6 Weeks

A few weeks ago, I jumped back into life full throttle. I was back on carpool, taking kids to baseball practices, attending church and young women activities again, etc. I wrote a few thank you notes, had friends over, went to a reception and a school performance... By Saturday night I was so exhausted I could hardly move and the house looked like a war zone. I was glad to be back into the swing of things, but all at once felt overwhelming. I tried to take it slower the next week. I just need more hours in the day. Or more arms. I'd take either.

I feel like the tide- each week I progress a little further up the sand, with the guarantee that I will be back out at sea again shortly. Two steps forward and one step back. Progress is progress right? It seems I'll have a super productive day, and then an overwhelming day, then a productive day, then a productive day, then a crazy day where everything comes undone again. Sigh. Isn't that motherhood?

So Evan is now 6 weeks! He is so huge to me already. I think with my 4th, I finally understand that the sleep deprived stage is short lived and I am enjoying him being a newborn for as long as I can. He's going to grow up fast! Life is definitely so much faster than when I had one baby. I blink and the day is over and it's a 3am feeding again. Wasn't I just here? I blink and he's outgrown half his wardrobe and is on to the next size. When there is a quiet moment, I just want to hold Evan and sit. He is so precious!



Here are some things about our little Evan at 6 weeks:
- His nicknames are 'Evan from Heaven' and The Evanator.'
- He is also known as the 'Spit-up King'. He can really spew something fierce!
- His eyes are looking very blue, which surprised me because I was sure they would turn brown 'cause they were dark at birth. They are getting lighter though. Could we have another blue eyed?
- He LOVES his pacifier. He is the first baby I've had that will take a pacifier after 2 weeks. And his brothers love to give it to him. Can I tell you how grateful I am he can be soothed with a paci?!
- Evan gets lots of comments on his huge cheeks. And they were even bigger at birth! We love his cheeks.
- He weighs around 13 lbs and is very long.
- He started cooing and we love it! Everyone tries to get a smile out of him.
- When Dallin approaches, Evan turns his head. I swear! Even though Dallin is gentle, Evan knows he's gonna be in his face. :)
- He has slept for 5 hours in a row at night a handful of times now. We're getting there! Now if only I could go to bed at 10 when he goes to sleep, I'd actually get 5 hours of sleep in a row too.
- He's trying a medication for reflux. He is very patient about it though, and rarely cries- even when it comes out his nose. Poor guy! It is messy and frustrating, but he is very good about it and is gaining weight just fine. Burp rags are as vital as diapers around here. We don't leave home without one (or two or three).
- I love his eyes. They are big and almond shaped and are my favorite feature of his.
- He loves to be swaddled. I'm a big fan of swaddling. I saw a fussy baby trying to go to sleep in the mother's lounge at church and I just wanted to grab him and swaddle him! I resisted. It sure soothes Evan.
- He has only slept in his crib 1 time at night. He spits up so much, he sleeps better in his car seat or bouncy seat. If I lay him flat, he gurgles and gags all night. Sad! During the day he'll sleep fine flat if it has been at least a half hour after eating.
- 10 min after bathing him he smells like spit up, so I spend those 10 minutes inhaling him. Mmm. Freshly bathed baby smell. It's good while it lasts.

We love having Evan. He is generally content and happy to watch the action going on around him. And I just love those cheeks!