Really babies grow so fast that my little one just turned 8 weeks yesterday, 30th of December. It was just like yesterday when I have updated this blog on his 5th week and now 3 weeks had already past. 

One of his winsome smile :)

   They say that it's not every day that they are babies as time runs fast, so for me, we should cherish each moment and make the most of every single day. Every time we have sleepless nights, we should always think that this will not last forever and that it will surely pass. Our little ones will not be babies forever as well, so just cherish and enjoy each and every single day that they are still babies.

   Though I am glad that my baby at an early stage have learned to sleep straight through the night. Happy to share that he only wakes up or cries when he is hungry or needs to change his nappy.

My sleepy baby :)

   But during his 6th week, his Dad and I were a bit sleepless for about 3 days and I've read that it's called "growth spurt" wherein during this stage, for example with my little one, breastfed babies nurse more often than usual (sometimes as often as every hour) and often act fussier than usual. I remember early morning, he would act differently, while I nursed him, he wouldn't latch properly, crying so loud, so fussy as if he is in pain. I even thought that time that he was not getting enough milk from me as every time I nurse him, he rejects it and cries. Thankfully I didn't ended up buying milk formula to supplement him instead I remained calm and did all my best to deal with his fussiness.

   One night I remember, when his Dad replaced me to take care of him for awhile so I can sleep a bit, when I woke up, I saw his Dad putting some oil on his neck, in our country it's called "Mansanilla". His Dad told me that maybe our baby's neck is in pain and that made me laugh. I told him that it's normal every time babies are fussy, some were really arching their back or neck so hard as if they were in pain. Until now, that puts a smile on my face every time I remember that incident. :)

   For the development, at this stage, my little one can lift his head so well in which had started around his 4th week. Glad that he can also stand up already when supported. He's been constantly cooing and smiling back also every time we talk with him. Really time flies so fast, sooner my baby will be rolling over, crawling, walking and talking.

Look! Can now stand and lift his head well! :)

   Can't wait for that! But for now, better treasure and enjoy each moment with my baby that when he is big, I will be happily reminiscing happy moments I had with him and not those sleepless nights.

   Thanks be to God for this milestone. My little one is now 8 weeks! ;)

My baby Moses is growing so fast. Well, with this 5th week milestone (9th Dec), had the following activities:

December 2

Had his very first swing ride

December 4

Had his second follow up check up and Hepatitis B second dose vaccine

Had his very first co-sleeping with Dad :)

Celebrated his 1 Month Birthday

December 7

Took his very first vitamin drop :)

December 8

Had his very first stroll at the park

Thanks be to God for a healthy start!

Today, Sunday, baby Moses had his very first stroll at the park with his Dad, Mom and big sister Amber. Glad weather was just fine, not so cold, as we got home past 7pm already.

Baby was sleeping when we left the house until we got home. He was just sleeping the whole time. I nursed him before we went out so he was full and I guess he loves the weather and the warmth of his Dad's embrace. Aside from that, he's really a sleepy baby.

While he enjoyed it sleeping outside at the park, his big sister Amber on the other hand enjoyed playing at the playground. ;)

Thanks be to God for this wonderful day. Truly, one of those moments to cherish.

   Baby Moses had his second check up this Wednesday morning, 4th of November, and at the same time had his second dose of vaccine for Hepatitis B. Exactly was on this day also, he turned one month old.

Baby Moses with Daddy while waiting for the vaccine

   His Daddy and I were glad to know from the doctor who examined him today that based from his findings, every thing was normal. She checked our baby from head to toe, examined the shape of his head and its size circumference, the texture of his skin, movements of his muscles on his hands and legs, also checked if his legs were of same length, coordination of his eyes, his breathing, skin on his chest and tummy, as well as down under front to back.

   Just to share, when baby was born, he was vomiting the formula milk being fed to him in the nursery. Afterwards from his blood test they found out that he had some infection so we were told that was the reason why he was vomiting the milk. Since babies are still weak, he might have gotten it while inside the womb. He was brought to the Pedia Ward then. He stayed there for almost a week to complete his antibiotic treatments. Today was his follow up check up and thank God from the doctor's examination every thing was normal.

   It was also a blessing to know that he gained more weight this time and was doubled from last time. From birth he weighs 3.805 kgs. but was decreased when he was being treated at the Pedia Ward. But when he was discharged, went back to his original weight who weighs 3.807 kgs. back then. During his first check up last 24th of November, he was weighing 4.12 kgs. And now, we're so happy to know that he now weighs 4.705 kilograms. To sum up, he gained almost a kilogram in a month.

   I was told that since I am exclusively breastfeeding, that means I have adequate milk and I should just keep on going. :)

   Thanks be to God!

