Now that Nolan is one month old we're starting to see some developmental milestones, which is really fun. Nolan does well with tummy time (as long as he isn't hungry or hasn't been fed too recently) and can move his head from side to side and use his arms to lift his upper body and neck up. Much of the time he is content to just lie there sucking his little hand, which is really cute! He actually fell asleep doing tummy time the other day. It seems like he'd be content sleeping on his tummy all the time, but of course we're not going to put him to sleep on his tummy due to the increased risk of SIDS.
When Nolan is being held he can hold is neck up very well to look around. He loves staring at high contrast things, such as borders, dark objects on a light colored wall, even where the wall and ceiling meet in our bedroom (dark grey wall and white ceiling).
Nolan has also started smiling (see pictures below!) and chatting; he moves his mouth trying to imitate you and he also makes cute little noises. He recently started to make the little "coo" noises, which is sooooo sweet. When he is fed, changed and not overtired he is the happiest little boy! He will look at you and talk and smile for the longest time! His favorite places to chatter away right now are lying on his back on a blanket, in his activity gym and on the changing table.
Things have not changed much with Nolan's sleeping; we have good days and bad days, good nights and bad nights. Hopefully he'll start to have more good days and nights and fewer bad days and nights soon!
One thing that Jason and I can't figure out is whether or not to swaddle Nolan. Swaddling newborns - 3 month olds is recommended so they don't startle themselves awake with their arms. However, Nolan HATES to be swaddled. If I swaddle him when he is pretty sleepy he is ok with it, but if I swaddle him when he isn't drowsy enough he gets so mad. He will grunt and moan and make loud noises while trying to get his arms up and out. He ends up waking himself up completely and then I'm in trouble. It is really hard to get him to sleep after that. We've tried not swaddling his arms and he startles himself awake and doesn't sleep as long as when he is swaddled. He seems to be a light sleeper, just like me.
Nolan got his first bottle when he was three weeks old. Jason gave it to him and he guzzled it down! There is no worrying about Nolan refusing to take a bottle. He seems happy to get food however he can get it! One thing that we need to figure out though is how to get him to slow down his eating. He gets done with his bottle and thinks he is still hungry or wants to suck to soothe himself (like he is able to do while nursing) and he ends up getting a little fussy. Then sometimes when nursing he gets upset when he can't guzzle as fast as he can with a bottle. I think with a little more time he'll figure out the difference between the bottle and nursing.
Nolan will have his first babysitters tomorrow night - my mom and dad! Jason and I are going out to eat downtown with Alissa (Jason's sister) and Derek (her husband, our brother in law). We are excited to get out of the house and go out to eat without worrying about Nolan getting fussy in public, but I know we'll miss him a lot while we're gone! Hopefully he will be on his best behavior for my parents. :)
Here are the most recent pictures:
Nolan in his puppy towel, sucking his hand for comfort.
One of Nolan's first bottles!
Guzzle, guzzle
My grandpa holding his great-grandson!
The two Nolan Davids!
One month old!
Snuggling with Grandma
The three boys taking a nap...well, two of the three are napping.
Close up on Daddy and Son
Smiling away!
He's smiling at his jungle friends on the activity gym.
Just so happy!
