Brain growth must hurt

Today is the last day in our house.  I'm sad about it.  I guess because it has been my home for 5 years and this is where we have made a lot of memories.  I'm sad to be moving out of my familiar neighborhood, even if I'm only moving about 5 miles away.  I still think it is a great transition to move back to CO  though...after doing apartment living we will be running back to CO to buy a house as soon as we can!

Jason is coming up tonight to help us move tomorrow.  We can't be more thankful!!  The packing went quick and easy, so I hope the move and unpack are the same.

Chris and I are getting sick of seeing each other.  We spend too much time together.  I love being home with Cooper, but I am also looking forward to going back to work on July 30th.  Chris and I don't have much to talk about since we see each other all day.  After we move I'm going to start going out with my girlfriends on a weekly basis, taking Cooper to zoos, museums and shopping centers.  I just need new scenery!!  (If only gas wasn't getting so close to $5 a gallon!!)

Chris has started giving Cooper a bottle every day for the  feeding right before nap time.  This gives me more time to shower and eat after my walk/workout in the morning.  At first it made me a little sad, but now I look forward to some alone time and freedom without having to rush around.  Plus Chris is learning how to juggle Cooper and make a bottle.  He is also learning about Cooper's sleepy cues and the best methods to soothe him and prepare him for nap time.

I really couldn't believe I felt sad about it after how hard breastfeeding was in the beginning.  Now it's super easy, I don't flinch when he latches, and I look forward to feeding him!  I love how he smiles and smiles at me just before I feed him and how he smiles when he is done.  I think part of the reason I was sad about it, is that I really despise pumping.  I hate how unnatural it is and I really hate cleaning up afterwards.  At least I can get 5-7 oz in about 5 min, so I don't have to pump too long.  Guess I should get used to it since I'll have to do it at work.

Cooper seems to be coming out of his fussy baby period.  At about 6 weeks on the dot he was a lot more fussy than we were used to.  We did some reading on it and remember the lactation consultant mentioning the 6 week mark...his brain is developing more now.  Brain growth must hurt or at least be irritating.  He must be used to it now because he's full of calm and lots of smiles again.

Cooper is quite the character.  His personality is starting to show a bit.  When we put him down in his bassinet, he lays and talks to the polka dots before falling asleep.  He has also found his hair poof with his hands and seems to like to pull his own hair.  Then he gets mad or upset because it hurts.  He sticks his tongue out and will sit and do it in the mirror for an hour.  He will also mimic Chris and then smile big and almost giggle about it (not quite giggling...more like cooing/squealing). 

He is sleeping at least 6 hours every night, but since he goes to bed at 8 pm (on the dot!), I rarely can fall asleep at that time.  So I'm still only getting 5 hours of sleep in one stretch.  I've noticed I wake up before him because I'm hungry (wow, breastfeeding makes me so hungry and thirsty all the time!!) and I'm engorged.  These middle of the night feedings will be a tough cycle for me to break...more me than him.  I like getting up with him...it's all quiet and feels like just the two of us while the rest of the world is sleeping.  It's so peaceful even if it means I'm exhausted the next day.