With Mommy while waiting for the tram on our way home

Keep it up Momma! :)

   God willing, my son will be 1 month this coming 4th of December. Thanks be to God!

Neil Moses at 10 days old

   We, his Dad and I can say that we're glad that at an early age, he sleeps straight through the night. He just cries when he is hungry but since I am on breastfeeding, I can easily feed him while we're both lying on bed. Though feeding time is almost every two hours, still, I can manage and catch up some sleep afterwards.

Taken just yesterday at 26 days old

   So far his Dad & I are blessed compared to other parents who have sleepless nights. :)

Wondering about his weight :)

Last Saturday, 24th of November, was baby Moses very first check up. Before I go on, let me share this conversation during our interview with the hospital staff. It just put a smile on my face every time I remember  and somewhat serves as an inspiration to me being a Mom. :)

Nurse: Do you have a helper with you?
Me: No, just me.
Nurse: Wow, superwoman! That's good! (Giving me a thumbs up...)

Nurse: Are you feeding him some formula?
Me: No, just breastfeeding.
Nurse: Good that your exclusively breastfeeding, keep going! (smiling) He now weighs 4.12 kgs compared to 3.807 when he was discharged from the hospital. That means he is getting enough milk from you.
Me: Thank you. (I feel so very happy)

Nurse: How long will you be breastfeeding your baby?
Me: As long as I have milk!
Nurse: Good, you can breastfeed him until 2 years.

These were just some of the conversations my husband and I had during our interview at the hospital. We were given a lot of pointers about breastfeeding.

So glad baby Moses gained weight. I was so eager to attend this check up 2 weeks after he was discharged from the hospital as I was really curious if he gained weight. With breastfeeding, somewhat you have worries if your baby is really getting enough milk from there. But from what I've read from the internet, checking how many dirty diapers he had will give you assurances.

Now, I am more confident that my baby is getting enough milk from me. I feel fulfilled being a Mom and also happy knowing my baby is getting the best feeding.

Thanks be to God!

My milk came in two days after I gave birth to Neil Moses. As soon it came in, I've never wasted any single moment, I have started pumping right away. Since my son was still being treated at the pedia ward due to some minor infection, I cannot breastfeed him directly so what I did was every milk I get from pumping I bring there so he can drink especially that we all know the first that comes out once your milk comes in is the colostrum which is very important for baby to have.

The hospital was so breastfeeding friendly, I was able to watch on their video about breastfeeding techniques same as I have attended the breast pumping demo.

Here is the photo of my very first pumped breast milk 3 days after baby was born (07-Nov-2013) Not bad on my first, got 50 ml of milk. :)

Followed the following day and so on. I pumped every 3 hours :)

Here is my pumped milk feeding my baby. I feel fulfilled ;)

I went home without baby as he still have to complete his antibiotic session at the pedia ward. So I just continued pumping at home then my husband is the one who is bringing the pumped breast milk at the hospital. I was able to get many more milk while at home, so glad as this was really one of those I wanted to achieve in life as being a mother.

Got 100 ml of breast milk here :)

Yay! Got almost 4 ounces of milk :)

To share, with my first baby Amber way back 2009, I wasn't able to breastfeed her well. Maybe, because it was my first time and that it was a caesarian operation, proper positioning was hard for me as I feel pain on my belly. Though I have enough milk that time as I was leaking, still I wasn't able to do so as she was earlier introduced to formula milk, she get used to it easily. Afterwards, I started losing my milk supply even I was trying my best to revive it. It was stressful for me as I really wanted to breastfeed her but I just thought of the next time will be having a baby, I will not waste any single moment and will introduce right away breastfeeding.

So this time around, thanks be to God that I was successfully able to breastfeed my second child. It was a rewarding moment, words cannot express how happy and blessed I am to be able to breastfeed and to know that my child is getting the best food which is breast milk.

I made a lot of research on the internet on how I can maintain my milk supply and the most important thing I learned was the more often you breastfeed your baby, the more it will stimulate your milk supply as it's based on supply and demand. Also proper latching is important so that baby will be getting enough milk. Factors that also contributes with successful breastfeeding is the food you eat, it should be rich in protein. Also you should not be stressed out. I have read that while pumping, you should be thinking of positive thoughts like thinking of your baby, nature and scenery or that of happy thoughts.

Right now, have been exclisively breastfeeding Neil Moses every two hours. Sleepless nights for the first few days but now I'm glad we both have adjusted. He is a very amazing baby, sleeps after every feeding and only cries when he is hungry. He is taking a good latch every feeding and loves my breast milk. :)

This is the day were about to take baby Neil Moses home. Before that I fed him the remaining breast milk which my husband brought in the hospital. So happy, it was a wonderful moment to cherish. Thanks be to God!