What we have learned as 2-month old parents

Jack turned 2 months old last night and as I sat there watching UCLA defeat Pittsburgh in the NCAA regional semifinals (Go Bruins!), I couldn't help but think of all the amazing events and learning experiences we've had so far. Everyone always told us the first two months were the hardest. That's probably because the greatest number of life changes (for us and Jack) happened in these past two months.



Here are some of the things that we as parents have learned in the past 2 months:

- If he's crying, it's either because he's hungry, has gas, needs a diaper change, or wants to be comforted. The trick is finding out which one is the cause.
- Comforting him might be as simple as being held or as complicated as employing a combination of the 5 S's: Swaddle, Swing, Shhh'ing, Sucking (pacifier), and laying on his Side. I have yet to have one of these not work.
- Learn to swaddle him nice and tight. No, tighter. There you go, that's it.
- Smiling and laughing are his greatest rewards to us. At first he'd only do them in his sleep, but now he likes to share them with us while he's awake.
- I think we got lucky that he likes diaper changes. He didn't like his first diaper change, but now it's one of his favorite activities. Good thing, too, because he was up to 9 diaper changes a day. Now he's down to about 5 or so a day.
- Bath time is one of his other favorite activities. He really didn't like his first bath, but just like the diaper changes, he loves them now.
- Buy lots of wipes. A baby never grows out of wipes.
- Add at least 20 minutes to your expected departure time.
- Learn to deal with a couple hours of sleep at a time. Be thrilled with 3 hours.
- The hardest part of the first 2 months was definitely the feeding (and I'm not talking from first hand experience). Breastfeeding is hard...takes a while to get used to and is constant. That's definitely the most tasking thing for Joanne. I try and do whatever I can to help her out when possible.
- You can never have enough blankets. We received lots of blankets as gifts, and we're using them all...as bed padding, swaddle blankets, travel blankets, etc.
- Take lots of pictures. He changes every day.

Look at that face. He loves getting his hair done.


Here is a quick rundown of our favorite baby items that we couldn't live without:

1. Diaper Genie II - gotta have it, just make sure you get lots of refills; one-handed operation!
2. Soothie Pacifier (shown left) - he loves it and it still cracks me up. Look! It's smiling! Get a few of them; they're easy to lose.
3. Snap 'n Go - just a lightweight stroller frame that easily allows you to snap in the car seat. SO much easier than pulling him out of the car seat each time.
4. Bouncer - great spot for him to hang out on his own; especially great that he can be at the dinner table with us!
5. SwaddleMe - swaddling is great on its own, but the SwaddleMe lets him stay bundled up through the night.

He's ready to go!