So with Jake being just over two months old, what is a typical like for us? Well, it usually starts around 3:30 a.m. No kidding. This could vary between 2:30 - 4:30 a.m., it all depends on Jake. He usually lets us know when he is hungry. There are the occasional sleeps that are 8 or 10 hours. No kidding. But let's not call these typical. So the day starts with a diaper change (done by dad) and a feed (obviously mom). The feed occurs in the extra bed in the office, so mom and Jake stay warm and mom can get a cat nap in. Then its swaddle Jake, and back to bed for both.
Jake started out sleeping in a bassinet in our bedroom, but for the past week or so he has been sleeping in his crib in his own room. The crib had been a safe place for us to 'park' him while we did short chores, such as put the laundry in, so he was always used to his crib. One evening while being 'parked' Jake fell asleep in his crib and remained asleep for 8 hours. Rule #1: Never wake a sleeping baby. So the transition to the crib had begun.
The second start to the day is somewhere between 6:30 - 8:30 a.m. And surprise, surprise, it begins with a diaper change and a feed. Next up is coffee for mom and dad, followed by more coffee and breakfast.
In the morning Jake heads to the beach for some playtime. The beach is a floor mat, with 'palm tree' arm-like things that arch overhead. We have lots of dangly toys that hang from these arches, and Jake might spend close to an hour, hanging out on his own, and with mom or dad, looking at the toys. At this stage he accidentally bangs them around, but he is still to0 young to know what to grasp for.
An important element of Jake's morning playtime is 'tummy time': supervised time on his tummy. It helps to strengthen his arms (for the future crawling escapades), it strengthens his neck muscles and it gives his head a break from laying on something hard. Babies nowadays spend alot of time in carriers, cribs, chairs etc., and they can develop a flat head. No kidding. A flat spot on their head. So tummy time cancels this out. Jake usually spends time admiring himself....with good reason.
There will be a couple of diaper changes in there, and some more feeding.
Typically there is a nap from 1ish to 4ish, but this doesn't always occur. Sometimes there is lots of holding, singing, rocking, trying to get a yawning Little Dude to have a nap.
Some days will have an afternoon adventure. Mom and Jake go to a Baby Group on Tuesday afternoons to hang out with other moms and babies, and they also go to visit Zeke, Cathryn and Sable on Thursdays. Dad, mom and Jake often go to the library, lunch or walks. Walks are always fun since we have a baby carrier that holds Jake snuggled on the front of our body. It keeps him warm and the rhythm of walking puts him to sleep.
Since afternoon is naptime anyway, Jake usually sleeps in the stroller for these outings. He is not a fan of the carseat, and doesn't necessarily fall asleep in the car, but if you can get that stroller moving he is a happy baby.
After dinner, its bath time followed by a top up feed. Jake is usually asleep by about 8 or 9. And mom and dad might catch up on email (or blogging), read in bed or watch a bit of a movie. This might be the time to be tempted to stay up late doing the chores or the fun stuff that you didn't get to during the day, but it's better to play it safe and get some sleep. So mom and dad are in bed by 10, with a short prayer for one of those special 8 or 10 hour sleeps from Jake.
All in all we are a happy family, already with happy memories and lots of wonderful days ahead.
