champion napper, enjoying 1-2 hour naps two or three times throughout the day. These precious moments allow me to catch up on chores, work, or simply grab a much-needed cup of tea. His day officially kicks off between 7-8 AM, and this is when he’s at his absolute happiest – full of bright-eyed wonder and gurgling sounds. Mr. J and I often wake to the sweet sounds of him “talking” to himself in his crib. We usually give him a few minutes, listening to his adorable babbling from our room, but the cuteness is simply irresistible. We can never hold back and inevitably end up joining his morning party, reveling in his joyous expressions. These morning interactions are, without a doubt, my favorite part of the day, filled with cuddles, coos, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
The Working Mom Juggling Act: Navigating the Transition Back to Work
It’s precisely these cherished morning moments that made the transition back to work two weeks ago incredibly challenging. Our once leisurely mornings are now a blur of activity: waking up, feeding Elliott, getting him dressed for the day, preparing bottles for my mom, and tidying up his room. The clock seems to race against us, and I barely have enough time for a proper hug before I have to dash out the door. It has honestly been the hardest transition I’ve ever experienced, and I’m finding it difficult to fully embrace work again because of it. To be completely candid, I’m also just exhausted from my ongoing student life and am eager to move on to the next chapter soon, but that’s a discussion for another day.
The Invaluable Gift of Grandparent Support
Fortunately, we’ve been incredibly blessed with the presence of my mother, who came to visit us from Sierra Leone last month. Her unwavering support has been a lifesaver; she’s been taking care of Elliott while I’m at work, providing him with loving and familiar care. Watching them bond has been truly amazing, and her joy in spending time with her grandson is palpable. I am endlessly grateful for her help, as knowing that Elliott is in such loving hands while I’m away makes this challenging period a tiny, tiny bit easier to bear. Of course, this wonderful arrangement will come to an end in December when she returns home, and Elliott will begin attending daycare – a thought that already brings a lump to my throat.
Milestones and Merriment: Elliott’s Development at 12 Weeks
In terms of development, our little man is a true smiling machine! He absolutely loves to smile, spreading joy to everyone around him with his infectious grin. He’s also becoming quite the conversationalist, “talking” a lot with adorable coos, gurgles, and varied vocalizations that hint at the words to come. His communication skills are truly blossoming, and it’s captivating to watch him try to interact with us.
Elliott also had his first set of vaccines at his two-month check-up, and he proved to be an absolute trooper. After the initial two minutes of crying – entirely understandable, as who truly enjoys needles? – he quickly recovered, happy as a clam. He even offered smiles to the nurses as we were leaving, much to our pride. He was such a good boy, and thankfully, we didn’t experience any fevers or sleepless nights as a result of the shots. We’re scheduled to go back next month for the next round, and we’re certainly hoping for a repeat of his excellent behavior.
Creating Cherished Memories: Pumpkin Patch Adventures
What else has been happening in our busy little world? We recently embarked on our first family outing to a pumpkin patch, a quintessential autumn activity. Elliott, in true baby fashion, slept through the entire experience! Naturally, being the “evil parents” that we are, we seized the opportunity to lay him gently among the pumpkins for some adorable photos. The results were undeniably the cutest thing ever, and those pictures will forever be cherished memories of his first fall season.
Navigating the Feeding Journey: Pumping, Bottles, and Self-Compassion
During our last update, I shared some of our breastfeeding woes. I can now report that we’ve pretty much stopped actively trying to breastfeed directly. Instead, I’ve transitioned to exclusively pumping and feeding Elliott breastmilk via bottles. He is still on 100% breastmilk, but it’s all from the bottle, which has given us a sense of predictability and control over his intake. This approach has proven to be more sustainable for us at this stage.
Looking ahead, I’m considering supplementing with one or two feedings of formula starting next week. My goal is to build up a substantial bank of frozen breastmilk, as I have some upcoming travel that will take me away from him for a few days here and there. This decision used to weigh heavily on me, and I know many new mothers face similar internal battles. I’ve come to realize that women often put immense pressure on themselves when it comes to breastfeeding, striving for an ideal that isn’t always attainable or sustainable for everyone.
Ultimately, my evolving perspective is this: as long as the baby is healthy, growing, and thriving, whatever feeding method you are employing is working for YOU and your family. The mental and emotional well-being of the mother is just as crucial, and sometimes, adjusting our expectations and embracing alternatives is the healthiest choice for everyone involved. This journey has taught me the importance of self-compassion and trusting my instincts as a mother.
Celebrating Milestones: Adorable Birth Announcements by Minted
On a slightly different note, I finally got my act together and printed Elliott’s birth announcement cards – only about 10 weeks after he made his grand arrival! But hey, better late than never, right? For this special task, I turned to my well-trusted friends over at Minted.com to design his beautiful announcements. I was so impressed with the quality and design of our Christmas cards from them last year that I knew I wanted their expertise for Elliott’s big reveal as well. And they certainly didn’t disappoint; the cards turned out absolutely adorable! We opted for this specific design, which perfectly captured the sweet essence of our little one.
Exciting Opportunity: A Minted.com Giveaway!
Win a $100 Gift Card for Your Holiday Needs!
Now for some exciting news for all of you! The lovely folks over at Minted are generously giving away a $100 Minted.com Gift Card to one lucky reader. With the holiday card season fast approaching, this is the perfect opportunity to get a head start on your festive greetings, shop for unique personalized gifts, or even treat yourself to something special. Minted offers an incredible array of products, from stunning stationery to art prints and home decor, making it a fantastic resource for all your design needs.
Entering this fantastic giveaway is incredibly simple. All you need to do is tell us in the comments below: “What is your favorite thing about the holidays?” That’s it! We’re excited to read your festive inspirations and memories. Good luck to everyone who enters!
Thank you for joining us on this beautiful journey with Mr. Elliott. We appreciate your continued support and well wishes.
Have a wonderful weekend, friends!
xoxo,
Z
Disclosure: This giveaway is sponsored by Minted.com. One winner will be randomly selected to receive a $100 Minted.com gift card. The winner will be chosen on October 31st and contacted directly via email.